Board Members present:
Ric Sears, Chair
Joanne Masterson, Vice Chair
Wendy Burns
Nance Cedar
Jane Nelson
Jim Potter
Raleigh Romine
Board Member absent:
Hal Holtzclaw
Doug MacCleery
Katie Tyson
Others present:
Ron Brandt
Bill Clontz
Al Erickson
Ken Krogh
Lisa Napier
Al Robbert
Barbara Gay Stoddard
Russ Stumpe
The minutes of the December 6th BOT meeting were approved.
Wendy Burns briefed the Board on the work of the MVUC/Ft. Hunt Preschool (FHP) Relations Committee. The committee recommended in a draft report dated January 3, 2006 that was unanimously approved by the committee members that:
“MVUC should continue its relationship with FHP by negotiating a long-term lease governing shared use of the Carriage House. We recommend that MVUC and FHP improve communication by establishing a formal inter-organizational structure. We recommend that the annual rent fee be increased over a period of years… to… $6 per sq. ft. of classroom space…. After holding [an] open meeting with the congregation in January 2006 to hear their views, this committee will make its final recommendations in time for the BOT to consider them at its February 2006 meeting and will disband as a committee at that time.”
The Board Chair commended the committee on its ability to reach unanimous agreement and the quality of its January 3 draft report.
Lisa Napier reported on the status of the search for the new MVUC Director of Religious Education. The search committee has received one resume to date.
Al Robbert reported on preparations for the 2006-2007 Stewardship Pledge Canvass. The committee’s game plan is documented in a December 29, 2005 draft which was reviewed by the Board. The recommended theme for MVUC’s 50th anniversary celebration is “go for the gold!” In the 2005-2006 Stewardship Pledge canvass, we saw a decline from the previous year in both the number of stewardship pledges and the total pledged amount. To reverse these trends, the 2006-2007 Stewardship Pledge Committee recommends mounting a full face-to-face canvass. The committee recommends 2006 pledge income of $384,000—a 9% increase over the current-year total. Al Robbert requested substantial Board participation as Canvasser Recruiters (Wendy Burns volunteered) and as Canvassers and requested agreement on the general approach at the February meeting.
Bill Clontz reported that the architect has proposed a modification to the Phase I plan that was outlined by the Construction Task Force (CTF) to the Board in December that may ameliorate concerns over the reduced scale of a phased program. The architect suggests that if we finish out the basement just under the Phase I construction (under the new entry way and nursery), thereby gaining two large rooms that would be suitable as meeting rooms or class rooms. The CTF’s “back of the envelope” estimate is that this change will add about $200K to the Phase I cost.
Ken Krough presented an alternative design that would allow MVUC to meet foreseeable facility needs without incurring debt. Ken suggested adding 50 spaces to the parking lot, extending the Chapel by adding a stage at the back (and thereby creating 60 more seats), extending the Commons, and creating four movable classrooms – all at an estimated cost of less than $1 million. These changes could be financed on a “pay as you go” basis.
Ric Sears requested each Board member to present his or her views on construction plans under consideration. Perhaps the major concern was committing the MVUC to significant financial obligation when UU churches nationwide are experiencing declining membership. A motion was made by the Board Chair to restrict the cost of Phase I to less than $1 million (thereby allowing MVUC to finance needed construction on a “pay as you go” basis) did not receive a second. The Board then unanimously approved the following resolution, subject to approval by the congregation at a February 12, 2006 Congregational Meeting:
· We authorize the Construction Task Force, under supervision of the Board of Trustees, to proceed with construction of an addition to the Meeting House as shown in design documents.
· We authorize the Board of Trustees to borrow up to $800,000 to pay for the construction and related costs, including architectural fees and licensing.
This authorization is made with the following provisions:
· Construction will consist of Phase I, as designated in existing plans, with remaining construction (Phase II) to be completed pending further congregational approval.
· A second capital campaign will be considered in 2007 and conducted at a time to be determined by the Board of Trustees to seek pledges beyond the amounts currently pledged to support debt reduction or further construction, as determined by congregational vote.
· As construction proceeds, members of the Construction Task Force may approve minor refinements in the design of the addition in accord with advice from church staff and members of the congregation.
Al Erickson proposed a Gift Acceptance Policy that was approved unanimously by the Board.
Reports were received from Minister, the Business Administrator, and the Interim Director of Religious Education. Rev. Lou, who was unable to attend the meeting, noted in his report that for the first time in his tenure there were no volunteers assigned to clear-up after the second service on Christmas Eve (with the exception of the kitchen area). Rev. Lou had to stay until 11 PM to do the clean up. There was no discussion of the Finance Report or Interim DRE report.
Jim Potter
Acting Secretary