Council Minutes

March 2025 Council Minutes: March 9, 2025

The UUWC Council met in the Conference Room at 12:30 p.m.

Lighting of the Chalice by Nika

Members Present: Nika Quirk, Ruth Tucker-Bogart, Kathy Wright, Delbert Schafer, Nancy Hitt, and Carole Eagleheart (remotely)

April is Child Abuse Prevention for the monthly topic.

 Financial Report:  Ruth: Monthly and YTD Reports.

Monthly expenses up for month due to Parking lot expansion.

But, overall for year we are in the black.

Pledges coming in as expected.

Bookkeeping (Executive Session) 

New Business:

Revisions to Functional Chart

      Since members of the CC Committee are managing the kitchen and greeting now, we would like to      request that “Kitchen” on the functional chart be moved from “Facilities” to “Community and Pastoral Care.”  Please cross off “name tags” there and replace them with “Kitchen and Set-up.”

Move to Community Care.

       Addition of Wisdom Walkers to Community Outreach

       Does Breeze work by Rich go with Tech? No, remains in Congregational Engagement.

Fifth Sunday group/project info tables. Use Green Room for Committee Informational tables. March 30^th, we have a fifth Sunday. Start at 12:30.  Five small tables in Green Room, and one in Sun Room Library.  Will have committees and teams available.

Art Team request for Artist Exhibit. Suggestion for a month-long show by one artist. Have not heard from initial request for an art show. So, more information is needed before making a decision. 

Social Justice leadership. Carla will take over temporary leadership role as Laurel Anderson is stepping down. 

 Council and Clergy Discussion

  Nancy added from agenda. Part of preparation for successor, who and how to choose.  Defer for later date.

 Old Business:

Stewardship: Needs re-thinking and made more of a year-around activity, not just fundraising.

Set up fun activities and activities in homes or at UUWC.  Attract people who organize parties and fun events.  Let’s continue to think about this. Perhaps create a vision statement for a new stewardship committee.  Nika will initiate visioning and people to recruit.

Leadership Breakfast report by Nika. Nika read comments from the Leadership meeting: what they saw working well and what needs improvement. Discussion ensued about comments.

Want to work with group to find out next steps.

UUA Online Modules are problematic. How do we organize online learning if use UUA modules?

(Executive Session)

Carole moved that Council affirms endowment committee suggestion that a grant be given to Nika to create Leadership Training Materials. Kathy seconded. Motion passed, Nika abstained.

Nika to confer about modules and content.

Purchase of rectangular tables. Kathy researched costs of tables.

Nika suggests that come up with a budget number, and let Community Care make the decision.

Community Care requested 4-6 rectangular tables. $320 for 4-6 foot tables, plus shipping. Carts for chairs at $300. Reserve fund used to support growth.  Carts for tables is another $300. So, looking at about $1,000 budget.

Nika moved that Council designate $1,000 to Community Care for purchase of chairs, and carts. Ruth Seconded. Motion Passed.

UUWC response to ICE. UUA has a toolkit. Next step. Is UUWC a Sanctuary Church? Probably not a sanctuary church. Need to put up privacy signs on Offices and add a lock on the archival storage closet. Kathy and Delbert will follow up.

Native American Charities to support Honoring the Land. Refer question to Social Justice that we are looking at providing some financial support to reflect our commitments to the land.

Solar panel installation at UUWC. Ruth, support on moving forward. Talked with loan person from Bank of Albuquerque. Still have a debt with Enterprise. UUA loan examined; want a lot of information. In the past, one person wanted to loan solar funds. Capital campaign a possibility. Do congregational members have experience with capital campaigns?

Project Put on hold as economy is unsure so do not want to assume more debt at this time; will reconsider in September Council Meeting.

 Membership class on March 29^th. Nancy and Nika will organize.

Nancy will set up class to train associates to help with Sunday services.

Consent Reports:

 Building and Grounds

 Town Hall Topics for March 16th

  Treasurer’s Summary report from Nika in Ruth’s absence

  Art team request on monthly theme

  Charities supporting Native Americans

  Community Care Committee Report

  Refreshing Classroom/Green Room

  Open Floor

Adjourn with Extinguishing of Chalice at 3:15 pm.

Submitted by Delbert Schafer, Scribe