Congregational Business Meeting and Election - April 26, 2020

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Lafayette Louisiana

Congregational Business Meeting and Election 

April 26, 2020

Officers present

• President:Jackie Phelps

• Vice-President: Mary Guirard 

• Treasurer: Bruce Snow

• Secretary: Mike Waldon

Attendance of active voting members: A total of 13 active members were in attendance which is a quorum based on our 24 current members.

All members have had 30 days to request proxy voting. No proxy voting requests were received. It was therefore moved that voting today will be the final vote. The motion passed by vote of the Executive Committee.

The 2020 annual congregational meeting was held online via Zoom meeting software. The meeting was called to order by President Jackie Phelps following an abbreviated worship service.

Reports

President

This year we moved from the Camellia House to our new leased building (1119 Johnston St, Building 12). It was understood that this move would require one-time spending above our annually budgeted funds. I am glad to report that the financial cost from the move has been less than initially feared, and our budget is not badly out of balance. The pandemic lockdown that is currently ongoing will possibly result in a loss of some members and donations. Attendance using Zoom is down somewhat from our former attendance. We will need to work to restore attendance when live meetings are allowed.

Vice-President

We were fortunate to have Dallas Trent providing our childcare for a part of the past year. Dallas has moved and when live services return we must again recruit a childcare provider. Next year we hope to develop a real Religious Education program.                                

Treasurer

Balances: as of April 1, 2020

Checking: $8410.07

Savings: $11,564.91

PayPal: $0

Total: $19,974.98

(MTM: $20)

Vanguard FTSE Soc Idx $27,302.95

Budget:

Rent & Util $8,100

Honoraria    1,000

Dues           500

Administrative 400

Donations      800 

Membership     500

Services       600

RE           1,200

Publication    200

Total      $13,300

Pledges: $9676/9

Secretary - No report

Committee Reports

Publications: Emily Carline

Diane Kirksey has been added as a host on our Facebook and Instagram account. The Instagram account has experienced a lot of interest and activity. In the coming year, we will commit to being more active on Facebook. During the year we became aware of some community objections to the use of a fleur-de-lis in our logo. This year we have changed our logo to a magnolia flower.

           

Social Concerns: Scott Ferguson

We had many activities associated with the Social Concerns committee this year. I am especially proud of involvement with LA Aid, planting trees, and our outreach efforts. Next year we need to continue and I hope we see even more involvement in our outreach efforts.

Services: Hunter

We just joined last October. Lately our the Fellowship has worked with the online meeting program, Zoom, as we go through the state’s lockdown for the pandemic. Next year I hope we can celebrate more religious and socially aware holidays.

Web Site Emily Carline

The new website design will have a refreshed look and feel. I provided much of the set up, and the programming is being performed by Hunter Miller. When completed, Bruce Snow will implement the new site.

Report on membership survey Hunter Miller

There were about 20 responses to the member survey. Member respondents said that they like both our lay-led and minister visiting led services. They had a number of favorites. They said they like “call to action” and prefer services that are not too negative. Asked “Why do you attend?” a common answer was for community and to be around like minded people. Members listed diverse personal belief systems including atheist, agnostic, christian, hindu, and other. We hope to use the survey results to have the kind of services that our members want.

Election of officers

The current nominating committee presented their slate of officer candidates and nominations from the floor were accepted prior to voting. The elected officers for 2020-2021 are

  President - Diane Kirksey

  Vice President - Hunter Miller

  Treasurer - Bruce Snow

  Secretary - Emily Carline

Election of nominations committee

The current nominating committee presented their slate of candidates for chair and 2 members of the Nominations Committee. They then called for any nominations from the floor prior to voting. The elected Nominations Committee chair and members for 2020-2021 are

  Chair - Diane Kirksey

  Member - Jackie Phelps

  Member – Mary Guirard

Proposed changes to the bylaws

There was a discussion of adding the Publications Committee as one of the standing committees with the chair of that committee having Executive Committee membership. No action was taken, but it was suggested that this proposal be taken up by the Executive Committee. There was also a discussion about the need to possibly edit the bylaws to use more gender appropriate language, and to clear up any internal inconsistencies or discrepancies with the Articles of Incorporation.

Investiture Ritual

The investiture of the newly elected officers was led by out-going President Jackie Phelps.

The meeting adjourned at 12:30 pm

Minutes compiled by Mike Waldon, Out-Going Secretary

Approved by the Executive Committee May 6, 2020