NOTES FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 1/15/08

Mary Jane Jessop presented a preliminary proposal that Northlake participate in a “micro lending” program sponsored by the UUA. Northlake members would provide funds to the UUA through Northlake that would be lent to small business entrepreneurs in developing countries. The UUA would match the loan amounts. The minimum amount that can be accepted by the UUA is $2000, so Mary Jane will donate that amount to get Northlake’s participation started. The term of the loans made would likely be ten years and the interest generated would be anywhere from zero to 3%. When the money was re-paid to the church, it would be put back into the program. The Board gave tentative approval to the proposal. Mary Jane will come back to the next meeting with a formal written proposal.

Brian Goldstein reported that the chapel project is on schedule. The goal is to have the new school complete enough by June 1 to be able to show prospective families and to have it ready for occupancy by September 1. The Space Planning Task Force is working with Arne Mortensen to make various design decisions that Arne needs to keep the chapel project on schedule. That group is also finalizing rental agreements with prospective building users. Dave Thompson has found some new play equipment that will be donated to the church. The present playground will be enlarged to the north to accommodate the equipment.

The Search Committee reported that a high percentage of members and friends are completing the surveys. The committee is on schedule to begin talking to potential candidates as soon as March. The Board named a negotiating team to create a draft ministerial agreement for UUA approval. The team will then negotiate the final agreement with the candidate. Team members are Janet Hall, Carolyn Hayek, and Jim Mason.

Under the new church bylaws approved by the congregation on January 13, the Board must approve all new invitations to membership in Northlake. At this Board meeting we approved five invitations proposed by the Membership Committee. Jim noted that the recently completed membership audit will result in a slight drop in our official membership count as reported to the UUA from last year’s 101 to the current 92. There are new people attending church who are on the way to membership, so by later this spring our actual membership should be back up over 100.

The Board appointed Jim Mason and Carolyn Hayek to act as Northlake’s delegates to the Pacific Northwest District UUA Annual General Meeting that will be held in Tacoma from February 29 to March 2.

The Board also appointed Janet Hall as its new Vice President. Jim told the Board that he intended to ask for their support next June to stay on as Board president until January 2009, after the new minister is in place, the chapel project is complete, and the financial situation is stable. At that time he would step down and the Board would elect a new president. Janet has agreed to be considered for that office, so the Board agreed to name her Vice President, the traditional office that the next president holds.

Cate Foster intends to return to her position on February 14. The Board has increased her hours to 20 per week so that she can take over from Susan David as newsletter editor. Cate’s office hours will be Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9:30 to 2:30. She will work an additional 5 hours per week from home editing the newsletter.

Peg Blackstone has arranged an adults-only dance at the church on March 8. Her son Drew has volunteered to DJ the dance at no expense to the church. It’s time to party!

In faith,

Jim Mason