Report of Our Congregational Annual Meeting

Board of Trustees

Report of Our Congregational Annual Meeting

By Stan Haavik, Trustee At-Large

 

After the service on Sunday, April 11th, 130 church members attended our  Congregational Annual Meeting. Rev. John opened the meeting with inspiring words and chalice lighting. Jane Carrigan issued the call to order and introduced the Right Relations Committee: Gina Williams, Scott Eden, and Candy Clark. Heather Millar thanked and introduced the sitting Board of Trustees. Highlights of the meeting included an election, presentation of the Shining Lights awards, news that construction will begin soon on our Phase 1 improvements, financial reports, and a discussion and vote on a proposed change to our Bylaws. These and other matters are presented below.

Election of UUCA Officers, Board of Trustees and Nominating Committee

Congratulations are due to our newly elected officials.

  • UUCA Officers

President, Jane Carrigan

Vice President, Jenn Pollitt-Hill

  • UUCA Board of Trustees, Members at Large

Jan Bird 

Stan Keeve

Peter Morse

  • Nominating Committee

Sally Wood

Mike Wanhatalo

Graham Smith

Peggie O’Dea

Karen Murphy-Keddell

Building Expansion – report on BEEC2 progress 

    • Jeanne Jehl presented progress with the construction for many new church improvements starting this week. A key part of her presentation was the mention that minority contractors have been hired to handle much of the work.  Rev. John reported that UUCA is developing a relationship with Harbor Bank of Baltimore, a minority-owned bank, to handle our construction account and provide needed added financing. 

Other matters

      • Stan Keeve and Graham Smith reminded us of the 8th Principle including Lessons Learned. They posted a survey at this meeting to determine the number who have attended the 8th Principle Practice Series for 1 to 4 sessions: 41, 5 to 7 sessions: 17, All 8 sessions 24 and Haven’t attended any yet: 43. 
      • Kari Alperovitz-Bichell provided encouraging information about our finances. Last year, to be forever known as the Year of the Pandemic, came out well financially while the new year of 2021 confronts the challenge of a higher budget. Newly appointed Investment Officer, Liz Yoder, outlined some of the issues involved in our increasing the use of socially responsible investments. 
      • New Master Plan Team: Scott Eden chairs this new team focused on defining and preserving our land. The team is now developing projects in better utilization and care of our environs. 
      • State of Our Church: Revs. Anastassia and John presented highlights of their work capturing the diverse activities and directions of our church. Rev. Anastassia provided an overview and Rev. John gave highlights from each month of the past year. 

Proposed amendment to By-Laws

      • Ken Apfel moderated a discussion of a bylaw amendment proposed by member Pat Fleeharty who spoke in favor of the amendment. Heather Millar thanked Pat for identifying and presenting a missing procedure and reported that the Board, after considerable deliberation, decided a new “Feedback Policy” would be a more effective means for accomplishing the desired result. Extensive discussion included calls for continued covenantal community, whatever the result of the vote.  Pat expressed a desire to vote rather than form a committee to examine the proposed amendment with alternative solutions to be presented at a future congregational meeting. To approve an amendment requires a 67% vote. The results of the vote to approve the proposed amendment were 54 yes, 58 no, and 10 abstain. With 122 voting, 67% means 82 yes votes are required to adopt the amendment. Since this level was not met the amendment was not adopted.

The Shining Lights Award

      • A high point of our annual meeting is the recognition of the year’s Shining Lights, those giving exceptional service and contributions to the church, especially over the past year. This year the Nominating Committee honored Paul Jorgensen, Laura Schrank, Melanie Keller, Lex Robertson, and Heather Millar for their outstanding contributions. 
      • In addition,  the entire Ministerial Search Committee consisting of Jan Bird, Shauntee Daniels, Thornell Jones, Karen Murphy-Keddell, Gwen Schindler, Mike Wanhatalo, and Craig Beyler were also honored and announced as Shining Lights.

Report of the Right Relations Committee and closing remarks

    • The Right Relations Committee reported two issues that were successfully resolved: (1) the appropriate start time for the meeting and (2) the practice of attendees speaking multiple times during discussion before all had a chance to speak. 
    • Jane Carrigan, incoming UUCA President, gave thanks for past service and accomplishments and provided a vision forward. Rev. Anastassia then provided closing remarks and extinguished the chalice.