Board News

Board Slivers from the Board of Trustee’s June 28, 2023 Meeting

The Board of Trustees met on June 28, 2023 over zoom. All Board members were present except Sarah Darcy and Lilia Riordan-Rogers.

Catherine Trestrail expressed appreciation to everyone on the Board for making her experience on the Board rewarding and enjoyable. She is resigning from the Board due to a family member’s illness.

Minister’s Report: During and since the recent UUA GA meeting, there has been a noticeable uptick of interest in joining NAUA and subscribing to its Liberal Beacon. He also announced that our Choir Director Deb Jacquemin will be retiring at the end of the summer.

Operations Report: C Schmidt presented the report which is included in its entirety below.

UUCS 2023 Annual Meeting Report: Lynn Jinishian noted that several people tried to fill too many roles during the annual meeting and recommended in future that more people should volunteer to participate in the running of the annual meeting. Candace Schmidt noted the video recording of the annual meeting showed that there was no debate/discussion of Motion 6, which asked the congregation to vote to direct the Board to send to a member an internal document that was used to decide not to accept this member’s proposed amendment to our Bylaws. The internal document was a set of excerpts from our Bylaws that were cut and pasted into a document, and showed the proposed amendment was redundant, as the content of the proposed amendment was already in our Bylaws. As Robert’s Rules of Order requires that any vote taken with no debate/discussion after a motion is stated be discarded, Candace moved that the Motion 6 vote be declared null and void. After discussion, the Board voted unanimously that Motion 6 be declared null and void. Lynn moved that the internal document mentioned in Motion 6 be disseminated to the entire congregation by its attachment to this month’s Board meeting minutes and to the SUUN Board Slivers. After discussion, this motion was unanimously approved by the Board.

NAUA Report: L Jinishian reported that the application for 501(c)(3) status for NAUA is in process.

UUA General Assembly Delegates Report: Dick Burkhart provided a summary of votes taken at the Assembly. The revamping of Article 2 was approved by a majority of the delegates to go forward.

Next Board Meeting: July 19, 2023 6–8 p.m.

Submitted by Candace Schmidt, Interim Recording Secretary

Operations Team Liaison Report June 28, 2023

The Ops Team decided to contract with Pro Mechanical to install a new heating unit for the sanctuary. Plans are to have this work done as soon as possible so it is ready prior to the fall. The cost will be $14,500 (plus tax) from Pro Mechanical, the same company we currently use for the HVAC maintenance. This quote was about $2,000 less than the other quotes obtained.
Repairs to the building needing to be made include the outside southeast corner of the sanctuary, where the rain gutter is leaking and causing some damage, and the outside of the chapel, where birds continue to cause damage. The team will seek out a contractor/handyman to come fix these issues.
Robert and Lynn Jinishian have installed two beautiful new gates to the community garden/raised beds.
There was some damage to the garden shed siding, apparently due to a failed attempted break-in. Robert Jinishian and Don Willingham have volunteered to fix the damage.

Internal Document Referenced in Motion 6 at 2023 UUCS Annual Meeting
(Excerpts from the current UUCS Bylaws)

Section 6. The members of the Congregation, acting together in accordance with the procedures laid out in these bylaws, are the ultimate authority of UUCS, with the following powers:

(a) to call or dismiss a Senior Minister;

Calling a Minister is covered in Article 10 Section 8: The Senior Minister shall be called to serve by at least a ninety percent (90%) affirmative vote of the Members present at a Congregational Meeting at which a 30% quorum is present. The notice of such meeting shall specifically establish the calling of the Senior Minister as an item of business.

Dismissing a Minister is covered in Article X Section 9b: Dismissal: After an affirmative Congregational vote for dismissal, actual termination of the Senior Minister shall occur 90 days after such a vote unless a lesser time frame is mutually agreed to in writing by a majority of the Board and the Senior Minister. Consideration of a dismissal shall occur at a Congregational Meeting specifically called for a dismissal consideration. Dismissal shall be by a positive vote of a two thirds (⅔) majority of Members present and voting and at which there is at least a thirty percent (30%) quorum.

(b) to approve a budget annually and to specify the limitations, if any, on the administration of the budget by the Chief Executive (defined below) and staff;

Article III Section 5: In the course of the Fiscal Year, after the Members have adopted a budget for the Fiscal Year at the Annual Meeting, the Operations Team, with the concurrence of the Senior Minister and the advice of the Treasurer and the Finance Team, shall have complete authority to manage the budget, making such adjustments as needed to reflect unanticipated income and/or expenses.

Article VIII Section 1: The Operations Team shall work in close cooperation with the Board. However, it is the intent of the UUCS governance policy concept that the day-to-day operations of the Church rest with the Team, including the management and execution of the adopted budget.

Further specific details of day to day operations management are included in the policies and procedures as well as the internal policies of the Operations Team. These include things like obtaining an appropriate number of bids on building work, etc.

Article lV Section 1:. An Annual Meeting of the Church shall be held during the final month of the Fiscal Year to:

(g) receive a past Fiscal Year summary financial report from the Treasurer, including the status of the Endowment Fund;
(h) consider and adopt a budget for the next Fiscal Year

Article VII Section 3: The Board shall stipulate in its Policies and Procedures the manner in which an annual revenue/expense budget shall be adopted with input from the Congregation, but generally in a manner which allows maximum fiscal flexibility.

(d) to buy or sell or lease any interest in real estate;

(e) to mortgage, encumber, or commit any asset owned by the Congregation, and

Property/Assets covered in Article III Section 2: The Church may neither enter into any contract involving expenditures of more than 20% of the current fiscal year operating budget, nor alienate, encumber or dispose of any non-real property of the Church valued at more than 20% of the current fiscal year operating budget without such action having a ⅔ majority approval of those present at a Congregational Meeting at which at least a 15% quorum of Members is present. For real property transactions, see Article IV, Section 5.

and

Article IV Section 5: A thirty percent (30%) quorum is required to sell or buy real property. A positive two-thirds (⅔) majority is required to sell or buy real property.

(f) to Take a Public Stand on behalf of UUCS

“Public Relations” is covered in Article IX Section 1: No Staff, Minister, Team, group, Member, Friend or Trustee of the Church may represent UUCS or the UUA, issue written statements, or make media releases in the name of or containing the name of UUCS or UUA unless approved by the Board.

A “Free Pulpit” is covered in Article X Section 3: The Senior Minister shall have the freedom to speak his/her conscience even when in conflict with the official Church position or that of the UUA or any of its affiliate organizations.

Section 7. Subject to the limitations contained in these bylaws, including those specified in Article I, section 6 , the business and affairs of UUCS are managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”), in accordance with the Board’s Policies:

This is currently covered in Article I Sections 6 and 7:

Article I Section 6. UUCS shall govern by a form of policy governance incorporating these Bylaws and various governing policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees (Board). This form of policy governance may only be displaced by at least sixty percent (60%) of Members in attendance at a duly called Congregational Meeting.

Article I Section 7: UUCS applies, in descending order of priority, the following as the basis for governance:

1. the UUCS amended and restated Articles of Incorporation;
2. these Bylaws; and
3. policies and procedures adopted as amended and updated by the Board of Trustees and hereafter referred to as “Policies and Procedures.”

The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) shall govern in all circumstances NOT inconsistent with the amended and restated UUCS Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, Policies and Procedures and any other standing or special rules adopted by the Board or the Members in a Congregational Meeting.

Section 8. The Board maintains control of policies and gives the Chief Executive reasonable latitude to determine the means by which they are carried out. The Board’s direction, oversight, and supervision of the Executive are accomplished by:

(a) adopting written policies and procedures providing for limitations on the Executive, and

(b) holding the Chief Executive accountable for acting within these executive limitations.

Article X covers the Minister(s)—but specifically Sections 1, 2, & 10 detail the roles/responsibilities/relationship between the Board (acting on behalf of the Congregation) and the Minister/Chief Executive:

Section 1: The Senior Minister shall work in close cooperation with the Board. The Senior Minister shall perform the duties customary to that position in liberal churches, consistent with the terms of the Ministerial Agreement, and shall have primary responsibility for the theological, spiritual, intellectual, and ethical guidance of the Congregation.

Section 2. The Board, charged with assuring conformity with Article VII, shall neither create nor authorize any conflict between the Ministerial Agreement, these Bylaws and/or Policies and Procedures.

Section 10. The Senior Minister and the Board on behalf of the Congregation shall be subject to a written agreement, known as the Ministerial Agreement, setting forth details of the formal relationship between the Senior Minister and the Church. The Ministerial Agreement shall be regularly reviewed according to the terms set forth in the Ministerial Agreement.

Board Slivers from the Board of Trustee’s May 17, 2023 Meeting

President Catherine Trestrail called the meeting to order on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 6:04 p.m. with Lynn Jinishian, Richard Steele, Candace Schmidt, Betsy Rush, Lilia Riordan-Rogers, Sarah Darcy, and Todd Eklof present.

Agenda: The agenda was amended to include the Treasurer’s Proposed Budget Report and the. Board’s approval of the 2023–2024 budget.

Minutes: Minutes of the April 26, 2023 Board meeting were approved as presented.

Opening Words: T Eklof read the observations of the French philosopher Montesquieu as excerpted from Pamphlets: Philosophy.

President’s Report: C Trestrail thanked L Jinishian and T Mosher for their work on preparing for the annual meeting, including the writing of Board motions to be presented. C Trestrail reported she will need to resign from the Board at the end of this year, citing family obligations that will require her full-time attention during the coming year.

Operations Report: C Schmidt presented the report which is included in its entirety below.

Shared Ministry Team Report: Dick Gammon presented to the Board a summary of the feedback from members of the congregation that had been solicited by the team in January 2023.

GA Delegates: Three UUCS members have volunteered to be delegates for the June 2023 UUA General Assembly. Procedures for voting at the assembly were discussed.

Proposed Budget Report: B Rush reviewed the proposed budget with Board members and reviewed adjustments to the budget that were necessary following the Generosity Campaign. C Trestrail motioned for the BOT to recommend the proposed budget to the congregation at the annual meeting. The motion was passed with no objections.

Annual Meeting Planning Discussion: Congregant-submitted Bylaw Amendment proposals were reviewed. Zoom management during the voting portion of the annual meeting was discussed. Agenda and Procedures were finalized.

Adjournment: 8:32 p.m.
Next Board Meeting: June 28, 2023–6-8 p.m.
Submitted by Candace Schmidt, Interim Recording Secretary

Operations Team Liaison Report May 17, 2023

The Budget Summit II was held earlier today to adjust expenditures to match projected revenue for the coming fiscal year. The Generosity Campaign brought in pledges totally $271,874.00. This is approximately $48,000.00 less than what was hoped for, although it is estimated that up to $5,000.00 may still come in before the beginning of the next fiscal year. Todd generously offered to have his pay cut back by 25% and Deb Jacquemin’s position was reduced to half-time (20 hours) in order to help balance the projected budget. Further cuts came from reducing UUCS’s amount sent to the UUA by $2,000 and by other staffing reductions (Childcare Coordinator and Nursery Care Provider). Funding for the OWL Program was also cut for the coming year.
Research into the costs of replacing our HVAC system continues. Quotes for replacing the entire system are coming in around $38,000. If just the heating system is replaced, the cost is much lower, around $15,000. Rebecca Adams has also gotten feedback from various contractors that our current HVAC system is larger than is needed given the size of our building.
The Team is looking into contracting with an alternate fire alarm company. The current company, Johnson Control, is more expensive, both in maintenance fees and repair fees, than a local company, Advanced Fire System.
The Memorial Garden Team charge was reviewed. It is self-funded, with monies of about $10,000 having been given by church members over the years for future etching of deceased members names. This money, while not included in the annual budget, is part of the church’s overall fund. While it is listed separately from the church annual budget, it is kept with all other church funds in the same bank account.

Take me to a PDF at Dropbox of the July 29, 2020 Letter from the New Board President.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane

Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane

Sunday Services 9:15 & 11 AM

Operations Team Liaison Report June 28, 2023

Internal Document Referenced in Motion 6 at 2023 UUCS Annual Meeting(Excerpts from the current UUCS Bylaws)

Internal Document Referenced in Motion 6 at 2023 UUCS Annual Meeting
(Excerpts from the current UUCS Bylaws)