Minutes 11/17/2009

First Unitarian Church of Cleveland

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

November 17, 2009

Board Members Present:      Chuck Segall, Barbara Bradley, Shelly Urdaneta, Maureen Harrington, Ray Gonzalez, Laurie Albright, Esther Bockhoff, Tom Gibson, Frank Wardega, Kim Littell, Greer Jordan, Ann Millette

Staff Members Present:        Rev. Daniel Budd, Doug Aubin

Guests:           Dan Homans

            1.         Opening:         Kim Littell called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.  Rev. Daniel Budd provided the opening words followed by a reading of the Board Covenant.

            2.         October Board Meeting Minutes:    were not approved and tabled to the January 2010 meeting.

            3.         Open for comment/new business:     No comments or new business.

            4.         Committee on Ministry:        The staff members present for the Board meeting left the room, and Dan Homans provided the report from the Committee on Ministry (“COM”).  He repeated that this is a committee created by the board.  In addition to himself, it comprises Rev. Daniel Budd, Rev. George Buchanan, Eve Bendezu, Sue Butler, Jeff Chernin, and Donna Schmittgen.  Dan is the Chair.

            Dan reviewed the purpose and charter of the committee, which is to support, assess, and look after the congregation, the ministers, and the ministers’ committees.

            The committee as a whole has spent a lot of time on George’s evaluations.  They interviewed roughly 40 congregants who have a stake in George’s ministry.  They reviewed George’s Professional Development Plan.  The committee decided to meet again in January 2010 when they will review their findings as they pertain to the interviews and evaluations.  The committee felt there was improvement from George but that room for improvement still exists.

            Dan then answered various questions pertaining to George’s immigration issues.  Dan finished his report by informing the Board that there will be another Board evaluation of George, and that the COM will do Daniel’s evaluation.

            5.         SLT Reports: Doug Aubin provided the Administrator’s Report.  Rev. Daniel Budd presented his Parish Minister’s Report.  There was no report from Rev. George Buchanan.

            Highlights from Doug’s report:   The maintenance staff has been hard at work putting the finishing touches on their work on the first floor.  The Aesthetics Committee has been working on small decorating projects on the first floor, and recently re-upholstered some of the chairs in the Baker Room.  Bad gutters led to some water issues on the second floor inside the building, but these are being addressed.  We are about $15,000.00 behind on pledges, but still $30,000.00 ahead of where we were this time last year.  Revenues are ahead of expenses.  There was a question about people honoring their pledges, and Doug stated that most people honor their pledge.

            Highlights from Daniel’s report: Daniel was very pleased with Social Justice Month and Open Doors Sunday.  Everything with the church is going well.  Daniel continues his participation with InterAct/Cleveland, Jung Cleveland, and We Believe.  He attended an Ordination Ceremony at First UU of Columbus, and gave a paper at the Prairie Group.

            6.         Treasurer’s Report:  As of November 2009 we have received 41% of our annual revenues, which is right where it should be.  Our expenses have been kept down to 37% of our projections.  Esther congratulated the congregation and staff for their efforts to ensure the continued smooth running of the church.

            As of June 2009, the Investment Fund Floor was $779,727.00, leaving a cushion of $97,039.00.

            7.         President’s Report:   Stewardship is underway, and currently there is no Chair for the committee.  March 20, 2009, is the Stewardship dinner.  The Major Givers party will be February 20 or 27.  The theme for this year's Stewardship Campaign is “Successfully Connected to First Unitarian Church of Cleveland.”

            The Board Party will be December 19, 2009, at Maureen Harrington’s house in Cleveland Hts.  It will be a pot-luck dinner and the traditional white-elephant gift exchange will take place again.

            The Board will make a charitable donation to Child Haven International in memory of George’s father, who passed away shortly before the November 2009 meeting.

            8.         Healthy Congregations Discussion: Daniel led this discussion this month in place of George.  Daniel referred to the charge he gives new members “The Church may get upset from time to time but does not die of a bellyache.”

            Review of Chapter 2:    Spend majority of time with the “healthy” members of the congregation.  Focus on our strengths.  The Church needs to be part of the community and not so inward-looking.  Sometimes upset is good for the community because if you work through it, you come out stronger.  Feedback is always important, and a question was raised of conducting periodic membership surveys.

            Review of Chapter 3:    Sometimes going outside the congregation is necessary and will help to a produce a more adequate organization.  It is important that we relate to the outside world.

            A charge was given to read Chapter 4 for the January meeting.

            9.         Closing:          Deanna DiPetta will provide the readings for the January 2010 meeting.  Kim Littell then provided the closing words and the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Chuck Segall, Secretary, Bd. of Trustees, 2009-10