Posts in Governance
Annual Stewardship Campaign: Pledge Forms are due!
Annual Stewardship Campaign: Pledge Forms are due!

Our Annual Pledge Campaign ran from April 14 to April 21, 2024. We are still missing about seven pledges from members. Friends and visitors, consider making a Pledge to GNUUC for our July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 Fiscal Year.

This year, we celebrate Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation’s 30th Anniversary. In the summer of 1994, we first met as a congregation and were recognized officially by the Unitarian Universalist Association. Since then Greater Nashville has been a home for those seeking a liberal religious community, a place to raise their children, a supportive institution, a gathering of friends.

Now is the time to make a commitment. If you are member, now is the time to strengthen your support. If you are a new visitor, new friend, now is the time to consider joining us and pledging your support — and consider joining us as a member. Reverend Denise would love to talk to you.

By giving our time, our talents, and our money, we can support those in need, and serve as a voice of love, acceptance, and hope in a world that needs to hear these things. Our pledges this spring will resource the first year of the NEXT 30 years of our congregation’s mission: to transform ourselves, our community, and our world through the power of love; to embody a sanctuary of compassion, integrity, and respect; and to champion justice, equity, and peace.

Pledge what you can for the new year. Know that if your circumstances change, you can adjust your pledge. If you can give more, do so, knowing that you are contributing more in a time when others can contribute less.  Please visit https://www.nashvilleuu.org/pledge and pledge as generously as you are able.

Now is the time. This is your invitation.

To read this year’s pledge letter, click Invitation to Pledge.

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GovernanceKristin RevealPledge Drive
Summary of Extra Board meeting on April 24, 2024
Summary of Extra Board meeting on April 24, 2024

The Board discussed the extension of the A New Leaf school lease for an additional 12 months and received an update on the annual stewardship drive. The Board discussed the importance of welcoming and membership in the coming year. The Board planned the agenda for the upcoming May 5th briefing of the congregation and confirmed that the meeting will be hybrid. This is a preliminary Q&A session in advance of the Congregational Meeting on May 19. The Board put plans in place to start congregational visioning for the next 30 years with a progress assessment scheduled around December 2024.

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Community, GovernanceKris ThresherBoard Minutes
April Board Meeting Summary
April Board Meeting Summary

The board confirmed that the current members are all likely willing and able to continue to serve on the board if asked. The board discussed the ongoing occupancy of the RE building by A New Leaf school. The board began making plans for congregational meetings and training priorities for the upcoming 2024/2025 fiscal year.

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Community, GovernanceKris ThresherBoard Minutes
Board Update March 2024
Board Update March 2024

We discussed ways to improve communication and simplify and open up processes at the church to better reflect our current staffing and volunteer capacity. We discussed the open slots for delegates from the congregation to UUA General Assembly 2024. The Board will encourage interested people to contact Rev. Denise. Board members will inform Tina about their wishes as far as continuing to serve during the coming year.

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Community, GovernanceKris ThresherBoard Minutes
February Board Meeting Summary
February Board Meeting Summary

The treasurer presented the finance report, noting pledge income may come in lower than budgeted. Insurance and asphalt repairs have increased expenses significantly. Getting additional asphalt repair quotes was discussed.

Discussing the congregation's 30th anniversary coming up in 2024, suggestions included celebrating with a special pledge drive theme highlighting the past 30 years and vision for the next 30. A homecoming event in the fall was also proposed.

The Board conducted a self-assessment. The facilitator closed by thanking the Board for their self-reflection.

Continued progress on visioning the future and sustainability goals will help ensure GNUUC's next 30 years are as strong as the past 30 have been.

Please email board@gnuuc.org if you have any questions or suggestions.

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Community, GovernanceKris ThresherGeneral Announcement
Jan. 17, 2024: Board Meeting Summary
Jan. 17, 2024: Board Meeting Summary

Financial Review

- Reviewed budget to actuals and financial position. Insurance costs have increased significantly due to claims, but new revenue sources (facility rentals, donations) help offset this.

Timetable for Pledge Campaign

-The pledge campaign is planned for April 7 and April 14 (materials will be distributed). The goal is to finalize pledges by April 21 to inform budget planning and stewardship celebrated. The date of the congregational meeting is tentatively set for May 19th.

Creating a Culture of Periodic Self-Assessment

- An assessment task force proposed establishing an annual self-assessment for key church groups/teams. The goal is to empower teams and build community. The board will conduct a self-assessment in February using the governance policy document as a guide.

Discussions on Rev. Denise's Contract

- A small task force comprised of Jesse Spencer-Smith (Treasurer) and Claire Stanton (At-Large) will meet with Rev. Denise to discuss potential updates to her contract for the next fiscal year. These early discussions allow time to finalize details aligned with the budget by March/April.

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GovernanceKris ThresherGeneral Announcement
November 15, 2023: Board Meeting Summary
November 15, 2023: Board Meeting Summary

Lease with the New Leaf Preschool: The members discussed updates regarding the proposed use of the RE Building by New Leaf. This continues to move forward appropriately. It was proposed that liaisons be appointed from the congregation and New Leaf, with Rev. Denise potentially being the representative from the congregation, as she was already in contact with the school.

Share the Plate Conversation: As part of her monthly report to the Board, Rev. Denise briefed the board on the pastoral care issues related to conversations about the November Share the Plate partner.

Parking Lot Concerns: We discussed the few incident reports regarding the parking lot. These discussions were focused on addressing the challenges posed by the parking lot's location and its potential attractiveness as a secluded spot. Solutions such as improved lighting and security measures were discussed, but the consensus was that we are doing all that is appropriate at the moment. Non-police intervention will continue to be used, with police intervention used as appropriate.

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GovernanceKris ThresherBoard Minutes
Board Meeting Summary for October 18, 2023
Board Meeting Summary for October 18, 2023

- Claire will send a list of small congregations in nearby states to Carol to potentially reach out to about governance models. The goal is to learn how other small congregations operate and make decisions. 

- A New Leaf preschool representative visited to view the rental space for a potential lease. Discussions are ongoing. 

- A job description was created for hiring a bookkeeper on a contract basis for around 7 hours per month. The board approved hiring someone and will use contingency funds to pay them.

- The board agreed to spend the last 5 minutes of each meeting reviewing and approving a summary of the meeting to be shared with the congregation. This will be sent to Kris for the weekly eblast and also printed for the bulletin board. 

- The board reviewed the monthly finance reports. Pastoral care funds may need to be supplemented given low remaining balance. A bookkeeper will be paid from contingency funds, not added to the budget.

- The healthy congregations team currently includes Jane Spears and Gene Bryant. Reverend Denise works with the team.

- The board formally created a 2 person task force of Caren Spencer Smith and Reverend Denise to continue the dialogue on assessment.

- There was discussion around a UUA request for assistance for a program to support transgender individuals traveling through Nashville. Reverend Denise will inform the congregation of this opportunity.

Overall, the meeting focused on improving transparency through posting board meeting summaries, making progress on important administrative needs like hiring a bookkeeper, and having generative discussions to support the congregation's mission and needs.

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GovernanceKris ThresherBoard Minutes
Annual Stewardship Campaign: Pledge Cards Due by this Sunday, March 26
Annual Stewardship Campaign: Pledge Cards Due by this Sunday, March 26

Our Annual Pledge Campaign runs from March 12, 2023, through March 26, 2023.

Pledge season is a time to reconsider the ways in which we each contribute to our communal life, to dream about lovely and exciting things we might do and create together, and to recognize that our individual generosity is the lifeblood of our congregation and crucial to the embodiment of our collective commitment to the transforming power of love.

This an invitation to love yourself, each other, and the communities in which our congregation is embedded, to be a part of choosing who and how we hope to be together in the future, and to make plans about how you will share your time, attention, and money with GNUUC next year.

Make your commitment to our future together at Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation by visiting https://www.nashvilleuu.org/pledge (or mailing in a hard copy pledge card) and pledging as generously as you are able.

Now is the time. This is your invitation.

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GovernanceKristin RevealPledge Drive
General Assembly 2023: Hybrid Portland, Pittsburgh, PA/ Zoom. Are you interested in attending?
General Assembly 2023: Hybrid Portland, Pittsburgh, PA/ Zoom. Are you interested in attending?

Hybrid: Pittsburgh, PA/ Zoom. June 21 - 25, 2023. Are you interested in attending GA this year? GNUUC will pay the registration fees for its 2 voting delegates. Plus, members can apply to the Larry Romans Leadership Fund if they are not a delegate and interested in attending for assistance with registration fees. If you are interested in attending or learning more, click Read More below.

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Community, GovernanceKristin Reveal
General Assembly 2022: Hybrid Portland, OR / Zoom. Are you interested in attending?
General Assembly 2022: Hybrid Portland, OR / Zoom. Are you interested in attending?

Hybrid: Portland, Oregon / Zoom. June 22 - 26, 2022. Are you interested in attending GA this year? GNUUC will pay the registration fees for its 2 voting delegates. Plus, members can apply to the Larry Romans Leadership Fund if they are not a delegate and interested in attending for assistance with registration fees. If you are interested in attending or learning more, click Read More below.

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Community, GovernanceKristin Reveal
From the Board: New Indoor Hybrid Meeting Policy Summary
From the Board: New Indoor Hybrid Meeting Policy Summary

The Board has passed an Indoor Hybrid Meeting policy! With certain precautions, we can now gather indoors. We encourage everyone who can to get vaccinated. Masks are required. Stay home if your sick. Whenever possible, especially for worship, remote options will be available. We’ll do our best to make our building safer. Trust yourself - you are the best judge of your comfort and safety. For details, click Read More.

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GovernanceKristin Reveal
From the Board: Vision of Ministry 2021
From the Board: Vision of Ministry 2021

In the Governance and Ministry model, the Vision of Ministry is an answer to the question, “In what new and different ways will we transform lives this year?” Each year, at the Annual Board Retreat, the minister and the Board, do our best to answer that question. This year, we kept it simple. We have one goal: To nurture or connections. Our connections to each other. Our connections to our physical place. And our connections to our Middle Tennessee community. The Shared Ministries Council will be meeting this Sunday to discuss how different Teams can make this vision happen this year. For more details about this year’s vision, click Read More below.

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GovernanceKristin Reveal