Minutes – Board Meeting

Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

August 19, 2021

Present:

Board Members: Tom von Alten, Sarah Cox, Elaine Daly, Eileen Geddings, Debbie Johnson, Jenna Raino, Cathy Sherman, Scott Smith, Mark Zimmerer

Also Attending:

Rev. Sara LaWall, Bob Smith (for ESITF discussion), Rachel Strong (for reopening discussion)

Action	Number	Motion	Notes
Board Action	20210819-1	Accept Consent Agenda (no Treasurer’s report)	Moved: Tom V. Second: Mark Z. Motion Carried
Board Action	20210819-2	(With regards to ESITF) That a special congregational vote be called to approve funds for the Board recommended option.*	Moved – Tom V. Second – Mark Z. Motion Carried
Board Action	20210819-3	(With regards to the proposed Purpose statement in the Bylaws) That the Board endorse the Purpose statement written by the 2020/2021 Bylaws subcommittee.**	Moved – Tom V. Second – Debbie J. Motion Carried
Board Action	20210819-4	(With regards to grounds and facility being open during Covid) To move to hybrid level (level 2 for indoors, level 3 for outdoors) of the Covid Re-opening guidelines***	Moved – Scott S. Second – Tom V. Motion Carried

Discussion Items

• ESITF update

Bob Smith attended the meeting in person. Attendees went to the Fah’s room where Bob:

• reviewed the charge and purpose of the project;
• presented an overview of the full remodel vision, explaining the advantages and challenges of it;
• reviewed all four remodel/budget options the task force came up with;
• explained the budget and results of contractor bids and why they came in over the early working estimate as well as why the project timeline is pushed out.

After Bob’s presentation, the Board voiced approval of the full remodel option. Realizing that the cost for it was over the amount allowed under the Bylaws, it was moved to hold a congregational vote to approve the funds. Informational sessions will be held prior to the vote.  Notice of the vote will go out Monday or Tuesday, August 23 or 24 with the vote to be held September 5 and be open for several days (to be determined).

*Motion made (2020819-2): Move that a special congregational vote be called to fund at option 1a (approximate budget $62,000). 

• Bylaws update

Two sections were discussed:

-Article VII was added to describe the process by which the Bylaws could be amended in the future. The Board approved this section be added to the draft new Bylaws.

-Purpose statement, which is meant to replace the Non-Discrimination clause in the current Bylaws.

Two versions of Purpose statements were reviewed. The first was wording suggested by the 2020/2021 Board

Subcommittee in their final draft of the proposed Bylaws. The second was wording suggested by leadership in the Social Justice Team at the request of members of the Board.

It was moved that the first statement be maintained and included in the draft of the new Bylaws. It was recognized that the final version of the Bylaws Purpose statement might be completely different depending on congregational feedback and input.

**Motion made (2020819-3): Move that the Board endorse the Purpose statement written by the 2020/2021 Bylaws subcommittee.

A suggestion by the Social Justice Team to the Board that a formal Non-Discrimination clause be included in the Board Policy or other organizational document was also discussed, as was a suggestion that a sentence be added to the Bylaws about the clause.

A dedicated web space for congregational review of the new Bylaws will be created. An email describing the timeline for congregational review and informational/discussion sessions will be emailed by September 5.

• Covid update

With test positivity rates, case counts, and hospitalization numbers all up, the current guidelines indicate that we should drop back a level for reopening. Recognizing that transmission risk is not as great in outdoors settings, a new hybrid option was discussed that would drop back a level for inside gatherings (level 3) but allow larger outdoor gatherings (level 2). It was moved that the hybrid option be adopted.

***Motion made (20210819-4):  Move to go from level 2 reopening to the hybrid guideline (10 or less inside, 50 or less outside).