2011 Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Annual Congregational Meeting

President: Tamara Lowell
President Elect: Brenda Balmer
Pat President: Dick Eiden
Acting Secretary: Dan Martin
Finance Director: Ann Kay

The meeting was brought to order at 12:35 pm. Rev. Beth Johnson read the Chalice Lighting words and lit the chalice. President Elect Brenda Balmer confirmed that we met the requirements for a quorum. The congregation approved last year’s congregational meeting minutes.

President Tamara Lowell spoke briefly on the State of the Fellowship. We are maturing spiritually, financially, and structurally. Many new groups formed this year including Meet and Greet, Spiral Earth, Young Adults, Christian UU’s, Humanist UU’s, Caring Compassion, RE Film Series, and others.

President-Elect Brenda Balmer led the voting procedure for this year’s Board, Committee on Ministry, and Nominating Committee. The congregation gave a round of applause to thank last year’s nominating committee.

Katia Hansen, Chair of the Committee on Ministry, described how the Committee on Ministry developed the Congregational Covenant, and then read the proposed covenant out loud. Kimberly Lilly made a motion to approve the proposed covenant, Li-Anne Mufson seconded and the vote to approve was unanimous.

Past-President Dick Eiden announced the winners of the Palomar Fellowship Awards and Recognitions:

• The Palomar UU Fellowship Board Award was given to Barb McLaughlin for 5 years of service as the chair of the Sunday Services Committee and her numerous other contributions.
• The Rev. Dwight Smith New Member Award was awarded to Erin Sprague, our youngest new member, for her many contributions at our fellowship and in our county-wide UU cluster.
• The Young Adult Award was given to Karen Hamilton for outstanding contributions as a young adult for starting and leading the young adult group.
• The Unsung Hero Award was given to Karl Boatright for his YEARS of service making coffee EVERY Sunday for refreshments on the patio.
• The “Yes I Can” Award was given to Daniel Stracka for founding and leading UURISE, for his tireless work for immigrants and refugees and on immigration issues.
• Tamara Lowell awarded the President’s Award to Michael Mufson for his work on social action issues, and his artistic contributions to the slides for Sunday services and special meetings.
• Dick Eiden, outgoing board member and Past President, was recognized for his many years of dedication and service on the Board and at the Fellowship.

Ann Kay presented the Finance Report. Some new developments this year include:

• It is now possible to pay pledges with an automatic deposit.
• Developed a simpler process to donate stock through a brokerage account.
• Initiated plate share to give part of Sunday Offertory
• New copier, new riding lawn mower, new playground
• Funded social justice committee with a bequest from Blanche DeVore.
• Unfortunately we currently do not have enough funds to pay our full dues to UUA and PSWD, but the Board is evaluating whether we have enough money to make a contribution of record.

Ann Kay presented this year’s budget and discussed each category within the budget. Bob Kintz moved that we accept the budget. Michelleanne Bradley seconded. The motion was carried.

Dick Eiden presented the Election Results and reported that the slate of candidates was accepted.

Tamara Lowell adjourned the meeting at 1:43 pm.

Meeting minutes were taken by Eileen Maurer.

Proposed 2011-2012 Budget

2011-2012_Budget.pdf

Adobe Reader is required for the Budget PDF, and it is a free download.

Podcast of 2011 Congregational Meeting

You'll need iTunes or another audio player capable of playing MP3s to listen our podcasts.

Congregational Meeting 06-12-11 (32MB)

Download Podcast