Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church

CALL TO ORDER:
Chris Doozan, Moderator, called the Congregational Meeting of Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church to order at 12:30 p.m. in the main church meeting room. It was determined that a quorum was present. There were no changes to the agenda.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Diana Kohler moved to approve the previously distributed minutes of the January 12, 2005 meeting. Seconded by Charlotte Pozniak. Motion passed.

BUDGET REPORT:
John Amberger spoke about the proposed interim budget for the new fiscal year beginning July 1, 2005, ending June 30, 2006. He stated that he wanted to raise an alarm, but not be alarming. He noted that he was the interim chair of the finance committee, and talked about the good news of the capital campaign, which raised $433,131, much above the goal of $350,000, noting that in the first year we have collected about $209,000 of that. He talked about the operating budget, which last year included about $115,000 from 102 pledges and noted that this year’s canvass resulted in about $114,000 from 89 pledges. He noted that a number of people left the church, primarily because of moves. He spoke of three areas in which we have received additional monies. Jane Williams has continued to increase the rental income for the church, Ted Hitchcock is making the church money from ink cartridges and Meijer rewards, and Mark Babcock continues to collect and return cans and bottles.
Amberger urged the congregation to accept the budget as an interim budget, to be revisited in October 2005 after we have some experience to see whether additional monies are realized. Seconded by Mark Babcock.
Questions were asked, such as why with a declining membership we were paying increased affiliation dues. It was explained that the dues are set as of the membership on February 1, and that dues for both the Heartland District and UUA had increased. A question was asked as to the suggested raises. Doozan explained that the Personnel Committee was charged with distributing $700 (later $900) among employees and it was decided to split it in a 3:2:2 ratio for the minister, DRE and Music Director. One purpose of the proposed revisit in October 2005 would be to consider staff raises. It was also noted that no raise was allocated to the custodian, as he just received a raise, and a secretary was just hired so no raise was in order. A question was raised as to why there was no increase for utilities although they were likely to increase.
Ted Hitchcock made a motion to call the question, seconded by Dorothy Amberger. Motion passed.
Ted Hitchcock made a motion to pass the budget as set forth in writing, as an interim budget, to be revisted in October 2005. Seconded by Paul Manzella. Motion passed.
Amberger then discussed concerns about membership. He discussed the project in Kansas City, the Uncommon Denomination. Rev. Riegel explained that this was an experimental program in which the UUA provided about $100,000 and did various forms of publicity and outreach. The result was that churches prepared for growth did so, some by more than half.
Amberger suggested that we consider such a program or other more aggressive approach to membership. Questions were raised, such as what the cost would be and whether the UUA would provide any money. It was suggested that the Heartland District might be a source of funds for this. Amberger asked for a straw vote of the congregation as to whether the membership committee, along with other committees and churches should explore this approach. Paul Manzella suggested that we consider the difference in markets and geography between Kansas City and the Detroit area, and be prepared for a higher cost than in Kansas City. The straw vote was in favor of the membership meeting going forward with a meeting this month to consider this approach.

BUILDING PROJECT REPORT:
Doozan stated that the site plan review is in front of the city of Southfield. There is a planning study meeting on June 8, 2005, to which the church is not invited. There is a June 15, 2005 planning committee meeting which the members of the design committee need to attend and a public hearing on June 22, 2005 which members of the church, especially Southfield residents should attend.
There have been some obstacles raised to approval of our plans, dealing with sidewalks, curbs, a brick wall, which would entail additional cost.
John Amberger suggested that we should stress the positive aspects of our expansion plans, such as our environmental focus. Norma Barry suggested it would be useful for there to be a meeting for us to discuss the points we want to make to the City.
It was suggested that we contact the neighbors who will be notified of the hearing, to meet and/or talk to them before the meeting about any concerns that they might have about the impact of our plans. Doozan will talk to Beata Lamparski about this.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS:
Mark Babcock began the discussion of three proposed amendments to bylaws which were previously distributed with the meeting call. Ted Hitchcock made a motion to discuss each change separately. Seconded by Fred Peiss. Motion passed.
There was discussion of the proposed 18 year old age limit for voting and holding of office. LeeAnn Abel made a motion to accept the proposal about the 18 year old limit for voting and membership. Seconded by Jim Gobeski.
Ted Danielson moved to amend the proposed amendment to add the language “or successfully completing the Northwest coming of age program” after the language “18 years or older” in the proposed amendment. Seconded by Xina Stewart.
After some discussion John Amberger made a motion to call the question, which was seconded. Motion passed.

A vote was held on the Danielson amendment to the original proposal. Motion did not pass.
Dorothy Amberger made a motion to call the question on the original proposed 18 year old age limit for voting and holding office. Seconded by Ted Hitchcock. Motion passed.
A vote was held on the original proposed 18 year old limit on voting and holding office. Motion passed.
Babcock discussed the second proposed bylaw change, to permit an alternative method to raising a proposal to change the bylaws. The current bylaws permit a change only to be brought through the bylaws committee. The proposal permits an individual with a 20 percent membership petition to raise the issue directly with the congregation. Ted Hitchcock suggested that 20 percent was too high and proposed to amend the original amendment to require only a 10 percent membership petition support. Seconded by Fred Peiss.
Ted Hitchcock moved to call the question, seconded by Fred Peiss. Motion passed.
A vote was held on the original proposal as amended by the Hitchcock amendment. Motion passed.

The last bylaw issue involved the personnel committee. The proposal adds certain members to the committee. There was some discussion of the wisdom of adding members to the committee. During this discussion, Ted Danielson asked whether the Associate Moderator is responsible for the church secretary with regard to personnel matters. Rev. Riegel answered yes. Danielson requested that the minutes reflect this query and response. John Amberger made a motion to table the motion, seconded by Ted Hitchcock to permit further consideration and discussion. Motion passed.

Adjourned at 1:55 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Bachelder, Clerk