Greenfield Group Minutes
Since 1927
A Unitarian Universalist Ministers Study Group
BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES - DECEMBER 1 - 3, 2002
The gathering at Our lady of Peace was called to order by Lucinda Duncan, Moderator at 10:10 Am
Moderator’s Report
The experience of being moderator has been daunting,- especially after attending only four meetings. This brings into question the process of the nominating committee. More experience with the group is needed to take on the role of moderator. Lucinda will be collecting more info from all of us so she can suggest some changes at the spring meeting.
She will also form an Executive Committee with the Moderator, Scribe, Treasurer and the Program Chair to meet on Monday, before we begin, and at lunch on Wednesday, to pass on information and fill in any gaps. Old and new officers should get together to pass on information and get questions answered.
Lucinda will also make recommendations about the formation of a Nominating Committee and how they should be selecting people.
Scribe’s Report
The Scribe gave an apology for missing the second fall mailing. The minutes of the last meeting were read. A discussion of using the web and email rather than snail mail followed. It was noted that there will be some work to do because of the different abilities of our computers and email programs to handle various types of formatting. Initially, receipts would be requested and snail mail sent right away to those who did not reply. Eventually we will work out a system where as many of us as possible will receive mailings electronically. Also, on line we will have a small web site where there will be posted our disciplines, minutes, a list of names and addresses, a map and instructions to our meeting place, a form for suggesting new people. New people will get all this information both electronically and by mail with a welcome letter.
The following will be posted at meetings: Addresses, Names of those proposed for membership, Cards for all to sign to be sent to those in need who are not in attendance.
Not present at the meeting: Tom Chulack. His absences was excused. This being the case, there was no room for new people. A discussion of the size of the group ensued. Frank Hall placed the name of a possible invitee before the group, We were reminded by Anita Farber that it did not fit the process - names had to be to the scribe two weeks ahead. Lucinda Duncan reminded us that we had made a decision to cap the group at 28. It was stated that Al Boyce in Maine would like to be in group again at some point. The discussion ended.
It was announced that Charles Magistro was deeply moved by being made a Saint and is planning on being here in the spring.
Historian
Brian Kopke, noted that there were several Anchor Reports outstanding. The question of having old papers present at each session was raised by Anita Farber. The Historian noted that there is a box of such papers. He will bring it to the next session.
There were two guests this convocation: Gail Seavey and Ann Fox. They were asked by the Moderator if they would they like to join: Ann said she finds the discussions exciting and a marvelous education process and the company is charming. The traditional Greenfield cheer was issued to welcomed her as a member. Gail said that she felt privileged to be part of the group. The traditional Greenfield cheer marked her acceptance into membership. We are pleased to have both as new members.
Treasurer’s Report
Bob Thayer reported that we started with $961 USD and now we have $1162 USD in the bank. Dues of $20 will be collected in the spring. Bob will consult with the Scribe about sending the Treasurer’s report out to the group. We have given $1000 USD to Harvard Divinity School for the James Luther Adams Room. All payments up to date.
Anita Farber raised a concerned about what is happening in the fall about Paul Razor from Pendel Hill. The question was raised, did Tom Chulak do the work and do we know what the details are? At the very leaset we need to vote the costs.
A motion was made to pay room and board for Razor but after discussion the motion was withdrawn. We will contact him first. Anita expressed her discomfort that we are leaving this hanging, Paul may need to carve out time to be with us. A motion was made to allocate up to $300 for the expenses of having Paul Razor with us. A friendly amendment to authorize the Executive to spend up to $500 for transportation and hospitality should Razor accept invitation was not accepted. An amendment to have the program committee spend up to $500 for Razor’s room and board and expenses. Passed. 23-3-1
Keeper of the Spirits and the Corkscrew
We are square on money. There was a little money left over from last time, so he bought a corkscrew -The Keeper of the Spirits will also become the Keeper of the Corkscrew and pass it along to the next keeper when he retires.
Keeper of the Gong
The Gong was forgotten - too much to do. Proper admonishment was admistered.
Nominating Committee
Martha Niebank has resigned as Vice Moderator. Frank Carpenter has agreed to serve as Vice Moderator. It was recommend that the Nominating Committee be an ongoing committee with three year staggered terms so that there is some memory. As for the present suggestions for the spring election, the existing officers will remain the same - excepting that Nina Grey will become Historian in spring. Archives are going to be moved to Meadville from Harvard. Neil Gerdes has agreed to the move and this will place us in conformity with at least three other study groups and make the papers readily available to UU students.
Program Chair
Susan Suchocki-Brown reminded us that there is only one month to get program to us all - from the program group to the Scribe to us.
Josh, Anita and Bill are the spring program group. Along with the papers and respondents, each person will be asked to prepare before hand a geneology going back as many generations back as we can. Primary question is, once your people arrived, what was the primary interaction with the culture.
Spring date: April 28-30, 2003.
For the fall 2003 topic, Nina G. will chair the committee with Cynthia, and Josh. .
A suggestion for setting up chaplaincy activity for the spring program was made noting that the topic could be emotional and raw. Chaplians might be drawn from the long term members in this group.
Lucinda asked that throughout the winter we make recommendations about the functioning of the group to her or exec members through the winter.
We will collect information at this point and bring back a synthesis of ideas and recommendations for disciplines or informal procedures for coaching/mentoring of new officers, etc (and people)
Lots is going well
It is all enumerated in Disciplines
Helpful exercise
Chapels are going well
There are some customs associated with chapel - not written down - quiet from chapel through grace in the morning.
Discipline working well. Attendance, accepting assignments, etc.
Internalized spirit of group internalizes itself in spirit of the group.
This time people did not arrive on time.
Embarassed for my group when the system failed to work for an invitee.
Invitees need disciplines sent to them.
Time to give out disciplines is when you have the one to one conversation with someone you are asking if they have interest in joining.
Need an orientation for new people.
A list of suggestions has been given to Lucinda from Bill Gardiner.
Moderator used to write note inviting people and send disciplines, etc., that should be done
Do not have a conception for how to deal with partial absences.
Discussion about people being here for the check-in.
Side conversations are distracting.
Some disrespect to group and honouring of communications involved in silencing a member who wanted to talk at this meeting. We hold the discipline higher than people. Caring falls apart and we become accusatory.
Feel bullied by some members and disrespected by them. Forceful people should not feel that they can break the rules.
We are at the crux of what Greenfield group is in this process.
Adjourned, 11:35.
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Kopke, Scribe
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