Return to UUFC Homepage         Return to Board page
 

Meeting Minutes: Board of Trustees

of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Columbia SC

February 12, 2003



Members Present: Becky Dickey, Kevin Meredith, Mary McGriff, Bill Meller, Regina Moody, Sloan Christian, A.G., Sandy Chubon, Dwight Pregler

Members Absent: Joe Long, Andrea Derrick, Mary Heriot

Ex-Officio: Patrick Price

Guests: Carita Barr, Tootsie Holland, Andy Hendin, Dave Dickey

Call to Order: Kevin Meredith called the meeting to order at 6:15 PM.

Opening Words: Sloan read the opening words.
  1. Last Months Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were read. It was noted in item #7 that 'May' should be changed to read :Mary. The January minutes will be updated as such. Amy made a motion to accept the minutes, conditionally pending update, the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
  1. Staff Reports -- The staff reports were read. It was noted that Susan's report was not widely distributed but Isabel's report was received by all. Becky noted that Isabel has done a great job in organizing the office and Room 1. Sloan stated we should have all staff reports ready and available on time and not delay the start of the board meeting while reports are copied and distributed. Even if email copies can be made available prior to the meeting, hard copies should be available such that they can be read before the start of the meeting. Kevin will advise the rest of the staff. Amy made a motion to accept the reports, the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

3.      Treasurers Report: Joe was not available to discuss the treasurers report. Sandy noted that in last year's annual report it indicated we spent $4,800.00 more than we received in income and asked where the extra money came from.

4.      Youth Coordinator: Emily Aleshire has been named our new youth coordinator.

5.      Furnace: Kevin stated that SCE&G does not provide for commercial financing unless the amount is guaranteed by an individual. We don't need to replace the furnace during the warm weather. We should hold the cash that was donated and collect interest on it until the fall. Kevin will verify with the furnace fund donator(s) that they are cool with us holding the money until the fall.

6.      The Way We Are: Patrick's last service was centered around this concept. The Covenant was circulated for signatures. Regina distributed copies of the Covenant and stated we need to accept the final version, generate awareness for it and get signatures on it.


7.      Coffee House Tax Issue: Mary H. distributed a memo that stated the income from the coffee house's was taxable income. Patrick restated research conducted six months ago that indicated this income was, in fact, not taxable. As this issue has come up several times in the past, the Board noted officially in the minutes that the Coffee House income is decidedly not taxable. Sloan commented that the Finance Committee does in deed do a lot of hard work.

8.      Red Cross Certification: At Sara Williams' request, Kevin contacted the Red Cross about setting up a life-saving training class center at the fellowship that Sara would coordinate and direct. It seems unless Sara is an official UUFC employee, we cannot set up such a center here. Kevin will follow up with Sara.

9.      Audit: Joe was not available to provide a status. The Board wonders what the delay is in completing the audit work.

10.  Canvas 2003: Dave Dickey distributed a canvas overview document. We reviewed the milestone dates for the Unigram articles and for the canvas training. Initially, there will be three training dates but we may add more later. March 9 is the canvas kick off and we will host a lunch or reception after the service that day. We would prefer to do a pot luck so as to conserve funds for canvas publicity. The Mohr's may actually host the canvas dinner this year but we may host it at the fellowship. Dave is busy recruiting canvasers, canvas captains and in developing the canvas kits to be used. March 9 to March 22 will be the intensive canvas period. The canvas will culminate with a March 30 sweep-week to pick up any stragglers and to enable us to begin the yearly budget process by that first week in April.

The canvas theme is still undecided but will likely center around 'how we care'.

Dave requested we assign a board member as the liaison to the canvas committee. There were no immediate volunteers do we deferred the issue for now. Dave is still looking for canvas committee members. He really needs a canvas co-chair who will take over the canvas next year.

It was pointed out that the highest level of givers should be canvassed in advance of the general canvas, Some dissatisfaction was expressed with the concept of 'canvas leadership' as being the top givers.

11.  Coffee House Demise: Susan Corbett and Jimmy riddle are retiring as the directors of the coffee house. It was noted that the coffee houses have raised over $11,000.00 in cash over the past nine years and have provided items such as a new dishwasher, sound system and tables. We briefly discussed ideas on how we could continue the coffee house effort but nothing materialized. The Board will officially honor Susan's and Jimmy's efforts after the last coffee house. Amy suggested we get them each a nice gift.

12.  Dances: Andy Hendin proposed we hold these fund raising dances once a month for at least the first year to give the concept a chance to be accepted and to take off. He indicated the dances must always be on the same cycle date on the calendar, perhaps the second Friday of each month. Andy asks that the Board commit to that date and help to ensure that date is not preempted for another event because, if we miss just one Friday, it would be like starting the entire concept over again. Andy will scratch the current March, April and May dates because of events already scheduled. He will start the dances in June (June 13th).

Andy stressed that these second Friday dates must be in concrete on the UUFC calendar or the concept will not catch on. The Board agreed to reserve these dance dates. Andy cannot speculate on who might attend, but hopes to make this primarily a UUFC social event. The dances will be smoke and alcohol-free and this will be indicated on the fliers that will go out. The dances will be in the social hall from 8:00PM to 12:00AM but will require the use of the sanctuary and the bath rooms, as well. It was noted that there will be some small spaces still available at the UUFC for use, if needed, during the dances. Thanks go to Andy!!!!

13.  Thanks To All: Tootsie expressed thanks to all who helped with the Carol Jackson memorial and events. Tootsie requested we have a pot luck to show our appreciate for these folks. Tootsie will pick the date. Kevin will send a 'thank you' in the Unigram, as well.

14.  Bazaar: Carita requested we find a place for the remaining bazaar items that are in room 1. These items need dry, inside storage. Patrick stated that he would procure some large plastic storage tubs with lids and we put these items into those to keep.

15.              The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM. Next time, Sandy will bring the food and Mary M. will provide the reading.


Humbly Submitted by:


Bill Meller
Secretary, UUFC Board of Trustees



In the event of discrepancies the paper copy of the minutes as contained the the board minutes binder shall be the official version.  This binder is maintained by the administrator in the congregation office.

.top

Return to UUFC Homepage


Your comments/corrections are welcome. Email to Donald Griggs at dgriggs@chaliceweb.org