The agenda of the Governing Board’s November 14 meeting included several important topics.

Just Peace Initiative

Rev. Alice O’Donovan attended the Board meeting on behalf of the Just Peace Team to present and discuss the “Proposed Statement of Commitment to Become a Just Peace Church” and to request that adoption of the statement by the Congregation be on the agenda for the church’s Annual Meeting on January 28, 2018.

Financial Review

The Governing Board received the “Independent Accountant’s Report on Applying Agreed-Upon Procedures” from Mark Makuch, CPA.  Mr. Makuch will meet with the Board at its December meeting to discuss the report and answer questions.

Governance Structure and New Bylaws

In addition to the Just Peace Statement of Commitment, our church’s Annual Meeting on January 28, 2018 will include very important votes on whether to adopt new Bylaws, which would make our current trial governance structure permanent.  An Open Forum on Church Governance Structure, to include discussion of the Bylaws, was held Sunday, November 19 after church.   Input from that Forum, along with input received from Officers, Lead Ministry Coordinators, and the Governing Board will be incorporated into a revised draft that will be presented to the Governing Board for its December 5 meeting.  Final action by the Board prior to the church’s Annual Meeting will take place at its January 9, 2018 meeting.

Sharing Committee Work

In addition to work by the Board as a whole, its three Subcommittees remain busy.

Buildings and Grounds

Painting of the Chapel cupola, Education Building eaves, and the steeple and work on the columns is now complete.  Connections to UConn’s steam lines have been completed in all the buildings.  SCC is responsible for all connections beyond the heat exchangers, and this has  resulted in the need for several valves and bleeding of the lines and radiators.  The painting of the Library is now beyond the halfway point.  Progress is slow because of the need for both primer and finish coats and a lot of “cutting in” around the shelf supports.  A fire drill was conducted on Sunday, September 17.  The Committee will be reviewing the Fire Emergency Procedure section of the Safe Church Policy as well as developing a long-range maintenance and capital improvement plan.

Finance and Administration

The Committee provided for an external financial review and has monitored the 2017 budget on a monthly basis.  It developed a proposed 2018 budget, which was presented to the Congregation at a forum on November 5.  The Governing Board will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, November 28 to review and amend the budget as necessary prior to the Church’s Annual Budget Meeting on Sunday, December 3 after church at which the Congregational vote on the 2018 budget will take place.

Ministry

The Committee continues to explore ways in which to support the Lead Ministry Coordinators and to promote information sharing about the work of the various ministries.  To this end, a member of the Committee will be attending each meeting of the Ministry Coordinators.  Another goal is to establish a communications coordinator/team to provide consistent editorial attention to information shared through the Carillon, church bulletins, and social media; develop a plan for updating the SCC website; and help promote events such as Carillon Concerts, Lessons and Carols, and other events through publicity outside as well as inside the church.

Finally, a reminder that Governing Board meetings are open to all and that we include a “Present to Speak” time on each month’s agenda in order to insure that Ministry Teams and members of the congregation have access to the Board.  As always, we are happy to hear your questions, comments, and concerns.  Do not hesitate to contact any of us.

Your 2017 Governing Board,

Dick Roberts (Chair), Olivia Arsenault, Linda Blum, Laurie Brookes, Jan Castle, Tina Huey, Ray Joesten, Wade Johnson, Mary Lake, Bryan Klimkiewicz