134thAnnualMeeting
FirstUnitarianSocietyofMinneapolis
Wednesday,May13,2015,6:30pm
BoardofTrusteesChair,MikeIllesat6:30pmannouncedthattheBoardhadmovedand
secondedamotiontostartthemeetingbefore7:00,afterconsultingwiththe
Parliamentarian.TheBoardvotedforthemotionandMikeopeneddiscussionfromthefloor.
Themembersinattendanceapprovedthechange.Themeetingisstartingearly.
[Note:“FUS”istheFirstUnitarianSocietyofMinneapolis.”“Board”inthisdocumentmeanstheFUSBoardof
Trustees.“David”isRev.Dr.DavidBreeden,seniorministerofFUS.]
Welcome
MikeIlles
6:37
Wewanttowelcomeeveryone;it’sgreattoseesuchabig,greatcrowd.Wewanttothank
themanyvolunteerswhohavehelpedmakethismeetingpossible.Thecooks:Dave
LeusslerandMichaelPileggi;theset‐upfolks:MarcyLeusslerandothers;theclean‐up
helpers;thechildcareproviders;thesigners;andtheBoardteam:MarthaHardesty,Joyce
Riedesel,AllenCallander,andMadalynCioci.
TheenergyandvibrancyatFUSthisyearisdemonstratedbythispackedhall.Our
membershipisgrowing,REisgrowing,andenthusiasmatFUSisatahighlevel.
Organizational Details
MikeIlles
a. CalltoOrderat6:37pm
b. QuorumCount–107membershadsignedin,representingmorethanthe
required10%ofFUSmembers.ReportedbyBarbWatts.
[Note:Lastyear’sattendancewas82.]
c. AppointmentofParliamentarian–PhilDuran
DebMagnusonmovedandLynneHardeyseconded.Thevotewasunanimous.
d. AppointmentofRecordingSecretary–LoisEdwards
RaySchreursmovedandPollyPetersonseconded.Thevotewasunanimous.
e. (Approvalofminutesfrom2014AnnualMeeting)
MikeIllesexplainedthattheapprovalofminutesfromthepreviousAnnual
Meetingisnotontheagendathisyear.ResearchbytheBoardinitsbylawshasfound
thattheBoardcanapprovetheseminutes,whichithasdone.Itisnotnecessaryto
approvethematthecongregationallevel.
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Looking Back and Looking Forward BoardofTrusteesReport TrusteesandOfficers2014‐2015
MikeIlles
[seatedonthestage]
MikeIlles,Chair
MarthaHardesty,ViceChair
SueTincher,Secretary
AllanCallander,Treasurer
MadalynCioci
ScottEller JDRickard JoyceRiedesel
NickRowse
WearehappytoreportthatFUScontinuestogrowinnumbersandinvibrancyand
mattersgreatlyinthelivesofmembersandfriends.Majorgoalsaccomplished
duringthepastyearweretoclarifyourroleasTrustees,tosupportourministers
(it’sgreattobeabletousetheplural,ministers.)andlayleaders,toprovidea
frameworkwithclearfunctionsandboundaries.
Duringtheyear,theBoard:
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Conducted a performance review of David Breeden, senior minister, and
ensuredthathedidthesamewiththestaff,
Oversawthetransitiontoournewtenant,GaiaDemocraticSchool,
Provided resources and organized the ordination for Jim Foti, (often
ministersmustfundtheirownordinations)
Helped David with staff issues, resulting in the hiring of abuildingmanager
[DirectorofFacilities],expansionoftheREstaffunderDirectorofReligious
Education, Melanie Willet, hiring a one‐year social justice coordinator
[Minister of Social Justice], and experimenting with a one‐year media
coordinatorposition.
Regardingbuildingissues,theBoardcollectedinformationfrommanygroups
withinFUSandfoundthatweintendtostayinthisbuilding.TheBoardcreatedthe
CapitalCampaignTaskForcewithspecificchargetobringouragingbuildingbackto
fullfunctionwithwelcomingaesthetics.ThisisanexcitingtimeforFUS.TheCapital
CampaignTaskForceisanexcellentteam,headedbyMarcJohnsonandGregGiles.
Ourfinancesarestrong,evenshowingasmallsurplus.WehaveworkedwithDavid
onourstaffingmodelandtogetourbudgettoasurplusbudget.Wewillnexthear
fromtheCapitalCampaignTaskForce.[Applause]
[Note:Forfurtherdetails,seetheAnnualReport]
CapitalCampaignTaskForce
MarcJohnson
Thanksforgivingusachancetoreport.I’mMarcJohnson,co‐chairoftheCapital
CampaignTaskForce,alongwithGregGiles.Iwillgiveyouanupdateandoffera
wayforward,askingyouradviceandcounsel.
Thelegacyofthissocietyismorethansteampipesandductwork.Commitmentlasts
longerthanninemonths.Ourgoalistocreateacommunityforallseasons.
2 WehaveworkedcloselywiththeBuildingandGroundsteam,whohavedonean
outstandingjobofcreatingamatrixofprojectsthatneedtobeaccomplished.We
madealist,groupingprojectstogether.Wewillemailthistoeveryonewhohas
givenFUSanemailaddressandprintcopieswillbeavailableonSundays.
[Theprojectlistwasdisplayedonscreenbutthefontsizewastoosmalltobe
legible.]ThelistedprojectshavebeenvettedbyBuildingandGroundsandarekeyto
whatweneedtodoforthefuture.[Marcreadthe7projecttopics.]TheTaskForce
willmakemorerevisionsoverthesummerandbringtheirrecommendationtothe
Boardinthefall.
GregGiles
Wehaveagreatteam.[Gregreadalistoftheteammembers.]
Nowwewanttohearyourviews,dreams,andaspirations.Wewillhaveaseriesof
listeningsessionsinJuneonSundaysandTuesdayevening—eachsessionwillfocus
onadifferentarea.SundayJune7:awelcomingenvironment;SundayJune14:
assemblyhalls;TuesdayJune16:programspaces.
Ifyoucannotattend,youcanuseaspecialemailaddresstosendyourcommentsto
theTaskForce.
[email protected]
Minister’sReport
Rev.DavidBreeden
Energyisoneofthewordswedoalothere.Whydowehaveenergy?Weknowwhy
wearehere.Whenpeoplewalkthroughourdoors,peopleknowthat.Butweneed
todealwithabudgetalso.Ialwayssaythatabudgetisamoraldocument.
Forus,becauseoftheneedtoavoidadeficit,sometimes“robPetertopayPaul.”Our
staffisnowpaidattheminimum[recommended]paymentlevel,thatis,it
increased.Andtheyusuallyworkmorehoursthantheirpositionrequires.
ForREnextyear,weneedspacefor20‐30morekids.Howwillthisstaffhandlethe
increase?Wehavetohavespaceforweddings,etc.Weneedtobuildthecapacity
becauseweneedtobeabletosay‘yes’whenpeoplehaveneedsandaskus.Weneed
tobereadyforallcontingences,allthetime.
[Note:Forfurtherdetails,seetheAnnualReport]
Mygoalsforthispastyearincluded:
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Reducing silos –now each program manager knows how much money they
havefortheirprogram.
Pastoralcare–hiredJimFoti.[Seehisreport.]
Retainingmembers–manypeoplewalkin,wedon’twantpeopletowalkout
back door. Through the fine efforts of the Director of Congregational Life,
WendyReynolds,wehaveincreasedto445members.Slowsteadygrowthis
whatwewant,withnobacksliding.
Better Staff Management – Hiring our new Director of Facilities,Tim
Roehl,hasbeenabighelpandfreesupDavidforotheractivities.
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Add variety to Sunday Assembly – we added the 9:45schorus, Jim Fotiis
preaching once a month, Kelli Clement will do some preaching, as well as
singing.
Increase variety of adult education programs – Wendy Jerome has helped
withthis.Forexample,ThursdaynightattheSocietyhappenseveryweek.We
have had about 10‐15 people formeditation sessions, and are currently
offeringaclassontheGospelofMark.
Weplantostartanewactivity,‘CoffeewiththeMinister’onthe5thSunday(whenit
occurs)toprovideopportunitiestotalkwiththeminister.
TheREprogramhasincreasedby15%.Thenewlyavailableroomsareagreat
additiontothatgrowth.DirectorofReligiousEducation,MelanieWillett,doesalot
ofcoordinating,includingprovidingservicesforspecial‐needskids.
Ireallyenjoybeinghere.Thanksalot.
[Note:Forfurtherdetails,seetheAnnualReport]
Treasurer’sReport AllanCallander
Fordetails,seetheAnnualReport;onlythehighlightsareincludedhere.
Lastyearatthistime,ourtenantwasmovingoutwithnoreplacementinsight.A
fewmonthslater,GaiaDemocraticSchool,leasedspace,whichletusprovidean
improvedbudget.
IwanttoemphasizethatBoardleadershipandtheStewardshipCampaignhave
madeabigdifferencethisyear.Thebudgetfornextfiscalyear(July1,2015–June
30,2016)showsa10%increaseinincomeandexpenses.Thisispossiblebecauseof
theverysuccessfulStewardshipCampaign,withmanymembersincreasingtheir
support.Forcurrentyear,weareslowingdownabit[inreceivingthemoney
alreadypledged],andwewanttoendthefiscalyearonapositivenote.
Wehavetrimmedexpensessignificantly.TheBuildingandGroundsteamhasdone
greatwork,forexampletheLEDlightsupstairs,whichsave$2000peryear.Last
year’sbudgetanticipatedusing$39000inunuseddesignatedfundstosupport
program.TheBoarddecidedtousethosefundsforstaffingandprogrammingcosts.
Nextyearwewilldrawdowndesignatedfundsabout$9500.Westretchedlastyear,
andforthebudgetthisyear,a‘cultureofabundance,’weneedtodoeverything
we’vesetouttodo.Thispastyear,thenewdoorstotheDietrichRoom,theLED
lights,andthenewwaterfountain(soontobeinstalled)werehighlights.Andwe
nowcompensateourstafffairlyandwell.Wewillcontinuetodothat.
FoundationReport
DoddWilson
IamsubstitutingfortheFoundationPresident,SamMurphy,whoistraveling.The
Foundationbeganinthe1960sasanendowmentfund,andin1990theFoundation
itselfwascreated.Itconsistsofeightfunds,threeofwhichsupportgeneralneeds
4 andtheothersfundspecialprograms.Thecurrenttotalis$1.3million.The
Foundationpays4.25%toFUSeachyear.Thisyearthedonationis$52000.(Last
year,alarger$73,000grantalsofundedJimFoti’scompensation.)Theinvestment
policyisdesignedtopreventpanicinfuturedowntowns,with65%investedin
indexfunds,30%inbonds,and5%incash.
Wedon’twanttocompetewithFUSStewardshiportheCapitalCampaign.
However,$1.3millionisnotenoughforthisorganization,sopleaseconsidergiving
totheFoundation.ManyFUSmembershaveputtheFoundationintheirwillorhave
designateditasbeneficiaryoftheirinsurancepolicy.
ContinuingmembersoftheFoundationBoardareSamMurphy,CateMcKegney,
DoddWilson,JimLeighton,BillWeir,ChrisTymchuck,KayDawson,TimPalmquist,
CoryDevor,andMarciLeussler.
WethankTwyliaFannin,whohascompleteda3‐yeartermandhostedthe
Foundationsocialevent,andwillbeleavingourboard.WethankPhilDuran,whois
leavingbecauseheisbecomingamemberoftheBoardofTrustees.
OurproposednewmembersareEdwardEroeandPollyPeterson.
DoddmovedthatthisslateofFoundationBoardmembersbeapproved,Jenna
Hutchinsonsecond,andthemotionpassedunanimously.
Elections
MikeIlles
a.BoardofTrustees
ContinuingBoardmembers:ScottEller,JoyceRiedesel,NickRowse,AllanCallander
Incumbentnominees:MikeIlles(3rdterm),SueTincher(2ndterm)
Newnominees:HollyAnderson,PhilDuran,andKatrinaLassegard
BruceNelson,ChairoftheNominationsCommittee,aspast‐presidentoftheBoard,
movedtoelectthesenewandincumbentnominees.Asdiscussion,eachnew
nomineespokebriefly.
HollyAndersonjoinedFUSabouttwoyearsago,hasan8‐yearolddaughter,andis
thepresidentofthelocalchapterofthenationalMSsociety.SheisinterestedinRE
andhasbeenagreeteronSundaymornings.
KatrinaLassegardhasbeenamembersince2001.Sheandherhusbandwere
marriedatFUS.Theyhavea14‐yearoldandan11‐yearold.SheisontheCapital
CampaignTaskForce,andhasagoaltobemoreinvolvedhereatFUS.
PhilDuranhasbeenamemberfor14years.Hehasparticipatedinvarious
committees,SeasonalCelebrationsTeam,andFUSFoundationBoard.Asahistory
major,heisexcitedaboutthe100thyearanniversaryofthearrivalofJohnDietrich,
andhehopestohelpcreateasecondcenturyofhumanismatFUS.Sincehewas
recentlyPresidentoftheMinnesotaStateBarAssociation,hefigureshecanhandle
445humanists.
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BruceNelsonmovedtheslateofnominations,ChristieEllerseconded,andthevote
wasunanimous.
b.NominationsCommittee
Incumbentnominees:BarbLutz,SheilaCallander
Newnominee:AnitaMartinez
BruceNelsonwillalsoserve,aspastBoardChair.
BruceNelsonmovedthisslatefortheNominationsCommittee.PollyPeterson
seconded.Thevotewasunanimous.
MikeIllesthankedMelanieWillettforherservicelastyearontheNomination
Committee,beforeshemovedtohercurrentREposition.
c.AestheticsTeam MadalynCioci
Members:BobJohndrow,DebbyMagnuson,GeorgeHutchinson,Martha
Hardesty,TeresaWest,TheresaZingery,andTimPalmquist
TheAestheticsTeamisnewthisyear.Wehadnowaytomakesomedecisions—
relatingtocolors,statues,pewsinUAH,etc.Agapexistedinauthorityandin
responsibility.Wehavenowcreatedapolicyaroundspaceandplace,attheBoardof
Trusteeslevel.
AestheticsTeamhasbeenchargedtocreateastyleguide,sothatwehaveawayto
makedecisionstokeepconsistencythroughoutourbuilding,includingshared
spaces.ItwillmakerecommendationstotheBoard.Thisteamisdifferentfrommost.
ItwillbenominatedandvotedonattheAnnualMeeting,sothattheirdecisionsare
respected.
Aretherequestions?
Q–Doesthisteamdealwiththeoutsideaswellasinside?Doesitincludethe
grounds?
A–Notreally.TheBuildingandGroundsTeamisinplace.Andthegardenteam,
underJoyceBlomquist,isfunctioningwell.TheAestheticsTeamwillworkwithour
newbuildingmanager.
Madalynnamedtheteammembersandaskedthemtostand.[Applause]
Madalynopenedthefloortoadditionalnominations.BruceNelsonclarified:the
BoardofTrusteescreatedthepolicyandtheteam.Theteamoriginallyhadsix
members,butnowitwillbeincreasedtoseven,becauseanoddnumbermakes
majoritydecisionseasier.
BrucenominatedTimPalmquistfortheAestheticsTeam.MarcyLeusslerseconded.
ChrisBubsermovedavotetoapprovetheentireslateofsevenmembersofthenew
AestheticsTeam.LynneHardyseconded.Thevotewasunanimous.[Applause]
6 Financial Affairs
AllanCallander
a.PresentationandvoteonMinisterialCompensation
AllenaskedDavidandJimFotitoleavetheroomduringthediscussion.Thetotal
compensationplanismadeupofthebasesalaryplusbenefits.
David’scompensationhasincreased$22,000overlastyear,totaling$110,000.
JimFoti’scontractisfor20hoursaweek,is$33,179,a10%increaseoverlastyear,
becauseheisnowanordainedminister.
Q–CanJimFotialsoworkatotherplaces?
A–Yes,buthecurrentlychoosesnottoworkelsewhere.
Q–Canyoudescribetheterm“cafeteriaplan”?
A–It’saplanthatincludesfundsforhealthinsurance,dentalinsurance,etc.,asthe
employeechooses.
Q–DoesJimplantogofulltime?
A–Jimdoesn’twanttogofulltimenow.
A–MikeIlles‐WehavetalkedtoDavidandJimaboutthispossibility.ThisyearJim
Foti’spayisinthebudgetforfirsttime.[Lastyearitwasagrantfromthe
Foundation.]Currently20hoursfitsintheFUSbudgetandJim’schoice.
RaySchreursmovedtoaccepttheMinisterialCompensation.WendyAndberg
seconded.Thevotewasunanimous.
BeccaBrackettshowedthenewFUSbanner,featuringournewlogo.
b.PresentationandvoteontheBudget
AllanCallander
MikeIllespointedoutthattheprocesswasdifferentthisyear.Previouslythe
committeeandteamleaderssubmittedtheirproposedbudgetstotheBoard.This
yearDavidworkedwithteamleadersandstaffandthenpresentedtheproposed
budgettotheBoard.
Allanshowedslidesonthebudget,focusingonthehighlightsandchanges.
ThecontractwithGaiaDemocraticSchoolletususemoreclassroomspaceforRE,
whichhasbeenabighelp.Severalstaffingchangeshavetakenplace.
IwanttothankBruceNelsonandBarbLutz,whoservedmanylonghoursas
volunteerbuildingmanagersformanyweeks.Theyareespeciallyhappythatour
DirectorofFacilities,TimRoehlhasbeenhired![Applause]
Wearenowtrackingprogramcostsbetterandbetter.
LastyearCongregationSupport(whichispledgeincome,givenbutnotpledged,plus
theSundaycollection)totaled$461,000.ThisyearCongregationSupportwilltotal
$520,000becauseoftheeffortsofourStewardshipTeam.[Applause]
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BuildingrentalwillincludeGaiaDemocraticSchool$50,880withaprojectedtotalof
$83,880.TotalIncome,includingFUSFoundationgrants($43,500)andvarious
activities,willtotal$661,080.
Wheredoesitgo?Wetrynottohaveasurplus,buttospendonprogramwhatever
amountwehaveoverourcosts.
Themajorcostitemisstaffcompensation.Lastyearitwas$411,432.Thisyearitwill
be$472,492,whichisclosetomeetingUUAguidelinesforstaffcompensation(a
significantimprovement).
FixedBuildingCostslastyearcameto$127,600.SincethenBruceNelsonhasdonea
greatjobmanagingcosts.SonextyearFixedBuildingCostswilldropto$114,600.
ProgrammingCostshavenotchangedfromlastyear.
Thebudgetprocesswaseasierthisyear,becauseofDavid’sworkwiththestaffin
preparingtheirbudgets.
Allanshowedalinegraphoftheamountofcongregationsupportoverseveralyears,
continuingupandup.[Applause]
Q–TheAnnualReportincludesthe1‐pagebudget.Dowegetacopyofthestaff
compensationpage?
A–ItisnotprintedintheAnnualReport,becauseitismorecomplex.Allanwill
providecopiesonrequest.
Q–Couldyoutalkmoreaboutbasesalary?
A–TheUUAsetsguidelinesbasedonthesizeofthecongregation,itslocation,and
thecredentialsofthestaffmembers.
WeprovidedaCostofLivingincreaseofatleast2%foreachpersonontheexisting
staff.Someindividualsreceiveda10‐15%increaseiftheircompensationhadbeen
lowerthanitshouldhavebeeninthepast.
A–MikeIlles:WehavemadeasignificanteffortforCostofLivingincreases.We
talkedwithDavidanddidresearch.
Comment–ThecompensationguidelinesareontheUUAwebsite.Weareonlynow
aremeetingtheminimums.
Q–Arewepayingourfairshare?[tonationalandregionalUUorganizations]
A–Wehavebudgetedanincreaseindenominationalduesbutwearenotuptothe
fairshareamount.
A–MikeIlles:DavidworksextensivelywithUUA,ratherthantheregionalgroup.
Wearecomparable[inpayments]tootherUUcongregationsinourarea.
A–Madalyn:Wearestilllowbuthavebeenincreasingoursupport.
Q–DowesupporttheUUSC?[UnitarianUniversalistServiceCommittee]
A–Wedothroughspecialcollections,whichdon’tshowupinthebudget.
8 Comment:AlsoServiceAuctionmoneygoestoUUSCinsomeyears.
Q–ShouldServiceAuctionreceiptsbeinthebudget,sincetheyareabout$40,000?
A–Yes,wewillincludethatnextyear
Comment–SomemembersgiveindependentlytoUUSCandUUA.
Q–Canwewritechecksdirectlytotheorganizationbutputtheminthecollectionat
FUS?
A–Nowecan’thandlethat.You’llneedtosendthecheckdirectlytothe
organizationifyouwantthemtoknowthemoneycamefromyouandnotFUS.
Comment–Anotheritemthatdoesnotshowuponthebudgetisthepeoplewho
workhereparttimeasvolunteers,likeAllanCallander[Standingovationand
applause]
PollyPetersonmovedtoacceptthe2015‐2016Budget.LynneHardyseconded.The
votewasunanimous.[Applause]
Celebrations and Farewells
BoardMembersRetiring MikeIlles
8:00
WehavethreegreatBoardmembersretiringthisyear:
JDRickardhasservedfor6years.Wethankhimforallhiswork,hisITexpertise,
andhisworkwiththeGovernanceTaskForce.
MarthaHardestyhasservedfor6years.Wethankherforherfinework,including
servingasViceChairperson,andcreatingtheAnnualReports.Marthawillworkon
theAestheticsTeam.
MadalynCiocihasservedfor4years.Butshehasdone8years’worthofworkin
those4years.HerleadershipontheGovernanceTaskForceisespecially
appreciated.ShewillcontinueworkingonGovernance,alongwithBobAderhold.
AndIwanttothanktheotherpeopleservingonGovernanceTaskForcealongwith
MadalynandJD.Thankyousomuch.[Applause]
a.UnsungUUAward
MarthaHardesty
We’vecometothecelebratorypartofevening,butthiswholeeveninghasbeen
celebratory!We’vetalkedabouttheleadershipofministers,thefineworkofnew
andcontinuingstaffmembers,andthecommitteesandteamsthataccomplisha
greatdeal.Nowwehonorsomeindividuals.
TheUnsungUUawardisgiventoapersonwhohasperformeduncountedactsof
unselfishgood.Whatshehasn’tshedone,withtheAlliance,CaringCircles,and
WAG?Shedoeswhateverneedstobedone!
OurUnsungUUthisyearisRuthAgar![Tremendousapplauseandstandingovation]
b.Births,Deaths,andDepartures
SueTincher
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Birth–WecelebratethebirthofChironTymchuck
Death–HelenKuehn,RossJordan,JackDavies
Dueltgen Award Presentation ScottEller TheRonandLoisDueltgenAwardofcongregationserviceisgiventothosewho
haveexpresseddedicationtoFUSthroughmanyyearsofserviceandgenerosity.The
Boardvotesoneachyear’srecipients.Scottreadthelistofpasthonorees.
TheDueltgenAwardthisyeargoestoBruceNelsonandBarbWatts.[Huge
applause,standingovation]
Comments Comment–MibsPearson–IwanttomentionhowmuchweappreciateCirilo’swork
atFUS.[Applause]
Comment‐WendyAndberg–IwanttoletyouknowthatLeifandMarciaCarlson
aremoving.AndIwanttothankthemforalltheyhavedoneforFUSformanyyears,
especiallyinthekitchen,theFoundation,andtheRetreattotheWoods.Wewish
themwell.
Comment–MikeIlles–TheAnnualReportisnotyetonline,butitwillsoonbethere.
Adjournment MikeIllesaskedforamotiontoadjourn.
PollyPetersonmoved.CateMcKegneyseconded.Thevotewasunanimous.
TheAnnualMeetingwasadjournedat8:12pm.[Note:almostanhourearlierthan
lastyear]
SubmittedbyLoisEdwards
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