Greenfield Group Minutes
Since 1927
A Unitarian Universalist Ministers Study Group
BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES - November 29, 2006
Gathering at LaSalette Center, Attleboro, Massachusetts, the meeting was called to order by Vice Moderator Bill Gardiner in the absence of Moderator Tom Wintle (left Wednesday morning for a meeting at church).
SPRING 2006 MEETING MINUTES
Minutes of Spring 2006 meeting noted. Group decided to post minutes on the web site. Sensitive discussions will be held in camera in the future.
ATTENDANCE AND RESIGNATIONS
Absences: Will Saunders (unexcused), Marta Flanagan (unexcused), Greg Chute (excused), Frank Carpenter (excused), Rosemary Brae-McNatt(excused), Martha Niebank (unexcused). It was noted that none of the unexcused absences put anyone's membership at risk. THere was some discuaaion about the fairness of our rules for excused and unexcused absences. No changes were made.
Resignations: Gail Seavey and Charles Stephens, John Weston.
GROUP SIZE, NEW MEMBER INTEGRATION
We have a bit of a dilemma about the number of spaces we have open. Disciplines (1999) say we can have 30 members. We did vote to lower the number to 27 because of the number of rooms available when we were at the Commons in New Hampshire. We have never revisited that number. Suggest we move it back up to 30 at this time as we have enough rooms and with continuing higher than past averages of absences, we would have a slightly larger group to work with.
Discussion: Add two new people this time? Discussion about merits of looking at each candidate and voting. Decided to look at each person and vote without increasing limits on new memberships.
Set up a task group to report at the Spring convocation about an intentional process of welcoming, orienting, and integrating new people into the group. (Bill Gardiner, Mary Harrington, Susan Suchocki.)
Set up a group of 3 or so people who can talk about issues of group size, demographics, longevity, who is here, not coming, many retirements upcoming, sainthood, who has had share of absences regardless of reasons - proposal at next meeting for discussion - send out before the meeting to all members. (Brian Kopke, Rosemarie Smurzinski, Anita Farber-Robertson, Bill Gardiner)
Therefore we have 6 spaces open (21 members at present).
NEW MEMBERS INVITED
There have been three people nominated as invitees for the Spring 2007 gathering. Wendy Bell, Harvard, Mass. (Nannene Gowdy- Susan Suchocki.); Steve Landale , Bell Street Chapel, Providence, R.I. (By Bob Thayer); Carol Rosine, Franklin, Mass. (Bob Thayer).
Consideration given to new members and an invitation will be sent to each, above, by the Moderator, welcoming them as invitees. Scribe will send email about web site, disciplines, meeting date, location, etc.
DISCIPLINES
Revise disciplines - we did not get to it - Scribe has spoken with Bill Gardiner and Bob Thayer. Scribe will be sending out the disciplines as they exist (1999) with suggested changes related to reflecting the splitting of the Scribe’s job, functions of the Treasurer, addition of a cantor, number of members, etc. All members are encouraged to read the disciplines as part of this process. Notes on discipline observance this gathering: several people did not get papers in early, munchies were being eaten during discussion times, people late for chapel, etc.
WEB SITE
Web site: How is it working for all of you? An email was sent to everyone explaining the change of address process and issues the Scribe faces. Please let the Scribe know about contact information changes and be patient. Changes will be made in the list and in the email button when changes are verified by the the person involved.
HISTORIAN
Historian has begun talks with Neil Gerdes at Meadville Lombard about moving records from Harvard to there. There will be significant cataloging of materials to be done by the Historian in making the move. Kopke has done the work on 1927 through 1997. Much of the rest is on the web site.
TREASURER
Treasurer made a call for money for refreshments. We have a balance $1182 after all expenses. Propose $5 to the fee at each meeting. People who drink alcohol will pay more. Deposit at Lasalette is $500. Cost is presently $140. Accepted
KEEPER OF THE SPIRITS
Keeper of the spirits. $103 collected - need $185. Bob will take over the financing of the spirits. Bill given to Treasurer and he will pay the keeper - Treasurer will raise the rest of the money from sales and donations.
PROGRAM
The spring program, “Roots Hold Us Close, Origins of Christianity and Interpreting the Living Tradition” will be at laSalette Center, April 26 - 28, 2007.
Details will be posted on the web. Required reading is, Barbara Brown Taylor, Leaving Church, Julie Galembush, The Reluctant Parting, Conrad Wright, Walking Together.
MEETING DATES
Our meeting dates are inconvenient for one member. Decided that this always happens and no action was taken.
REPORT ON THE AFGHAN MADE IN PART AT CHANGE OF PACE
The dream was to finish it last night so knitters have been working throughout the morning but I is not yet finished. All squares are unique. It is being given to Mary Harrington.
FALL PROGRAM
Fall programming work (Globalization group) did meet (Jim Sherbloom. Bill Gardiner, Brian Kopke, Rosemarie Smurzinski) Chapters for the reading will be scanned and sent out electronically.
Vice Moderator closed meeting and sent us off to chapel.
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Kopke
Scribe
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