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Unity North Atlanta Church
ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, February 22, 2009
1:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Lunch will be offered on a love offering basis
Child care provided
Your attendance is very important!
Presentations:
Annual Reports from Board President, Senior Minister,
Associate Minister, and Director of Operations
2008 Financial Report • 2009 Budget
Update on Unity North’s Strategic Plan
. . .and other information about your
spiritual community and our exciting future!
Members will vote for:
Three (3) Board Members
Nominating Team Representative & Alternate
(This team selects candidates for the 2010 Slate for the Board of Trustees.)
ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND!
Only members may vote.
Please read the following information before the Annual Meeting.
See you there!
UNITY NORTH ATLANTA CHURCH
ANNUAL MEETING
February 22, 2009
AGENDA
I. Opening Prayer Rev. Nancy Worth
II. Welcome & Approval of Agenda Steve Bentley, President
III. Approval of Minutes from last Annual Meeting Feb. 24, 2008
IV. Reports
A. President’s Report Steve Bentley
B. Senior Minister’s Report Rev. Nancy Worth
C. Associate Minister’s Report Rev. Bill Worth
D. 2008 Financial Report &
2009 Budget Gregg Carlson, Director of Operations
E. Director of Operations Report Gregg Carlson
V. Old Business
VI. New Business
A. Election of New Board of Trustees Members
1 – Report of Nominating Committee
Kay Springston, Chair
2 – Election Steve Bentley
B. Elect Nominating Team Member
& Alternate for the 2010 Election Steve Bentley
C. Questions & Answers
VII. Adjourn and closing prayer Rev. Nancy Worth
Handouts:
- Agenda
- Minutes from February 24, 2008 Meeting
- 2008 Financial Review & 2009 Budget
- Identity/Vision/Strategic Initiatives
- Board Slate Profiles (and Ballots if necessary)
2009 Town Hall Meetings Schedule: May 3, September 13, November 8
Minutes
2008 Unity North Congregational Meeting
February 24, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 1:31p.m. by Steve Bentley, President.
A quorum was determined to be present with a count of 66 voting-eligible members. It was noted that the meeting was being audio recorded for archival purposes.
Rev. Nancy Worth opened the meeting with prayer.
Motion to approve the Agenda as presented was made by Honey Rubin, and seconded by James Sanford. Carried by unanimous voice vote.
Motion to waive the reading of previous years Congregational Meeting Minutes was made by Dan Glynn and seconded by John Moss. Carried unanimously by voice vote.
Approval of the Proposed Bylaws Amendments
Thank you to all who participated in this endeavor. A motion and approval are required since it was presented by the Governance Team. Floor was opened for discussion.
Pam Parker asked for clarity as to the date of membership, when voting privileges begin. Nancy responded that membership begins on New Member Sunday.
Also, 4.02E removal of membership of cause.
Everyone has the right for Peace making
Some clerical edits. Discussion around unanimous versus two-thirds majority. Nancy answered by reading what the Association says about the principle behind the ruling.
Member Dick Howard suggests we use ¾ or 75%, which means consensus, versus unanimously. Questioned the word “Truth.” Suggested we use the word 5 Unity Principles and other universal teachings. Discussion followed.
The changes have been approved by the Association or the leaders of UNA. Nancy clarified that the Association although has jurisdiction they do not have final approval for what is taught.
John Moss pointed out that if we go with a unanimous vote and we have one absent, there is not a way for approval of a vote.
Deb Redman, active member asked for the grammatical change.
Lynn Monachese questioned the majority vote.
Harry Kone – seconded the motion to change the word “Truth”.
Dick Howard – cannot vote by proxy
Gregg Carlson clarified that the reason behind it is that if a motion is amended from the floor, the proxy vote is void.
Non-member asked if there was an original motion made.
Dick Howard proposed peace-making instead of mediation. Nancy explained that within the association it is call Department of Peace Making.
Cass Brewer called for the question. Steve Bentley reiterated that the packet of information was presented earlier.
New quorum is 71 people. Fifty-four people is 75% for approval.
Duke Windsor asked if we were voting as the motion was proposed. Dick Howard asked about all other discussion. Barbara Sanford clarified that yes, we are voting on the packet. If it does not pass, then we can accept the committee recommendation.
The final count was 49 votes. Motion did not pass.
Steve moved that we table the Bylaws. Pam Parker moved that we vote on the different sections. Gail Trapnell suggested we go Article by Article. Pat Yankitis seconded the motion.
Nancy suggested we table the Bylaws for another year. Jim Millhouse agreed.
Ed Grove reminded us that several are interrelated.
Harry Kohn moved to table, Honey seconded. Tabling the motion takes precedence. Need for 48 approval. Received 63 votes in favor.
Jim Sanford – suggested we take the time to find out what the opposition is in order to expedite the process. Tabling it would prolong the process. What is the process? Goes back to committee.
Lynn Monachese questioned/suggested we understand the Association’s bylaws
President’s Report – Steve Bentley
Good year, created stability, high energy, built community. First quarter is always good with Easter, volunteer dinner is scheduled.
The goal of the Board retreat with Larry Wynn is to identify our Vision. Board/staff retreat understand roles. Growth – ambassadors, Holy Grounds; Outreach with new commitment to Habitat; financial stability. We have reformatted and refocused our Board meetings, allowing more time to be visionary, in Spirit.
Senior Minister’s Report – Reverend Nancy Worth
Goals – impeccable Sunday experience; we get lots of calls from other churches to find out what we’re doing here; Friday Night Live; choir has almost doubled in size; Christmas Eve; choral festival, plan monthly themes to help coordinate music and message. More time to focus on Sunday lessons. Growth team – Holy Grounds Café, Ambassador Team, painted; good 2nd year for New Beginnings; new signs for parking. Getting really close on an elevator and PowerPoint/media.
Consultant, Larry Wynn gave direction on reorganizing the staff.
December 1, 2007 hired Director of Operations, Gregg Carlson.
Growing attendance, 525. January 556; February 516
Small Group Ministry: SLG’s/CLC’s – 40% participation vs. our goal of 50%
YFM- not completely staffed but close. Average attendance is 150.
New directory; summer camp.
Easily meeting budget with $230,208 cash in the bank; $92K in operating funds; and $32K reserve, unrestricted
Didn’t have an auction in 2007. James Arthur Ray brought in 20K.
A new round of Strategic Planning is in process for 2008 – Hired CPA, had a second review.
Moving from “Surviving to Thriving!”
New initiatives for next 2-3 years
- Youth Education
- Adult EducationInterest Groups/Internal ConnectionMedia Technology & Communication
- Facilities Plan
Associate Minister’s Report – Reverend Bill Worth
- Leadership of Small Group Ministries – Increased in 2007, 190 people involved in 19 groups; in 2008 involvement declined a bit to 16 groups because of leadership – We need more facilitators!
- Teaching Unity classes – 4 were taught; Steve Bolen was teaching but took a minister position in Austin; Tom Buchanan; Honey Rubin taught the Secret with Rev. Bill: 100-125 people.
- New Beginnings – served when available
- Unity 101 – taught 4 times, 56 new members.
- Membership process
Reducing his working hours. Now working 16 hours per week.
Treasurer’s Report – Connie Nelson
Reviewed statements included in the packet. Have completed the recommendations that were laid out last year from our CPA; holding prosperity consciousness with the Board.
Ended the year with 1% under budget. Improved the budget process. Working with Larry Wynn that is line with the Strategic process. Stepped out in faith by contracting with Larry Wynn.
2008 – 9% growth plan; special events have been successful; auction is anticipated to be a big win.
Salaries are a bit behind. Will bring up to date in 2008.
Database conversion. Maintenance will increase due to the age of the building.
Goals for 2008
Question about credit card fees. Included postage for mailing CDs.
Director of Operations – Gregg Carlson
Oversee staff, praised the staff and their commitment. Helping them with boundaries. Working to stay away from BURN OUT!
Finances – thank you for a great staff!
Facilities – George Gowing is retiring in April. This is a big change! Looking for someone to step into his position. Several things are in the works: conserving water, brought on by the Landscape team; the men’s group is pushing the idea of getting an elevator, and the AI process identified facilities planning.
Youth and Family Report – Karla Hodge
See attached.
Board Elections – James Sanford
Slate of candidates: Steve Bentley, Cathy Spiegel, and Charles “Duke” Windsor.
Cathy Spiegel and Duke Windsor introduced themselves; Steve is running for a 2nd term. Barbara Wilkie moved to accept the slate, seconded by Kay Springston
Nominations for Nominating Committee representative from the congregation
Bill Barbuto, declined; Debbie Schrodt nominated Dan Glynn, accepted
Cass moved, Wilkie seconded.
Kay moved for Bill Barbuto for alternate, Ed Grove seconded.
Kay Sprinston moved to adjourn, seconded by Ed Grove.
Rev. Bill Worth closed with prayer.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES CANDIDATES
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