UUYO BOARD MEETING MINUTES
February 6, 2020
Meeting called to order at 6:09 PM Present : Louisa Berger, treasurer, Rev. Joseph Boyd, Andy Crabb , president, Judy DeGenova, Marguerite Felice, secretary, Gene Pusateri, Tim Raridon, Diana Shaheen, Lizbet White, vice president
Consent agenda (Minister’s report, treasurer’s report, minutes) reviewed. It was proposed we stop monthly newsletters and incorporate the information into weekly email updates. Louisa feels both are somewhat redundant. Board discussed and agreed to try this approach for a couple of months and see how it works for the congregation in particular those who still receive their newsletters by postal mail.
Louisa also said doing the taxes and payroll has been very difficult for her. She proposed a personnel committee as well as using professional to do taxes & payroll.
Gene made motion to accept the consent agenda. Judy seconded, all approved.
Hiring janitor Since changing the job title from sexton to custodian there has been a flood of applicants. Rev. Joseph has had 3 interviews and scheduled a 4th for this Monday. He feels we will have a hire soon. We discussed it may be better to hire someone outside of the congregation.
DRE Only 4 candidates have applied on Indeed, none sound promising. Rev. Joseph will announce opening from pulpit. We need quality candidates who can espouse UU principles to our children even if they are not UU congregants.
BYLAW Review Diana said a tentative meeting is scheduled February 9th but she has not received confirmation from Randy Cox, the committee chair.
Sanctuary/ Wheelchair Accomodations Review: We have a railing! We have not received the bill. The work was done by Jon Locketti’s employer.
Rev. Joseph presented a quote from Jon Locketti’s employer, Adolph Johnson & Son for improving wheelchair access.All agree on need to make changes . However the price tag seems high and ,as discussed previously, does the board really know what we want? Tim asked if we have spoken with persons with disabilities in the church. Rev. Joesph and others said yes. Rev. Joseph suggested a board member head a committee tasked with making the changes. Rev. Joseph, Tim & Gene agreed to be on the committee. Rev. Joseph will ask Sarah Lown to participate. Several of us asked for a drawing of the proposed changes as we who are spatially challenged ( like me) could not visualize the proposed changes very well.
Thank UU’S Judy will do the Thank UU’s to : Linda Scharf, Jon Locketti, Adam Lee, Michael Harvey, Achilles Palumbo, Ellen Satre, Gary Davenport, Sarah Lowry.
Security : Sunshine Wolfe from Central East UUA will be at UUYO on April 18, 2020 10 am-4 pm for a church security conference. Lizbet suggested we invite all area congregations, especially our immediate neighbors Nevels Teple & Rodef Shalom.
2020 Initiatives
The finance committee met Sunday . Work on the patio and solar panels and sanctuary ( see earlier notes on wheelchair accomodations) seem to be the main capital expenditures. Funding for staff positions (webmaster, music director). The committee will approach Jon Locketti to determine if an affordable alternative to the original proposal from several years ago (2014?) is possible.
Rev. Joseph said the board should move forward to complete projects under $5,000 (which do not need congregational approval) ASAP. One of these is paving the driveway. A short discussion took place on looking for eco friendly paving materials. Tim & Lisbet will research.
We have $23,579 in a reserve fund. Tim proposed we use a portion to fund a Jack Brizzi memorial project. Andy suggested we fund a webmaster with some of the money. Gene said the emdowment fund can pay for building enhancements .
Webmaster: After some discussion it was determined most of us are still unclear about what duties/hours the position would require. Furthermore, it seems we have to be more clear about who we are targeting with our social media. It was suggested we ask a member of the congregation who has expertise in this field if he would be willing to sit down with Louisa and Sarah to look at the website and make suggestions and perhaps head a ad hoc committee to help us develop a plan and determine what the position would entail. We tabled a vote on funding the position until we get more information.
WYSU : Gene said an ad hoc committee ( Tom Beck, Ed Goist and Gene) have been meeting and have proposed funding day sponsorships using UUYO as a pass through . Gene read some of the proposed messages. Ed Goist from WYSU has already approved the content which focuses on the First Amendment, truth in the news as well as days honoring Marcellene Hawk. Diana made motion to begin day sponsorships, Marguerite seconded.
SOLAR: Tim Raridon talked about some of the research he is doing in solar panels installation and costs.
We also discussed gathering some information from the congregation about their views of the UU 7th Principle and how they see/ would like to see UUYO implement the principle. We will do this during coffee hour .
BOARD MEETING DATES FOR 2020:MARCH 5TH, APRIL 9TH, MAY 7TH, JUNE 11TH, JULY 9TH, AUGUST 6TH, SEPTEMBER 10TH, OCTOBER 8TH, NOVEMBER 12TH, DECEMBER 10TH.ALL ON THURSDAYS, START TIME 6PM.
ROLES FOR MARCH 5 BOARD MEETING FACILITATOR :TIM, TIMEKEEPER :ANDY, PROCESS OBSERVER:GENE, SECRETARY : MARGUERITE, THANK UU’S :LOUISA, BITS: LIZBET
Meeting adjourned 8:02 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Marguerite Felice
Secretary