Lisbet motioned that we accept the Minister’s Report, the Treasurers Report and the Minutes of the of June’s meeting. All of which state we are fiscally sound, and moving forward toward the goals we set in January at the board retreat. The Hospitality Committee is rethinking how to respond to the social needs of our Community, and our Social Justice Responsibilities and Spiritual needs are being addressed and moved forward by Reverend Boyd.
We have still not hired a janitor, nor is Reverend Boyd interviewing anyone at this time since the church is seldom in use. We are still relying on the kindness of Roger LaFontaine who comes in twice a month to clean.
Three to four Senior volunteers of RSVP led by Leah Sakas package food boxes from 8 AM until whenever on Thursdays. They use the tables in Channing Hall to sort, pack and deliver about 80 meals per week. They are responsible for cleaning up after themselves including disinfecting.
Linda Mohn is looking for people to work with her on the Hospitality Committee to create activities to engage our church members and possibly contact some housebound members by phone. If interested, contact Linda Mohn or the office.
Louisa noted we are paying more than $20 for our UUYO website than we intended. Andy stated we need to do more planning before we commit more resources to updating our website.
As the weather gets warmer, we will begin to use Channing Hall instead of the Sanctuary, so we need to determine if we need equipment for both the sanctuary and Channing Hall or if it is practical to move the equipment from place to place.
The question arose as to our need for a newer more advanced computer processor to improve our online video/audio production. Gene mentioned that our endowment is holding strong, and that though we are using it, we should be able to put money into the new technology.
Religious Education: Mystery is conducting RE Classes online again and is interested in feedback.
Sarah King has been working reduced hours but may be working more hours as needed since she may be able to work in the office to complete assignments that require access to the office computer because she can work privately in isolation since few people are in the church at this time.
Hopefully, we can use the members and friends survey to help us create programs to engage our members, new and old, in satisfying online experiences that will provide a sense of intimacy and belonging until we can gather again in person. Reverend Boyd suggested we might want to check into other churches and see what they are doing online to find new ideas of what we can do. Results of the survey should be available in August.
We still plan on paving the driveway on the Illinois Street entrance across from the parking lot. We are looking into a contractor to come out and give us a quote on what environmentally sound (green) materials we can use or if blacktop is our only option.
Thank You U Us go out to Susie and Rochelle for their help in delivering meals during times of COVID. Elen and Lowell Satre for delivering newsletters and to Melissa Smith, Sarah Lowry and Gary Davenport for their work with Social Justice and Black Lives Matter and to Lola Lewis for her technical assistance.
Gene Pusateri related a list of BLM rallies and church services in the Valley, in Poland and Canfield, on Sunday, July 26th.
The next board meeting is August 13, 2020 at 6 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Diana Shaheen