Minutes
UUA Board of Trustees Meeting
June 23-24, 1999
Pursuant of notice duly given, a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian
Universalist Association was held on June 23 and 24, 1999 at the Salt Palace
Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Arnason, Baehr, Boerma, Butler, Carpenter, Courter, Courtley, Dame, Daniel, Davidoff, Gillespie, Gowdy, Hobart, Jones, Kapuscik, Ladd, Lawrence, McGregor, McGavin, McKinnon, Poinsett, Sanders, Senghas, Spencer, Thitchener, and Buehrens
MEMBERS
ABSENT:
Patterson
ALSO PRESENT:
K. Montgomery, J. Gabert, N. Lawrence, and observers
Denise Taft Davidoff, Moderator, called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23, 1999. Trustees and visitors were introduced and changes were made to the agenda. Jean Kapuscik provided opening words on Wednesday; Leon Spencer provided opening words on Thursday. Diane Olson, chair of the Planning Committee, greeted the Trustees on behalf of the Planning Committee and welcomed them to the site of the 1999 General Assembly.
APPROVAL OF APRIL, 1999 BOARD MEETING MINUTES
The minutes of the April, 1999 meeting of the Board of Trustees were approved as amended.
APPROVAL OF ASSOCIATE MEMBER AND INDEPENDENT AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS
It was agreed by consensus that the following organization would be approved as an Associate Member of the UUA for fiscal year 1999-00:
Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation
It was agreed by consensus that the following organizations would be approved as Independent Affiliate members of the UUA for fiscal year 1999-00:
Society for the Larger Ministry
UU's to Stop the Violence Against Women
Latino/a Unitarian Universalist Networking Association (LUUNA)
The Unitarian Universalist Historical Society
Unitarian Universalist Peace Fellowship
Ferry Beach (a Unitarian Universalist Camp and Conference Center)
Association of Unitarian Universalist Administrators
Unitarian Universalist Network on Indigenous Affairs
Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association
Unitarian Universalists in the Pines
Unitarian Universalist Men's Network
Unitarian Universalists for a Just Economic Society
Unitarian Universalist Clergy Couples Association
Unitarian Universalist Urban Church Coalition
Unitarian Universalist Process Theology Network
Uniquest
Unitarian Universalists for Juvenile Justice
Channing Murray Foundation
Council of Unitarian Universalist Camps and Conferences (CU2C2)
Lambda Ministers Guild
Universalist Convention of NC, Inc.
Bethany Union for Young Women
Unitarian Universalist Counseling & Education Service
Unitarian Universalists for Jewish Awareness
Friends of Religious Humanism
Ministerial Sisterhood (UU)
ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS AND BEQUESTS
The Treasurer reported on gifts and bequests accepted since the time of the April meeting of the Board of Trustees.
APPROVAL OF AUTHORITY TO OPEN BANK ACCOUNTS
It was agreed by consensus that the following bank accounts and signers were approved:
To ratify the establishment of a bank account for expenses associated with
the out-of-town operation of General Assembly. This account was opened with
United States Bank on May 25, 1999, to be available for use by staff in Salt
Lake city, UT. Authorized signers are Barbara Prairie, Kathleen Montgomery
and Jerry Gabert.
To authorize the establishment of operating and payroll accounts with BankBoston
(soon to be merged with Fleet Bank) that will replace the existing accounts
with State Street Band and Trust. Authorized signers are Barbara Prairie,
Kathleen Montgomery, Jerry Gabert and Gail Diggins, single signature up to
$5,000, two signatures required over $5,000.
BUILDING LOANS REPORT
The Treasurer announced that the following building loan had been approved since the time of the April Board meeting:
BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA
Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley
loan of $270,000
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
President John Buehrens reported that the executive staff council had spent a significant amount of time during the year in strategic planning meetings and that the four broad goals articulated for the work of the staff are: (1) promoting congregational health, vitality, and growth; (2) raising UU visibility and extending our collective voice; (3) strengthening leadership training for laity, ministers, and religious educators; and (4) providing adequate support and infrastructure to undergird excellence in services and programs. Next October, he said, he intends to bring to the Board several alternative themes for a new capital campaign, along with alternative proposals for the programmatic and investment components of such a campaign.
Buehrens said that comprehensive planning was going on at several levels:
at the "Next Steps" conference led by the Journey Toward Wholeness Transformation
Committee in early June; in the religious education community's "Essex Conversations;"
and at the "To Be of Use" polylogue on district structures and services. He
said that the Fulfilling the Promise Committee, as the overall strategic planning
team, will gather representatives from all these planning processes under
the title "Aligning our Efforts" in October.
The President announced that Warren Ross, respected UU journalist, has been
commissioned to write an institutional history of the Association, to be published
in early 2001.
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Kay Montgomery, Executive Vice President, reported that Rose Hanig had been hired as Bookstore Manager. She announced that Pat Carol had resigned as District Executive in the Joseph Priestley District; that Darrin Morda had resigned as Manager at Pickett and Eliot Houses, and that Scott Brigante had resigned as Friends' Director. She said that searches were underway for replacements for those positions as well as for calling officers for the proposed capital campaign.
MODERATOR'S REPORT
Moderator Denise Taft Davidoff reported that she would be asking several board members to attend the October "Aligning Our Efforts" meeting and that a meting with representatives of the Service Committee was scheduled for the end of October.
She reported that she had appointed the following persons to serve on the
UUA/CUC negotiating team: Larry Ladd, Denise Davidoff, Gini Courter, Ken Carpenter.
CANADIAN UNITARIAN COUNCIL REPORT
Herman Boerma reported that discussions among members of the Canadian Unitarian Council indicated that there was no consensus about the future direction of the Council but that there was agreement that the Council would move toward gradually becoming more independent. He reported that there would be a final report at the 2000 CUC annual meeting. He announced that the new CUC President was Kim Turner from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
BOARD AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Discussion was held concerning the business of the Board of Trustees at the upcoming General Assembly.
REPORT ON THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS
Wayne Arnason reported on activities at the recent meeting of the International Council of Unitarian Universalists, held at Lake Balaton in Hungary in May.
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
Ken Carpenter, chair of the Finance Committee, reported on Finance Committee discussions, including those concerning the proposed renovation of Skinner House, financial concerns about Beacon Press, and the proposed upcoming capital campaign. It was reported that the 1998-99 Annual Program Fund was ending the year strong--over goal and likely well over goal by year-end.
Funding for a Proposed Capital Campaign M (Carpenter), S, and
VOTED: In FY00 and FY01, temporarily restricted endowment funds' accumulated appreciation of up to $550,000 and $575,000, respectively, are to be designated by the Board for staffing and related expenses to study the feasibility of, and to secure advance gifts for, a capital campaign with a total of at least $30 million.
These funds are to be repaid by declaring up to 10% of the proceeds of such
a campaign to be fundraising expenses. If the feasibility study and advance
gift solicitation warrant it, the Board will be asked to authorize further
designations for the subsequent three fiscal years, to a maximum of $3 million
in fundraising expenses, including the added staffing and related expenses
of securing advance gifts.
The recommended programmatic goals of such a campaign will be presented
to the Board of Trustees for approval in FY00, with alternatives presented
in October 1999, a recommended plan in January 2000, and a final approval
no later than April 2000. The campaign goals will include both permanent
funds to be held by the Association and funds to be expended for strategic
investment in the future strength of Unitarian Universalism.
M (Carpenter), S, and
VOTED: To authorize the Treasurer to take the necessary action to provide for the implementation of the plan in the above motion for the funding of a capital campaign.
Designation of Holdeen Monies
M (Carpenter), S, and
VOTED: To approve the following expenditures from the Holdeen designation trusts:
International Association of Religious Freedom
$160,000 in fiscal year 2000
Liberal Religious Charitable Society
$225,000 in fiscal year 2000
R. Senghas asked that it be noted he had abstained.
FINANCIAL ADVISOR'S REPORT
Larry Ladd, Financial Advisor, reported on investment results and said
that he and Jerry Gabert, Treasurer were working on the preparation for the strategic use of the Association's assets over the next several years. He noted that, coming out of conversations at the April Board meeting, there seemed to be agreement on the need for an ad hoc committee to review the Association's practices and policies regarding socially responsible investing.
M (Ladd), S, and
VOTED: To instruct the Moderator to appoint an ad hoc committee on socially responsible investing, charged with reviewing current practices and policies and making recommendations for new practices and policies with respect to the UUA's uses of financial and physical assets in light of our religious values. The committee will report to the Board of Trustees at its January 2000 meeting.
ACCEPTANCE OF NEW CONGREGATIONS
M (Hobart), S, and
VOTED: To approve the application and to accept into membership in the Unitarian Universalist Association:
PRAIRIE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
PARKER, COLORADO
M (Gillespie), S, and
VOTED: To approve the application and to accept into membership in the Unitarian Universalist Association:
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST OF SOUTHERN DELAWARE
LEWES, DELAWARE
ANNOUNCEMENT OF DISAFFILIATION
It was announced that the Church of the United Community in Roxbury, MA had disaffiliated from the Association.
APPOINTMENT OF DELEGATES TO THE 1999 CONGRESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
M (Daniel), S, and
VOTED: To appoint the following persons as delegates and alternate delegates to the 1999 IARF Congress:
Delegates: Reverend Janet Bowering - Plaistow, NH
Mr. Arnold Bradburd - Abington, PA
Ms. Julie Bradburd - Abington, PA
Ms. Susan Caravello - Glen Cove, NY
Ms. Sadie Curtis - Saverna Park, MD
Ms. Denise Davidoff - Norwalk, CT
Reverend Ray Drennan - Montreal, Ontario
Ms. Janet Evans - Victoria, British Columbia
Reverend Max Gaebler - Madison, WI
Dr. Judit Gellard - Chico, CA
Reverend Leon Hopper - Bellevue, WA
Reverend Howard Hunter - Cambridge, MA
Ms. Mavis Jemielita - Victoria, British Columbia
Mr. Melville Johnston - Victoria, British Columbia
Mr. Bernie Keeler - Edmonton, Alberta
Ms. Sylvia Krogh - Edmonton, Alberta
Reverend Richard Kellaway - New Bedford, MA
Reverend Nathaniel Lauriat - Sedona, AZ
Reverend Kenneth MacLean - Boston, MA
Reverend Ray Manker - Paradise, AZ
Ms. Sue Nichols - New York, NY
Reverend Vernon Nichols - New York, NY
Ms. Winifred Norman - New York, NY
Ms. Margery Pease - Billings, MT
Reverend Frank Robertson - Plymouth, MA
Ms. Ruth Shaw - Collinsville
Ms. Doddie Stone - Laconia, NH
Dr. Sheilah Thompson - North Vancouver, BC
Reverend Doris Hunter - Cambridge, MA
Dr. Natalie Gulbrandsen - Wellesley Hills, MA
Reverend Polly Guild - Weston, MA
Reverend Peter Richardson - Andover, MA
Ms. Mae Tabbenor - New York, NY
Mr. Paul Damrose - Branch, CA
Alternate Delegates: Ms. Sally Benson - Washington, DC
Mr. Roger Corless - Durham, NC
Ms. Jean Kellaway - New Bedford, MA
Ms. Virginia Knowles - Silver Spring. MD
Mr. Felix Lion - Victoria, British Columbia
Ms. Gretchen Manker - Paradise Valley, AZ
Ms. Anne Orfald - Peterborough, Ontario
Ms. Helen Simpson - Westbury, CT
Joel Baehr asked that it be noted that he had abstained.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON SOCIAL WITNESS
Barbara Child, Chair of the Commission on Social Witness, reported on activities of the Commission, saying that as they near the end of the third year of this new process they are exploring recommendations for refinement of the process.
REPORT OF THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST-UNITED NATIONS OFFICE
Elaine Harvey reported on recent activities in the UU-United Nations Office.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board voted to go into Executive Session to discuss Committee on Committees appointments and, when it returned, entered those appointments into the regular minutes of the meeting.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES
M (Daniel), S, and
VOTED: To approve the following Committee appointments:
Pamphlet Commission
The Reverend John Gilmore
(to fill a vacancy through December 31, 1999)
Commission on Social Witness
Chris Trace
(4 year term beginning June 29, 1999)
Secretary of the UUA
Wayne Arnason
(2 year term beginning June 29, 1999)
CLOSING
The meeting was adjourned at 3:10 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, 1999.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Kathleen Montgomery
Recording Secretary
FUTURE MEETING DATES
Board Meetings
October 22-24, 1999
January 21-23, 2000
May 5-7, 2000
June 22-27, 2000 - GA (Nashville, TN)
October 20-22, 2000
January 19-21, 2001
April 20-22, 2001
June 21-26, 2001 - GA (Cleveland, OH)
October 19-21, 2001
January 18-20, 2002
April 19-21, 2002
June 2002 -GA - TBA
October 18-20, 2002
Finance Committee
September 17-18, 1999
October 22, 1999
January 20, 2000
May 4, 2000
June, 2000, GA
Investment Committee
September 10, 1999
November 12, 1999
February 11, 2000
May 12, 2000
General Assembly
June 22-27, 2000 -- Nashville, Tennessee
June 21-26, 2001 -- Cleveland, Ohio
June 2002 - TBA
June 26-30, 2003 -- Boston, Massachusetts
Deadline for materials to be included in Board Packets:
October Board Packet Deadline - September 24, 1999
October Late Packet Deadline - October 19, 1999
January Board Packet Deadline - December 21, 1999
January Late Packet Deadline - January 17, 2000
May Board Packet Deadline -April 7, 2000
May Late Packet Deadline - May 1, 2000
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