August 2021 Splinters
Splinters from the Board of Trustees Meeting August 25, 2021
Sarah Matteo, our new Director of Lifespan Faith Development, was introduced by Rev. Neal Anderson. She spoke briefly, and Board members introduced themselves.
The Board’s only action item was to approve a motion to release $4,800 in the Thornton Peace Fund for use by the Community Organizer project.
The Board has continued to meet monthly with Laura Park, our hired consultant, to transition into Policy Governance from our modified Program Board system. We recognize the need to have a congregational conversation about what this means, and planning for this conversation will be a focus of our retreat as part of our theme: dealing with change and how to re-engage. The retreat is planned for September 24 and 25.
In other business, the Board approved Julia Tarsa as appointee to the Nominations Committee. Outcomes of Access and Inclusion Ministries Plan Workshop for Board (and Program Chairs) were discussed. Deb Feltz reported that she and a few members of the Board will meet with Board members of UU-Nashua to learn about their experience in moving toward policy governance.
Rev. Neal Anderson reported on childcare, technology upgrades, Covid opening plans including mask requirement, and nearly-finished kitchen remodeling. The Southside Community Kitchen looks to begin soon. Rev. Neal is hopeful that congregants will volunteer to work in the kitchen. Installation planning continues for October 23.
Judy Goth-Owens reported the Stewardship Committee will be needing a new chair as Jennifer Castner steps down. The Nominations Committee is looking for suggested qualities and skills needed for Board nominees.
Jenny Olson provided highlights from the Finance Committee report: Pledges have come in better than expected, so some of the PPE funds planned for this year may be available next year.
February 2021 Splinters
Following the congregational meeting presentation by Michael McClellan regarding the Mapping our Future initiative, two separate online gatherings were hosted for congregants to ask questions and offer feedback. The Board members who facilitated those sessions updated the entire Board on the questions and concerns raised by those who participated. Participants were particularly interested in getting greater clarity regarding the ends statements and how those relate to goals for the congregation. In addition, there was interest in receiving additional details about the Board’s efforts to move the church toward use of policy governance. The Board agreed to continue to work on informing and involving members of the congregation in living into the identified values, mission, and ends as well as the policy governance process. On February 11, the Board conducted another 90-minute facilitated policy governance transition session with our consultant. Throughout March, Board members will engage in individual study and work in preparation for another 90-minute work session with the consultant in April.
The Board received a draft revision of the church bylaws from the committee appointed by the Board to conduct a review and revision process. Joe Stuart, Deb Feltz, and Jessica Martin, who comprised the committee, updated the Board on the process they used over the last six months to review and identify necessary revisions. During that time, the committee met with numerous individuals involved with church committees as well as with church staff. The overall goal of the review and revision process was to create a more streamlined document that is easier to read and understand. In addition, the revised bylaws are intended to better reflect the church’s movement toward policy governance. It has been approximately five years since the last significant bylaws review. The Board is currently reviewing the proposed revisions and will, at its next meeting, engage in further discussion of the proposed revisions.
The Board received the monthly Budget/Finance Committee Report, noting that the committee is currently working to close the 2020 financials and hopes to complete that process by the end of April. The Board received notice from the Investment Committee that there will be a $30k payout from the endowment available as a spendable allocation. The Board will request that Rev. Neal work with staff and volunteers to identify from the existing “wish list” of special projects as well as other emergent needs a proposal on where those funds will be allocated.
The Nominations Committee informed the Board that they anticipate there will be two seats on the Board, two seats on the Finance Committee, and two seats on the Nominations Committee to be filled this spring. The committee will put out information in the church newsletter and seek additional opportunities to inform the congregation and to invite people to recommend names of those who might be interested.
The Board is partnering with the AIM team (Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry) to schedule a two-hour workshop for lay ministers and congregation leaders for sometime this spring.
-Bill Arnold