MOUNT VERNON UNITARIAN CHURCH

Board of Trustees Meeting

Oct. 2, 2001, 7:30 p.m.

*Recently elected Vice-Chair via an e-mail ballot, after the resignation of former Vice-Chair Carrie Alexander

Call to Order:  7:30 p.m. by Ron Brandt

Opening Words:  Rev. Walter Braman

Action Items

The following motions were passed unanimously:

1. The use of Property Management & Maintenance (PMM) funds for repair of the Hollin Hall kitchen.  (Explanation:  Plumbing repairs, for approx. $600.)
2. Approval of the revised budget.  (Approx. $11,000 will be needed to balance the budget.  The Board will pursue additional fundraising and year-round-canvassing, and will advise caution in spending.)
3. Approval of the Comprehensive Music Plan developed by Forrest Tobey.  (The plan, which can be found in the church office, outlines mechanisms for incorporating more music into the children’s Religious Education program, providing choral opportunities for preschoolers through 6^th graders, and developing an adult concert choir, in addition to the Sunday morning choir.)
4. Approval of charters for the Executive Committee and the Program Council, eliminating mention of Board liaisons in the Program Council charter, substituting “Convener” instead.

The following decisions were reached by consensus:

1. When the Board negotiating team receives the final contract offer for the Sprint tower – probably within the next 10 to 15 days – the Board will hold a special session to consider the offer and vote whether to accept it.
2. In the near future, the Board will invite all interested persons to attend one or more meetings, to be held on several Sundays, between services.  These meetings will provide an opportunity for Board members to hear opinions as to whether the Board should search for a Minister or Director of Religious Education.
3. A request, signed by Beverly Southerland, Peter Bloom, Kris Rosenthal, and Peg Bartel, that the church’s sign at the foot of Mason Hill Drive be changed to add the words “A Welcoming Congregation” will be referred to the Program Council.  Board members agreed that the proposed addition is a reflection of established Board and church policy. 

Election of Two Members to the Ministerial Search Committee

Jim McGovern moved that the results of the congregational vote on September 30 to elect members to the Ministerial Search Committee be made public and published in The Windmill.  The motion was not seconded.  He then made the following substitute motion:  that the vote tally for the September 30 election be made available to the Board members before the Board voted for the remaining two members of the Ministerial Search Committee.  The motion was not seconded, but there was discussion.

The Board Nominating Committee recommended that Peg Bartel and Mike Walker be elected to the Ministerial Search Committee.  Board members also nominated Jack Hinman and Bea Holmes.  After discussion, the vote was held.

The Board elected Peg Bartel and Mike Walker to fill the remaining two slots on the Ministerial Search Committee.

The Board received the following reports:

1. Monthly Financial Statement, Treasurer’s Report, from Joan Wamsley.
2. Board Chair’s Report, from Ron Brandt
3. Minister’s Report, from Walter Braman
4. Religious Education Report, from Janice Fitzpatrick
5. Music Director’s Report, from Forrest Tobey
6. Program Council Report – Linda Jemison was recently elected Program Council Convener via an e-mail ballot, after the resignation of former Convener Carrie Alexander.
7. Long Range Planning – Bill Clontz, chair of the LRP Steering Committee, offered to maintain communication directly with the Board, as Linda Jemison is no longer Board liaison to the LRP.

Future Planning

Sat., Oct. 6, 9:30 a.m. – Briefing for those who will be making the Fall Call

Tues., Nov. 6, 7: 30 p.m. – Board of Trustees, in the Commons (open to all)

The meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m.