May 3, 2005
Board Members present:
Joanne Masterson, Interim Chair
Jane Nelson, Interim Vice Chair
Ric Sears
Hal Holtzclaw
Nance Cedar
Katie Tyson
Wendy Burns
Raleigh Romine
Doug MacCleery
Board Member absent:
Jim Potter
Others present:
Rev. Lou Schwebius
Donna Bledsoe
Joan Wamsley
Al Erickson
Karen Tyson
Opening words were offered by Nance
Cedar.
Joanne
Masterson welcomed
the new members to the MVUC Board of Trustees: Wendy Burns, Raleigh Romine,
and Katie Tyson. Each member of the Board introduced themselves and
expressed their hopes and aspirations for the coming year. Joanne explained to
the new BOT members MVUC’s committee structure and the role of the Program
Council.
The minutes of the March 1 and April 4, 2005 BOT meetings were approved.
The Board received and discussed reports from the Minister, Business Administrator, and Treasurer (see attached reports).
Rev. Lou Schwebius noted the upcoming Recognition Sunday in which members of the BOT assist Rev. Lou in recognizing MVUC members for their good works. He stated that he would be traveling to Gainsville, FL May 6-9 to officiate at the wedding of the Youth Leader of his former church. He also noted the request of Rev. Ed Searl, a UU minister in Chicago to use an excerpt of one of Rev. Lou’s sermons in his collection of rite-of-passage readings (“Bless This Child”) which is soon to be published. Rev. Lou noted with regret the resignation of Lisa Billingham, MVUC’s Director of Music, due to the rising demands on her from her position at George Mason University.
Doug MacCleery noted that the Board Officer Nominating Committee, made up of returning BOT members (Ric Sears, Nance Cedar, Joanne Masterson, Hal Holtzclaw, Doug MacCleery, and Jane Nelson) have nominated a slate of officers for 2005. These are as follows:
Chair: Ric Sears
Vice Chair: Joanne Masterson
Secretary: Doug MacCleery
After discussion, Jane Nelson was nominated for Program Council Coordinator.
These nominations were approved unanimously by the Board.
In addition to the approval of BOT officers, Al Erickson was appointed as Treasurer and Joan Wamsley was appointed as Assistant Treasurer.
A resolution was passed to prepare new signature cards for MVUC banking accounts and safe deposit box to include Rev. Lou, Al Erickson, Joan Wamsley, Dotty Ann McClellan and Ric Sears.
Ric Sears mentioned that the BOT would meet once during the summer and asked members to email him on when they would not be available so a date could be set to maximize attendance. He also discussed options for the Board Retreat, which usually occurs in September. Options include: two afternoon or evening sessions or a full day session. Arlington UU Church has been used in the past for a Saturday session. Ric asked members for their suggestions for how and where the retreat might be held.
Robin Roberts noted that membership on the Building Committee was almost complete. It includes: himself, Rob Dickenson, Eric Pourchot, Heather Harts-Horn, with one more to be added. Robin discussed issues related to the progress of planning for the construction. He said this process has started with the ordering of the aerial imagery. One of the major issues is dealing with storm-water management issues. Because we are in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and in an area of the county responsible for major non-point pollution discharges, dealing with construction that creates additional impermeable surfaces can face detailed scrutiny and extended approval times.
Robin said that there was some good news on this front as Fairfax County, due to MVUC’s location on the top of the hill, is willing to work with us and help design and perhaps even finance remedial work to reduce the discharge of polluted storm-water. This development could substantially reduce delays.
Robin described the steps ahead which included realigning the building plan to include smaller floor space for music, RE, Offices, nursery and the kitchen. After this is done, the design development phase would begin. A key issue would be recommendations for, and the estimated cost of, providing for the safety of the Fort Hunt Preschool during construction.
Nance Cedar gave a DRE Search Committee update. After discussion, it was suggested that the Search Committee work with the RE Council and Rev. Lou to prepare a recommendation to the BOT as to the particular skills and qualifications to be sought in a prospective DRE.
Katie Tyson
discussed plans for
moving the wall in the Carriage House to create dedicated space for the Youth
Group. It was suggested that Russ Stumpe might be asked to prepare a proposal
for bidding by contractors.
Doug MacCleery - Secretary