JPD BOARD MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 16-17, 2001 AT CEDAR LANE UU CHURCH
Present: Evelyn Spurgin, President, Mike Harris, Vice President, Ellen Cotts, Treasurer, Janet Eisenhauer, Secretary Pro Tem. Julia Sayles, Rev. Howard Dana, Anne Herndon, Rev. Paula Maiorano, Pete Fontneau, Dawn Star Borchelt (Sat only)
Absent: Bill Stroup, Dave Chandler, David Hunter, Marilyn Dyson
Also present: Rev. Richard Speck, DE, Linda Olson Peebles, UUA Trustee, Bob Johnsen, Growth Consultant, Kim Mason, CampUUs Organizer, Este Armstrong, Laura Montgomery, Meredith Higgins, John Gambling, Nancy Nelson, Jim
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Business was conducted on Friday evening from 7:15 until 9:20 pm and on Saturday from 9:15 to 3:15 pm. On Friday evening there was a discussion of GROWTH. There were four worship services.
Business items:
1. Approval of new Board Members. Pete Fontneau was approved as replacement for Paul Roche.
2. Approval of minutes. The minutes of the Oct meeting were approved.
3. Discussion of GROWTH followed: Brainstorming on what it means to change the culture of growth in our district.
a. Evelyn Spurgin suggested that we must have a “culture of growth,” the Board gave suggestions as to what this would look like, the elements/components of District with a “culture” of growth:
i. Listen to people
ii. Publicity/helping congregations with PR
iii. More support staff on district level
iv. Work closely with UUMA
v. Systematic reviews of “best practices”
vi. Help with spiritual developments of membership
vii. Training lay ministers
b. The discussion then focused on what we can do to advance this agenda
4. Staff reports from Richard Speck, DE (see attached #1); Kim Mason, CampUUs Organizer (see attached #2), Kim also presented her goals for 2001-2002 (see attached #3)
Worship Service, Rev. Howard Dana – 9:00
5. Ellen Cotts, Treasurer presented the treasurer’s report (see attached #4)
6. Finance Committee: Mike Harris gave the finance committee’s report. An audit needs to be completed.
7. Pete Fontneau, APF reported that some congregations are behind on their Fair Share payments. He urged board members to contact their liaison congregations.
8. The new field staff pay structure was presented. Finance committee stated that they need direction in setting salaries. The Personnel Committee will meet 12/13/01 and will make recommendations at that time.
9. Evelyn Spurgin, President called a brief Executive meeting to discuss a Personnel matter.
10. Staff reports: Virginia Jarocha-Ernst, Acting Lifespan Religious Education Consultant (see attached #5). She also presented her goals for 2001-2002 (see attached #6)
11. LRP Committee: Mike Harris reported that the committee has identified twelve goals. As there are six members on the committee each will present two at the next meeting (Jan 02)
12. There was a brief discussion of board/committee relationships. Evelyn suggested a method by which there would be “Board Committees” and “Program Committees.” Board Committees would be finance, search, LRP and personnel, all the others would be Program Committees
13. Following lunch, Mike Harris led a discussion of Policy Governance. The District in Florida has begun to use the Carver method and is finding it very complicated. Evelyn will invite two people from Florida to attend the Jan meeting and explain how they moved to the Carver model.
14. A by-laws change was suggested: to eliminate area representatives. How would board be structured?
15. DE Richard Speck announced that a new Committee has been established: Music and Worship Arts. There are some funds available from a now defunct committee ($800.00). There will be a gathering of music directors soon to appoint committee chair and develop a mission statement. Pete Fontneau made a motion: “That a committee, to be called Music and Worship Arts, be established.” Paula Maiorano seconded, the vote was passed unanimously.
16. Board Anti-Racism work: Evelyn Spurgin stressed the importance of doing Anti-Racism work as a board, reading, viewing films etc to remain constantly aware of the need to be vigilant as we represent the district.
17. Search Committee: Janet Eisenhauer and Dawn Star Borchelt will serve as co-chairs with others appointed by Evelyn Spurgin, Pres. to find a permanent life-span religious education consultant.
18. Annual Meeting: Paula Maiorano reported that the planning is going well…there are many workshops scheduled and Larry Peers will be the key-note speaker.
19. Evelyn Spurgin, Pres. pointed out that the by-laws state that any board member who has been absent on two consecutive meetings, unexcused, or three meetings within a year will be considered as having vacated the position. The secretary will report on the status of Board Members at each meeting.
20. Future meetings:
a. Jan 11-12, 2002 Davies Memorial, Camp Springs, MD
b. Annual Meeting, April 12-13, 2002, Holiday Inn, Towson, MD
c. March 1-2, 2002, Harrisburg
d. May 17-18, 2002, Board Retreat, Murray Grove, NJ
e. July 12-13, 2002
f. Sept 13-14, 2002
g. Nov 8-9, 2002
The meeting was adjourned at 2:35
Janet Eisenhauer, Secretary, ProTem
Attachments:
Other attachments
Treasurer’s report
LRP report