RHCC Board of Trustees Minutes. Monday, March 21, 2022, 6:30 PM
6:30 Greeting/announcements: Nancy opened the meeting by noting that as Covid numbers declined and weather improved, attendance at worship services was trending upward. She also noted that there were newcomers to our services as well. All in all attendance fluctuated between 30-60 families each week. Nancy expected a continued rise in numbers for upcoming activities and through Holy Week. At the same time, online attendance and media followers were high and extended to worshippers across the region, country and even internationally. Pat asked if we had any demographics or an explanation regarding the interest of our site. Ed noted that while some media viewers were local or had ties past and present to the church, there seemed to be pockets of viewers across the US and internationally. He continued by explaining that we count the number of views and areas from which viewers come, but, we don't really have much specific statistical data relating to our viewership and particular groups within it.
6:44 Prayer: following Nancy’s announcements, Ed gave the opening prayer.
6:45 Minutes from Feb. 21 meeting: the minutes from February's Board of Trustees Meeting were accepted unanimously.
6:50 Pastor’s Report: Ed’s report focused first on the success of resettlement efforts of thirty three Afghan evacuees. He was pleased with the cooperation, support and leadership our church had given to the project and thanked everyone for their support. Next, Ed was happy to announce that there was a book group organized to discuss Charles Woodrow Cox’s work, Children Under Fire. The book under study was suggested by the newly-formed committee to understand the issues of gun violence and its effect on children in communities throughout our region and nationally. As part of the study, Peter Murchinson will make himself available for online discussion at the 5:00 meeting on March 30, 2022. Murchinson is a local anti-gun violence activist and a member of the Society of Friends. Finally, Ed announced that his sabbatical would be from May 1 to August 30, 2022. Jake asked about the details regarding the interim pastor. Ed noted that those details were being finalized. Ed was also asked if plans for Leslie’s maternity leave were going according to plan. He reported that Leslie would be on leave from June 1, 2022 through August 2022 with plans to return for Rally Sunday 2022. He also stated that HR consultant Jennifer Polumbo would be working with Leslie to complete all the required paperwork for the Connecticut Paid Leave Law. The organist and soloists are being scheduled and Lynda, Tania and Nancy are being trained to help with the media.
7:05 Committee Reports:
Financials: Bruce presented the new expanded look to the dashboard, and trustees complimented its design and organization. Also, over the last month Bruce collected many of the contracts and working papers with information regarding payments to the church regarding cell tower income. It appeared to him that the problem of income clarity discussed in February’s meeting was due to lateness of payments by the users. Regarding income and expenditures, following a careful examination Bruce noted that we had increased our endowment and in spite of the difficulties of operating the church in a time of Covid, there were no drawdowns from the endowment. He lastly wished the board to note that our Fidelity investment fees were operational expenses and did not come from the endowment. Jake complimented the administration and the Trustees for keeping incomes up while expenses were down. Jake continued that both the combination of pledge money and non-pledge money put the church in one of its strongest financial positions. Ed noted the importance of adding income to the church from facilities used by non-members. He also thanked the office staff for handling these measures.
Giving Celebration Plan: Leslie reported that though the annual fund raiser was complete, financial support would still be needed for solar upkeep. Leslie announced that she was developing plans to keep the solar/greening of the campus in front of our members and visitors. As soon as the permit phase was completed and construction got underway, she hoped to implement new strategies for the project's support. Ed asked how we can share the news that we achieved our goal. Leslie noted that thank you letters were appropriate but that there were more ways to recognize and support the project as it moved into the next phases. Mary Ann liked the idea of being specific as we ask the congregation to support the project.
Cottage Status: Joe was asked to comment on the cottage’s status. He said all was well. The cottage was rented, the renters had moved in and thanks to Roland it was in great shape
7:21 Strategies Focus: Nancy asked Ed to open the discussion of Values and our role as trustees to strengthen church outreach as we create a community of compassion. Ed explained that he hoped over the next few weeks and months to see the church strengthen fellowship. He challenged the Trustees to help find ways for a larger discussion of what it means to be a community of exceptional outreach. He pointed to the work that Grada was doing to organize the April 8 “Parents Night Out” social gathering. Ed hoped to see more work like this as we continued to engage with our community. He also noted the work that Lizzie and Tania were doing on curriculum development for younger learners and was hoping to invite Lizzie to a later meeting to discuss children’s value-based education. Next, Ed wanted to thank Nancy for putting together a team of Trustees to study the extent of our carbon footprint as we transition from carbon to solar power. Nancy noted that Leslie and Ron agreed to work with her on this project. Finally, Ed explained that Shannon White has a letter of agreement for pastoral work and member support until September 1. She is a very capable leader with key people skills and very media savvy. Ed approached the Trustees about extending her hours in the future. Helen asked if he had spoken to Shannon? Helen and Mary Ann both felt her presence with church has a strong positive influence. Ed said he had not talked to her about her plans but felt the time was right as we wanted to extend our reach to old and new members. Mary Ann asked if we had a sense of what hours might be needed and how her addition would reconfigure our administration? Ed noted that her hours would increase and that we agreed that an associate pastor was not in our future plans. Helen agreed that assistant or associate pastor was not appropriate. Helen continued, by suggesting that we define her role and give her a suitable title. Jake agreed with Helen and Leslie asked if any other churches were currently employing titles like director of spiritual or congregational growth? Jake suggested we set-up an ad-hoc committee to study the question of Shannon’s role. Helen, Grada, Pat, Nancy and Ed all agreed to serve.
7:44 New Business: Nancy opened the subject of new business. Jake asked if it was necessary to evaluate the children’s program since the work agreements with Lizzie and Tania expire on June 1. Ed thanked Jake for the question and asked if he could come to that topic later with more specific ideas. Next, Jake asked if we could please address the question of committees and the by-laws by the June meeting. Finally Pat asked if we could do more to help get the word out that projects like composting could be better staffed. A short discussion followed regarding the many ways the church gets news to members.