Present: Roy B., Ken M., Gail A., Baird B., Al G., Dave C., Elaine W.
Roy opened the meeting with an Ingathering reading from Albert Einstein.
Notes from the June 7th meeting were looked over and approved. They will be resent electronically as they have not been received.
The canvass report was that we can expect around $30,000, or a bit more.
Treasurer’s report was projected through the end of June, and we will have the completed year’s budget report in July. Good news was that we have not gone into our reserves at all, and are about $600 ahead of projected expenses. We will have about $13,000 available next year to cover future deficits if they arise.
Next year’s preliminary proposed budget had been organized by Dave so that similar types of expenditures are grouped together. Ken announced that Brenda C. has agreed to replace Sarah as our next year’s treasurer. The treasure will have oversight over any check writing activity. Dave is suggesting future staff sign contracts with us and be hired as contractors rather than employees. We will need contracts for Heidi, Nikki, Linda G., Brenda, Mavis and the new minister. (The latter to be negotiated by the Search Committee.) Dave had also figured the cost per individual attendee at Sunday services. A motion was made and seconded to accept this budget, and discussion followed on how we can trim costs so that we have reserves to cover two years, rather than one year only. The budget reflects one service a month led by a minister, but travel reimbursement to attend 2 services a month. Summer services are not included as they do not cost the congregation. An amendment to include fees for the porta potty at the land, land taxes and water was added. An amendment was made to add to the CRE budget. The budget was accepted by the board with amendments and will be submitted to the congregation for approval at the June 29 meeting. Dave will create handouts for the meeting.
Note: The point was made that this congregation saves a great deal of money due to volunteer time, refreshments, services, and other donations provided by our members and friends.
There was discussion about sending out polite letters to people who have pledged and not yet paid explaining that we really need pledges to be paid before the end of June, the end of the fiscal year. Baird agreed to do this.
The Congregational meeting on June 29 will begin with volunteer recognition. Ken took suggestions for the many volunteers to be recognized. He will also create a handout of board member bios.
Lifting the ceiling of the $500 expenditure limit of the Social actions fund will need approval by the congregation. Right now they may not spend more than $500 on one specific action without congregational approval. This will be brought to vote at the June 29 meeting.
The current board will make a suggestion that next year’s board pursue looking for an alternative place for Sunday meetings in the hopes that we can move to a Sunday morning time.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:10