October 14, 2009
October Board Minutes -- October 14th, 2009
Present: Karl, Tode, Susan, Elizabeth, Alex, Mark.
First we checked in.
Then the September minutes were read and approved.
The monthly Treasurer's Report was read. We spent $2,000 more in September than what we took in. The deficit may be as a result of several members being behind in their pledges. Karl will follow up with a letter to those members. Our expenses for September were the usual ones.
Debra has pledge forms from Stephen, Maureen, and Brooke.
Karl has the gift card from Jo-Ann Fabrics for Barbara.
It would be good for Liana to be acknowledged by Laura for her RE work.
There will be no change in our phone service for now, but Alex will look into it further in terms of if we can get a better rate from somewhere else.
Tode has left a message on the answering machine asking people to reach us by email, as we're not in the office enough to make leaving phone messages efficient.
Annie's unemployment tax has been handled by Alex.
We have made our payment to the PNWD Sproul Library, even though it's just recent.
We should have greeters ask people who request name tags to fill out a visitor card.
Susan thinks the potluck with the Senior Center is a good idea.
Susan will be offering Path to Membership classes on December 6th and 13th.
She will also offer a Greeter Training on November 15th.
Tandi from the PNWD has asked Susan to give a presentation about Chalice Circle Sundays at the upcoming District Assembly in February in Bellevue, WA.
Susan is concerned about our staying in touch with Gene, Yvonne, and Skye. Tode has sent the most recent newsletter to them all. Alex is considering visiting Gene.
Susan is feeling a squeeze on her hours as a third-time minister. One solution is for at least some committees to act more independently, without her ongoing attendance.
Susan's most immediate goals are advances in membership, RE, fundraising, and long range planning.
Possibility of an Ellen Godula concert on December 4th. Alex is looking into this.
Question of whether or not we could sell holiday turkeys. Scrip for somewhere like New Seasons may be a better idea. Elizabeth will check this out.
On our current financial schedule, Susan will be leading fewer services in the Spring, unless we are able to do some substantial fundraising by then, like $5,000.
More people in the congregation are reaching out to Susan. When she preaches, there is higher attendance.
Bruce is still looking into a Wy'east retreat at Camp Adams.
Susan says the PNWD webinars have been good, and Susan encourages us to access them if possible.
Susan also says Annie has been asking for her help with RE, which is a good thing.
It is a goal for Susan to have an average of 65 people in attendance on Sundays.
One idea would be to have a Helping Hands public event, not just a behind-the-scenes effort that nobody sees much evidence of.
RE update: recruiting for teachers is going okay.
Annie needs more management, help, and love. Susan will be meeting with her.
Alex will write this next board column for the newsletter.
Mark will coordinate the Thanksgiving lunch/potluck we are creating with the Senior Center.
Mark will email Anders about several suggested upgrades for the website, like newer photographs, and easier means to communicate with us.
Alex is suggesting a silent auction, which he could handle.
Mark will ask about Senior Center availability for weekend nights in January.
Mark will ask Amber from the HSC about possible joint fundraising opportunities.
Alex is enthusiastic about our raising the money to have Susan in the pulpit twice a month during the second half year.