Special Congregational Meeting
Mount Vernon Unitarian Church
June 13, 2004
Karen Tyson, Chair, MVUC Board of Trustees, opened the special congregational meeting at 11:30 am on June 13, 2004. Karen noted that the purpose of the meeting was to consider whether to launch a capital campaign to finance the construction of an addition to the Meeting House.
Karen asked Bill Clontz to summarize the activities and recommendations of the Facilities for the Future Task Force (FFTF) for remodeling and expansion of the MVUC Meeting House, Commons and Offices. After Bill’s presentation, Karen called on Larry Wheeler, UUA consultant, to discuss the results of the financial confirmation study that he had conducted to assess the readiness of MVUC for a capital campaign, as provided in a resolution passed at MVUC’s Annual Meeting on April 25.
Larry summarized the procedures he had used in the study and described its findings. His report suggested that that it was entirely feasible to raise between $1.1 and $1.6 million in a capital campaign, with a strong possibility of raising considerably more. He said that some key elements for reaching a $2 million goal are in place. These include:
1. Pre-organization and planning to conduct a capital campaign that have been going on behind the scenes in anticipation of hitting the ground running in the event of a favorable vote of the congregation.
2. Sally Joy Remington has been making plans to work with MVUC alumni who are now out of the area, many of whom were involved in the initial meeting house construction and who may have a soft spot in their hearts for the church.
3. This year’s pledge drive has been an outstanding success, which is usually a very good sign for a successful capital campaign.
Larry also said that more education of the congregation would be needed for a successful campaign. He noted that some that he had interviewed did not seem to know the full implications of what it would take for MVUC to successfully raise the funding needed for construction. Nevertheless, he found that there is a strong base of support in the congregation for the project.
Karen noted that a quorum was present, with 173 present (including proxies).
Doug MacCleery offered the resolution that the Board had recommended be adopted by the Congregation, which is as follows:
We, the Congregation of the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, authorize the Board of Trustees to conduct a capital campaign with a goal of at least $2 million in the fall of 2004 to raise funds for construction of an addition to the Meeting House. Campaign expenses, estimated to be approximately $21,000, shall be paid from proceeds of the campaign. Any decision to move forward with financing or construction of the addition will require a separate decision of the Congregation.
The resolution was seconded and opened for discussion. Karen stated that members of the congregation who wished to speak on the resolution could do so, with a three-minute limitation and 30 minutes total discussion, after which a vote would be taken.
Ken Krogh stated that he felt strongly that a number of changes were needed in the building design that is being proposed by the FFTG -- but that he had been assured that there would be ample time to consider such changes during the time that the capital campaign is in progress. After two additional members of the congregation had spoken, one for and one against, Karen called the question.
The vote was 169 for and 4 opposed, with 3 of 11 absentee ballots opposed, for a total vote of 177 ayes and 7 nays.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:00.
Doug MacCleery
Secretary