OMD Board Meeting Summary
February, 2007

Other Summaries: Annual Mtg 2008 | February 2008 | December 2007 | October 2007 | September 2007 | August 2007 | June 2007 | April 2007 | Annual Meeting 2007 | Feb 2007 | Jan 2007 | Dec 2006 | August 2006 | July 2006 | June 2006 | Annual Mtg 2006 | March 2006 | Jan 2006 | Dec 2005 | Oct 2005 | Aug 2005 | June 2005 | April 2005 | Annual Mtg 2005 | Feb 2005 | Dec 2004 | Oct 2004

This is a summary of the board minutes from the February 24, 2007 board meeting. If you have questions about any of the items mentioned, please contact a board member. Please note that items voted on are led by ***

To download the text of the proposed bylaw amendment, please click here.

Four District Shared Ministry
UUA has decided now to fund this project through congregational services. This is basically a partnership between the four districts (Joseph Priestly, Metro NY, Saint Lawrence and OMD) and the UUA and its purpose of the proposal is to find ways to get services of a specialized nature closer to the congregations. Our contribution will be $1250 per year. 

Program Consultant for LFD Position
The board discussed several options for this position. One option is to work with Metro NY, and SLD to create a coordinator position as well as having someone part-time in district, but this will take time to develop. It was decided to continue our current arrangement to hire Karen Lapidus on a half-time basis for just the Ohio-Meadville District for one year and to look at our options at the end of that year.

***Lynn moves that hire Karen Lapidus the Program Consultant for Lifespan Faith Development at total compensation of $25,000 (salary and benefits) and job description she is currently under from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. In addition, that we explore the Three District Lifespan Faith Development and Leadership Development Coordinator position. Seconded by Kathy. Motion passed. 

Long Range Plan
The board decided that it’s time for the District to look at creating a long range plan. Kathie Slater and Jeanne Crane were appointed to create a long range plan task force.

***Linda moved that we create a long range plan task force to create a long range plan for the district. Kathie Slater will be the board representative on the task force. The task force will be introduced at the 2007 District Assembly. The task force is to create a long range plan to bring to the 2008 District Assembly for a vote. Motion passed.

APF Chair
APF position is up for reappointment. 

DE Search
Brad reports that the committee is ready and they are going to interview candidates on March 31. They are hoping to be able to announce the person at the District Assembly. 

Evans Scholarship Fund Proposal
OMDUUPRL has submitted a proposal and an application form for our review. The key changes are: OMDUUPRL would take over the review of applications and giving grants; the money will only be given as grants and not for loans; and OMDUUPRL will work to do fundraising.

***Lynn moved that we accept the proposal from OMDUUPRL for the Evans Scholarship Fund. Seconded by Phil. Motion passed. 

Public Witness Policy
The public witness policy was presented and voted on:

• 2.7 Public Witness of the OMD
  • 2.7.1 In general, the OMDA Board of Trustees is responsible for all public statements of the District.
  • 2.7.2 The OMDA Board will utilize the UUA’s Public Witness Priorities as a basis for making decisions about speaking as a District.
  • 2.7.3 The OMDA Board may bear witness in a time of extraordinary circumstances with a unanimous voice.
  • 2.7.4 The OMD delegates the responsibility of making public statements to the District Executive of the OMDA President.

• 2.8 OMD Membership In Other Organizations
  • 2.8.1 The OMD is not be a member of record in other organizations

Awards
Award nominations were reviewed and the winners were selected.

West Shore Amendment
West Shore has proposed an amendment to equalize delegates at District Assembly to match the UUA. This will increase participation at District Assembly. The Bylaw is included at the end of this summary.

Board Retreat
June 8-10 is the date, location is Sandscrest, near Wheeling, WV.

To download the text of the proposed bylaw amendment, please click here. 

OMD Bylaws Change As Propsed by the West Shore UU Church, Rocky River, OH and endorsed by the OMD Board of Trustees

Currently, the OMD and UUA bylaws differ on the number of delegates each congregation gets, with more delegates going to the UUA General Assembly.  In the interest of strengthening the district and raising the profile and importance of the OMD District Assembly, it would be beneficial if congregations and member societies could have at least as many delegates to the District meetings as they do to the UUA meeting.

Shown are current membership grids from Bylaws of UUA and OMD. For the OMD there is a side-by-side comparison of the number of delegates.  The first OMD grid is the current situation.  The second OMD grid is the proposal.

Each member society may be represented at Annual and special meetings of the District as follows:

 Each delegate shall be a resident member of the society, in good standing with it. Other entitled to vote at District Annual and special meetings are noted in Article IV, Section 6.

ARTICLE III, Section 3 will be modified to read: 

Each member society may be represented at Annual and special meetings of the District as follows:      

Each delegate shall be a resident member of the society, in good standing with it. Other entitled to vote at District Annual and special meetings are noted in Article IV, Section 6.

** Note: All membership statistics are based on February 2007 certification, except for Smithton and Reynoldburg for whom the 2006 certification numbers are shown.