About UUFE

Board of Trustees

The members of the Board of Trustees are elected at our annual congregational meeting. They meet monthly and the meetings are open.

2010-2011

President: Greg Koehler gregkoehler@msn.com

President-Elect: Laura Snow

Secretary: Terry Mark

Treasurer:Pam Kramer

Trustee: Karen Books (3-year)

Trustee: Ken Clayborn (3-year)

Trustee: Linda Becker (3-year)

Trustee: Katrina Wilson (1-year)

At the August meeting, the Board of Trustees:

Considered a proposal by the Endowment Committee to borrow $50,000 from the endowment to pay down a portion of the mortgage for The Gathering Place and to re-pay that loan from the ongoing collections of Capital Campaign pledges. At least one informational meeting will be conducted this fall and a congregational meeting called later in the fall on this proposal.
Heard a report from the Finishing Task Force. New lighting will be installed in the hallway connecting the old wing with the new wing, including track lighting that would be used to highlight artwork in that area. UUFE may also be in the position to accept upholstered chairs from the South Bend UU church since they won't need them after moving to their new space. The Finishing Task Force is also working on proposals on bulletin board displays, a welcome center for visitors and coat racks.
Learned that the 9 a.m Service Task Force will be promoting the format change with a weatherproof banner to be hung outside the church and editing our existing advertisement in The Elkhart Truth. The task force also has arranged for infant child care at both services to be provided by Lizzie French. There is sufficient funding in the budget for that expense.
Discussed how to best move forward with completing the policy manual.
Reviewed the church's copier rental agreement and a proposal from our company to upgrade to a new machine as part of a renewal of our contract. The matter was tabled for further discussion.
Selected Randi Pickley as Volunteer of the Month for her work on the music class as well as arranging our student accompanist program.

At the July meeting, the Board of Trustees:

Discussed the terms of our lease of the office copier and possible alternatives that may decrease office
expenses.
Discussed fundraisers and our Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans' chapter's role in conducting
fundraisers on church premises.
Received a status report on the Finishing Task Force.
Reviewed the minutes of the task force charged with aiding in our transition to two Sunday services.
Learned that a date has not been set yet for a dedication service for The Gathering Place because Rev.
Amy Debeck is working on lining up dignitaries to attend. Also, while we do not yet have our official
occupancy permit, our temporary occupancy permit is in force and does not appear to have an expiration
date.
Discussed potential music concert fundraisers this fall, and approved the Bob Milne concert fundraiser
for January 2011.
Created a member-to-member service exchange directory in which members can offer their talents to
others for pay or barter.
Selected Katrina Wilson as Volunteer of the Month for her work in organizing the family campout.

At the June 2010 meeting, the Board of Trustees:

Reviewed the origins and intent of several funds that exist on our balance sheet. Pam Wycliff, the incoming treasurer, will develop a recommendation on combining funds that are outdated or unnecessary.
Decided to compensate Jim Victor from the Adult Education Fund for his extraordinary efforts as our construction site superintendent.
Learned that Annette Long has accepted the role as chair of the Finishing Task Force, which will decide upon many of the specifics regarding the furnishing and equipping of The Gathering Place.
Learned that some participants in Adult Forum were extremely displeased with the decision to designate the room they meet in on Sundays as the minister's office.
Discussed concerns expressed by the Worship & Arts Committee about the transition to two Sunday services. Decided to start a task force to address transition issues and discussed possible members. The board will rely on this task force's recommendations for the start of two services.
Appointed Peg Cook to the Committee on Ministry. She will take the place of Mary Perron, whose term is ending. Also discussed several candidates to take the committee spot being vacated by William Becker.
Approved the Cooking for Fun, Health and Justice series of classes as a fundraiser.
Selected Doris Stickel as Volunteer of the Month for her work leading the landscaping for The Gathering Place.

At the May 2010 meeting, the Board of Trustees:

Authorized the creation of a fund to help pay for student musical accompanists to play at our worship services. The students would play about once a month under a program coordinated by Randi Pickley. The board also decided that 100 percent of one Sunday plate collection per month would be used to finance the fund. This decision will be reviewed at the beginning of 2011.
Accepted the Committee on Ministry's recommendation to start two Sunday services on Sept. 12, with one service at 9 a.m. and the other at 10:45 a.m. The full details of this transition will be discussed with the congregation at a town hall meeting on June 6.
Discussed the issue of how we will manage display of visual arts in all areas of the building.
Created the Finishing Task Force, which will be charged with decorating and furnishing the new Gathering Place, planning a dedication service for the space, making decisions regarding equipping the space and planning the completion of the garden level (basement). The board authorized Ron Gill, Greg Koehler and Rev. Amy DeBeck to appoint a chair for this task force, which will have a $300 budget to work with.
Designated the space now known as the Forum Room as the new office for Rev. DeBeck, effective July 1. With The Gather-ing Place, Children's House and basement in the old section of the building, there should be many other places for groups such as adult forum and standing committees to have meetings.
Approved a new policy governing rental use of the church and established a new fee schedule.
Selected Linda Arbogast as Volunteer of the Month for June for her work in organizing the garage sale.

At the April 2010 meeting, the Board of Trustees:

Reviewed the plans for the Annual Meeting (May 16, 2010) and authorized the general text for the postcards to be sent on or about May 5, 2010.
Jim Barnes reviewed the changes needed to update the Capital Funds Policy and explained that this change will need to be approved by the congregation by a 2/3 majority at the Annual Meeting.
The 2010-2011 budget was reviewed and approved for presentation to the congregation at the Annual Meeting.
A report was made by the Policy Subcommittee outlining some priorities. First among theses was the new rental policy, dis-ruptive behavior policy and the alcohol and smoking policies.
Selected Linda Gill and the Stewardship Committee as Volunteers of the Month for May.