January and February 2024 Splinters
In 2024 your UU Lansing Board of Trustees (BoT) has been governing on your behalf through two regular monthly BoT meetings, an Emergency Executive Committee meeting, and a Special Congregational Meeting.
During our January regular BoT meeting:
Updated documents were provided to Dart Bank, authorizing the recently elected President and Treasurer to sign documents on behalf of the Church when requested.
A survey summary was produced for possible publication to the congregation. This survey was conducted in April 2023 to gauge the congregation’s understanding of its progress toward its Ends. The summary report can be viewed by following this link: Summary Report.
Work began on the revision and consolidation of several existing versions of BoT covenant and codes of conduct. This work will provide a current and concise description of a board member’s expected behavior and covenantal agreement for working together, and a board member’s engagement with the congregation.
Shortly after the January Board meeting adjourned, the BoT received a letter of resignation from Chris Clampitt. Chris had been elected as Treasurer in the most recent election at the end of 2023. In order to appoint a replacement, in accordance with our Bylaws, the Executive Committee of the BoT convened an emergency meeting. During this emergency meeting of the Executive Committee, Ralph Putnam was appointed to the office of Treasurer. Ralph’s term runs through the end of 2025.
In early February 2024, our congregation gathered for a special meeting. This meeting was held to select delegates to represent UU Lansing at the upcoming 2024 Mid-America Regional and UUA General Assemblies. Delegates selected for the Regional Assembly are: Bob Lovell, Kathy Lovell, John-Marc Ormechea, Callen Latz, Alysandra Ganem-Redd, and Sonya Schryer Norris. This regional Assembly will be held April 19-21, 2024.
Delegates selected for the General Assembly are: Bob Lovell, Kathy Lovell, Carol Nicholas, Sonya Schryer Norris, Tammy Lemer, Barbara Stoddard, Gene Mellen, and Cheryl Overly. The General Assembly will be held Jun 20-23, 2024.
Immediately following the adjournment of this Special Congregational Meeting, an informal information update session was provided. This hour-long session included an update on the current financial plan, a message from the Senior Minister, and a presentation of the results from the April 2023 Congregational Survey. Each presentation was followed by questions and answers among the attendees and presenters.
At the February meeting of your BoT:
The Board appointed Kelsea Hector to the BoT, filling a vacancy created when Ralph Putnam was appointed Treasurer.
A summary report from the 2023 survey of the Congregation was recommended for publication. The summary report can be viewed by following this link: insert link here
Your BoT established some small working groups to focus efforts throughout 2024, in the following areas:
Monitoring the policy limitations agreed upon by the Board and Senior Minister, as well as monitoring the BoT itself regarding its practices and performance.
A Linkage group will develop a plan for, and practice various methods of engagement between the Board and the Congregation focusing on the Ends.
A Survey group will begin work on our Second Annual Survey of the Congregation.
If you have any questions regarding Splinters from the Board or the work of your Board, please reach out to us. We look forward to future engagement on these and other topics.
Tom Nicholas, President