Members Present:Becky Dickey, Kevin Meredith, Mary
McGriff, , Bill Meller, Joe Long, Regina Moody, Mary Heriot, Andrea Derrick,
Sloan Christian
Members
Absent: A.G., Sandy Chubon, Dwight Pregler
Ex-Officio: Patrick Price
Guests: Carita Barr
Call to
Order: Kevin Meredith called the meeting to order at 6:15 PM.
Opening Words: None read
- Last Months Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting
were read. Sloan stated, in regards to item #7 on Ex-Officio Addition of
Minister to Nominating Committee, that the minutes should be updated to
include the concern that, if nominated, Patrick may be privy to information
that is confidential and that information could be abused. And that this
appointment may give Patrick too much power. The December minutes will be
updated as such. Joe made a motion to accept the minutes, conditionally
pending update, the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
- Staff Reports -- The staff reports were read. It was
noted that the presentation of the Rocky Horror Picture Show has been
postponed. Isabel's report noted that the repair to the copier was
surprisingly successful and inexpensive. We can continue to use the old
copier but we will continue to look for a new one, as well. Sloan was
concerned that the Board did not vote on the paying of Christmas bonuses to
the staff. Kevin stated that the bonuses were very small and were given in
the spirit of past years. Sloan expressed a need she felt to review staff
salaries. Kevin suggested Sloan get this item on a future agenda and asked
for specific issues associated. Regina stated that we might formalize our
bonus giving approach and perhaps budget for them. Bill made a motion to
accept the reports, the motion was seconded and passed unanimously
- Treasurers Report: Joe presented the Treasurer's report.
Mary H. asked why there was no Coffee House income reflected. Patrick
explained that Susan provides those funds about twice a year. She holds the
cash to cover some events that actually lose money and so at year-end she
has ready cash for the next year. Mary H. stated that all income should come
through the Finance Committee so it can be part of the budget process. Our
Coffee House income estimates are generally quite accurate. Susan does
regularly provide Joe a statement of the Coffee House account. Mary H.
requested she receive a copy, too. Mary H. was concerned we didn't have a
record of these funds. Patrick stated we do have control of these funds,
just in a separate account. This is because, functionally, Susan needs to
issue checks quickly. Regina suggested the Administrator prepare a report of
Coffee House funds. Mary H. suggested we post the Coffee House income and
expenses on the budget reports, or include the current cash balance in a
line item. Joe will post in the Unigram the accounting of the first six
months of Coffee House activity and include balances in the budget reports.
Joe noted a
posting error and that the $449.00 listed as savings should reflect $49.00. We
are behind in pledges. We received a $1,000.00 contribution toward replacing
the heater, but the total cost will be about $2,835.00. Kevin asked if we
could finance a new heater through SCE&G. Kevin will pursue. If so, then
we could use the $1,000.00 toward making monthly payments. We had a general
discussion of furnace types and needs. Regina suggested we prepare a letter of
appreciation for the donation. Joe moves that we should prepare a letter and
put a note in the Unigram, the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. We
thanked Regina for her coordination efforts.
It was
noted that the UUFC is operating in the 'black' so far year-to-date.
4.
Rocky Horror Picture Show Presentation: The
discussion is on hold.
5.
Youth Coordinator: Cindy Harper reports that we are
ready to interview several candidates after the service on January 19.
6.
Copier Replacement: Discussed as part of the Staff
Reports (above).
7.
UUA Pledges: Regina checked the UUA web site and
reported that the Fair Share term is an annual program fund term. UUA pledges
are $46.00 but she couldn't find reference to the District pledge amount.
Patrick stated the District pledge had been $15.00 but it may have been
increased. The February 2003 membership mark is used to determine our fair
share. Patrick stated that some UU fellowships drop certain actual members
from their numbers they report as certified members. Carita mentioned that in
some years past we created the concept of pledging units as opposed to actual
members and dropped the college students from the list.
The
'certified' number is what the UUA counts to determine the number of GA
delegates and determines our fair share.
Carita
stated she felt the congregation should place a high priority on paying our
dues, including the TJ District dues. The Membership Committee meets again
before this year's membership numbers are due and can develop that total for
us. Kevin may need to sign the submission form. Dues are due by June 30 but
are billed quarterly. Regina suggests the Board members review the UUA site
for insights into the benefits of paying dues. There was a general discussion
concerning the need to address the membership dues issue now rather than wait
until we begin the budget process. We stated that in the past the UUFC wanted
to pay the dues but we can never seem to raise enough income to do so. We
would need about $8,000.00 and that represents a significant portion of our
annual budget. May M. stated we should have more frequent congregational
meetings to better inform folks and to discuss budget item like these dues.
The service on meeting days should be abbreviated to make it easy for more
people to stay for the meetings.
The next
annual meeting is May 18 with a pre-meeting on May 9. There was discussion if
we should include a general congregational meeting as part of the Canvas
dinner in March. We discussed addressing congregational issues at the Youth
fund raising lunches. We need to ask Dave Dickey (Canvas chair) to pick a date
for the canvas dinner.
We
discussed having a mini-annual meeting to cover fellowship 'health' issues in
February or in April. Patrick offered to hire a UUA speaker from the Healthy
Congregations Team to talk about what it means to be a part of the UUA. The
Board decided we would rather host such a talk from within and save the
speaker fees. We will schedule a meeting for February and then see if another
meeting in April is worthwhile. We may refer to these meeting as UUFC Info
Parties. The agenda is to be determined and should include the committee
chairs to report on what they do (keep each report short -- two minutes). We
picked February 16 and Kevin will coordinate the promotion.
8.
Audit Report: No new action.
9.
Finance Committee Member Approval: Mary H. proposed
the approval of Sloan Christian to the Finance Committee. Joe made a motion to
accept the nomination, the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The
Finance Committee will begin to use the room behind the pulpit as a work area
instead of Room 1. We need to network a computer to that area.
10.
Annual Bazaar: Carita requested the Board fine a
space to store the items left over from this years Bazaar.
11.
Red Cross Certification: Sara Williams requested
that we set up the UUFC as a CPR training location. There would be no cost to
the UUFC. The Board was in favor.
12.
Social Action: Jan Fultcher has been appointed as
committee chair. Regina reminded us that the Board had discussed changing that
committee name and its approach to issues. We must remember that there is
already some momentum in that area that must be incorporated into any
activities of that committee.
13.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM. Next time,
Sloan will bring a reading and Becky will provide the fine dining.
Humbly Submitted by:
Bill Meller
Secretary, UUFC Board of Trustees