Item

Discussion

Motion/Action

President’s Report

Bill reported that he was pleased we did the retreat. He reminded us that we should keep focused on policy governance.   Council on Spiritual Life report  will be distributed soon; all other reports from the councils are in.  Stewardship has set a calendar date for 2/10/08 as a donor event, although it is not clear how “donor” will be defined.  BJ mentioned that it might be on 2/24/08; Bill will check this date.  Holiday letter will be going out on or about December 10.  We are a member of Center City Churches, which is changing its name to Hands On Hartford, reflecting a fundamental shift in what they do, how they do it, in their funding, and their governance.  Nothing is required of us at this time; Council for Social Justice very aware of this as well.  We will be considering the implications for us at some later date.

Minister’s report

Written report was submitted at meeting although it was previously mailed to us, but email issues at church.  BJ highlighted in her written report her desire to connect the young adults and young families to the larger community through special programming or events geared toward their interests and concerns.

DRE report

Gail’s report was also sent via email; she also distributed a special order of service for children.  Average attendance is noticeably stable. She noted that 14 kids (6-8 graders) went to Fern Street field trip, whose interests are traditionally a difficult group to maintain.

Business Manager

Business report submitted.

Treasurer’s Report

We’re doing well and continuing not to have cash flow problems.  Income from Social Justice Council comes from special social justice collections.  Community Within above budget because of UPA events have been very profitable.  We’re not concerned that current pledge income is 9% below budget.  Donation issue:  when someone wants to donate anything to us, the board needs to approve this, per our by-laws.  Recently, we have received $5,000 (appraisal value) of jewelry donated to us. 

Motion by MG to accept donation of jewelry seconded by Heather Ferguson-Hull.  Motion passed unanimously.

Building the World we Dream About

DVD from the 2007 conference, 1.15 minutes long – Now is the Time – Leading Congregations into a Multiracial, Multicultural Future is available. Second national conference is in February 2008 in San Jose; Bill will be attending.

Bill, Heather, Gail and Karla met to discuss a process for the BTWWDA.  Curriculum runs for calendar year, twice a month, except for July and August when it runs once per month.  They discussed combination of open enrollment with invitation to others; asking for commitment or covenanting process to ensure commitment.  Application process to start late November with 12/15 deadline. 

Bill, Heather, Gail and Karla agreed to continue to meet periodically as a steering group to check in on the progress and any issues which might come up. 

Curriculum is pre-determined for participants and facilitators. It is not clear yet where  the money for some of the “freebies” like child care and lunch will come from.  January 12, is MLK day, and BJ will make BTWWDA the subject of her sermon. 

Council Reports

Distributed from three of the four.  Very good reports – concise.  Council for Spiritual life, per MG, will be owning the conversation around Sunday programming. 

Proposal for USH Process for Considering Proposed Position Statements

Charles Huntington was present and reviewed some of the history behind developing the USH Process for considering proposed position statements.  Discussion that this reflects our principles and gives people the ability to feel safe to discuss diverse views, and empowers all of us to remind us of our values and the kind of environment we want to support here.  Task Force appears to be comfortable with the proposal in this final draft; Second page, second bullet modified to be “consistent with” in lieu of “ clearly supported by” position statements….  Hope is that the policy reflects the value we place on not only the process but our respect for the individual.  It was also hoped that the congregation would appreciate that this is a policy of the congregation and not a policy produced by the Council for Social Justice. 

The proposal fits with the Non-Violent Communication program which BJ is handling.  MG raised the possibility that the task force might be able to share with the congregation the process it went through to develop this proposal although it was agreed that such an event must be limited to discussing the process, and not as an invitation to change the policy. There was consensus that we would have an event to bring interested people together who might be interested in knowing more about the process.  It was agreed that participants and the congregation at large could benefit from hearing from the task force who ultimately employed and modeled those principles articulated in the policy.  

The end of January was proposed and that this event could be held after Sunday service, possibly with a celebratory theme.  Carolyn also suggested that perhaps the process could be incorporated as part of the Sunday worship service to underscore the spiritual and social justice work that went into producing the proposal.  BJ indicated that she would be happy to incorporate into her service whatever might be produced pursuant to this idea.

Bill made a motion to adopt with “friendly” amendment” with Second page, second bullet modified to be “consistent with” in lieu of “ clearly supported by” position statements….;  Karla seconded; unanimously passed.

Board priority focus areas

Carolyn suggested, in reviewing the notes from the retreat, that we might be able to consolidated certain areas.  For example, we might combine 1 and 6 and 2 and 4.  There was some extended discussion re: our identity – who are we really – as potentially a critical first question as we attempt to discern what area should be our focus.  BJ suggested that we are a congregation that celebrates the classical aesthetic, as manifested in our strong appreciation for the natural world, music and the arts, literature and the spoken word.  MG suggested that the Board consider as its priority focus the only area which is not potentially the bailiwick of the councils – specifically the future of Unitarian Universalism in our region, including the possibility of teaming together with Fern St. and Manchester to consider our role as a regional entity.

Process check-in