MVUC Board Meeting
May 2, 2006

Board Members Present

Wendy Burns
Lisa Guide
Heather Harts'Horn
Hal Holtzclaw
Kelly Jemison, YRUU Representative
Joanne Masterson, Interim Chair
Jim Potter, Interim Vice Chair
Jane Nelson
Raleigh Romine, Interim Secretary
Lauck Walton

Others Present

Donna Bledsoe, Business Administrator
Ron Brandt
Al Erickson, Treasurer
Al Robbert, Canvass Chair
Rev. Lou Schwebius
Barbara Stoddard, DRE

The meeting began with a welcome and introduction of the new members followed by remarks from the ex officio members of the BoT.

The minutes of the April 4th BoT meeting and the Annual Congregational Meeting were approved.

Al Robbert presented the status of the Annual Canvass: the average  pledge is up from $1594 last year to $1775 this year but the number of  pledges is down from 224 to 189 leading to an overall decrease in the  canvass results from $357,000 to $334,000. Al and others are following  up on some 40 pledge units that have not responded so far and expect a  final total of 210 pledges. Al has volunteered to chair the canvass  next year and discussed some possible changes in the canvass  procedures. He will present an “after-action” report at the end of the  canvass.

The BoT elected new officers:  Joanne Masterson, Chair, Jim Potter,  Vice-Chair, and Raleigh Romine, Secretary. The BoT also appointed Al  Erickson as Treasurer, Jane Nelson as Program Council Convener and  Lauck Walton as Corresponding Secretary.

Rob Brandt spoke on his role as the Administration Coordinator within  the Program Council. He commented on the need for various revisions to  the Bylaws and the role of the Program Council. Ron also reported on  his work with the Regional Growth Committee of the JPD. The committee  is developing a web site to promote and provide information on UU  congregations in the Baltimore-Washington area. The group would also  provide assistance to churches in improving their individual web sites.  Ron stated that the Committee is applying for a Chalice Lighter grant  to partially fund the web site development and asked for a statement of  support from the BoT representing the MVUC congregation. The BoT  approved a resolution affirming MVUC’s support for the grant  application.

The BoT voted to approve the draft charter for the Program Council and  deferred action on the charters for the Safety Committee and Membership  Development Committees pending review by the Program Council . The BoT  discussed which committees should be responsible for implementing the  recommendations of the Safety Committee.

The BoT received reports from the Minister, DRE and Business  Administrator. Rev Schwebius remarked on the wide participation in the  upcoming Memorial Day service. Barbara Stoddard reminded the BoT that  the Safety Committee needs to look at “safe congregation” issues as  well as physical plant issues.

Kelly Jemison noted that the YRUU is planning to raise funds to help  pay for the renovation to their area in the Carriage House.

Wendy Burns presented the list of nominees for Recognition Sunday.

Joanne reported that Fort Hunt Preschool has returned its comments on  the proposed lease. The comments and MVUC’s responses are back in the  hands of the lawyers.

Joanne closed the meeting with a brief roadmap of work for the BoT in  the coming year emphasizing organizational renewal.

The meeting adjourned at 9:35 PM.