MOUNT VERNON UNITARIAN CHURCH

Board of Trustees Meeting

Nov. 6, 2001, 7:30 p.m.

 

Members Present                                         

Ron Brandt, Chair                                          

Linda Davidson, Secretary                             

Al Erickson, Vice-Chair                                

Nancy Fox

Linda Jemison                                                 Also Present

Jim McGovern                                    Anne Bredeck

Betsy Stephens                                                Janice Fitzpatrick

Russ Stumpe                                                    Joanne Masterson

                                                                        Bill Means

Members Absent                                           George Rutherford

Hayley Holser-Green                                      Forrest Tobey

Carl Lohmann                                                  Mike Walker

Maria Meuse                                                   Joan Wamsley

 

Call to Order:  7:35 p.m. by Ron Brandt

 

Opening Words:  Betsy Stephens

 

The following motions were passed unanimously:

  1. A consent agenda which included the following:
    1.  Approval of the suggested general plan for the spring annual canvass, including March 3 for Pledge Sunday and April 28 for Annual Congregational Meeting.  (Joanne Masterson will chair the 2002 Canvass Committee.)
    2. Permission for Good Companions to serve wine at their Dec. 18 lunch.
    3. That the following members be classified as inactive: Lisa and Michael Rimmington; Amanda Schwegler; Jane Osburn; Tom Richards; Mariya Stokes; and David and Terri Kelley Wray.
  2. Approval of the recommendation to replace the greenhouse oil tank, with the cost charged to Property Major Maintenance.  (Cost would be approximately $500.)
  3. Authorized expenditure of funds as requested to initiate masonry repairs to the walled garden walls and the wisteria patio leaning columns.  (A maximum of $8,000 would come from the contributed Windmill Funds.  The major donor has agreed to this diversion of some of her contributed funds.  A maximum of $2,000 would come from the Memorial Walks Funds, and a maximum of $2,000 from Property Major Maintenance Funds.)  Also authorized was the expenditure of funds for replacement of electric panel in tractor shed, repair of parking lot lights where needed and the replacement of the greenhouse oil tank.

 

The following motion passed with one dissenting vote:

 

  1. Set the Total Cost of Ministry to be advertised by Search Committee at $65,000 - $80,000.

 

The following decisions were reached by consensus:

  1. In response to a request by Bea Holmes that the Board join Northern Virginia Jobs with Justice, Ron will invite Bea Holmes and Tony Barkume (who may hold an opposing view) to speak briefly at the next Board meeting.  Ron will also refer the matter to Our Larger World, asking for their recommendation.
  2. In response to Al Weinstein’s request for a committee to support anti-terrorism efforts, Linda Jemison will ask Al to chair such a group.  Al would then take the group’s recommendations to Our Larger World and the Program Council.
  3. The Board decided not to reconsider a request, earlier denied, for a refund to an individual who cancelled a rental reservation.

 

The Board received the following reports:   

  1. Minister’s Report – Rev. Braman expressed appreciation for the efforts of Fall Call organizers and participants.   
  2. Treasurer’s Report – Joan Wamsley reported that income is currently lagging behind expenses.  To balance the current budget, we would need $9,671 in new unplanned fundraising.  A mid-year budget review and adjustment should be done in January/February.    
  3. Religious Education Report – Janice Fitzpatrick wrote that about 110 children and 30 adults attend RE each Sunday, and that the Carnival generated $729 for UNICEF.
  4. Music Director’s Report – Forrest Tobey reported on the work of the Music Committee, with its new chairperson, Alan Bunner, and provided an update on other aspects of the music program.
  5. Program Council – Linda Jemison informed the Board that Karna Schwimmer has volunteered to serve as a Sunday morning coordinator, to ensure that coffee service, usher stations, and other areas are staffed and supplied.  Beverly Southerland will work on scheduling ushers.
  6. Long Range Plan – Bill Clontz wrote that the next report would contain a timeline and a small number of focused decisions for the congregation to make.
  7. Sprint PCS Proposal – Al Erickson reported that negotiations with Sprint (or APC for Sprint) continue, with several items still to be worked out to our satisfaction.

 

 

Trustees discussed, in confidence, Kenn Hurto’s ministerial exit interview report, which was sent by the Joseph Priestley District Executive.

 

Future Planning

Tues., Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m. – Executive Committee

Tues., Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. – Board of Trustees, Hollin Hall Morning Room

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.