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Ohio-Meadville District of the UUA |
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These are the official minutes of the 2008 District Annual Meeting, held April 5, 2008. Written reports can be found in the Annual Report for 2007-08. If you have questions about any of the items mentioned, please contact a board member. Please note that items voted on are led by ** If you are interested in seeing other information about the Annual Meeting, please visit the District Assembly Page. In attendance: 114 delegates representing 33 congregations. This constitutes a quorum.
You can download this as a pdf file by clicking here.
Call to order: Donald Zeilman (DZ), President of the OMD Board, called the meeting to order at 3: 18 PM
He then acknowledged John McCarter as the Parliamentarian and thanked First Church Pittsburgh, Rev. Dave Herndon, volunteers, Kathie Slater and all those involved with putting on District Assembly.
Appointment of Tellers: Brad Taylor, Jim Hamilton, Ed Kingly were appointed as tellers of the meeting.
Roll Call of Congregations was done by Secretary Linda Coulter. This included recognition of those congregations participating in/as APF, District Dues, Fair Compensation, and Association Sunday. Linda also indicated that there 164 registered assembly participants, including 114 delegates, representing 33 Congregations, including 94 lay delegates, 10 ministers, and 10 OMD board members. She certified that this was a quorum.
Proud Moment: Board member Brad Taylor shared a proud moment from the Canton Congregation, which included obtaining Chalice Lighter & UUA grants to assist with paying for signs, mortgage, and renovations.
Chalice Lighters Update & Presentation of Grant Check: Joan Van Becelaere & District Development team took the stage and announced the revitalization of the Chalice Lighters program, which now has 567 participants (up from <200). Joan indicated that the goal is to have 1000 Chalice Lighters by 2009. She then recognized of chalice lighter congregational reps by asking them to stand. Members of All Souls of Belleville, Ohio were called forward and presented a check presented for $3305.
Adjustments to published agenda: DZ noted one adjustment to the agenda specifically that the budget is for 2008-09 not 2007-08.
Review of 2007 Annual Meeting Minutes: Minutes from last year’s meeting were reviewed. There were no adjustments/changes and the minutes will stand as presented.
Proposed Amendments to the by-laws:
DZ introduced proposed amendments to the OMD by-laws. He noted that these are primarily “perfecting” amendments, to reflect changes in actual practice and come into line with the UUA.
Amendments 1 through 4 were voted on together.
Rev. Wayne Arnason asked why the DRE break point was chosen.
DZ indicated that this was done in order to match language used by the UUA, and to bring OMD into alignment with UUA practice. Renee Rutchotze, East Shore DRE, indicated that the new language was in line with UUA practice.
**Kathie Slater moved to adopt 1-4 as published. The motion passed unanimously.
**#5: Kathie Slater moved to adopt amendment #5 as published. The motion passed unanimously.
DZ indicated that amendment #6 reflects the actual practice at district level.
**Kathie Slater moved to adopt #6 as published. The motion passed unanimously.
OMD Board member Karen Zoller announced a proud moment from the UU Church of North Hills, which has completed a major renovation of their building, completing a 7 years process.
Nominating Committee Report:
David Dunn, Nominating Committee representative, presented the following slate:
Phil Reed President, Rocky River
VP: Kathie Slater, UU Church of Kent Ohio
Secretary: Linda Coulter, UU Society of Cleveland (1 year replacement)
Treasurer: Ward Kelsey, UU Church of Pittsburgh (1 year replacement)
Trustee: Beth Houseknecht Morgantown (1 year replacement)
Bill Millikin Bellville, (3 year)
Sam Hens-Greco, 1st UU Pittsburgh (3 year)
**Kathie Slater moved that all nominees be elected as presented. 1 opposed. Motion carried.
Nominating Committee: Dave Dunn indicated that there are 3 2-yr terms, and 1 1-yr replacement term open. Donald Zeilman was presented as a nominee for the 2 yr term. There were no nominations from the floor for this term.
**Kathie Slater moved that Donald Zeilman be elected to the nominating committee for a 2 year term. The motion passed unanimously.
Replacement term: There were no nominations from the floor for the 1 year replacement term.
Proud moment: Brad Taylor presented a proud moment from the New River UU Fellowship, of Beckley West Virginia, which included remodeling, improved accessibility, rainbow flag, SI attendance, and setting up a local branch of Amnesty International.
Treasurer’s Report (See written report.): Mary Livengood, Acting Treasurer, reviewed the report, indicating that it looks different, as it is presented in a “program format,” with 9 program areas. Salaries are spread across the areas.
She indicated that last year there was a planned deficit, however we would have surplus if all congregations paid their fair share of dues to the OMD and UUA.
Discussion & Adoption of the District Budget FY 08-09
Questions regarding the budget were asked and answered.
**Mary Livengood moved that budget be accepted as presented. Motion passed.
Discussion regarding investment (Glenn Solomon) impressed w/ management of portfolio.
President’s Report: DZ called for questions regarding the President’s report. He then thanked attendees for letting him do work for the last few years, which was met by a round of applause.
Donald Zeilman introduced Joan Van Becelaere, District DE, who invited people to be chalice lighters and then introduced the OMD staff: Beth Casebolt (administrator), Erin Riffle (Youth Ministries Consultant), Karen Lapidus (Life Span Faith Development), Ellen Carvill-Ziemer (Young Adult). She indicated that Toni White would be leaving district employment at end of fiscal year.
Joan announced that the OMD will share a part-time growth consultant, Pat Infante, with other NRG districts. This effort will be paid for by funds obtained from Association Sunday.
District Staff Reports: Joan asked for questions regarding these reports.
Joan explained 4-district consortium (NRG) and the Growth consultant responsibilities, which include looking at long range planning, marketing/ outreach, consultations on growth initiatives, and implementation of these plans.
A question was asked regarding the feedback from advertisement in Time Magazine. Joan indicated that new campaigns are planned, including web advertising.
Joan then thanked the OMD staff, which was met with applause.
Proud moment: Lynne Acquafondata presented a proud moment from the East Suburban Congregation. The congregation is proud that their minister is founder and on the board of directors for the African Schools Foundation, that their youth report 75% attendance at conferences, and of their new stained glass window, which will be dedicated on June 1 at 1030.
Lynne also presented a proud moment from the Charleston congregation, who worked to expand city & state human rights ordinances. With support from Charleston UUs, the City ordinance passed unanimously.
APF Chair Report: Gerry Blomgren was introduced as the APF Chair, she entertained questions from the gathering. She then thanked Mel Hoover & Mary Livengood for reinforcing APF message. She finished by stating that “We support the UUA and the UUA supports us.”
Compensation Consultant Report: Glenn Solomon indicated that his position was to help congregations pay equitably and fairly. He made himself available to congregations to assist them to become Fair Compensation and indicated that Oberlin and First Pittsburgh are new Fair Compensation congregations.
UUA Trustee Report: Pat Solomon pointed out that at DA next year a new Trustee will be elected. DZ thanked Pat for her service, which was followed by applause.
Proud moments: Beth Houseknecht announced that Allegheny is proud that its RUPS program is up and running and that they have an ongoing gun violence vigil. She next announced Toledo’s proud moments: becoming a welcoming congregation, piloting the building world we dream about program and hosting Bishop John Shelby Sprong for the weekend event.
A personal privilege was requested by Alex of Allegheny, who presented flowers to DZ and thank him for his service to the OMD.
Other New Business: No additional new business was introduced.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:38 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Coulter
OMD Board Secretary
