All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church
Minutes of Meeting of Board of Trustees
Thursday, July 22, 2021

Board Members Participating
Heather Winn, President;  Robert South, Vice-President; Patricia Sutherland, Secretary; Eleanor Allen, Treasurer; Shannon Starkweather-Burke, Catherine Burns, Rebecca Carr, Joanne Harter: Trustees

Also Participating  
Angelo Guarino (Bookkeeper), Bianca Ellis ( invited by Robert), Harriet McMillan

Preliminary
Robert South introduced Bianca Ellis to the Board to present an opportunity for our church to help plan and prepare for a community event which could include using our church in 2022. This would center around next year’s Juneteenth celebration and could also include support from other denominations. After discussion Eleanor moved we accept this opportunity and ask both our Outreach and Social Justice committees to take responsibility for our church’s role in this event. However, since we had not yet been called to order we could not proceed with the motion. (Bianca left the meeting)

Call To Order	
Heather called the meeting to order at 10:05 am. 
Robert volunteered to be the Process Observer for this meeting. 

Minutes - (Patricia)
The minutes from the previous meeting were accepted by consent.

Treasurer’s Report - (Eleanor)
This report covered the entire 7/2020 through 6/2021 fiscal year. There were a few questions which Eleanor answered. It will be filed for audit. 

Vice-President’s Report  - (Robert) - Bianca’s presentation was his report.

President’s Report - (Heather) - Nothing to report.

Committee Reports:
 
	1. Executive Committee - (Robert) He reported extending permission to Janine Johnson to continue using our piano for her piano lessons indefinitely until her home is restored and she no longer needs to use it.

	2. Finance Committee - (Eleanor) explained the rational for combining our several savings accounts at Americu Credit Union. See attached report. After some discussion, Eleanor told us that after all the savings accounts are combined into just one account at the bank, the Board could still be given the breakdown of the current separate accounts along with her monthly treasurer’s report, thereby enabling the Board to be kept up to date. Angelo also agreed this could be done. Robert Moved and Joanne seconded that we consolidate the accounts as outlined in the document Eleanor provided and delegate the Finance Committee to make decisions about earmarks. Carried unanimously. (Angelo left the meeting.)

	3. Social Action - ( Eleanor) There are people out in the community today who are beginning the count of the number of homeless people in Watertown.

	4. Buildings and Grounds - (Rebecca for Till) - We are still looking for a new custodian. Various suggestions for this were offered, along with the recognition that this needs to be a priority as we look towards reopening the church. Shannon asked about the option of hiring someone to care for our grounds, which would be costly but could also help our grounds. Rebecca noted that this is also the time to start looking for a snowplowing contract for next winter, and Eleanor said that Angelo may have an idea for sharing the service other churches use. Hospice might also be helpful regarding snow plowing and Shannon will ask about this.

	5. Outreach - (Catherine) They are planning a committee meeting this Sunday. Bianca is hoping to attend. Catherine is also looking into the idea of sharing the Beloved Conversations program with the congregation.

	6. Worship - (Eleanor) - This committee needs to know what our reopening plan is before they can plan for August services. There is tentatively a plan for a coffee hour at church with no zoom or other church service for August 1.

	7. Ad Hoc Committee
	Church Reopening Plan - (Rebecca and Catherine) -The draft plan was emailed to Board members this morning. See attached. We took time to read the plan and respond to their request for suggestions or changes. Many suggestions were offered. Rebecca said she would incorporate them into the Plan and send it out for the Board to review and hopefully be able to vote on by using email. The Board would like the final Plan to be available to the congregation in a timely manner, perhaps using the weekly Post or even the Newsletter if possible. Eleanor moved and Pat seconded that we allow NBC to begin using the sanctuary indoors for singing rehearsals following the conditions NBC has set up for itself along  with the appropriate ones in the church Reopening Plan. Motion carried. Shannon moved and Robert seconded that we open the church to groups wanting to use the church, after they sign the yearly Building Use form which would now include the new covid-related requirements. Motion carried. This change would include disinfecting surfaces such as doorknobs and tabletops, avoiding serving food, and using a sign-in sheet.The new requirements for all groups using the church for meetings will be added to the Building Use Form on an individual basis for now. 	Eleanor requested that the completed Pandemic Reopening Plan be sent to everyone. 

New Business 
	1. We need to be sure we have the correct equipment for hybrid services. First UU in Syracuse has their hybrid system set up. Harriet will be on a committee to visit First UU, along with anyone else who is interested, to learn what equipment would benefit us. 
	2. Eleanor is planning a worship Committee meeting on Zoom for July 23.
	3. Snowplowing bids will be solicited by Building and Grounds committee. Suggestions are welcome.
	4. There is a need for communications between our committees so they all know what is happening. Perhaps a monthly get-together with one person from each committee?

Observer Report - (Robert)	“We met more informally than usual - but it worked!”

Checkout - the next meeting  will be August 26 at 9:30 on Zoom

	Meeting adjourned at 11:02.

	Respectfully submitted,

	
	Patricia J Sutherland, Secretary