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Presidents Column

By Kami O’Keeffe, President

This has been an extraordinary month at UUFW. Following candidate week, on May 3rd the congregation UNANIMOUSLY voted to call Rev. Cheryl M. Walker as our settled minister. Rev. Cheryl will arrive at UUFW on September 1, 2009, and preach on Sunday, September 6th, for the first time.

Next, at the Board meeting on May 5th the Board reluctantly had to approve a budget with many adjustments, including elimination of staff positions, because of a $30,000 shortfall in pledge income.

Next, at the Budget meeting on May 12th more than 50 people participated because of their concerns about our financial health for the coming year. The proposal to invite attendees and then the rest of the congregation to add to or to make their pledge was enthusiastically applauded. By Sunday, the result was an additional $22,000 added to the income stream.

Finally, at the Annual Meeting on May 17th the congregation voted to approve a budget with the amended pledge income that reinstated staff positions, building maintenance and fair share contributions to the UUA and TJD. Sylvia Quinn was elected President of the Board of Trustees, and Don Wood, Treasurer. The other Trustees elected are Ron Cochran, Tiffany Erichsen, Kate Griffin, Kristine Hancock and Fran Strauss. Returning Trustees are Tim Gugan and Keith Shea.

Also at the Annual Meeting, Members of the Nominating Committee elected are Beverly Cree, Phyllis Guberman, Ken Johnson and Roxie Morison. Kami OKeeffe will serve as Chair as past President of the Board. Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the members of the Auction and Search Committees and the Transition Team. A special Certificate was presented to Debbie Marmorstein to honor her prodigious service to UUFW as Treasurer for the last eighteen months. We thanked Rev Elaine Peresluha for her excellent guidance during the Interim Ministry, but will leave certificates to her Ph.D. committee next fall. Voting for the UUA President netted 20 votes for Laura Hallman and 49 for Peter Morales. They will be apportioned and voted by absentee ballot at General Assembly in June.

The next column from the President will be presented in the August Beacon by Sylvia Quinn. It has been a wonderful experience for me to serve as President of UUFW and I thank you for your trust in the Board and the decisions it has recommended. This congregation has demonstrated the courage to implement its vision and will have a splendid future.

See you in church,

Kami

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