The GNUUC Board convened via Zoom from 6:30 to 7:15 pm, with Nathaniel Berle facilitating, Eddie Bailey serving as timekeeper, and Gabby observing process.

Key Updates and Discussions:

Preschool Zoning Variance:
Rev. Denise provided an important update on the preschool’s temporary zoning variance, which is expiring. Due to construction delays, the preschool is applying for a two-year extension. A recent neighborhood meeting revealed resident complaints about noise from the preschool, despite no previous communication or concerns raised with GNUUC. Rev. Denise attended the meeting and has submitted a letter of support to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), citing benefits such as reduced litter and trespassing on church grounds.

Member Feedback – Second Projector Screen:
Nathaniel shared feedback from a congregant expressing concern that a second projector screen could obstruct views from the sanctuary windows. The board discussed options including:

• Delaying installation to gather broader input

• Installing but not keeping the screen down permanently.

• Exploring alternatives like TVs or repositioning the screen.
  

It was agreed to check with Ryan about the purchase status and consult the congregation before finalizing plans.

Reminders:

• Board Retreat is scheduled for August 30, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Jesse’s residence (and via Zoom).

• The board encourages open communication and welcomes congregants to share concerns or ideas directly.

Meeting Date: February 19, 2025 Time: 6:45 PM - 8:30 PM

Board Membership & Leadership

-All current board members have indicated their willingness to serve another year in their positions
-A Secretary position remains open and will need to be filled
-The board is working on establishing a nominating committee in accordance with bylaws requirements

Financial Updates

-The congregation remains in a strong financial position with healthy account balances
-Pledge income is at 81% of budget, ahead of expectations
-New Leaf has expressed interest in signing another year-long contract for space usage
-The Finance Committee will begin planning next year's budget, including adjustments to align with UUA guidelines
-The board approved exploring options for contracted maintenance support to assist with building needs

Contract to Call Process (to transition Rev. Denise Gyauch from being a contracted minister to being called & settled by the congregation)

-The board is moving forward with establishing a Call Process Task Force consisting of three members
-The task force will lead a congregation-wide ministry evaluation process
-UUA representatives have expressed support for the congregation's approach and timeline
-The process is expected to take 2-3 months and will include opportunities for congregational input

Building & Grounds

-The board approved adding a TIRRC "Immigrants Belong" yard sign to the church grounds
-Discussions are ongoing about maintenance needs and support for building operations

Social Justice & Denominational Affairs

-GNUUC is participating in the formation of a Tennessee UU Congregational Action Network (TUUCAN)
-Representatives from the congregation are serving on the steering committee

Next Steps

-The board will be working on finalizing the ministerial contract
-The Call Process Task Force will begin organizing the congregation-wide evaluation
-The Finance Committee will develop a proposed budget for the next fiscal year

The next board meeting date will be announced through regular church communications channels.

Board Service Discussion: went into more detail about the specifics of the service

-Creating a framework of the vision of ministry to bring to the congregation

-Reflecting on last year’s vision

Discussion of Policies

-Alcohol use policy: What do we want to put in the policy, how specific do we want it to be? Emphasized need for responsible adult around if minors and alcohol are present, all Board members will play a part in crafting a policy

-Building Usage Policy: There was a motion for the Board to authorize the ability for the Minister and Administrator to negotiate prices for building usage, seconded and passed with unanimous approval

Enacted outside of the meeting: The Board approved the Restatement of the UUA Retirement Plan (to take effect 1 January 2025) on October 29.

Discussion about facility use and renters

Board service on October 27 will include vision ideas from the retreat and include the congregation

Discussion about the Board service

Work on it over Slack in between Board meetings
Give Congregation advance notice of participatory details (announcement during What’s Next? 1-2 Sundays before)

Nathaneal Reveal has resigned as Board Secretary

Next Board meeting: Oct​. 16

The GNUUC Board met on August 21, 2024 to discuss various matters related to church operations and planning. Key points included:

1 - Financial Update: The church ended the 2023-2024 fiscal year with income $2,431 over expenses, avoiding the need to move funds from contingency. This positive outcome was largely due to rental income from A New Leaf. For the current fiscal year (2024-2025), 34% of pledges have already been paid.

2 - Board Retreat: A retreat is scheduled for August 31st from 11am-2pm. Board members will bring mixed media items for a group project.

3 - Board Service: The board will lead the service on October 27th, which will be followed by a shared ministries meeting.

4 - Greeters: Carol shared insights from UUA greeter training and suggested implementing a monthly rotation for greeters. The board discussed incorporating safety training into the greeter role.

5 - Memorial Garden: The board discussed concerns about the Memorial Garden space.

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.

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.

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.

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.

- 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.