MOUNT VERNON UNITARIAN CHURCH
Board of Trustees Meeting
October 2, 2002, 7:30 p.m.
| Members Present: |
Also Present: |
| Ron Brandt, Chair |
Rev. Walter Braman |
| Daria Bergen-Hill |
Hope (Stallings) Andonovska |
| Linda Davidson |
Anne Bredeck |
| Jack Hinman |
Joan Wamsley |
| Linda Jemison |
Bill Clontz |
| Jim McGovern |
Kay Sargent |
| Betsy Stephens |
Betsy Clagett |
| Russ Stumpe |
Terri Belcher |
| Shawn Whiteman |
| Members Absent: |
| Al Erickson |
Call to Order: 7:30 p.m. by Ron Brandt
Opening Words: Walter Braman
The following motions were passed unanimously:
- Approval of the following resolution:
- That a Windmill Preservation Account be established for the purpose of
insuring that the MVUC Windmill and its supporting tower be maintained and
preserved in perpetuity without burdening the operating fund of the church
with Windmill maintenance expenses.
- That this separate Windmill Preservation Account be administered and
invested by the MVUC Endowment Committee.
- That the initial funding of the Windmill Preservation Account be from
funds originally donated to MVUC for the purpose of restoring the Windmill and
for the purpose of establishing a Windmill Preservation Account.
- That the Buildings Committee assume the responsibility for all maintenance
of the Windmill and the Pump House.
- That minor and routine maintenance expenses be arranged for and approved
by the Building Committee and identified so that the Church operating fund can
be reimbursed from the Windmill Preservation Account at the end of each fiscal
year.
- That more extensive Windmill maintenance expenses be evaluated and
recommended by the Building Committee for approval by the Board of Trustees.
- Acceptance of the Finance Committee charter. (attached)
- Acceptance of the Director of Religious Education Relations Committee
Charter, and appointment of Michael Hentges, Peter Mosley, Lisa Napier, and
Liz Campbell as committee members. (attached)
- Approval of expenditures not to exceed ten thousand dollars by the
Facilities for the Future Task Force as authorized by the congregation at the
April 2002 Annual Meeting, with the understanding that the Task Force will be
expected to replenish the operating budget before June 30.
The following motion passed - five in favor, three opposed:
Approval of fencing around the part of the playground not surrounded by
shrubbery, to be undertaken by the preschool. (Earlier the Board had
determined that calling the preschool an “instrumentality” of the church did
not accurately describe the relationship between the preschool and the church,
so that term was dropped. In order to continue to operate, the preschool is
required to obtain a license and its own insurance. The fencing mentioned
above is a requirement for both insurance and licensing. The following
trustees voted against the motion: Jim McGovern, Linda Jemison, and Daria
Bergen-Hill.)
The following topics were also discussed:
Bill Clontz and Kay Sargent spoke on behalf of the Design and Construction
subcommittee of the Facilities for the Future task force. Kay explained
provisions of a proposed agreement between the task force and the Beery Rio
architectural firm that would provide drawings for proposed remodeling of the
meetinghouse. She also explained possible proposed changes to Phase I of the
Long Range Plan, which was approved by the congregation at the most recent
Annual Congregational Meeting. All agreed that there would be no substantive
changes without congregational approval.
Linda Jemison reported on a recent meeting of the Program Council, during
which there was a discussion about conflicts between rental events -
especially weddings - and church programs, such as memorial services. Trustees
discussed whether we are over-booking weddings to the detriment of church
programs and other church needs. Betsy Clagett and Anne Bredeck provided
information on this and related topics. Walter Braman mentioned that weddings
held at MVUC are unique in his experience, in that MVUC’s minister is not
offered right of first refusal to perform the ceremony. He mentioned that this
situation could be of concern to a prospective new minister. Linda, Betsy,
Anne, Tony Barkume, and Dotty McClelland were encouraged to continue the
discussion and, if warranted, to develop policies to bring back to the Board
for approval.
Future Planning:
- Tuesday, Oct. 29, 10:00 a.m. - Executive Committee
- Tuesday, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. - Board of Trustees meeting, Commons (All
interested persons are welcome to attend.)
Closing Words: Walter Braman
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
- Linda Davidson, Secretary