Parish Board Meeting Minutes | January 9, 2024 | Zoom 7:00 pm
The First Church in Belmont, Unitarian Universalist
Parish Board in attendance: Laurie Graham, David Deese, Martha Read, James Hencke, Rev.
Chris Jablonski, Martha Courant, Susan Galli, Gabby Garschina-Bobrow, Priscilla Cobb, Sophia Doescher, Eleanor Hobbs, Ariane Frank, Roger Gallagher, Mark Thurber
Guests: Kathy Crawley & Jackie James
Absent:
7:00 Meeting opened by Laurie
Opening Reflection - Rev. Chris Reading - Teresa Soto, “Spilling the Light”
Process Observer – Susan Galli
7:04 Committee on Ministry (“COM”) Update - Kathy Crawley & Jackie James
COM has 9 members. Kathy in final year; Jackie in her final year.
Three questions used:
How are you? (“How’s it going?”)
How are you receiving (church) communication?
How involved are you? (enough? Need more?)
Problems for empty nesters.
Coffee hour is still awkward; a good place for sign-ups
Alfa used to involve everyone during/after Musical
Concern we don’t know each other’s news and important events
For 2023 did listening circles, this year propose congregational survey
2023 figures: 82 total participated
48 – over 10 years with FCB
13 – Between 3-10 years
6 – under 3 years at church
11 participants had adolescent children
15 from Youth Group participated
Jackie & Livia have survey experience
Collaboration wth Shared Ministry Cte
Timeline:
January – choose the survey
February – roll out
March – Survey
April – gather data
May – report to PB and Annual Meeting
Ideas from Malden church – Raffle Prizes
Deciding on survey – not too lengthy
Look at past surveys
Idea: send one home with each child on Sunday roll out
Allow for open ended questions
Named or anonymous
7:18 Debrief Staffing Structure Meeting last Sunday
Predictable anxiety
Robust participation – 58 participants
Also heard feedback from those not on Zoom
Susan – Action steps?
CRE Cte restoration needed
Adult RE is well staffed
How about “Greeters” buttons
Roger – a symposium for those not there?
Eleanor – disruption by zoom bombers
Martha – first pass on questions?
Priscilla – what was the “charge” given to the Task Force?
How could one person cover Adult, CRE & OWL?
Need to involve parents
Laurie – concerns of the over 50 members
Chris – difficult situation, given voluntary turnover already announced.
Also external stressors: Election & Middle East conflict
Congregation wide conversation was beneficial
Let’s lean into change
8:25 Move into Executive Session
8:27 Treasurer’s Update – Martha R.
Tracey started last week; catching up on data entry for December
Current pledge collection is running above budget
8:30 Capital Campaign Funds Review – Mark Thurber
Capital Campaign current balance $64,987
Building Fund Total Funding $182,904
Building Fund Approved Projects $108,750
Bldg Fund Remaining Net Balance $74,154
Since annual additions to building fund are around $25,000, need to maintain a healthy reserve in event of unexpected maintenance events.
Listing of future priorities presented; of these, the biggest ticket items include replacement of Parish Hall theatre lighting system and major overhaul of organ; some participation by music funds may be expected.
8:39 Laurie – Finance Cte & PB Summit scheduled for Jan 29th, will focus on prioritization criteria.
8:44 Minutes – James
Motion to Approve – Martha C.
Seconded by – David Deese
Unanimous approval
8:45 Laurie – introduce aspiration for a Justice Centered Board Retreat for late winter/early spring.
8:50 Process Observer comments – Susan Galli
Healthy conversations; deserved extra time.
8:53 Adjourned by Laurie