June 7, 2005
Present
Ric Sears
Jim Potter
Hal Holtzclaw
Joanne Masterson
Wendy Burns
Jane Nelson
Katie Tyson
Betsy Clagett
Ken Krogh
Rev. Lou Schwebius
Donna Bledsoe
Al Erickson
Barbara Stoddard
Ric opened with words from Thoreau.
Betsy Clagett presented a proposal backed by Dottie McClellan and the Rental Committee for clarification of the Rental Policy giving priority to weddings during the Wedding Season (Apr-Nov). There was a specific recent case in which a church group signed up for a Saturday precluding a rental and then canceled the event. The current policy gives priority to church events and Rev. Lou pointed out this was a vital part of the mission of the church, however the church receives significant income from rentals. There a very few (1-2 in the last couple of years) times when non-recurring events have impacted rentals. Ric will wordsmith and distribute via e-mail a clarification.
Ken Krogh presented a proposal from the Memorial Walks to restore the iron gates around the walled garden as part of their charter to maintain the ambience of the Walks. Previous estimates have been for ~$40k; they have a new one for ~$12k. The money would come from the Memorial Walks (Ken thinks he can get individual contributions to cover it; if not, the current account has enough). This would be part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration. Consensus was this is a good idea. Ken will pursue final costs (and why the current bid is so much lower.)
Joanne Masterson reported that the Tom Teasly concert would be postponed until the Fall (Oct 16?). Many of Teasly's students are out of town over the summer.
The membership of the Music Director Search Committee (Trish Waters, Alan Bunner, Carl Lohmann, Jeanne Gayler, Julie Dressing) was approved. It was suggested the Joanne Masterson be on the committee herself, but she felt it would overrepresent the choir. It was noted that a variety of other members may be involved in the selection; the committee makes the final recommendation. The Board approved $500 in expenses, mainly advertising, from this years budget.
Nance Cedar, scheduled to talk about the For Hunt Preschool wall, was not present. Hal gave an update on the progress. Wendy expressed concern that the School was being pressured into accepting a situation not to their best interest.
The Board approved the membership of the Construction Committee: Robin Roberts, Rob Dickinson, Eric Porchot, Ron Brant, Heather Harts'Horn.
Donna reported that the Board liability insurance was up to date. There was discussion of the fact that Virginia allows churches to incorporate. Donna will investigate the issue further.
The Board approved the appointment of Bill Clontz to the Endowment Committee as a replacement for Al Erickson to preclude the possibility of a conflict of interest.
In the professional staff reports, Rev. Lou emphasized that the Committee on Ministry needs names of prospective members. Barbara discussed the "Child-Sunday" metric of reporting RE attendance, and Donna reported that she had been contacted by a cellular company (Cingular?) regarding placement of an antenna on the church property. Jim Potter mentioned that antenna technology had improved since the days of the Sprint proposal. No formal action was taken. Rev. Lou(?) noted that the Program Council and Board had in the past taken responsibility for the Ingathering Picnic.
Ric proposed a one-day Board Retreat at the church to be facilitated by Susanne Cleary. Tentative dates are Sep. 17/24. There will be at least one more BoT meeting during the summer.