Present: Al G., Baird B., Roy B., Dave C., Gail A., Ken M., Elaine W. Joined by guest Peggy B.
Baird opened the meeting with an ingathering reading, and Ken lit the chalice candle.
Peggy B. then passed around some short statements which might be used as a church Peace Proposal to be voted upon at the next congregational meeting. Ken brought up the fact that the agenda had to be published 14 days before the meeting according to the by-laws. Discussion ensued as to whether this is within the purview of ‘business’ which would bring it under the 14 day notification rule. Al felt the rules were clear that we need the notification, and suggested we hold another meeting 2 weeks after the March meeting. Dave mentioned if such a proposal were unannounced, people who care about this issue might not attend. The suggestion was made to submit a petition at the upcoming meeting so those who wish could sign it and to call another congregational meeting soon to discuss it further. Dave suggested inserting some language demonstrating sensitivity to the troops since we share the island with the naval base. If passed by the congregation we could ‘witness’ by running an ad in the paper. Peggy also suggested putting a No War sign on the highway at the church property.
CRE: Nickie Howell will meet with Tandi Rogers, district representative. We have received an email from a prospective new member who would like to be involved in the CRE who has a background in biblical education. Nickie will coordinate the outreach for teachers, who will not just be parents. (She received approval for hiring at the last board meeting.) Ken pointed out this is not the time to debate the existence of a CRE program as the congregation has repeatedly made this a high priority. Gail will get the paperwork necessary for the background check to formally hire her.
Building committee. Roy said the county should approve the boundary line adjustment in the next couple of weeks. He would like the timeline of the building project to be on the agenda for the next board meeting. Gail suggested the building committee prepare a proposal of a possible timeline before the next meeting.
Membership/Canvass committee. Baird said that there will be an orientation for new church members will be held on March 20th, Thursday. Night at 7:30. Canvass kick off dinner will be 4/12. Baird would like to see it catered. That is all right if he stays within the committee budget of $1000. Gail and Ken had ideas of caterers. There is a team of canvassers, who will be trained at Deer Lagoon Grange on March 15.
Treasurers Report: We have not been spending CRE or Social Action budget, so even though income has dropped off, we are not yet in a deficit situation. Although $2300 raised at the auction will provide some income he warned we may soon be in a deficit situation. Treasurers report was unanimously accepted.
Ministerial Search committee. The candidate packet is complete. UUA will send these to potential candidates sometime in March.
Baird mentioned the UU brochure needs to be updated. Ken said Sandy can easily do it.
Worship committee. Al reported that they are making some plans. Gail suggested a combined worship service/90 birthday party for Jean Houston in August. The board thanked the worship committee for a good job.
Social Action Committee report. Baird reported that Nancy S. has been active on the committee. The basket project and the highway cleanup is a go. The eco-footprint workshop will be on Monday with Nancy and Malcolm. Sarah Malcelroy is talking about her time in Palestine which is sponsored by our social action committee and the Island Friends and the Whidbey Institute.
Gail reported from the pastoral services committee: They would like a female chaplain to serve along with Al, and that will be added to the wish budget. She Also mentioned the dinner to be held at Roy Zillman's house on March 29.
Elaine read a letter from Roy withdrawing from membership in the church. He still wants to have dinner at his house. But we do need to let the canvassers know.
By law committee. Bill may not be back in time for the congregational meeting, and Al will do the presentation at the meeting for the by law committee. Elaine brought up a question about how long committee chairs serve and whether the annual commitment should be outlined in the by laws. Discussion followed, and it was decided that the issue of committee chairs serving for a year only could be one of our first policies. Dave suggested that Elaine put together the first draft of such a policy.
That was all submitted. This should be listed in the canvass brochure. Ken will email amounts to everyone before they are added to the brochure.
The No Spray campaign. We have an application to be sent into the state. If they grant us a permit we have to do maintenance. A 2 foot bare earth strip next to highway, beyond that another, then a 3rd zone to end at the right of way line. Baird has been keeping this all mowed so we can park on it. But nearer to the road it must be bare earth. So who will do this? If we do not fulfill this obligation, they will cancel our no spray commitment. Discussion on whether the Social action committee or the Building committee will maintain this bare earth zone. The board voted to return the application to the social action committee to decide if they will maintain the dirt zone, then board will fill out application.
Congregational Meeting of March 2nd. Ken asked that someone on the board volunteer to be the gopher to make sure we have a sign up list, and a set of bylaw changes and the current bylaw as handouts. Dave will handle the by-law presentation if Bill isn’t back. When the presentation is over, we will call for a motion. After that is received we will call for discussion. This will be the time for objections or additions. We will try to amend it, then put entire by law changes up for vote.
Baird made a motion for the board to give permission to post No War in Iraq signs on the highway until the war starts. Al seconded it, and then there was discussion. It was suggested to wait until the congregational meeting in which Peggy brings up the anti war petition. Most board members agreed with that suggestion, and the motion was voted down 6 to 1.
Meeting adjourned shortly after 9 PM.
Next board meeting is March 27. The scheduling of future Executive Committee meetings was not brought up at the board meeting so announcements cannot be posted at this time.