January 18, 2012
Dear members,
On Sunday, January 29th at 10:00 am we will experiment with merging our January Congregational Meeting with our scheduled worship so that we truly transform our business meeting into an experience of worship. We will be voting to approve the minutes of our last meeting; voting on Amy Wissekerke as new Board Secretary and Nancy Briggs as new member of the Leadership Development Committee; receiving reports from the Facilities, Music, Staffing, and Green Sanctuary Task Forces (and voting to approve the Green Sanctuary application to the UUA); receiving a Treasurer’s report; and voting to adopt the newly improved Bylaws. We will also be lifting up our leaders and volunteers , celebrating our communal activities, singing, praying, and reminding ourselves of our principles and values. It should be quite an experience.
Please take the time to read the attached materials, and remember that there will be only one service on January 29th. (10:00 am)
As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or any member of the Board of Trustees.
In peace,
Ian Sole,
President, Board of Trustees
Read the proposed bylaws changes bylaws-for-1-29-12.
In order for the members of TJMC-UU to better understand some of the proposed changes to the church Bylaws, the Board submits the following Bylaws Changes Clarifications (Click to review)
Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church - Unitarian Universalist
Congregational Meeting
Minutes
May 22, 2011
12:56 pm
I. Call to order and establishment of quorum (123)
II. Opening words (Janet Newman read words of Tony Perrino)
III. Approve minutes from congregational meeting of April 17, 2011
IV. Presentation of Congregational Covenant and vote (Pam Philips)
Summarized process of developing congregational covenant: collected cards that congregants completed of promises we’d like to make and for others to make to us. The transition team worked for hours to write a covenant based on the wishes of the congregation.
We then read the covenant in unison:
In order to create the beloved community we all desire for ourselves, we, the Congregation of Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church Unitarian Universalist covenant to:
- Communicate with compassion and respect, especially when we disagreeCelebrate diversity and nurture our inclusivity,
- Embrace one another spiritually and emotionally,
- Promote social justice within our congregation and the larger community,
- Generously support the ministries of the church with time, money and enthusiasm, and
- Lovingly call each other back into covenant when we have fallen short.
Lynn Heath suggested a rewording of the last line as follows:
When we have fallen short, lovingly call each other back into covenant.
Motion to accept this amended language passed with one nay vote. Motion to adopt this amended covenant passed unanimously.
V. Presentation of Leadership Slate for 2011-2012 by Beth Jaeger-Landis
President Elect: Paul Fritz (2014) 1 year as President-elect; 1 as President; 1 as Past President
Vice President: Jean Shepard (2 years - 2013)
At large: Don Landis (3 years - 2014)
At large: Heather Garrett (3 years – 2014)
At large: George Jones (2 years to complete Fritz term – 2013)
For the vacancies on the Leadership Development Committee:
(7 elected members, each for 2 years, plus representative of Board)
Anne Clark (2 years – 2013)
Breck Gastinger (2 years – 2013)
Ellen Pratt (2 years – 2013)
Gene Zechmeister (2 years – 2013)
Kirstin Fritz (1 year to complete M. Ward’s term – 2012)
Jean Sorrells-Jones (1 year to complete vacant term – 2012)
For vacancies on the Personnel Committee
(6 elected members, each for 3 years with 2 terms expiring each year, plus representative of Board)
In reviewing Personnel Committee records and Congregational Meeting minutes, we found an error in dates for terms of current members. After consultation with Dorothy Schafer, Chair of Personnel Committee, here is the listing of the current Personnel Committee:
Sandra Brooks (2012, date confirmed by Congregational Meeting minutes)
Dorothy Schafer (2012, date confirmed by Congregational Meeting minutes)
Jill Payne (2012, date confirmed by Congregational Meeting minutes)
Walter Megonigal, Jr (2013 date confirmed by Congregational Meeting minutes)
Michael Manto (2013, date confirmed by Congregational Meeting minutes)
Beverley Thierwechter (1914)
Beth Jaeger-Landis moved that this slate as presented today be accepted by acclimation.
Discussion
Some comments made and questions asked. In particular, one member asked Kirsten Fritz spoke as a member of leadership development committee, seconding what Beth had said about how diligent the committee was in ensuring that these nominations are in line with the TJMC bylaws.
Motion seconded and passed unanimously.
VI. Presentation of fiscal year 2011-2012 Budget and vote
Donna Baker presented topic. Doug Webbink gave a general report about current financial health of the church. He reported about some differences between the current year’s budget and the proposed 2011-2012 budget.
Motion made and seconded to accept the 2011-2012 budget as prepared by the Board.
Greta Dershimer, as chair of Social Action Council, mentioned line item reflects money estimated to be spent as a result of income from monthly social action collection.
KaeRenae mentioned SCRIP, pledge shrinkage, installation costs – questioned answered.
SCRIP budgeted decrease reflects the reality of income.
Pledge skrinkage is increased for next year because the reality is that the amount of pledges which are not paid is more.
Kae Renae suggested that installation costs be a special collection rather than a budget meeting.
Lynn Heath spoke in favor of the budget, encouraging visionary giving.
Sharon Biaicco spoke to our future need in facilities.
Call the question:
Many in favor
8 opposed
4 abstentions
Donna Baker thanked those members going off the board. She introduced Ian Sole, incoming president. She thanked the group who reorganized the bylaws and policy manual (Jean Shepard, chair)
VII. Closing Words (Janet Newman)
VIII. Adjournment at 1:50pm
