GOVERNING BOARD MEETING

April 13, 2008

Board Members Present: Jo Porterfield, President; Ruth Semrau, Vice President & Worship Committee Chair; Huey Mitchell, Treasurer & Web Master; Sky Mitchell, Secretary & Newsletter Editor; Betty Golding, Member-at-Large, Music Director, & Sunday Bulletin Editor; Jessica Noble, Member-at-Large & Adult RE Teacher; Don Eakin, Member-at-Large and Building & Grounds Chair; Marolen Mullinax, Member-at-Large, Philanthropy Chair, Finance Committee member; and altar table decor

Also Present: Bob Winters, Austin Pennington

Jo called the meeting to order by lighting a candle at 1:00 PM.

The minutes were reviewed and found to need correcting regarding two items:

Huey did not say he would contact Tom Mitchell regarding the sign.

Ruth said that she had been able to recruit candidates for all Board positions.

The secretary will make the necessary corrections before filing the minutes. The Board unanimously agreed to accept the minutes as corrected.

Jo said she would have to withdraw her name from the slate because she has recognized the need to go on sabbatical for a year beginning in July. The Board expressed regret but understood and accepted her decision. Discussion ensued about who to ask to put their name on the slate for Board President.

All the pending R E issues (see Agenda) had to be postponed until next month because both Holly and Gelene are not available at this time.

Don said he has had some thoughts about what needs to be included in the Last Wishes files. Ruth said she had purchased a fill-in-the-blanks type book entitled So You Will Know My Wishes several years ago. Marolen said she would get it from Ruth and see if it can be copied and used for our purposes. The cabinet to hold the files is now in the Nursery Room with the necessary corner guards.

Ruth reported that the Highway Clean-Up turned out to be a non-event. She waited at the appointed meeting place for about an hour and did some picking up on her own and then left. She later found out that Jo and Jay arrived shortly after she left. She suggested that we try again in fall, perhaps October, and this time use a sign-up sheet to get firm commitments from participants.

The Longview Community Ministries' CanStruct Project will not receive a donation structure from the UFL this year.

Jo will contact the individuals (new members) receiving hymnals and inform them they will be available to be picked up on Sunday, May 11th before the Congregational Meeting.

The congregation needs to be informed of the upcoming annual Congregational Meeting and Pot Luck which is scheduled for Sunday, May 11th. Betty will note it in the Sunday bulletins between now and then. Sky will put it in the email Sunday Announcements and the newsletter. Huey will put it on our website.

Ruth said she will finish the Matching Grant and submit it before she goes to Michigan at the end of May.

Comments from those who attended the Six Thinking Hats Leadership Workshop at Jo's home on Wednesday, April 9th, indicated it was very worthwhile and something they would like to share with the rest of the Board and the entire congregation. Ruth said she was able to schedule Liza Ely to present a program on June 15th about deBono's Six Thinking Hats method.

Helen Ausman, one of the UFL's founding members, will be moving to Florida Monday, April 21st. Betty will make a photo montage of all the members. Marolen will have it framed. Jessica will order a cake with the inscription: "Since we began..." and we will honor her at her last regular Sunday with us.

Huey presented the March Financial Report. We are doing OK. There is a CD maturing in a couple weeks. Huey and Marolen will shop around for the best rate and the money will be put in a new CD there. The cost of having the yard mowed and trimmed has gone up to $60 per service. Huey noted that it is time to prepare the budget that will be presented at the Congregational Meeting in May. Ruth and Marolen volunteered to work with him on it. It will be sent to the Board via email for approval or denial. No response will indicate approval.

Gelene has indicated she will not continue as R E Director. Sky will call her after her Renaissance Fair engagement has ended to see where she stands on the issue.

There being no further business, Jo ended the meeting by extinguishing the candle at 2:20 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sky Mitchell, Secretary