| Present: | Dave C., Roy B., Baird B., Al G., Paula K., Marjorie L. (Elaine W. absent) |
| Minister: | Rev. Elizabeth “Kit” Ketcham |
| Guests: | Mavis Cauffman by invitation to take minutes |
Dave opened the meeting at 9:00 a.m. Roy read an ingathering and lit the chalice. Approved the agenda, minutes of the 9/15 Board meeting, and minutes of the 9/29 Leadership Council.
Minister’s Report: Kit expressed her optimism and enthusiasm regarding the congregation. She described her vision of the Committee on Ministry (COM); namely, as a support for her, as a confidential ombudsman service for the congregation to resolve any conflicts, and eventually to look at ministry within the congregation as a whole. She has asked Ken M. and Sally Ann E. to be on the COM and they have agreed. The Board agreed to ask John A. to be the third person on the committee. (He has since been asked and has agreed.) Kit will begin a North End coffee gathering in November and an item will be in the newsletter. Kit attended the four-day PNWD Small Congregation Workshop and found it valuable.
Adult Programs: Sarah R. has agreed to be Adult Programs Coordinator and was approved by the Board. She prefers not to have a committee and sees her role as stimulating ideas and guiding plans for a variety of short-term gatherings. May consider gatherings for singles, seniors, etc.
Welcoming Congregation: The UUA has a formal and non-trivial process for congregations to follow to be designated an official UU “Welcoming Congregation”. Kit has guided congregations through this twice before. After extensive discussion, consensus was that we will delay committing to do this. We have a lot of projects in the works. Kit may do a preliminary discussion and questionnaire with the congregation to see where we are in our understanding of these issues and what our interest and commitment levels are. Kit will contact the UUA representative for Welcoming Congregations to see if he will be visiting our area and could speak to us.
Building Your Own Theology: There was also discussion of starting a Build Your Own Theology group as an Adult Program. There was significant interest, and this idea will be referred to Sarah. Kit may do a sermon series based on this in the spring.
Leadership Council Followup: Al will send job descriptions to chairs for updating and distribution as needed. After approval by the Board the job descriptions will be published in the newsletter for better understanding by the congregation of who does what.
CRE: Jeannette LeBlanc is doing a wonderful job. Joann C. has agreed to chair the CRE committee and was approved by the Board. Dave would like to initiate a task force to set policy on Safe Congregations and put procedures in place. Joann may be able to pursue school policy as an example. Kit thinks state law may specify churches as mandated reporters. Kit will serve as an ex-officio member of the task force. Would like to have a parent on the task force, and pass the conclusions by Bill G. (our legal advisor). We would like to see the CRE program advertised. Paula will discuss with Jeanette her proposed flyer (done).
Advertising: Would be good to have an advertising coordinator. (Nancy S. has since declined to assume that role.) Baird will obtain from the UUA their advertising packet. We will work on developing a small concise ad to describe ourselves and our CRE program and put it in both papers a time or two.
Caring Connections Committee: They will develop a questionnaire regarding skills and volunteer interests in the congregation.
Newsletter Editor: Sandy W. has submitted her resignation as newsletter editor. Nancy S. has agreed to be the editor and was approved by the Board.
Mavis will be out of town Nov 5 – Dec 2 and is arranging people to handle things while she is gone. She needs proofreading input on the new Directory before Friday (10/17). The Woodinville Church needs help before the end of Oct to finish their building (this is a bank deadline). Roy will organize a group to go help (done).
Would sponsoring a Red Cross Babysitting Training Course be of interest? Referred to Social Action Committee.
Other agenda items were deferred until next month.
Next Board meeting: Monday, November 10, 9-11 am at Trinity.
Meeting adjourned at 11:06 am.