Board of Trustees Meeting

Mount Vernon Unitarian Church

September 6, 2005


Board Members Present
Nance Cedar
Hal Holtzclaw
Joanne Masterson, Vice Chair
Jim Potter
Jane Nelson
Raleigh Romine
Katie Tyson

Board Members Absent
Wendy Burns
Doug MacCleery
Ric Sears, Chair

Others Present
Donna Bledsoe
Ron Brandt
Al Erickson
Ken Krogh
Rev. Lou Schwebius
Al Erickson
Barbara Stoddard
Russ Stumpe


The Board decided that the MVUC Policy document should be available on the MVUC web site. Donna will keep the official copy and will send the updated version to Herb Tyson for posting in the same way as the ByLaws are currently posted.

Nance Cedar gave a report on the work of the DRE Search Committee, noting that the RE Search Committee has a timeline and is looking for input from RE constituents as to what they are looking for. Barbara Stoddard recommended that the search committee should be sure to get input from a youth representative. Katie suggested recruiting an active member of the youth group during a Sunday class session. The Search committee plans to post advertisements in January.

Treasurer Al Erickson distributed and reviewed the current MVUC policies on Designated Giving. He recommended that the BOT clarify and clearly communicate our guidelines and policies on designated giving. Gifts are coming in with designations that are not currently identified programs of MVUC. Al took an action item to do this in conjunction with the Finance Committee and bring a revision to a future BOT meeting.

The BOT's Corresponding Secretary is now Katie Tyson who agreed to serve in this role with support and direction from BOT leadership.

Jane Nelson distributed a revision of the Charter of the Religious Education Council. The Board will review it and discuss at a later meeting.

The board received reports from Rev. Louis Schwebius, Donna Bledsoe and Barbara Stoddard. Rev. Schwebius noted that he may be taking some "flextime" later in the year due to unanticipated ministerial duties during his summer sabbatical. Rev. Schwebius also reported that he has been in contact with the ministers of the UU congregations in New Orleans. Plans for special collections are in progress.

The Board Retreat is set for 9/24. BOT members plan to meet Program Council members the evening before (9/23). Board members will also be participating in the Ingathering Picnic.

Ron Brandt presented the Board with information on the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. The Center is an advocacy group for many UU goals. Ron would like to see MVUC participate in the Center. Ron also led an enlightening discussion of MVUC Bylaws and Policies entitled "20 Questions About the Rules"

BOT discussed the current Publicity committee, and sees the need to develop ideas about what MVUC does for publicity, or should do.

Upcoming discussions will address the Social Action Coordinator Position advocated by our Social Action Committee, and interest in a Safety Committee.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20PM.