Social Action Council Minutes 2011 August 24
Social Action Council Minutes
August 24, 2011
In attendance were Jean Sorrels-Jones, George Jones, Ann Salamini, Mary Rose Curtis, Greta Dershimer, Bob Gross, Cherry Stewart, Elizabeth Breedan and Kip Newland.
Brief checkins included the following:
-UUSC will be having a special collection on Water Sunday for the Somalia drought victims. Greta indicated that she will be working on increasing church membership of UUSC.
-Nothing new from Mary Rose on Chalice Lighters.
-Ann reported that GSA will shortly be having their first meeting. They are going to discuss attendance at some upcoming Gay Pride events.
-Mary Rose reported for Al Reynolds that the first PAUN meeting would be on SEP 11th.
-Elizabeth said that she was planning for the first meeting of the Emotional Wellness Group, working with both Sojourners and the Quakers.
-TJMC’s first week for PACEM will be Thanksgiving weekend (men) followed by a second week in late February (women).
-Our Food Pantry is experiencing shortfalls due to Federal budget cuts at a time when our clients are on the increase.
-Jean indicated that Partner Church is planning new programs this year to reintroduce the concept to church members. She also reported on an upcoming gathering in Transylvania for international UU women.
-Bob indicated that there will be two TJMC congregational forums within the next month to tell folks about what IMPACT will be undertaking this year.
It was agreed that the UU Guys Highway Cleanup would be transferred to the Community Life Council at the request of Dick Sommer.
It was agreed that all SAC members would like to have their organizations continue as church groups rather than committees.
There was a general consensus that we should continue to have four in-person meeting each year (quarterly) reserving online virtual meetings for only immediate issues that needed approval.
George Jones introduced himself as the new board liaison, indicating that his sole function is to listen and report back to the Board when necessary. He understands that he is neither a voting member not an advocate for any cause.
There was discussion about having a SAC activity fair. Members decided to discuss alternatives for this effort via email within the next week.
It was reported that last Sunday’s collection for VOP totaled $1889.00.
The chair indicated that each sponsor of the monthly social action collection is responsible for coordinating with our office administrator on newsletter and Friday email inserts as well as insuring a spokesperson for both services.
New business included a motion from Greta that the final $500 in the Ford Foundation grant be allocated to RE for use this year helping with the UVA meal bag project. This motion passed unanimously.
Bob Gross requested $80.00 from the SAC reserve funds to pay baby sitter fees for the two upcoming IMPACT meeting. This was approved.
A motion was made that George, as our Board liaison, be asked to inform the Board that the SAC requests an evaluation of the church council structure to insure that it is serving the congregation efficiently. The motion passed.
The ongoing functions of the SAC were discussed. The general consensus is that there are three primary ones; i.e., developing an annual budget, soliciting and approving annual requests for TJMC’s monthly social action collections, and approving free use of space from outside organizations.
The SAC Committee will next meet at 5:30 PM, November 16th.