Karen Tyson, Chair

Daria Bergen-Hill

Nance Cedar

Hal Holtzclaw

Jane Nelson

Joanne Masterson

Doug MacCleery

Jack Hinman

Ric Sears

Lucy Hentges

Linda Jemison

Donna Bledsoe

Anne Bredeck

Rev. Lou Schwebius

Bill Clontz

Betsy Stevens

Ken Krogh

Hal Holtzclaw discussed plans for the Board Retreat, which this year will occur in the evenings of three days (June 3, 8, and 11).

Ron Brandt summarized the report of Larry Wheeler, UUA consultant, who, under contract to MVUC, had conducted a financial confirmation study to determine the readiness of MVUC for a capital campaign, as provided by a resolution at MVUC’s Annual Meeting on April 25. This report was made available to the congregation on Sunday, May 23, and is on MVUC’s website.

Larry’s report suggested that it was entirely feasible to raise between $1.1 and $1.6 million, with a strong possibility of raising considerably more. On a somewhat cautious note, Larry noted that some that he interviewed did not seem to know the full implications of what it would take for MVUC to successfully raise the funding needed for construction and maintenance of the improvements. Nevertheless, Larry found that there is a strong base of support in the congregation for the project.

Larry’s other recommendations were that MVUC should:

Bill Clontz stated that the study’s findings and recommendations are more positive than he had expected. Congregational knowledge of the project and the level of support for it were stronger than he might have expected.

Ken Krogh raised concerns similar to those he had voiced in the Annual Meeting regarding some design flaws he felt existed in the current plans, especially with respect to storage and traffic flow. Ken was reassured that ample time would remain to work through such design issues even as the capital campaign was going on (as long as the basic footprint of the building is not modified).

Discussion focused on the timing of a capital campaign and whether it should occur in conjunction with the annual canvass.

Two motions were proposed and passed by the Board. They were: 1) To call a special congregational meeting for June 13, and 2) at this congregational meeting, for the BoT to propose a resolution that MVUC hold a capital campaign in the fall.

At its next meeting on June 1, the BoT may consider what the goal of the capital campaign should be.

Ron Brandt reported on his work as a member of a JP District committee on UU growth planning. The recommended strategies included:

Ron asked for an expression of willingness to serve on growth related committees dealing with the four items described above.

Doug MacCleery, Secretary