Minutes – Board Meeting
Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
January 16, 2020
BUUF
6200 Garrett St, Garden City, Idaho 83714
Present:
Board Members: Tom von Alten, Sandy Cruise, Elaine Daly, Rachel Murphy, Elizabeth Pirie, Cathy Sherman, Scott Smith, Harriet Shaklee, Sue Stadler
Also Present:
Rev. Sara LaWall
| Action | Number | Decision | Notes |
| Board Action | 20200116-1 | Accept Consent Agenda with amendment to Minutes to add Sandy Cruise as present. | Moved: Sandy Second: Scott Pass 9 Yes, No 0, Abstentions 0 Voice vote |
| Board Action | 20200116-2 | Support Asylum Seeker Hosting Project Special Appeal request for annual Auction. | Moved: Rachel Second: Tom Pass 8 Yes, No 0, Abstentions 1 Voice vote |
Presentation to the Board
Bridge Event Center (BEC) – Board Education – Rev. Sara/Rachel/Tom
Discussion included the following questions/comment:
- Is keeping BEC as a separate line item in the budget appropriate?
- A separate entity is not needed for tax purposes as long as non-mission income does not exceed x%.
- Income from BEC events is captured in the budget prior to the expenses for the event; thus, the cash flow is out of sync.
- BEC staff overlaps BUUF staff; tracking hours/expenses is a challenge.
- The BEC staff coordinator hourly rate is not affordable for BUUF events; therefore, the BEC coordinators have not been used with the exception of large BUUF events (community symposiums, for example). If a BEC coordinator happens to be involved in an event (as a task force volunteer, for example) their expertise is available. This is another example of the overlap of events and duties.
- With regards to the operating budget, there is no expense impact to BUUF; the impact is only net revenue contribution to the budget.
- Key question: Who does BEC primarily serve/who are they supposed to serve? The community or the Fellowship? They have not marketed themselves, seeing BUUF as the primary customer. There would probably be no argument that BUUF comes first; however, if the goal is to find revenue streams for BUUF, then a more direct effort to grow the business is needed. What is the Board’s role in making this determination?
Rachel proposed that in March/April the Board consider appointing a subcommittee or task force to evaluate and create a new mgmt. plan for BEC. A letter will be drafted that could represent the Board’s position.
Discussion Items
- Special Appeal for annual dinner auction
Requests were received from the Asylum Seeker Hosting Project and from the Outdoor Sanctuary Team. The Board selected the Asylum Seeker Hosting Project for the special appeal. The Board determined that the requested Outdoor Sanctuary maintenance work is more appropriately funded through the operating budget.
- 501(c)(3) Letter
Discussion tabled until next month; data is still being gathered
- Endowment Committee Nominations
Two people are needed for this three-year commitment
Sandy Cruise agreed to volunteer
Julia Pope was also suggested for the other opening; she will be asked