MINUTES
First Unitarian-Universalist Church of Detroit
Meeting of the Governing Board
April 12, 2004
Attending:
Margaret Beck, Guest
Mark Bendure, Administration & HumanResources Trustee
Faye Colling, Guest
Ivan Cotman, Guest
Linda Darga, Social Justice Trustee
Colleen Dolan-Greene, Moderator
Jim Harvey, Vice Moderator & StrategicPlanning Trustee
Nora Holt, Guest
Rev. Larry Hutchison, Minister
Bob Lauer, TreasurerCarolyn Ludwig, Religious EducationTrustee
Mildred Robinson, Guest
Kathy Rock, Worship
Pearl Samples, Guest
Irene Schultz, Guest
John Schultz, Guest
Dan Secrest, Canvass & Finance Trustee
Kathe Stevens, Secretary
Arlene Teed, Guest
Jenny Teed, Director of ReligiousEducation
Janet Thompson, Building & GroundsTrustee
Agenda attached (items in italics are attached to the original minutes filed with the Church Office).
CONCERNS FROM MEMBERS: There was a lengthy discussion regarding two sensitive issues: begging/stealing in the Church building and outbursts of emotion during the Church service. Several members spoke; Arlene Teed provided a 4/12/04 letter. Mildred Robinson referred to a letter, not provided to the Secretary. It was MOVED that a committee be immediately formed to study the problem, come up with solution, and present findings to the Board [J.Thompson/D.Secrest];CARRIED. Linda Darga agreed to spearhead a committee. It was agreed there needs to be a congregational dialogue on a policy that money is not to be exchanged during on Church premises without Board approval. Mary Neale has instituted a Minister's Discretionary Fund to get assistance to people. It was suggested that a church-wide program be created and implemented.
MINUTES: After the March 8, 2004 minutes were approved as presented.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Bob Lauer summarized Revenue and Expense FYTD 3/31/04; Balance Sheet- Final at 3/31/04 and Prior Year End; and the first pass of a proposed Operating Budget FYE 6/30/05. Bob asked Canvass Trustee Dan Secrest to work with him to figure out why contributions are down. Bob may contact committee members via email to get input.
MINISTER'S REPORT: Rev. Hutchison reported that the exit interview prepared by Mary Andrus-Overley, Heartland District Executive has been forwarded to the UUA in Boston. He is happy to meet with anyone who wishes to discuss the contents of the exit interview. Colleen and Rev. Hutchison will meet privately to discus his recommendations for the future.
MODERATOR'S REPORT: Lisa Presley, Heartland UU District Ministerial SettlementRepresentative, will meet with the Congregation and the Board on April 25th. The April 1st deadline to submit the application for an interim minister was met, the application was submitted. Colleen reported that names should be provided within a week.
Reports are needed from each Committee for the Annual meeting.
DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Pursuant to a request from DRE Jennifer Teed, itwas MOVED that the RE Committee and the new Growth Committee have permission to have a design contest for UU t-shirts, and permission to sell the t-shirts in June[J.Thompson/D.Secrest]; CARRIED. Jennifer asked for input on what her salary should be.
TRUSTEE REPORTS:
Written reports:
Building and Grounds 4/12/04 Report
DRE Report to the Board 4/12/04
Vice Moderator’s Report 4/12/04
It was MOVED to support the written motion contained in Gwen Winston's Development Trustee Report 4/12/04 to: advertise in the Fourth Annual Between The Lines Commitment Ceremony and Wedding Guide, 1/4 page $250, to be published 4/22/04 [J. Thompson/D.Secrest];CARRIED. A second motion in Gwenâ's report, "The Board will dialogue and deliberate on the issues,concerns, and recommendations raised and reported from the Sunday Morning Dialogues in March and will publish in the newsletter and/or a special mailing to the congregation reporting the action or actions it will take to be responsive" was tabled until next Board meeting.
At 9:08 the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathe Stevens
Board Secretary