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Rev. Janet Newman
Vicky, Brian & Geneva Bailey-Miller
Louise Reeser, Rose Ann Reeser & John Payne
Wayne Bockman & Chris Jimmerson
Chris, Toby & Maya Heidal
November 22, 2009
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Rev. Dr. David Jones
November 15, 2009
Readings:
Matthew 14:22-33
Exodus 35: 20-29
Sermon: Keep your eyes upon Jesus
On the morning of my senior sermon at Princeton Seminary I was shaving and made the dire mistake of nicking a mole on my neck and it required a serious Band-aid. Preaching professor, Dr. Donald Macleod, a sometimes dour Scot, noticed the obtrusive Band-aid and inquired: “Mr. Jones – what is that thing on your neck?”
“It’s a Band-aid.”
“A Band-aid! On your neck – on the morning of your senior sermon! And how did that get there?”
“Well, Sir, I was thinking about my sermon and I cut my throat.”
He replied: “Well you would have done a wee bit better if you had thought about your throat and cut the sermon.”
I’ll try to be succinct today.
Seven years ago my family and I moved to Austin, TX from a little ocean-front village called Amagansett, NY. The cultural shift from the eastern end of Long Island NY to Texas is ambitious. One morning we had breakfast in a southern diner and the waitress, knowing we were Yankees asked me: “Y’all want to try some grits?” To which I replied: “Well, I’ll have one or two.” Like many towns on the L.I. coast, Amagansett has a rich history of instituting Life Saving Stations. I share this story from the Preface of Dr. Howard Clinebell’s book: Basic Types of Pastoral Counseling.
On a dangerous sea coast, where shipwrecks occur often, there was once a crude little lifesaving station. The building was only a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea. With little thought of themselves they went out day and night diligently searching for the lost. Some of those who were saved, and others in the surrounding area, wanted to become associated with the station and give of their time, money, and effort for the support of its work. New boats were bought–new crews trained. The little lifesaving station grew.
Some members of the station were unhappy that the building was so crude and poorly equipped. They felt that a more “comfortable” place should be provided as the first refuge of those saved from the sea. They replaced the emergency cots with beds, and put better furniture in the enlarged building. Now the lifesaving station became a popular meeting place for its members, and they decorated it beautifully and furnished it exquisitely. Fewer members were now interested in going to sea on lifesaving missions, so they hired life boat crews to do the work for them. The lifesaving motif still prevailed in the club’s decoration, and there was even a liturgical lifeboat the club’s initiations were held.
About this time, a large ship was wrecked off the coast, and the hired crews brought in boat-loads of cold, wet, and half-drowned people. They were dirty and sick. Some of them had black skin, and some yellow skin, and some olive skin. The beautiful new club was in chaos. The property committee immediately had a shower built outside the club where victims of shipwreck could be cleaned up before coming inside.
At the next meeting, there was a split in the club membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club’s lifesaving activities because they were an unpleasant hindrance to the normal social life of the club. Some members insisted upon lifesaving as their primary purpose and pointed out they were still called a “lifesaving station.” They were voted down and told if they wanted to save lives, they could begin their own lifesaving station down the coast. They did just that.
As the years went by, the new lifesaving station experienced exactly the same changes as the first. It evolved into a club, and yet another lifesaving stations was founded. History continued to repeat itself, and if you visit that sea coast today, you will find a number of exclusive clubs along that shore. Shipwrecks are frequent in those waters but most of the people drown.
Whether or not this story is factually true or not I do not know, but I can tell you it is true because it happens every day in the life of Christ’s church. It is true in the sense that it betrays something about the human condition. It’s a parable about the nature of human beings. The story reveals something about how people once dedicated to the simple and noble vocation of service to others can, and usually do, get side-tracked into serving themselves. Allow me to tell a true story that graphically illustrates this.
It was the summer of 1979. I had just finished my first year of seminary and was hired as a summer-intern by the Presbytery of Utica, NY to work with several rural congregations. I served a church of 15 members in a small, up-state NY, farming community. The population of the town, including the dogs, was about 90. My first weekend there, a couple from the church gave me the grand tour in their pick-up truck. Driving down a country lane, the woman exclaimed, with an edge in her voice: “Oh, there’s Stanley Kellogg!” Walking down the road, minding his own business, was a stocky, ruddy faced, older man, with a fishing pole in one hand and a bait bucket in the other. “All he does is drink beer and fish,” she said. “He’s an alcoholic, ya know. He’s despicable.”
Stanley had lived in Westdale all his life. He grew up poor – dirt poor. His family lived in a little shanty with dirt floors and no plumbing. Stanley became an alcoholic after his first wife died. He married again, and his second wife died soon after. The locals say he never recovered from the loss. For almost twenty years, old Stanley lived by himself in a tiny tag-along trailer out in the woods. Right after I arrived, the land on which Stanley kept his trailer had been sold, and the new owner kicked Stanley off. A town’s women took in Stanley as a boarder.
One day, I came upon the house where Stanley was staying. No one was home but Stanley. After listening to some very interesting country yarns, I realized this was the man I saw walking down the road with the fishing pole.
As the summer progressed a fascinating thing happened, Stanley and I became friends. It was a curious friendship–really – a rough old rough woodsman and a green “preppy” seminary student. One day someone offered me the use of a boat to go fishing. I invited Stanley to join me. We went to buy some bait and Stanley tried to convince me the day would go a lot better if I bought a 12-pack of Budweiser. I respectfully declined, but secretly admired his tenacity.
Once on the lake he said to me: “Ya know, you’re the first preacher that took me fishing.” I asked him if he had ever been to the church in town. “Nope, never been invited.” “Well, I invite you,” I said.
Shaking his head, old Stanley got an incredulous grin on his face. He didn’t have to say it because his expression said: “You’re mighty naive young preacher. They don’t want me in that church. I ain’t good enough to go to the Presbyterian Church. Preacher, them folk’s use big words and are different from me.” Remembering the woman’s words I couldn’t help but wonder if he was right.
We shared a wonderful day on the lake, and as we pulled the boat to shore he asked: “What time’s that Bible study you teach tonight?” “7:00,” I answered. “Why?” “Oh, just wondering,” he said.
Later that night as I was leading the Bible Study in Fellowship Hall, who walked in but Stanley Kellogg! He even had an old Bible in his hand. I knew how hard it was for him to come. Thinking I was doing a good thing, I asked Stanley to read a few passages from his Bible. An awkward silence fell over the room. Everyone knew something I didn’t. He looked up and said: “I’d like to preacher, but I can’t read.” He was the first person I ever met who couldn’t read.
Stanley and I became close friends that summer, but he never came back to Bible Study. I can’t say I blame him. He took me to his secret fishing spots that he wouldn’t show anybody else. He continually asked me about the Lord: “Can the Lord really love some old drunk like me?” I saw his faith grow and deepen. Stanley responded to my friendship like parched Texas flowers respond to rain.
You must understand that Stanley was the consummate woodsman – he lived off the land. Most of his food he got from hunting and fishing. He always carried a .22 pistol on his belt – “for snakes” – he said. One day Stanley and I were way out in the wilderness on a dirt road. We had been fishing a very remote trout stream. It was almost getting dark, and he yelled: “Stop the car. Stop the car!” I jammed on the brakes, and Stanley ran out of the car and took his .22 pistol out of its holster, and shot twice in the air.
Two raccoons dropped to the ground and grabbing them by the tails and grinning like a school boy, he brought them to my car. “Can I put these in your trunk?” Just what I needed – two bloody dead raccoons in my trunk! “I can sell their pelts for $25.00 each, and buy a new fishing pole.” He never bought the pole.
The summer passed, and I had to return to Seminary. I was to preach my final sermon and attend a going away party after the service. Everyone was seated and worship was about to begin, when who walks into church–but Stanley Kellogg! He had a haircut and shave, and was wearing a brand new set of clothes! He walked down the aisle and sat in the very front row. He was shaking from nervousness. Although he lived in town all his life, this was the first time he had been in the Presbyterian Church. No one could believe their eyes.
Stanley was at the end of the reception line. “Where’d you get those new clothes Stanley?” “Remember them coons?” he said winking. “I ain’t got no present for you David.” It was the first time he didn’t call me “Preacher.” I said: “Stanley, you just gave me the greatest gift you could ever have given me.” Like the people in Exodus who brought offerings of goods and talents to build the Tabernacle – Stanley’s offerings that day consisted of what little he had – two “coon” pelts, and a bucket of gratitude and friendship.
“I’ll never forget you,” He said. “You got me sober.” “No,” I said – “The Good Lord got you sober.” I have never forgotten the day Stanley Kellogg came to Westdale Presbyterian Church or how he touched the life of a young seminarian. I’ve been telling this story for 29 years.
Some years back, I received a letter saying Stanley had died in his sleep. When I first met Stanley, all he owned were two changes of clothes, a tattered trailer, an old greasy hat with some fishing lures in it, some pots and pans, a .22 pistol, a fishing pole, and the Bible his mother left him. In sixty-five years, that’s all the earthly possessions he accumulated. But by the end of the summer of 1979, Stanley had something else–he had the Lord in his heart. See – his heart got “stirred.” When’s the last time your heart was “stirred.”
I tell this story, not to make Stanley into a saint, because he surely wasn’t, but rather to illustrate how the love of God working through simple human kindness can change people’s lives. Many in that church thought it strange that a seminary student would go fishing with the town drunk. But then didn’t the Pharisees criticize Jesus for eating with tax-collectors and sinners? Didn’t Jesus say: “I didn’t come for those who are well, for they have no need of a doctor.” Stanley was never padlocked out of the church–but he was never warmly invited to participate either. So what’s the difference?
Stanley had built up a lot of resentment towards that church over the years. Some of those good Christian people had watched his mother struggle to feed her children. There were nights they were cold and hungry and the church did nothing. For Stanley Kellogg to come to church he had to forgive. Isn’t it amazing what love can do–how it can change the human heart? In his own way–in his own very special way, Stanley said: “Thank-you.” And it reminds us that the Stanleys of the world are all around us. I bet you know where some are right now.
There are certain laws of life under which we all live. The other day I was washing my car. Have you ever noticed that all the birds watch you when you wash your car? “He’s just about done guys–let’s go!”
But there’s another law of life. Human beings, even spiritually motivated ones, have a propensity to lose sight of their calling and get off track by serving themselves instead of others. So–What is your calling – why is your church here? What mission are you called to embrace in this community?
In today’s Gospel story, Peter gets out of the boat and actually walks on water! But then he did what you or I would probably do. He gets so distracted and concerned with the things of the world–the wind, the waves, and the storm – that he loses perspective. From my Christian tradition–here’s the point of the sermon: WHEN PETER TOOK HIS EYES OFF THE LORD HE SANK–AND SO DO WE! If that tradition does not work for you – maybe you can realize that when you take your eyes off you core mission you will sink.
Proverbs 29:18 says: “Without a vision – the people perish.”
So – remember the stories of the Life saving Station and Stanley because they’re connected–they remind us of the remarkable healing power of human kindness.
Leaders of this church–you and this congregation must be a lighthouse in this community – a beacon of hope and care to a world that is lost in the fog of despair – but only if you focus on your mission. I hope you will covenant to be a lifesaving station amidst the troubled seas of these turbulent times. To all members–help this church be a haven for all who are weary from life’s storms, and may you warmly embrace all who seek the safe harbor of the healing fellowship of this caring congregation.
I hope to hear reports that this congregation continues to step out of the boat of familiarity and complacency and that I hear repeated reports that this church is “walking on water.”
November 20, 2009
Dear Church Member,
You are invited to attend our Fall Congregational Meeting this coming December the 13th at 1:30pm. By clicking on the link below, you can download an agenda for the meeting that outlines the important business to be addressed, including our 2010 budget, which will be discussed in more detail at the meeting. Childcare reservations can be made by contacting childcare@austinuu.com.
According to ARTICLE IV, Section 2 of the Bylaws of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin: Individuals who have been members of the church for 30 days or more and who have (as an individual or part of a family unit) made a recorded financial contribution during the last 18 months and at least 30 days prior to the meeting, have the right to vote at all official church meetings.
Any questions regarding voting status may be directed to the Treasurer, Luther Elmore. He can be contacted by email at: lelmore@austincc.edu. Any FUUCA member who has not contributed a financial donation is an associate member and is welcome to attend but would be unable to vote.
In accordance with Article VII, Section 6 of the bylaws, notice of the time and place of the meeting is being mailed and/or emailed to members and posted on the church bulletin board and website at least twenty days prior to the meeting day.
Other materials for the meeting will be available in the office at the church and will be posted as links below, so please check back often for updates.
If you have any questions contact me by email to secretary@austinuu.org
We look forward to seeing you at the Fall Congregational Meeting.
Sincerely,
Chris Jimmerson
Materials (click to open PDF in your browser or right click to download the file):
Notes: 1.) A narrative for the budget will be added soon. In the meantime, please feel free to speak with any member of the Executive Committee if you have questions or concerns. 2.) Individual staff salaries have been redacted for the web version of the budget. Hard copies of the materials without the redaction will be available soon in the office at the church or church members may email secretary@austinuu.org to request a non-redacted version.
December Congregation Meeting Agenda and Materials
Appendix A — FAMP and Policy on Memorial Savings Fund if All Proposed Changes were Adopted
Appendix B — Bylaws if All Changes were Adopted
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 15, 200 at 6:30 p.m.
First UU Church of Austin, 4700 Grover, Austin, TX 78756 in the Gallery
In Attendance:
Trustees: Nell Newton, President; Eric Stimmel, Vice-President; Luther Elmore, Treasurer; Chris Jimmerson, Secretary; Sheila Gladstone, Immediate Past President; Margaret Borden; Derek Howard; Jeff Hutchens; Aaron Osmer, Youth Trustee; Michael West; Laura Wood.
Executive Team: Janet Newman, Interim Minister; Sean Hale, Executive Director
Staff: Brent Baldwin, Director of Music
The President called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m.
Motion: Margaret Borden – To adopt the agenda (Appendix A). The motion was seconded.
Discussion: None
Vote: All Affirmative
The Interim Minister read the following words:
MEDITATION by Robert Weston If Love Be There
This day, setting aside all that divides me from others;
This day, remembering that the world is beautiful to one who is willing
That it be so
And that into the open, eager heart
The beauty enters in
If love be there;
This day I will make a part of the song of life.
There may be grief but if there be love it will be overcome.
There may be pain but it can be borne with dignity and courage;
There may be difficulty but it can be turned to strength.
Remembering that the world is beautiful if I will let it be so for others whom I meet,
This day I will make a part of the song of life.
The President lit the chalice.
Beverly Donoghue, one of two delegates to Austin Area Interreligious Ministries (AAIM), described AAIM’s dual mission: to promote interfaith dialog and “to assist the vulnerable and the voiceless.” AAIM’s governance structure has changed from shared policy decision-making by delegates and the Board of Trustees to policy decisions by the Board only. Delegates are now key members for encouraging broader community participation in AAIM events. AAIM sponsors Hands On Housing, a city-wide effort to repair homes owned by low-income individuals and families who can no longer afford to make these repairs. Interfaith dialog is promoted through AAIM’s Amazing Faith Dinner Dialogs in November and through a new program, the Red Bench, which begins tonight. The Red Bench seeks to promote deeper listening and conversations around values shared by faith traditions. AAIM’s 25th Annual Thanksgiving Celebration will be held on Sunday, November 22nd at First Baptist Church and will include an interfaith service, pot luck dinner, and songs and dances from a variety of faith traditions. Beverly invited Trustees to participate in and promote AAIM’s interfaith events. (See Appendix B.)
The President requested, and Beverly agreed, to get more information on the Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA’s) funding to support congregational leaders’ participation in interfaith activities as a way to support AAIM’s activities. Margaret Borden noted that two church members, Lindsay Ellison and Valerie Sterne, led AAIM’s refugee school this past summer.
Minutes from the Prior Meeting: The Trustees had reviewed the minutes from the August 2009 meeting prior to this meeting (Appendix C).
New Members and Resignations: The Secretary reported that Charles Hobbs had joined the congregation and that Myra and Stroud McIlvain and Margaret Harrison had resigned.
Reports: The Trustees had reviewed the consent agenda items prior to the meeting. These included:
Appendix D: Director of Religious Education’s (DRE’s) Report
Appendix E: Treasurer’s Report
Appendix F: Director of Music’s (DM’s) Report
Appendix G: Executive Director’s (ED’s) Report
Appendix H: Bridgebuilder Update 9/15/09
The Trustees discussed the following items related to the consent agenda items:
The Treasurer hopes to narrow the 2009 deficit to less than $40K. The church has been spending more than it has received since $50K was received during the Spring Pledge Drive.
The new five-year photocopier rental contract is for a black and white copier with more features and will cost $100 less annually. Copies from the new color copier will cost ten cents each.
Margaret Borden, who is monitoring the Bridgebuilder action plan to ensure that all action items are included, pointed out the Bridgebuilder update. Trustees discussed the difference between policy review, or bylaws review, and policy governance. Policy review would involve looking at a process outline should a concern about the minister arise. Policy governance – developing the church’s mission, vision, values, and covenant — would influence the process but would not prescribe the specific steps of the process.
Margaret was most concerned, from the Board’s perspective, about action items 5 and 13. She was not sure how Trustees should implement action 5: to establish a governance review task force. Action item 13 is to change the bylaws to require orientation classes for prospective members before they join. The Membership Committee is aware of this action item and is developing a curriculum outline for the new member orientation/class to present for Trustee approval. Margaret also pointed out that action 9 — to determine ways the church’s Council can build community and fellowship at meetings — was not a clear charge yet and needed Trustee review.
The President requested putting the Bridgebuilder Action Plan and Update on the agenda for the October meeting so Trustees would have more time could be taken to discuss specific items and issues. She suggested the church could apply for grant funds from the UUA to offset the cost of implementing policy governance. A trustee discussed the possibility of finding an “angel member” to help cover these costs. It would be helpful if policy governance implementation costs could be offset by grant funds. Another trustee inquired about the possibility of having the Interim Minister do some of the consulting mentioned for policy governance implementation. However, the Interim Minister noted that her full-time job and the need for the policy work facilitator to have additional specialized skills would mitigate against her doing this consulting work. The policy governance implementation team is exploring different consultants with different skill sets and different costs.
Bridgebuilder action number 3, to establish a policy governance implementation team, and action 7, to create a team to oversee development of mission-vision-values-covenant, overlap and are actually the same item. One trustee would like the Director of Music’s input on who should be on the governance implementation team.
The Interim Minister will submit her report to Trustees later.
Motion: Chris Jimmerson – To accept the Consent Agenda Item Reports. The motion was seconded.
Discussion: None
Vote: All Affirmative
Discussion and Action Items
Security Task Force Report: The President reported that this item was not ready yet and would need to be postponed until the October Trustees’ meeting.
Substitute Item — Interim Ministry Contract: The Interim Minister requested that the Trustees approve her request that a portion of her salary, $16,250, be designated as housing allowance and, as a result, be tax-free. This request is in accordance with the Interim Ministry Contract (Appendix I), Governing Board agreements, number 1. A. 2).
Motion: Derek Howard – To approve the Interim Minister’s request to designate $16,250 of her salary as housing allowance. The motion was seconded.
Discussion: None
Vote: All Affirmative
Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance: Trustees agreed to postpone this item until after addressing the personnel policy.
Board of Trustees Budget Proposal: The Treasurer passed out a copy of the 2008 Final Budget and the 2009 Budget with projected income. (Appendix J) The President explained that the Trustees were considering requesting a line item in the budget for board expenses and would continue the discussion that began during the August board meeting. The Financial Asset Management Policy (FAMP) gives the Trustees the authority to spend up to $10,000 outside the budget for unanticipated emergency expenses, and $10,000 could be budgeted for Trustees’ expenses.
Trustees made the following points in their discussion:
Trustees then discussed each board expense item:
1) Funding for the All-Council Retreat
The amount in the budget is zero because it was cut. It costs $300 for the all-day meeting to cover breakfast, lunch, and clean-up expenses.
2) Becoming a “Fair Share” Congregation
“Fair Share” is a budget item under Denominational Affairs.
“Fair Share” costs with 600 members: $56 per member for UUA, or $33,600,
plus $20/member for SWUUA, or $12,000 –
for a total of $28,800
After further discussion, a Trustee offered the following alternative proposal to be submitted as a recommendation for the 2010 budget:
Fund at $28 per member for UUA, or $16,800
Plus $20 per member for SWUUA, or $12,000
for a total of $28,800
Motion: Chris Jimmerson — Approve the proposal. The motion was seconded.
Discussion: None
Vote: Affirmative-9, Negative-0, Abstain-1
3) Consulting fee for vision, mission, values, and covenant development
1st year’s package = $10,000
Large UU churches in Dallas, Portland, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Atlanta had all engaged a consultant to put in place mission/vision/values/ends and move to Policy Governance and continue to bring in a consultant annually but at a lesser degree and rate. 1st UU in Dallas’ Board of Trustees’ President said that his congregation could not have accomplished all they had done without engaging a consultant. A concern raised that nothing might happen on the BB Actionn without consultants and that a fully engaged process might help with Stewardship by creating an exciting environment.
Motion: Chris Jimmerson – To include $10,000 for vision-mission-values-policy governance work. The motion was seconded.
Discussion: None
Vote: Affirmative – 9, Negative – 0, Abstain – 1
4) Accountant-prepared financial statement
There are 3 levels – compiled, reviewed, and audited financial statements. 1st UU has never had an audit report because of poorly organized information. The plan for next year is to have a compiled financial statement – for year after year consistency, to compare operations from year to year, for continuity – having reliable historical information, and for credibility of the Trustees to the congregation (See Appendix K). Our church would give a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) financial information monthly, and the CPA would do annual compiled financial statement. Estimated cost: $1,200 for compiled statement or $2,000 for compiled statement and consulting to get started. Discussion points included:
Motion: Jeff Hutchens – To include a $2,000 line item for compiled financial statements in 2010 by a CPA who specializes in financial statements for non-profit organizations. The motion was seconded.
Discussion: None
Vote: Affirmative – 9, Negative – 0, Abstain — 1
5) Interim Minister Search and Settled Minister Search
Costs of our church’s Interim Minister search consisted of about $150 for cell phone charges and packages mailed by the Secretary. Interim Minister Search Committee members paid own way to travel to listen to the Interim Minister candidate.
Our Interim Minister has always served for one year and never two. After her evaluation in January, she and the Trustees could each consider whether an extension of her contract was desired. She recommended electing a Search Committee in the Spring of 2010, to work steadily through Fall 2010. In January 2011, our records would be opened up to ministerial applicants, and we would be able to see records of ministerial applicants. The UUA’s ministerial settlement handbook is online. Most of settled minister work in 2010 will be discussions and handled here in Austin. Expenses will be phone calls and making copies – about $300. Travel would not occur until 2011.
The Trustees agreed to move up the agenda item for board pledging to precede the personnel policy agenda item.
Michael West announced that a “green” welcoming gift awaited the Interim Minister in the church’s kitchen.
The Board of Trustees’ meeting was adjourned for a break at 8:15 p.m. and resumed at 8:30 p.m.
Board Pledging
Bill Edwards, Stewardship Committee Chair, presented this agenda item. The Stewardship Committee’s canvass goal for 2010 is $650,000, which would include $50,000 for an interior facelift and kitchen renovation or $600,000 with the current facilities unchanged. There are 16 Team Leaders who will each get five or more canvass volunteers. Each volunteer will contact three pledging units. There are over 100 potential canvassers or donor prospects. The Trustees and Team Leaders have pledged over $100,000.
This Sunday, September 20th, the Stewardship Committee will host a Celebration in Howson Hall. Postcards have been mailed to all members to come celebrate ourselves. Several long-time members will be honored. To RSVP for this event, Trustees should phone Bill Edwards or e-mail Ron Turner.
The Stewardship Committee has raised $30,000 from Team Leaders and others to match 2010 pledge increases dollar for dollar (Appendix L). Every Trustee and Team Leader increased their pledges for 2010. Trustees were encouraged to not request a match for their pledge increases so that other members would be encouraged to increase their pledges from 2009 and earn matches for their pledge increases.
The Interim Minister encouraged Trustees to get involved in the canvass if funds were still needed at the end of the year and mentioned doing a phone-a-thon at the end if the Fall Canvass Campaign did not reach the desired goal. The President and other Trustees noted that Trustees traditionally get involved in the Fall Canvass and were also involved in last Spring’s pledge drive, with each Trustee signing up to call individual members. One Trustee suggested the best time to call members about pledging is between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.
Personnel Policy
The Trustees instructed the ED to create a broad policy covering personnel issues to enable the Trustees to focus on getting results rather than on micromanaging. He drafted revisions to pages 6-7 of the Policies and Procedures Manual to clarify who the executive team is and their roles and expectations. The proposed personnel policy on pages 30-33 was taken almost exactly from policies at Unity Church in St. Paul, Minnesota and creates a framework for further revisions and additions as needed in the future. (See Appendix M.)
Trustee comments on approving the draft personnel policy included:
The President asked if the draft policy was the direction that the Trustees wanted to go, and they agreed. Sheila Gladstone and Derek Howard will prepare recommended edits for the draft personnel policy, preserving the meaning in the current draft, for Trustees’ review and approval at the October Board of Trustees’ meeting.
Motion: Sheila Gladstone – To approve the draft personnel policy in principle. The motion was seconded.
Discussion: None
Vote: All Affirmative
One Trustee asked if other Unitarian Universalist (UU) churches limited the Executive Team to the Minister and the ED. One UU church defines the Executive Team as the Minister and ED, with the Minister serving as Chief Executive Officer. Another UU church has an Executive Team of four people. Another UU church has three people – the Minister, ED, and Membership Director. The Trustees decided last year that the DRE and DM would continue reporting directly to the Trustees during the Interim Minister’s tenure. The ED has the authority to hire and fire office staff.
Floating Holiday Policy
The current “floating holiday” policy allows staff to take two of the three following holidays as paid holidays: MLK Day, President’s Day, and Veteran’s Day. Because tracking this attendance is cumbersome, the ED recommends eliminating Veteran’s Day as a paid holiday for staff and giving staff MLK Day and President’s Day as standard paid holidays (Appendix N).
Motion: Derrick Howard – to approve the proposal in appendix N, eliminating the floating holiday policy.
Discussion: None
Vote: All Affirmative
Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
The purpose of long-term disability insurance is to replace a stream of income lost by being unable to work for longer than 90 days due to disease or injury. If a church employee should become disabled, the church could take up a collection but might not agree about how much money would be enough. In all likelihood, not enough money could be raised.
The Interim Minister recommends that the Trustees approve the church’s purchase of long-term disability insurance for full-time staff beginning in 2010 (Appendix O). Policy proposal 1 would be to add a statement to the Personnel Policy Manual insurance section that the church provides long-term disability insurance to all full-time staff. Policy proposal 2 recommends funding long-term disability insurance for staff for the remainder of 2009 with unused funds in the ministerial budget. The cost of the annual premium is one percent of the amount insured. For full-time employees, this would amount to $2,026 per year – plus a little more if staff receives raises this year. The UUA’s long-term disability insurance policy (Appendix P) provides for a disabled staff member who works at least half-time to receive 60 percent of his or her current salary, beginning 90 days after the injury.
The discussion included the following points:
The President suggested that the minister gather more information, including how many UU churches purchase this insurance automatically for their employees, and review the recommendation to purchase long-term disability insurance at the October Board of Trustees meeting.
Extension of Board Meeting
Motion: Jeff Hutchens — To extend the Board of Trustees’ meeting for 15 minutes (at 9:43 p.m.). The motion was seconded.
Discussion: None
Vote: All Affirmative
Long-Term Care Insurance (Continued)
Motion: Jeff Hutchens — To request putting in long-term disability insurance as a line item in the 2010 budget as in Policy Proposal 1. The motion was seconded.
Discussion: None
Vote: Affirmative – 9, Negative – 0, Abstain – 1
The October Board of Trustees’ meeting will address long-term disability insurance as policy. Policy Proposal 2 was tabled.
Proposal for Alana Rosshirt Memorial
The ED asked Rose Ann Reeser, who knew Alana Rosshirt, to develop a proposal for allocating Ms. Rosshirt’s gift of $5,000 to 1st UU to honor her many years of service to the church. Jack Rosshirt, Alana’s husband, suggested the church could use the funds for the sanctuary garden and some sort of recognition of her gift. Rose Ann’s proposal (Appendix Q) included the following:
Discussion points included:
Motion: Michael West – To defer to Rose Ann’s recommendation for allocation of Alana Rosshirt’s gift to the church, based on Rose Ann’s sensitivity and awareness of the church’s situation.
Discussion: None
Vote: Affirmative – 9, Negative – 0, Abstain – 1
Authority to Resolve the Outcome with Donated Speakers
About four years ago, Marcus Barnes donated to the church eight Altec Lansing speakers, which have not been used. The ED developed a proposal (Appendix R) to use these speakers to best benefit the church, including but not limited to installing the speakers in the sanctuary and selling the speakers.
Motion: Aaron Osmer – Accept mandate proposed by the ED for making use of the donated loudspeakers. The motion was seconded.
Discussion: None
Vote: All Affirmative
Internal Audit Committee Update
Jeff Hutchens noted that Eugene Balaguer volunteered to chair the Internal Audit Team. He is a financial analyst with the city and has assisted many non-profits.
Motion Jeff Hutchens – That Eugene Balaguer be appointed chair of the Audit Committee for an initial term of one year. The Audit Committee Chair will be tasked with selecting two additional committee members and developing the initial draft of the policies and procedures for the Audit Committee. Said policies and procedures will be submitted to the Board for approval no later than the November Board meeting. The motion was seconded.
Discussion: None
Vote: All Affirmative
Extension of Board Meeting
Motion: Aaron Osmer – To extend the Trustees’ meeting for 15 minutes (at 9:58 p.m.). The motion was seconded.
Discussion: None
Vote: All Affirmative
Emergency Funding Request from the ED
Rental income has increased 60 percent so far this year and is projected to bring in $22,000 more than budgeted by the end of 2009. Natalie Freeburg is spending much more time handling rental requests and, as a result, the ED is doing Natalie’s job for several hours each week delaying his work. The ED is requesting $7,000 to take measures through December 2009 to support staff and enable the ED to carry out his responsibilities and duties (Appendix S).
The Treasurer advised that $3,400 plus of the Board’s discretionary funds were used to pay Peter Steinke. His consulting fee was offset by $1,400 in donations, but still came from the Trustees’ discretionary funds. Since Trustees have $10,000 in discretionary funds per year, there is approximately $6,600 in discretionary funds left for 2009.
Motion: Jeff Hutchens – To approve $6,600 for operations of the church. The motion was seconded:
Discussion: There was not further discussion
Vote: Affirmative – 8, Negative – 0, Abstain – 2
Extension of Board Meeting
Motion: Margaret Borden – To extend the Board of Trustees’ meeting for 15 minutes (at 10:17 p.m.). The motion was seconded.
Discussion: None
Vote: All Affirmative
Executive Session
The Trustees entered executive session to discuss personnel issues. Those who were not Trustees left the room.
Call to Order
The President called the meeting back to order at 10:40 p.m
Motion: Margaret Borden – To approve the proposed letter from the President to negotiate with the ED regarding an adjustment to the ED’s annual leave. The motion was seconded.
Discussion: None
Vote: All Affirmative
Motion: Brendan Sterne – That under-withheld employee contributions for health insurance premiums not be recovered up to this point in time. The motion was seconded.
Discussion: None
Vote: Affirmative – 9, Negative – 0, Abstain – 1
Adjourn: The President adjourned the meeting at 10:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Beverly Donoghue
Assistant Secretary
Note: The below are large files, so it may be easier to right click on them and download them to your computer.
Appendices Submitted Before the Meeting (includes all appendices not listed below)
Appendices from Items Handed Out at The Meeting (includes Appendices B, I, J, K, L, N, O
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Rev. Dr. Janet Newman
November 8, 2009
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Rev. Dr. Janet Newman
November 1,2009
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Rev. Janet Newman
October 25, 2009
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Come learn about what church business and activities will be discussed and voted upon at the December Congregational Meeting. The Pre-Congregational Meeting provides a less formal setting that is an opportunity to walk through the proposed agenda for the official Congregational Meeting and to learn more about, discuss and provide feedback on any items that will require a vote by the congregation, including the 2010 budget.
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Rev. Janet Newman
October 18, 2009
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Rev. Janet Newman
October 11, 2009
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Rev. Dr. Janet Newman
October 4, 2009
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 6:30 P.M.,
First UU Church of Austin, 4700 Grover, Austin, TX 78756 in the Gallery
In Attendance:
Trustees: Nell Newton, President; Eric Stimmel, Vice-President; Luther Elmore, Treasurer; Chris Jimmerson, Secretary; Sheila Gladstone, Immediate Past President; Margaret Borden; Derek Howard; Jeff Hutchens; Aaron Osmer, Youth Trustee; Michael West; Laura Wood.
Executive Team: Janet Newman, Interim Minister; Sean Hale, Executive Director
Staff: Lara Douglass, Director of Religious Education; Brent Baldwin, Director of Music
Call to Order
The President called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
Adoption of Agenda
Motion: Aaron Osmer – Adopt the agenda.
Second: Margaret Borden
Discussion: None
Vote: All Affirmative
Opening Words
The Interim Minister read the following selection:
Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic selfhood, whether or not in conforms to some image of who we ought to be. As we do so, we will find not only the joy that every human being seeks – we will also find our path of authentic service in the world. True vocation joins self and service, as Frederick Buechner asserts when he defines vocation as “the place where your deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.
As I learn more about the seed of true self that was planted when I was born, I also learn more about the ecosystem in which I was planted – the network of communal relations in which I am called to live responsively, accountably, and joyfully with beings of every sort. Only when I know seed and system, self and community, can I embody the great commandment to love both my neighbor and myself.
The President lit the chalice.
Visitor’s Forum
No visitors were present.
Consent Agenda Items
Minutes from the Prior Meeting: The trustees had reviewed the minutes from the July 2009 meeting prior to this meeting.
New Members and Resignations: The Secretary reported that Matt Stone had joined the congregation and that Andrea Lerner had resigned.
Reports: The trustees had reviewed the consent agenda items prior to the meeting. These included:
The trustees present discussed the following items related to the content of the consent agenda items:
The Director of RE reported that the teacher training retreat had gone very well. RE is now using the online tool Volunteer Spot to coordinate several functions. On September 6, RE will be holding an Open House where the curriculum for the upcoming year will be displayed.
The Treasurer noted that as of the end of July, the church had a net income of $2,600 but that he expected that income would not meet expenses in the next several months. He reported that use of the HEB card had been working well for purchases for Sunday morning kitchen items and might serve as a model for using such cards for other purposes. He noted that the work to replace the HVAC system in the foyer would begin the next day.
Several Trustees noted that the musical performance at church services on the prior Sunday had been beautiful and transformative.
The Executive Director (ED) reported that replacement for the photocopier would be for roughly the same pricing as the current photocopier. He also noted that the transition to the new copier room was targeted to occur by the end of the month if at all possible.
The Trustees discussed the Bridge Builders Action Plan and Policy Governance Team reports noting that a Meet and Eat to announce the plan would be held on August 19. A Trustee noted that some deadlines were immediate and that some work areas overlap, such as mission/vision/values, Policy Governance and a covenant of right relationship. Trustees made the following suggestions and observations:
• Endorse the objectives of the plan at the Meet and Eat noting that specific methods and timelines may be have to be revised as we learn more by working on implementing the plan.
• Call a meeting of the Policy Governance Team soon (as it includes persons who are assigned to work on mission/vision/values and the covenant in the plan) to discus the noted overlap and address it.
• There is a process in place for evaluating the Minister and the Executive Director
• The Minister will be asking Trustees to read “special notes” at the end of Sunday services which will include announcements such as those regarding fellowship opportunities called for in the plan.
The Trustees requested that the Secretary re-send the calendar for signing up to represent the board at Sunday services and that he bring a hard copy to the next board meeting. The Secretary will also post the committee liaison list to the website.
The President noted that the curriculum for leadership development that the Nominating Committee is putting into place is very exciting. The Vice-President noted that the committee is also looking at the bylaws and Policy and Procedures and will be presenting recommendations on bringing them inline with current actual practices. The Immediate Past-President volunteered to assist with wording changes if needed.
Motion: Michael West — Accept the Consent Agenda Item Reports.
Second: Derek Howard
Discussion: None
Vote: All Affirmative
Discussion and Action Items
The President reported that the proposal to be made under the first discussion item on the agenda was not yet ready and would be postponed until the next meeting. She also noted that the agenda item for discussing board budget items may lead into the discussion to be held in the Executive Session. The trustees agreed by consensus to move the budget discussion to the end of the agenda just before the Executive Session.
Internal Audit Committee Proposal: The Treasurer presented the proposal to establish this committee. Several Trustees asked how often the committee would meet, how often and what it would audit and what its membership would be. The Treasurer noted that this policy proposal was simply to create the committee and that once established the committee would need to establish its procedures based upon the needs at that time. Jeff Hutchens volunteered to work with the Finance Committee to Identify a Chair for the Internal Audit Committee and a proposal for the committee’s work definition.
Motion: Chris Jimmerson – Approve the Internal Audit Committee policy proposal as presented.
Second: Michael West
Discussion: There was no further discussion
Vote: Affirmative – 8, Negative – 0, Abstain – 1 (Aaron Osmer)
Policy on Personal Days: The ED presented a revision of the Policy of Personal Days that changed it to a Vacation Policy and made several changes to simplify tracking.
Motion: Derek Howard – Approve the Vacation Policy proposal as presented.
Second: Michael West
Discussion: There was no further discussion
Vote: All Affirmative
Policy on Pay Periods: The ED presented a policy change to place all personnel on the same payroll schedule and to simplify tracking of payroll and overtime that would create 26, 80 hour payroll periods per year.
Motion: Chris Jimmerson – Approve the revision to the Policy on Pay Periods as presented.
Second: Derek Howard
Discussion: There was no further discussion
Vote: All affirmative.
Rental Policy: The ED presented some revisions to some of the rates charged within the rental policy to make them more suitable to comparable rates elsewhere.
Motion: Michael West – Approve the changes to Rental Policy as presented.
Second: Laura Wood
Discussion: There was no further discussion
Vote: All affirmative
Discussion of Altering Board Procedure to Begin Moving Toward Policy Governance: The President noted that the Secretary had asked to discuss a potential change to how the board reviews and handles procedural changes, such as the prior three discussion items. He noted that because true policy is at present intermingled with day to day procedure in the current Policies and Procedures for the church, the Executive Team (the Minister and Executive Director) has had to bring relatively minor changes to operational procedures to the board for review and approval. This is inefficient for the Executive Team and can cause board time to be spent on these day-to-day issues rather the board being able to concentrate on broad policy and ends, values and vision and implementing the Bridge Builders Action Plan.
He suggested that the board delegate to the Executive Team the execution of policy and the corresponding written procedures, allowing the Executive Team to only bring to the board items wherein they have indentified the need for broad policy guidance. This would have the advantage of also moving closer to using Policy Governance.
The trustees discussed how this new board procedure might work and it was noted that the Executive Team would still report changes to day-to-day procedures but would not have to bring the entire procedure before the board for review and approval. In this way, the board could still monitor for compliance with broad policy. A trustee noted that many policies were written in a format that stated purpose, then policy, then procedure and that the board would be delegating the procedure section and the execution of it to the Executive Team.
The Secretary gave an example based upon the relatively minor rate changes to the Rental Policy that had just been reviewed and approved. Rather than approve such minor changes, the board would approve broad policy such as the purpose for renting church facilities (for example, “to offer space to community organizations and members whose purposes are congruent with UU principles and to raise funds for church activities”) or that would set limits on the Executive Team (for example, “facilities may not be rented to individuals, organizations or events that are inconsistent with UU values and principles”).
A trustee inquired as to whether this meant the Executive Team would then decide whether a rental was consistent with UU values. The Secretary responded that it would mean this, as Execution of Policy would fall to the Executive Team; however, another Trustee pointed out that the board will still monitor the Executive Team for compliance with policy.
By consensus, the Board of Trustees agreed to ask the Executive Team, when dealing with changes to policies and procedures needed for the day-to-day operations of the church, to bring to the board any broad policy guidance that is needed rather than bringing specific procedural changes to the board (and/or other intermediary groups such as the Finance Committee), working with the Vice-President (in his role as staff liaison) and the Secretary (in his role with the Policy Governance team) to research and suggest language for such policy. The board would then delegate to the Executive Team the execution of such policy and the procedural language related to its execution.
The Executive Team would consult with the Human Resources Committee Chairperson on policy and procedure involving potential personnel legalities and would note changes to procedures in monthly reports, (i.e. — “changed the rate charged in rental contracts for the event set up team from $22 per hour to $30 per hour to more accurately reflect our costs”).
Board of Trustees Budget Proposal Discussion: The President noted that the budget for the next fiscal year is currently being developed and that in the past the board had not provided much input on the budget until the joint meeting of the board and the Finance Committee. She raised the question of whether the board might have budgetary needs that would be submitted for inclusion in the budget as it gets developed.
The Treasurer noted that the board is on record for submitting a balanced budget to the congregation and that the Stewardship Committee had set a pledge drive goal of $600,000 to do so. If $50,000 more were to be pledged, the church could engage in the interior and kitchen remodeling that the congregation had set as the second “dream goal” for the pledge drive.
The ED noted that there were two questions for the board to consider:
1. Should the board be the governing body that sets executive compensation?
2. What are other budget items that the board may need to properly fulfill its role?
The trustees present agreed by consensus that it is the role of the board to determine executive compensation.
The President noted that in terms of other budget items the board might need to request, the Secretary and others had discussed the possibility of a board discretionary line item equal to four percent of the budget. This would have the advantage of being tied to the growth or shrinkage of the overall budget.
The trustees discussed the following concerns and thoughts regarding this concept:
• Concerns that other church groups would be constantly approaching the board to request using portions of such a fund.
• Concerns that it might be viewed as lacking transparency or as a “slush” fund.
• Such a fund would have the advantage of being available for expenses the board could not anticipate ahead of time, such as in the previous year when funds were needed for the interim minister search committee and the Bridge Builders consultant. There was some feeling that there is broad transferability within the budget which allowed for things such as hiring the Bridge Builders consultant; however, the ED noted that this had been a one time opportunity using unique money that came available because of the situation of being without a minster for several months.
• The Treasurer noted that the bylaws set a limit on board discretionary spending of $10,000.
• Concerns that such a fund might limit funding for vital church programs.
Given the concerns noted above, the trustees agreed to instead discuss a specific list of potential line items for the budget that the board might need to fulfill its duties. The following potential items were suggested:
• Funding for the All-Council Retreat
• Becoming a fair share congregation
• Hiring a consultant to lead the process of developing values/mission/vision and adopting Policy Governance to fulfill our commitment to the Bridge Builders Action Plan.
• Accountant prepared financial statements
• Costs associated with another potential minister search
The Trustees also noted a high level of support for the following budget requests that would come from other committees or persons:
• Funding for costs associated with implementing the Nominating Committee’s leadership development curricula
• The Children’s Choir
• Increased Support for Social Action
The President asked the Trustees who had suggested board budget request items to bring cost estimates for those requests to the September Meeting.
Executive Session: The Trustees entered Executive Session to discuss personnel issues and persons who were not Trustees left the room.
Motion: Jeff Hutchens — Extend the meeting by 15 minutes
Second: Aaron Osmer
Discussion: There was no further discussion on the motion
Vote: Affirmative – 8, Negative – 1, Abstain — 0
Adjourn: After the Executive Session and with no further business, the President adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Chris Jimmerson
Secretary
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Eunice Benton
District Executive of the Mid-South District
September 27, 2009
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Rev. Dr. Janet Newman
September 20, 2009
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Rev. Dr. Janet Newman
September 13, 2009
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