Present : Louisa Berger,  Joseph Boyd, Andy Crabb, Judy DeGenova, Marguerite Felice, Gene Pusateri, Tim Raridon, Diana Shaheen, Lisbet Searle-White

Meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM by Gene Pusateri, facilitator

Check in done. Consent agenda( meeting minutes, minister’s report, treasurer’s report) reviewed and approved by unanimous consent .

Diana asked if Mystery had responded to receipt of the gift sent in gratitude for her service as interim DRE. No one has heard from her. Marguerite brought up an email motion she made on October 8th to have the church reimburse Diana for the cost of the singing bowl gift. No one seconded the motion. Three board members pledged to contribute to the purchase in the email exchange.

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN 2021

Lisbet reported we have 107,891 in pledges through the online pledge cards. However there are other pledgers who did not use the form, told the office, etc so the number is likely higher. She noted several people significantly increased their pledge for 2021. Lisbet noted Lanore Jones was a great asset to the stewardship  committee.

Website Development:  No changes since last month’s meeting.

Technology Update  

Andy reported no changes other than the Steinburg is now updated. Overall the new production software is allowing for better musical quality and smoother transitions during the worship service.

Music

Attempts to contact pianist Nanette Solomon have been unsuccessful. Other ideas were to contact YSU Dana faculty, musicians that board members know or know of were also discussed. Musicians are being paid for their work and will be paid if we reuse their pre -recorded pieces.  For Christmas Eve service each singer will be recorded then the voices will be mixed. Rev. Joseph inquired what our budget is for musicians on Xmas Eve. She said she will let him know.

Small Capital Projects

The driveway has been paved. Discussion about the unfinished edges. Is that the contractors job or job or landscaping ( i.e. B& G crew) . Louisa said Martin will contact the contractor to discuss the concern. Currently there is no other project in the works. Briefly discussed adding lines to the parking lot. Andy noted this was done once by B&G crew. Realistically paving the lot would far above the $5,000 amount the board can approve without congregational votes.

Thank UU’s

Lanore Jones ( again) for stewardship,

Tom & Cindy Smoltzer  for their continued willingness to step in. They didn’t hesitate when Re. Joseph approached them after learning Jeff would be unavailable indefinitely due to family illness.

Cathy Cajut & Mary June Tartan for assisting in cleaning the church.

NEW BUSINESS

Nominating Committee

Three members volunteered at annual meeting were Jim Rak,Gloria Brittian Wilkins and Trudee Weatherbee. The board appoints two members. The following people will be asked if they are willing to serve: Adam Lee, Jan Grigsby, Karen Lapidus, Linda Mohn. Gene will contact them as well as the three volunteers. Three board positions need to be filled for 2021.

Tim Bortner of Full Spectrum requested use of the church sanctuary & Channing Hall December 1st for the World Aids Day commemoration. The full board rejected use of the physical space but will offer our virtual capabilities to them. He said the other participants were Equitas & PFLAG. As board member of Youngstown Area PFLAG I said we would not be participating in any in person events at this time and that we had not been asked to participate although we have in the past. 

Staffing

Sarah King, office assistant, is expecting and due in the spring. Louisa spoke about the need to have someone cover the office for 6-12weeks during her maternity leave. Louisa’s preference would be a current UU member who could be trusted with confidential financial information.  They would need to be able to work with Sarah to learn the job. Although a volunteer would be great, several people suggested this may be too much to expect of a volunteer and we may want to pay someone.  The board also agreed it would like to give Sarah a raise. The amount would depend on our 2021 budget.

Pledges are still coming in. There are several people who give generously and reliably. A special appeal is made to these individuals. Louisa & Lisbet will work on a special appeal letter for them.

Rev. Joseph asked when we could have a budget ready for 2021. Lisbet felt we should have the pledge numbers in the next few weeks. Gene asked if the finance committee or the board would do the budget. Typically the finance committee creates the budget per Rev. Joseph. Ellen Satre will be asked to convene a finance committee meeting to set a budget by mid-December.

Generative Discussion centered on racial justice and the ways we can commit to anti- racism work . The BLM sign distribution gave us visibility in the community.  Discussions of the 8th Principle to educate our congregation will be led by lay minister Gary Davenport. Rev. Joseph will continue to bring a racial justice focus in the pulpit and beyond.

Utilizing the talents and strengths of several newer members of the church was discussed.

Other

Rev. Joseph will be part of an upcoming meeting of several ministers with the new ( for profit) owner of Park Vista. There have been of concerns raised about the decline in the level of staffing and quality of the facility which offers senior living services ranging from independent apartments to skilled nursing care since the change on ownership. The ministers will address these concerns and make it clear they will not continue to suggest this facility to their congregants if they do not restore the quality of care previously enjoyed by the residents.

Roles for December 10th, 2020  board meeting

Facilitator: Diana Shaheen

Secretary :Marguerite Felice

Process Observer: Lisbet

Timekeeper: Judy DeGenova

Bits ; Louisa

Thank UU’s: (December) Lisbet

Motion to adjourn made by Diana. All in favor. Meeting adjourned 7:51 PM.

Respectfully submitted

Marguerite Felice