Board of Trustees

Wednesday, October 12, 2005 Minutes

Church Social Hall, 7:00p.m.

 

Those present:

 

Elizabeth Breeden               Brian Haluska                         Josie Loyd                           

Sally Taylor                        Mark Usry                              Mary Beth Wiley      

David Takahashi Morris   Leslie Takahashi Morris        Leia Durland-Jones           

                                           

Board of Trustees Focus for 2005-2006

§         Develop and implement a shared vision for growth and facilities management

§         Improve board meeting management to increase efficiency, effectiveness and transparency

§         Refine and empower governance including council system, task forces and committees to delegate board responsibilities

§         Foster a sense of membership as stewardship to increase participation

§         Ensure stronger financial infrastructure

 

I.                   Welcoming Activities (7:00 p.m.)

A.     Devotions – Elizabeth Breeden

B.     Check-in – As part of the check-in David and Leslie thanked the Board and particularly Shelly, Elizabeth B. and Mary Beth for all their work on the installation for the co-ministry.

 

II.        Opening Meeting

A.     Review of agenda was accepted by the Board.

B.     Minutes from September 14, 2005 Board meeting approved by the Board.

 

III.       Consent Agenda – The consent agenda was accepted in its entirety with the       addition of the words in bold below in ‘D’.

A.     Moved that TJMC-UU accept the gift of a podium from Liz Benzinger and that a letter of thanks acknowledge the gift. Mark will prepare a thank you note.

B.     Moved that three parking spaces in front of Summit House be marked as Sunday morning handicapped parking spaces.

C.     Move that the job description for the Aesthetics Committee be amended so that its members are not board appointed but do have a 3-year renewable term.  

D.     Moved that TJMC-UU Board appoint Sandra Brooks (if she accepts) and Dave Stoner to serve on the Facilities Development Comittee.

 

IV.       New Business

A.     Governance – The Board approved a final version of the charge which is attached.

B.     Review of board liaison position to Molly Michie Preschool – The Board agreed that more discussion was needed on this issue. Sally and Elizabeth B. will accept names of those to serve on a task force to explore issues related to the pre-school and will bring a charge for the task force to the November Board meeting for discussion and approval. But in the interim Sally will continue to serve as the liaison with the following two responsibilities: (1) Listen to queries and maintain communication link about the operational nitty-gritty (fixing light bulbs, floor waxing, scheduling, etc. between the church and the pre-school; and, (2) Attempt to reestablish more connections and understanding between the church and the pre-school.

C.     Discussion on church leadership/involvement in rededication of the marriage rights banner.  The Board approved a recommendation by the GSA that a rededication of the marriage rights banner would be appropriate (after a new one was placed on the church after the original was removed by vandals). The date for the rededication is November 13. The GSA will lead the dedication.

D.     Discussion on how to explore incorporation of the full congregation in decision making – proxy voting, timing of congregational meetings, when to provide childcare, etc. The Board set a date of February 19 for a conversation on proxy voting. A leader for that discussion was not determined. Mark volunteered to contact a friend for suggestions on an appropriate cost for trained teachers who could lead activities for children of the church during congregational meetings.

 

Break was hosted by Brian Haluska, thank you Brian.

 

V.        Old Business/Reports

A.     Review of Long Range Planning Committee/Facilities Development Committee charges (Dave, Elizabeth, Josie, Mary Beth, Mark). The final version of the committee charges was approved and Josie offered to prepare the final version and distribute to the board. See attached.

B.     Report on progress on management of U-House Plan (Dave, Mark, Ruth). The task force reported that it had not yet met, but planned to do so and have a report ready by the next meeting of the board.

C.     Treasurer’s Report (5 minutes)

D.     Review/feedback on Congregational Meeting – A $25,000 anonymous gift has been given to the church for use toward facilities as a lead gift for the capital campaign. Pledges are below where they should be, but expenses are below where they should be as well, no worries at this time.

E.      Nominations for the Connie Cheatham Award were requested and that they be sent to Sally.

F.      The Board voted to review all committee and task-force members and chairpersons appointed by the Board in April of each year. (There was no one placed in charge of this.)

 

VI.              Questions pertaining to received reports – no questions were asked.

A.     Co-Ministers Report

B.     President’s Report

C.     VP Administration

D.     DRE Report

 

VII.           Check-in process, observations: Comments made included: the need to be clear when asking for Board input and what input was expected, to do more ‘once around the circle’ on major issues to ensure input from all; concern about the large number of board members missing; the need to clarify who gets hard copy and who gets electronic version of materials for the meeting and finally, in the interim who gives ‘permission’ to Mollie Michie Preschool for improvements?

 

VIII.        Adjourn

 

Next Executive Committee meeting: Tuesday, October 25, 2005, 7-8p.m., church

Next Board of Trustees meeting: Wed., November 9, 2005, Social Hall, 7:00p.m.

 

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Tentative Agenda Items for Future Board Meetings:

 

November Meeting:

Space use data, policy and potential fees - Ruth

Capital Campaign Committee Charge - ??

How to convert visitors into new members - ??

Report on management of U-House – David, Ruth and Mark

Report on Mollie Michie Pre-School Task Force charge – Sally and Elizabeth B.

 

December Meeting:

Budget review