Mount Vernon Unitarian Church

Board of Trustees Meeting

Daria Bergen-Hill

Nance Cedar

Jack Hinman

Linda Jemison, Chair

Will Jernigan

Jim McGovern

Ric Sears

Betsy Stephens

Karen Tyson

Doug MacCleery

Hope Andonovska

Ron Brandt

Anne Bredeck

Ken Krogh

Kay Sargent

Rev. Lou Schwebius

Russ Stumpe

Mark Zimmerman

Ron Brandt reported on the status of the 2004-2005 Canvass. He expressed confidence that the canvass, with the advice of our fundraising consultant, Larry Wheeler, will be very successful. Many more members will be involved than in recent years.

Linda reported on the progress in hiring a business administrator. Over 30 applications have been received, and they are being sorted by Reid Adler and Julie Dressing. The full committee charged with recommending an applicant to the Board will be meeting soon to begin considering the most qualified candidates for the position.

Karen reported that we have accepted Burke & Herbert’s offer of a $400,000, two year, line of credit to fund ongoing maintenance and repair projects. It is expected that this line of credit will be finalized in about one month.

Since we have been authorized to spend only up to $300,000 by the congregation, some of the masonry repair projects may have to be deferred for the time being.

Betsy Stephens, Chair of the Membership Committee, reported that a recent workshop attended by committee members emphasized the importance of the first impressions we give to visitors. She urged Board members to reach out to visitors and make them feel welcome.

Reports were received from the Minister, the DRE, the Music Director, the Treasurer, and the Program Council Convener.

Daria Bergen-Hill reported on Fort Hunt Preschool issues. Data obtained by Hope in 2003 suggest that the rent paid by FHP to MVUC is low compared to several other area UU preschools. An annual increase in rent is proposed, beginning in 2005-2006. Daria also presented data estimating how much FHP costs MVUC per school year. Finally, Daria recommended the appointment of a Task Force to affirm MVUC’s commitment to FHP.

Kay Sargent reported on the design recommendations from the firm of Cole & Denny, which was hired in January to review the conceptual design and cost materials for capital expansion developed over the past several years.

Kay first traced the history of how our capital expansion plans have evolved over the past several years. At one point, about three years ago, a plan for expanding the commons area to the front and building a separate fellowship hall was considered. However, the price tag of over $3 million was judged to be too ambitious, so a two-phase approach, deferring until a later date construction of the, fellowship hall was recommended.

Because this approach failed to address all of our needs, the Board agreed to engage Cole & Denny to take one more look at all our plans. They have come up with a new design proposal involving the addition of a wing to the existing main building. This design would meet RE and Music requirements and provide more separation from the Nursery and the Chapel. This plan would also minimize disruption during construction. It would approximately double our space at a lower per square foot cost than the earlier two-phase plan, and would meet all of our major requirements in one construction project.

The Facilities for the Future Task Force endorsed this approach and recommended awarding a new contract to Cole & Denny, not to exceed $31,000, to take this new project through the concept design stage. A cost estimate and perspective drawings would be prepared well in advance of or our Annual Meeting in April. The Board voted to award the contract.

The documents produced pursuant to this contract will make it easier for the congregation to understand the proposed capital expansion. Information meetings will be held before the Annual Meeting. The congregation will be asked at the Annual Meeting to approve both the new expansion plan and a capital campaign to help finance it.

The Board appointed a Capital Campaign Planning Committee consisting of Ron Brandt, Joanne Masterson, Larry Jackley and Jo Jackley.

Jim McGovern, Secretary