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Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches
First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches
Governing Board Minutes -August 16, 2011

Opening: The regular meeting of the Board was called to order at 7 p.m. on August 16, 2011 in Minister's Hall by President Gene Bannigan.

Lighting Of Chalice: Lee Kuller

Present: Gene Bannigan, Richard Palermo, Chari Campbell, Lee Kuller, Sam Irwin, Betty Richards, Mary Reynolds, ex-oficio
Minister: Rev. Carole Yorke
Guests: John Richards
Absent: Art O'Brien, Dorie Maxwell

References:
July 19, 2011 Minutes
Council Report, August 14, 2011
Bessemer Statements, June 2011and July, 2011
Business Statement, July, 2011

A. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was unanimously approved as distributed.

B. Approval of Minutes and Reports
The minutes of previous regular meeting were unanimously approved.

The Bessemer Statements for June and July 2011 were presented. Due to market turmoil, the July statement showed a loss from the previous month’s balance. Gene Bannigan noted that expenditures for kitchen appliances from the Capital Reserve Account are not reflected on the most recent statement, however this expenditure will be reflected on the next statement.

Richard Palermo presented highlights from the August 14th Council Report. (See Council Report)

In Art O’Brien’s absence, Mary Reynolds, Finance Chair, highlighted several points:
• a detailed financial report is given to each committee chair every month to assist them in budgeting for the current year and with building next year’s budget.
• there will be modifications made to the music budget to reflect various subcategories. It was noted that the codes are strictly used for bookkeeping purposes, and are deemed unnecessary to be included in the report.
• at the rate of current expenditures, we can anticipate shortfalls in some areas, which can be handled by moving funds around as needed. Board members were urged to study the budget and suggest areas where shifts could be made.
• the R.E. program has been using three assistants weekly in the nursery and is running low in funds. Gene spoke to Lynn Stephens who will attempt to implement cost saving measures.
• Nelson Enos will no longer be available to assist Barbara with money counting and volunteers are needed to assist Barbara with that task.

Old Business

Growth Advertising Plan
Lee Kuller presented a Report on Growth Advertising Plan (Exhibit A). He plans to gather input from Committee Chairs so that we can develop a plan to highlight our presence in the community.

Pastoral Care
Gene gave a report of his meeting with Paul and outlined the specific kinds of accountability data that Paul needs to furnish in his monthly report to Gene. It is expected that Paul will assemble and train a Caring Committee to replace his phone ministry. Gene mentioned that there are several members of the congregation who are qualified to assist with the training of volunteers, that Betty Richards, who has received UUA training in ministerial programs, has indicated a willingness to help. Also, Reverend Yorke indicated that she would like to be involved in the training.

Growth Projects
Rich Palermo’s monthly Growth Projects Report was included in his Council Report. (see August 14th Council Report) Gene suggested the need for a Growth Committee to generate creative ideas and implement them

Audit Committee
Frank Smith, a long-time UU, and new member of our Congregation, has accepted an appointment to serve as our Auditor. He is a former attorney from New York who specialized in Estates and Trusts and is highly qualified to do our audit.

Confirmation of New Finance Committee Member
Betty Richards made a motion to confirm Gene’s appointment of Frank Smith as a replacement member of the Finance Committee to fill the remaining term, and vacancy created when Herb Altholz resigned. The motion was unanimously approved.
Leader Links/Constituency Lists
Discussion postponed until the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Congregational On-line Calendar
Gene asked for the status of implementing last month’s decision to limit access to the calendar. Richard reported that there are approximately 15 to 18 members who currently have access to the calendar. He will ask each member who has access to the calendar to restrict their use of the calendar to the posting of regularly scheduled meetings of their own committee. All other postings need to go through Richard. Several Board Members and Reverend Yorke declined calendar access and indicated a preference to go through Barbara, who can serve as a clearing house for date conflicts. Sam Irwin described the Annual Calendar Meeting which is generally held in September at a Council Meeting, to set the dates for all the major events that will go on the Congregational Calendar for the year.

Finance: Market Turmoil and Surplus funds
Discussion postponed until the next regularly scheduled meeting.

New Business

Minister’s contract for FY 2011-2012* Gene verbally shared the content of the minister’s contract with the Board in Executive Session, and will meet with Reverend Yorke on Monday to go over it with her.

Banking Arrangements
Our current banking arrangements are not satisfactory. Gene and Mary are studying alternative banking facilities to be utilized by the Congregation to insure better service and avoid excessive fees

Insurance
Gene Bannigan and Mary Reynolds are reassessing our Congregation’s property insurance coverage and current needs, and exploring alternative carriers in an attempt to reduce our costs and insure that we have the coverage that we need.

Florida District Leaders Roundtable, September 17, 2011 Boca Raton
A three person team may attend the Roundtable. Board members are encouraged to contact Gene if they can attend.

GA 2012, Phoenix, Arizona
Methods of raising awareness among our members of this unique GA, and means of providing support for members who wish to attend were brainstormed. The possibility of a fund raiser or a special collection dedicated to this purpose was raised.

Speaker’s Bureau
Richard indicated that this had been discussed at the Council Meeting. Gene said he had some thoughts that he will share with Richard. (See Council Report)
Congregation Sign
Volunteers are needed to do weekly updates on our sign. Contact Gene with names of people who might help with this task.

Annual Calendar
No new updates were added to the calendar.

Check Out

Board members may raise any concern or issue that was not included in the formal agenda.

1.Richard brought up the need to flush out a systematic plan for greeting Sunday visitors.
2.Gene will advise Paul that all committee chairs need to attend Council meetings; Gene may appoint a co-chair when he can find an appropriate person for the position.
3.Sam inquired about the issue of new keys for our doors, indicating a security issue.

Closing/Extinguish the Flame

The meeting was adjoined at 9:30 p.m. by President Bannigan. The next meeting of the Board will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20, 2011.

* Board meets in Executive Session