Board Bits
December 8, 2008
In this monthly column we summarize the recent activities and decisions of the Governing Board of Bell Street Chapel. It is our goal to keep you as informed as possible about what we do at our meetings, as we represent and are answerable to you, the congregation. Also, we remind you that all our meetings are open. We would be happy if members of the congregation attended. If you would like to make suggestions for the agenda, speak to the president, Don Laliberte.
The November meeting of the Governing Board was on Nov. 11. We were joined by Richard Corso, chair of the Membership and Caring Committee. Before the official start of the meeting, we viewed and discussed another segment of the Unitarian Universalist Association (U.U.A.) video on leadership and change.
One of our yearly tasks is to certify our membership for the U.U.A. The number of members is used to calculate our “fair share” payment to the U.U.A. (in recent years, we have been unable to pay the full amount of our fair share). Richard and the members of his committee will draft a letter to send to people who are on our membership rolls, but who have neither attended recent services nor made a pledge for the current fiscal year. Those who do not indicate a desire to remain as active members will be moved to inactive status.
We discussed whether running the New U.U. classes on a weekday night is preferable to the usual Sunday morning schedule. We also discussed whether we are trying to do too many activities after services on Sunday (lunch-making, discussion group. cleaning blitz, etc.). We welcome input from the congregation on these points. No decisions were made.
All our plans for promoting Bell Street in the interest of attracting newcomers and growing our membership are being implemented. We have advertisements in Options and in the Gamm Theatre programs; we sponsor Gay Bingo; we have new signs and bulletin boards. We are hoping to establish a closer relationship with MERI.
The treasurer reported that income is ahead of budget for the fiscal year. We made $140 from the RIIFF Horror Film Festival. We still cannot afford many of the things we would like to do (increase the office manager’s hours, hire a cleaning service). We would like to replace all the money borrowed several years ago from the Handicapped Accessibility Fund.
Dan Greco and Tom Lamora will join David Gleicher on the Steering Committee of the RIUUSJ, giving Bell Street good representation for statewide U.U. social justice action.
The Trustees have approved the necessary repairs and maintenance to the outside of the chapel and the renovation of the children’s room. We will try to organize volunteers to paint Eddy Hall in 2009; the Trustees will reimburse us for supplies.
We appointed Greg Greco to the position of chair of the Finance Committee. Phil Smith is stepping down, but will remain on the committee.
That is a summary of the work of your Board in November.
~Carol Crowley, Secretary
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