Annual Congregational Meeting, May 17, 2020

Annual Congregational Meeting

This Sunday, May 17, 2020

Following the Worship Service using Zoom

 

Rules for the May 17, 2020 using Zoom

  1. We want to work towards consensus. As we did on May 3rd, we will not use Robert’s Rules. We will vote to make decisions official, but hopefully not until all or almost all understand the proposal and fully support it or at least do not have any new additional information to add.
  2. How to participate in discussions using Zoom on the internet: All will be on mute except for staff and the moderator. To be recognized, raise your Zoom hand and staff will announce when it is your turn and unmute you for up to 1 minute. If you have a follow up question or comment, you will be given up to an additional 30 seconds. No one should speak more than once until all who wish to speak have spoken and time remains.
  3. How to participate in discussions using a phone: Periodically during the discussion, the moderator will ask if you have comments or questions. Staff will unmute all on the phone and you will be given the opportunity to speak for up to 1 minute with an opportunity for up to 30 seconds for a follow up question or comment. 
  4. Technical issues on the internet: private chat Leika or text or call 443 422-2870.
  5. Technical issues on the phone: text or call 443 422-2870.
  6. Voting using Zoom: We will vote using the Zoom poll as we did on May 3rd. Motions will be posted on the screen twice. Most members will vote the first time the motion is posted. One member using one device will vote as member A the first time the motion appears on the screen. If two members are using one device, one member will vote as member A the first time the motion appears on the screen and the other member will wait and vote as member B the second time the motion appears on the screen. Motions will be put in “yes, no or abstain” format.
  7. Voting by phone: Members on the phone have a choice to vote publicly or they may text or call 443 422-2870 and give their name and yes, no or abstain. The name is so we can check eligibility to vote. Only the staff member who takes your text or call will know your name. Your name will not be communicated with your vote to the administrator who calculates the results of the vote.
  8. The amount of time scheduled is adhered to, unless there is a motion to extend.
  9. In accordance with our Bylaws, no nominations from the floor will be accepted. 
  10. We once again have a Right Relations Committee who will be available throughout the meeting for you to contact if you want to report something that makes you uncomfortable or that you feel should come to the attention of the Board or staff. Process, attitude or content that you feel should not be ignored are appropriate to report to them. Also, we welcome positive comments and feelings. Serving us again are Erin Snell, Ken Apfel and Gina Williams. To contact them text or call 240 424-0659 or email at rightrelations@uuannapolis.org. They will make a brief report at the end of the meeting.

Steps You Can Take to Shorten the Meeting

  1. Stay connected after the service. It is OK to take a break and turn off your audio and video but do not leave the Zoom meeting. The link to this meeting is the same as the link to the worship service; here it is: https://zoom.us/j/9691712043
  2. When you enter the worship service or meeting, rename yourself if you are not identified with your name (or names if 2 members are sharing one device to vote).
  3. If you need technical help text or call 443 422-2870.
  4. Pre-register using the new Participation Form for May 17 available by clicking HERE. 
  5. If possible, have one person on one device when we vote. 
  6. Attend at least 1 Congregational Conversation on Sunday, May 10, following the worship service; Thursday, May 14, at 7:00 PM or Saturday, May 16, t 2:00 PM. Important decisions about the plans to renovate and expand our building in this unstable economic environment will be made during this meeting. The details are numerous and the consequences of our decisions impact our community for years to come. The Board and BEEC2 have deliberated about the possibilities, but we NEED YOU to make the final decisions. To have our Congregational Meeting be of reasonable length, we hope members will enter the meeting well informed. These Congregational Conversations provide opportunities for you to be fully informed and to understand the ramifications of our choices. This is when there is time for you to ask questions and offer your suggestions.
  7. Click HERE for the May 17th Annual Congregational Meeting Agenda.

    IMPORTANT DECISION, May 17, Annual Meeting

    Before our building closed, plans to move forward with building renovations and expansion were well received during multiple congregational conversations. This past Sunday, the Building Expansion Exploratory Committee (BEEC2) reviewed their plans and explained reasons why this is the time to implement Phase 1. Over 50 members attended this conversation and were asked about next steps; they expressed enthusiastic support for moving forward. We will take action at the Congregational Meeting but the real deliberation occurs during these congregational conversations when there is time to process particulars. Two more opportunities for members to learn about these plans before the May 17th vote are: 

    Thursday, May 14, at 7:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/96040105370

    Meeting ID: 960 4010 5370

    Saturday, May 16, at 2:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97340276350

    Meeting ID: 973 4027 6350

    Our decision will substantially impact our future. Please attend at least one Congregational Conversations to understand the details and ramifications of our decision.

    The Proposed Motion to Implement Phase 1 of the Building Renovation and Expansion Plan

    Motion by the Board to approve the expenditure of available funds from the Capital Fund accounts for construction of Phase 1 of the proposed BEEC2 building expansion. The priorities will be the addition of an ADA ramp to the stage and the addition of an ADA shower to the family restroom, followed by the extension and revision to the main entrance, renovations to the lobby, and renovation and expansion of the kitchen according to the current conceptual design as a catering kitchen. It also may include connection to the county water line and addition of fire sprinklers to the building. BEEC2 will practice the UU 8th Principle by soliciting minority contractors to perform the work in a concerted effort to “dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”

    For information about this motion, contact board@uuannapolis.org

    For information about the BEEC2 plan, click HERE or contact beec@uuannapolis.org