Minutes 02/16/2010

First Unitarian Church of Cleveland

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

February 16, 2010

Board Members Present:     Barbara Bradley, Esther Bockhoff, Kim Littell, Shelly Urdandeta, Tom Gibson, Laurie Albright, Chuck Segall, Ray Gonzalez, George McGaughey, Greer Jordan

Staff Members Present:        Rev. Daniel Budd, Rev. George Buchanan, Doug Aubin

Guest: Craig Hardy

            1.         Opening:        Kim Littell called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.  Rev. Daniel Budd provided the opening words followed by a reading of the Board Covenant.

            2.         Investment Fund Review:    Craig Hardy, our Investment Advisor from Huntington Bank, provided a review of the Church’s Investment Fund, and then answered questions from Board Members about specific items within the Fund and the Church’s investment strategies.

            3.         January Board Meeting Minutes:   The minutes of the January, 2010 Board Meeting were read and approved as amended.  The Board Minutes are on file and are posted in the Church library and are also available on the Church website.

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

            5.         SLT Reports: Doug Aubin provided the Administrator’s Report.  Rev. Daniel Budd presented his Parish Minister’s Report.  Rev. George Buchanan presented his Minister for Religious Education Report.

            Highlights from Doug’s report:          Doug is getting quotes for the roof.  He already has quotes for the elevator upgrades/repairs, which is roughly $62,000.00.  He has also obtained quotes for upgrades to the sound system in the Sanctuary, which is roughly $20,000.00.  Bob Romeo has been working to install ADA-compliant drinking fountains and renovating the handicap-accessible restroom.  Doug also has been talking to CBIZ about computer network issues, including new computers, hosting our own web site, and installing Wi-Fi throughout the church.

            Highlights from Daniel’s report:         Daniel, along with Elaine Stevens and Kevin Ortner, attended the January 28, 2010 meeting hosted by Cleveland Municipal Schools Superintendent Dr. Eugene Sanders in regards to John Raper School.  Raper is on the list of Cleveland Public Schools slated to close, and Daniel, Elaine, and Kevin attended to learn of the plans for the students and staff, as this closing directly impacts the community outreach First UU does with and for Raper.  Daniel noted that when he was introduced, and where he was from, there was a large amount of applause from the audience, meaning the Raper community is very aware of and appreciative of the time and effort we have given them.  Outreach money for Raper is in the proposed budget, and it was recommended that the money that would have gone to Raper for the 2010-11 school year go instead to the school that receives the majority of the Raper students.

            Daniel had other items to report on.  He complimented the hard work of the Stewardship Committee, which continues despite not having a committee chair.  He thanked Marge Wilson for agreeing to run the Chancel Committee.

            Within the church, Daniel was involved with several task forces, including Spiritual Conversations and the Growth and Development Task Forces, and attended various meetings of other committees.  He attended congregational events such as the recent Wine Tasting Party, Marcellene Hawk’s Bach recital and the MCAC Chili cook-off.  He attended the annual OMDUUMA Winter Retreat.  Daniel also remained active in the community organizations he belongs to, including Jung/Cleveland, Planned Parenthood of NE Ohio, InterAct Religious Leaders Advisory Council, and We Believe Steering Committee.

            Highlights from George’s report:        George announced that Kay Kindice, the RE Assistant, is leaving her position with the Church, and that Natalie Wardega is replacing her.  George has switched the YRE Department to a new electronic mail and notification service.

            6.         Treasurer’s Report:  Finances are doing well.  Revenues continue to exceed expenses, and we are $62,982.00 ahead of budget.  Esther was quick to point out and thank the staff for continuing to do an outstanding job keeping expenses down.

            As of January 31, 2009, we had $1,151,485.00 in the Investment Fund, and as of January 31, 2010, we had $1,259,852.00, so the Investment Fund continues to rebound.

            We are seeking a 10% increase in the budget for the 2010-11 church year from the 2009-10 church year. 

            Esther will host a State of Church Finances Meeting on March 7, 2010, in Fellowship Hall at 12:30 following Coffee Hour.

            7.         President’s Report:   Kim reported that we are seeking a 10.6% increase in the budget from last year, which represents a 10% increase in pledges.

            The Major Givers Party for the Stewardship Campaign will be held February 20, 2010, at George McGaughey’s house in Shaker Heights, from 4-6 p.m.

            The OMD Assembly is scheduled for March 26-28, 2010, in St. Clairsville, OH.

            General Assembly is scheduled for June 23-27, 2010, in Minneapolis, MN.

            Daniel stated that he would prefer to see the delegates attending the OMD Assembly and/or General Assembly on behalf of First UU be approved by the Board, as these delegates will be voting on our behalf.

            8.         Healthy Congregations Discussion: George led the discussion of Chapter 5-Infectious Anxiety:

            The example discussed among the Board was the Investment Fund, and that higher anxiety over the Investment Fund could lead to bad decision making, including: 1) Keeping the Investment Fund a secret; 2) Investing in one small company.  It was also discussed among the Board that lesser anxiety over the Investment Fund could lead to good decision making, including: 1) Greater transparency; 2) Greater diversity within the portfolio; 3) More oversight; 4) More and better publicity about the state of the Fund; 5) Clear goals.

            George posed a question to the Board if there is an aspect that seems to have high(er) levels of anxiety surrounding it, and what could the Board do to attempt to relieve and/or lessen that anxiety.

            George then requested that the Board read Chapter 6 for the March meeting.

            9.         Closing:          Shelly Urdaneta agreed to provide the readings for the March meeting.  Rev. Daniel Budd then provided the closing words and we adjourned at 8:56 p.m. 

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