ABSENT: Gary Carpenter
INVOKING SPIRITS PRESENCE (Opening prayer): Rev. Sherry Lady offered the opening prayer and Kathy lit the candle.
DECLARING OUR TRUTH (Check in): Each board member did a short check in.
CLARIFYING OUR INTENTIONS (Agenda approval): The agenda was changed, adding three old business items: Special Events and Outside Speakers policy update, By-law committee update and cooling scarves for soldiers update; two new items were also added: Survey of Congregation and Follow-up with volunteers. The board was in consensus on the modified agenda.
SPIRIT’S WORK IN OUR MIDST (President’s report): There was no president’s report this month.
PRESENTING OUR OFFERINGS (Minutes): The board minutes of June 17, 2008, were presented and approved with one change.
COMMUNICATION FROM FRIENDS (Correspondence): There was no correspondence.
DECLARING GOD’S ABUNDANCE (Treasurer’s report): Barbara reported that while attendance for June 2008 was only 141 per Sunday compared to 151 per Sunday in June 2007 income was up compared to that period by approximately $8,500. The simple giving program is clearly demonstrating its value. Rev Ed and Barbara met with Kay Russell and it was decided to transfer monies from one account that has not been earning much to one that has been doing quite well.
GOD’S WORK IN OUR MIDST (Minister’s report): Rev. Ed reported that he, Rev. Sherry and Jon West have had several lengthy meetings and are coming to a consensus about a fall program. Details and logistics still need to be worked out but it will probably be 8 weeks long with group meetings on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. For those unable to participate in these Wednesday and Saturday groups there could be a Sunday Spiritual Circle after the service that could/would include and build on the same themes the Wed/Sat groups are working on. We would encourage the group that already meets after service to bring the energy of their group to this special gathering for these 8 weeks. The theme will be something like Rising to the Occasion: Finding Joy in A Turbulent World. Part of the hope for this series is that it would appeal to the broader community and not just the Unity congregation. It was suggested by Jean Hanna that a survey be conducted to find out what the congregation would like from a fall series. Jon West is exploring a possible service with the Women’s Sponsors organization to coincide with the fall program.
BLESSING OUR PAST (Old business): Tom reported that at the small claims court proceeding concerning Max Fabry’s claim for more money that the judge ruled in her favor. Unity has paid approximately $3200 additional to Max.Alison reported on the meeting she and Tom had with Linda concerning guidelines for contracts with outside speakers and for special events. Rev. Ed suggested that we change the proceeds split from 50/50 to 60/40, the 60 percent going to the presenter. Alison felt we should get Linda’s input on that and it was proposed that the board authorize Ed to consult with Linda and if they agree to that 60/40 proposal to make the contract language that.Meeting Guidelines/Board Covenant: Ed will put together a combined document to bring to the next board meeting. Michael pointed out that there is some information pertinent to this endeavor in “The Foundation for Spiritual Leaders” manual which was placed in all board members mail boxes. Barbara reported that Barbara O’Hearne is no longer funded by the Templeton foundation and her fee for board consultation is $1500 plus travel expenses. The manual referenced above has been developed by Ms. O’Hearne and Tom Blank suggested that Barbara McKie go through the manual since she is already familiar with it and pick out sections that individuals could present at future board gatherings. Barbara will bring a proposal along those lines to the next board meeting.Leslie Maguire reported that Gary Wymore has agreed to be the third person on the by-law committee. Gary is a former board member. They will begin meeting in September. Once they have prepared a proposal they will have it reviewed by a lawyer and then bring it to the board.Michael reported that Wal-Mart agreed to provide a $25 gift certificate for purchase of material and thread for the Scarves for Soldiers project. However, when Annie went out to Wal-Mart they couldn’t find the certificate so she paid for the material herself. She contacted the person at Wal-Mart and they assured her the gift certificate was available but that she can’t get a refund on what she already spent. The board agreed to allow her use the certificate for a personal purchase as reimbursement for the cost of the material and thread.
The board sponsored event was revisited. Jean suggested a congregation survey as a board sponsored event. Leslie wants an event that makes the board more accessible to the congregation. Leslie reminded us of the suggestion to have board members identified at the service. Ed would like any survey to be conducted over a several week period. After much discussion it was agreed that Jean and Leslie will work on questions and other board members may also contribute questions they would like to see on a survey. The most likely time to do this would be during volunteer recognition month. This will be discussed further at the next meeting.
DISCERNING GOD’S WORK (New business): The new business item of having a congregation survey was discussed under old business. The topic of volunteer procedures was brought forward by Jean Hanna. She feels it is vital that volunteers be contacted after signing up for one of the ministries. Volunteer coordinators need to be willing to contact people on the list. A meeting of people on the team should be held. Ed said he will talk to Linda about this. It was also suggested that the signup sheets should have an option for stating a desire to be in a leadership role.
Sherry Lady told us that from September to June Odyssey of the Spirit brought in over $1,900 and only paid out $250.
HOW SPIRIT TOUCHED ME (Check out): No checkout was held.
A CEREMONY OF BLESSING AND THANKS (Closing prayer): A circle was formed, a prayer of thanks and blessing was given and the meeting was adjourned.
