Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church - Unitarian Universalist

At the end of March 2012, after nine months, or 75% of the fiscal year, we have received total revenues of $464,450 or 82% of the amount budgeted for the year. This is about 6% higher than last year.

Current year pledge receipts now total $314,726 which is about 76% of the amount budgeted. However, it is about $3,000 lower than what was collected by this date last year.

In March we received $1,204 in unpledged donations, $1,878 in grocery scrip profit, and $2,277 in Community Outreach or Social Action collections. Of particular significance, we received an additional $3,570 in fund raising income, nearly all of it from the February TJMC auction. For this fiscal year, fund raising income now equals $29,733.

After nine months our total expenses were $483,074 which is about 85% of budgeted expenses. It is also about 24% higher than expenses in the same nine month period last year.

In March, our expenses exceeded our revenues by $22,699. In March we paid for the cost of the new roof, and that amounted to $23,328. We also paid $3,489 for the new windows next to the Edgewood Lane door. Because of the large expenditures in March, at the end of that month, our expenses for the year exceeded our revenues by $18,624.

At the end of March, the money in our church bank accounts totaled $153,813 which represents a decrease of $12,597 from February and can be explained by the March expenditure on the new roof and windows. It is also worth noting, however, that for the month of March, excluding the cost of the new roof and the new windows, our revenues would have exceeded our expenses.

The second payment of $32,540 for the installation of the solar panels is still outstanding. We also expect to receive the $25,000 state/federal rebate, sometime after the solar panels go into operation. However, even with that additional net expenditure, we should still have approximately $120,000 remaining in our church bank accounts at the end of the fiscal year.

Doug Webbink, Treasurer

Treasurer@uucharlottesville.org

Our Mission is the Budget

Over the course of the next couple of weeks the Board, having received input from groups throughout the church and advice from the Finance Committee, will develop a budget for 2012–2013 for presentation and approval by the congregation at the Sunday, May 20, Congregational Meeting.

As always there are many competing needs and while we are fortunate to be in a position this year to add rather than cut, we will still have to make some tough choices. At the top of our list is support for our current, hard working staff. Right behind this is the need to build and support both the human and physical structure of the church. This includes the recognition of the need for an increase in professional staff, an enhanced IT system, a more robust buildings maintenance program, and of course monies to support the extensive array of programs.

A successful pledge drive means we will be in position to act on several of these areas, but not necessarily all. A critical guiding principal as we grapple with these challenges will be the question of how well each line item of the budget supports the mission of the church. (For more information on our mission please go to our website at  uucharlottesville.org and click on about us.)

Clearly we are not in the business of creating jobs, and some would argue that buildings are less critical than worship, social outreach and community life. On one level they would be right. On the other hand it has become clear that the prudent investment in professional staff would significantly improve the ability of volunteers (and existing staff) to focus their time and efforts on programs that more directly support the mission of the church. And a better maintenance program for our buildings, and a properly functioning IT system would pay huge dividends in terms of reduced wasted time and frustration by both professional and volunteer staff.

Looking ahead it would also be nice to build reserves for projects that further promote our seven principals. As such, the budget is obviously not just about salaries and utility bills, but about the very essence of our mission. Please support the Board with your thoughts and with your presence at the upcoming meeting as we seek to act in the best interests of our mission and the future of your beloved community.

In Faith,

Ian Sole

Read the Board Minutes April 16, 2012.

You will need Adobe Acrobat.

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 disagree,
• Celebrate 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 (2014)

Beth Jaeger-Landis moved that this slate as presented today be accepted by acclamation.

Discussion

Some comments made and questions asked. Following reassurance from two members of the Leadership Development Committee that they have corrected term limits to align with the Bylaws, the motion was 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 Mitchell mentioned SCRIP, pledge shrinkage, installation costs - questions answered.

SCRIP budgeted decrease reflects the reality of income.

Pledge shrinkage 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 covered by a special collection rather than a budget item.

Lynn Heath spoke in favor of the budget, encouraging visionary giving.

Sharon Baiocco 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

Read the March 19, 2012 Board Minutes.

You will need Adobe PDF Reader.