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The Board continues its work on many fronts to complete
our goals and objectives for this church year. We also are working toward our Annual
Meeting, which will occur after service on June 7th.
I’d like to offer insight into next year’s proposed Operating
budget that you will be seeing soon. We were particularly challenged this year in
trying to accomplish many things in today’s economic environment: to retain all
of our programs, staff, and services while facing a decline in revenue. To that
end we will be proposing a balanced budget that includes details we hope you will
view as prudent:
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Voluntary reductions in most committee budgets (thank you committees!),
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A greater contribution from the Auction, recognizing continuing generosity in this
and prior years,
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An increase, albeit modest, in staff compensation which we believe important to
recognize their continued good works,
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The impact on reduced expenses and revenue, based on replacing the Fellowship Building,
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Last year we took money from our “rainy day fund” to meet expenses, but the board
does not see this as sustainable or good policy, so are not planning such use next
year,
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A reduction in expected pledges,
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Reductions in our postage expense, in part due to the Assembly’s growing acceptance
of email for church communications, like this Belfry.
We are also budgeting a reduction in the cash plate donations
to charity from 100% of cash to 80%. Most churches that have a similar program offer
their cash once or twice a month, or provide a lower percentage. As I noted above
we have made many changes to balance the budget – this being one of them.
There are of course many other details in this year’s
budget, and we look forward to your thoughts.
Please mark your calendars for some important dates,
the first being June 7th for the Annual Meeting and the other begin May
31st for an Informational Session, after service, to review the items
to be presented at the Annual Meeting.
For those of you thinking about attending General Assembly,
the annual gathering of UU’s worldwide, it is occurring June 24-28 in Salt Lake
City. To learn more, visit the UUA’s website at http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/.
If you are planning on attending, and
are willing to serve as a delegate for us, please see Rev. Bell or myself.
For the Board,
Jeff Levering, President
Cary Browse, Vice President
Board Members: Jim Colony, Barbara Henderson, Chuck McCormack,
Imre Toth
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