• Agenda
• House Rules
• Resolutions
• Minutes from 2024 Annual Meeting
• FY 2025-26 Budget
  • Budget Summary
  • Operating Budget
• EIB Candidates
  • Warren (Trip) Banner
• Vestry Board Candidates
  • Polly Grant
  • Claire Law
  • Rick Schmiedt
• Nominating Committee Candidates
  • Susan Garrison
  • George Tempel

AGENDA
12:30 PM
MAY 18, 2024
ANNUAL MEETING
UNITARIAN CHURCH IN CHARLESTON

Annual Meeting

May 19, 2024

Meeting Minutes

1. Call to order. 

Vestry Board Chair, Diane Boyer, called the meeting to order at 12:18 pm. She noted that members were participating both in-person and via Zoom. Sue Findlay was monitoring communication with members on Zoom.

2. Welcoming words and chalice lighting. 

Rev. Rebecca Hinds offered welcoming words and invited Stan and Barbara Goldberg to light the chalice.

3. Appointment of Parliamentarian. 

As chair, Diane Boyer appointed John Newell as Parliamentarian for the meeting. 

4. Determination of a quorum.

The Chair declared that a quorum was present with 79 members in person attendance and 15 members present on Zoom. 

5. Adoption of Resolution #1 – Approval of House Rules and the Agenda.

Diane Boyer presented Resolution #1, Approval of House Rules and the Agenda. Connie Hayes moved that the Resolution be adopted. (No second is required for motions coming from the Board). There were no questions, and the Resolution was approved unanimously. House Rules #6 and #7, specific to the motion process, were reviewed. 

6. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Congregation on May 22, 2023. 

The minutes had been distributed. There were no corrections or additions from the members. Richard Hayes moved that the minutes of the May 22, 2023 meeting be approved as distributed. George Temple seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved and passed.

7. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Congregational Meeting on October 29, 2023.

The minutes had been distributed. There were no comments, corrections or additions from the members. Karen Ruef presented a motion that the minutes of the October 29, 2023 meeting accepted as written. Hillary Hutchinson seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved and passed.

8. Minister’s Report.

Rev. Rebecca Hinds gave the Minister’s Report. She presented a review of the past year, Year 2 of policy governance. She provided a review of activities of the church, including being busy with activities of the Charleston County School Board and CAJM. She thanked the church members for being part of a productive year. She discussed some of the church building maintenance issues, HVAC and church yard improvements. Because of HVAC concerns, she said that the summer services will be held in Gage Hall; that this will be an experiment to see if it is a good option going forward. 

She next presented some data on attendance for Sunday morning services, both in person and online. The church is following national trends for the denomination. Retention of people is a major concern which she, the Vestry Board and staff are aware of and focused on trying to correct for the coming year. She emphasized that we have a shared ministry, and the church will need volunteer help to do better.

9. Vestry Board Chair’s Report.

Diane Boyer reported on the work of the Board this past year. She noted that it was an interesting year to be Chair and thanked the other members of the Vestry Board, those leaving (Suzanne Hardie and Bob Egelson) and those remaining (Connie Hayes, Steve Wilson, Allison Sterrett-Krause, Lisa Ross, Jessica Ervin and Diane Hopkins) for their service on behalf of the members of the church. She presented highlights of the past church year while noting her Annual Report will provide more detailed information.

At its retreat on September 23, 2023, the Vestry Board set three goals for the 2023-2024 year in addition to its ongoing work. First, to develop a Covenant of Right Relations; this has been completed and a vote to accept is on the agenda of this Congregational Meeting. Second goal, educational opportunities for staff and church members focused on ways that staff and their affiliated teams can work effectively together.  This goal was met with the virtual workshop on policy governance held on March 2, 2024, facilitated by Rev. Roger Bertschausen. There will be an ongoing need to educate teams of volunteer members and staff. Third goal, to establish a Resilient Community team to plan for the long-term future of our campus, has not yet been met.  The Board needs to develop a specific charge for this team and recruit its members.  This goal will be on the agenda for the coming year. 

When the Governing Policies were written in 2021, the Board approved seven Ends Policies that stated outcomes that the Minister is responsible for achieving.   Seven Ends policies are a lot, and some of the current Ends are not stated in such a way that the outcomes are easy to measure. Our consultant, Rev. Bertschausen, advised that selecting one or two as priorities for the coming year would enable Rev. Rebecca to focus her work. The priority End selected was #5 – An attractive and vibrant spiritual home that retains current and new membership. In addition, End #2-A spiritual home that accepts others and welcomes everyone of good will, with its emphasis on being welcoming, will be important in achieving End #5. 

She ended by saying that while the church faced a number of challenges this past year, the good news is that we as a congregation stepped up to meet those challenges, and she is optimistic about the future of the church.

10. Report on Special Social Justice Consultation.

Rev. Nathan Woodliff-Stanley, Community Minister presented a draft version of his final report due to the Vestry Board by the end of May. He invited feedback from the congregation before he submits the final report. He started by complimenting the congregation for how much the church has already accomplished regarding social justice. Some recommendations in his report are that more defined action teams; a big concern is getting more volunteers involved and developing leadership, expanding leadership development opportunities. He suggested that engagement with outside partners be expanded. 

11. Financial Report and Adoption of Resolution #2 to Approve FY25 Operating Budget.

Christine Magnarella-Ray, Director of Finance and Operations presented a report on end-of-year financial status. The FY24 budget had projected that $57,000 would need to be moved to balance the budget. On a positive note, it appears that only $20,000 will be needed. Income to the church is mostly from pledges, tracking close to 93% of the operating budget. Fundraisers, in addition to being fun and building community, are also a large part of the income side of the ledger. Projected expenses for the remainder of the FY24 year are expected to come in under budget. 

She then presented an overview of the FY25 budget. The floor was open for any questions. Richard Hayes expressed concern about a continuing pattern of taking funds out of operating reserves to balance the budget, asking how to stop the practice of deficit spending. Christine pointed out that the funds needed to cover the deficit this year are less than previously needed and that as previously noted in the meeting, there is a concerted effort to increase membership for the coming year. 

Ren Manning asked about the funds in the Minister Sabbatical – is listed as $1,000. Christine responded that she and the Vestry Board will be working on what will be needed in this fund to get through when Rev. Hinds does take her sabbatical. 

Connie Hayes moved that Resolution #2, adoption of the FY25 budget be presented for a vote. There were no abstentions, 1 nay vote and the remaining votes affirmative to adopt this budget. The motion was approved and budget accepted.

12. Adoption of Resolution #3 to Approve a Covenant of Right Relations.

Allison Sterrett-Krause, on behalf of the Vestry Board, and Priscilla Shumway, as a Covenant Team Member presented the final approved version of the Covenant of Right Relations. Allison asked if there were any questions or comments from the floor. Hillary Hutchinson expressed thanks to the Vestry Board for doing a terrific job of melding together all comments from the congregation meetings to present this final document. Abby Himmelein asked about how the specific language was developed. Allison presented a short history of the committee that worked on this Covenant. Kay Hahn asked how the Covenant will be implemented – what will be done if people do not behave correctly in accordance with the Covenant. Priscilla explained the process of how conflicts will be handled; the essence of the Covenant is how we as a congregation pledge and promise to work together. Judy Bruce commented that the standard is set by Rev. Rebecca. Diane Boyer shared that the Covenant is to express our values, provide a process for all to be heard in a respectful manner, and for members to feel supported when there is disagreement. 

Allison reiterated that there is a motion on the floor. A vote was called. The Resolution was adopted with 2 abstentions and all others voting to approve the motion.

Diane Boyer expressed thanks to all the members of the committee who worked on this for their time and talent.

13. Election of members for the Vestry Board (3 required) and the Endowment Investment Board (2 required).

Mark Madden, on behalf of the Nominating Committee, was introduced to present candidates for the Vestry Board and the Endowment Investment Board. Mark presented Gale Simmons, Tony Brown and Amy Bradshaw as nominees to serve on the Vestry Board. The Chair asked if there were any nominations from the floor. None presented. 

Mark put forth the names of Karen Ruef and John Jamrogowicz (for a second 3-year term) for the EIB. No questions, comments or nominations from the floor.  

The Chair called for a vote. All candidates were unanimously approved

14. Election of members for the Nominating Committee (2 required).

Connie Hayes, as Vestry Board Vice-Chair, on behalf of the Vestry Board presented candidates to replace outgoing Nominating Committee members. Nominated candidates are Amy Hudock and Ginny Morgan. The Chair called for nominations from the floor; none presented, and vote called to approve these candidates. Both candidates were unanimously approved. 

15. Thanks to outgoing members of the Vestry Board, EIB and Nominating Committee.

Chair Diane Boyer thanked the outgoing members of the Nominating Committee, Mark Madden and Carol Oates; EIB, Richard Hayes; and the Vestry Board, Suzanne Hardie and Bob Egelson. She expressed gratitude to these church members for their service, time and talent on behalf of the Church.

16. Other business.

The Chair asked if there was any other business from the floor. Hilliary Hutchinson asked that a special recognition be noted in the minutes to acknowledge the departure of Sandra Selvitelli as Executive Director, thanking her for her stellar service and commitment to the congregation.  

On behalf of the Vestry Board, Connie Hayes presented gifts to Diane Boyer for her leadership and service as outgoing Board Chair. It was noted that this is the second time Diane has been on the Board, including the second time she has been Vestry Board Chair. The congregation expressed their gratitude with a rousing round of applause for Diane’s service.

A motion to adjourn was presented by Richard Hayes. Karen Ruef seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 1:31 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane Hopkins

Vestry Board Secretary

Polly Grant

I am a native of Anderson, South Carolina though I lived in Boston for 40 years. I received my Masters degree from Boston University in 1975 and a Doctorate from Boston College in 1987.  My area of study and work was Psychiatric Social Work. Prior to my years in Boston, I worked in Germany from 1969-1971 as a civilian employee of the Department of the Army counseling men coming and going to Vietnam.  That work led to my career in social work. I have owned and managed a counseling center (The Boston Psychological Center for Women, 1967-1980) and I also worked concurrently for Mass. General Hospital for 25 years in their Revere Center.

My grandparents lived in Charleston, so I have been coming here all my life and lived here off and on after college. I moved here permanently in 2020. I love Charleston and gardening.  I am delighted to have found this church and have been a member for three years. I am a docent and a member of the Eden Keepers. I want to be able to give back to this church that has given me so much.

Thank you for considering me for the Vestry.

 Claire Law

Thank you for inviting me to participate in this very important Church Committee. My name is Chiara (pr. Keara) Claire Law, and I go by “Claire”. I was born in Rimini, Italy, and was saved from sin when I was going on eight years of age. But not really. It went like this: Every night I studied my Catechism to prepare for my first communion, learning all 100 questions and answers by rote. My goal was to get 100 on the test and learn all there was to learn about Jesus and my salvation. In middle school I thought I could discuss my religion in more depth, but that didn’t happen. I completed the first year of the classic lyceum and won a contest for new voices, and then my family moved to Ottawa, Canada, where I felt Jesus had abandoned me. I felt cold all the time and going out wrapped up in the ugly parka was like going on an expedition to the south pole. When I got married to my first husband and moved to Michigan, my Canadian friends acted like Michigan equated to Florida! 

Fast forward to my second marriage, now 35 years ago, I no longer question my beliefs. The UU Church represents them well, and I feel fortunate to have found this precious community that lives by the bedrock principles of UU: the inherent worth of every individual, social justice, respect for dignity for others. When I entered the doors of our church in 2014, I was moved by our Mission Statement. Do they really believe that? Do they live by the UU creed? I learned so much from our church. It has made me a less-self-religiously conflicted person. I love this Church family. I love being able to search for truth and be free to say what I think in my head and feel in my heart.

Now that I’m invited to this committee, I ask myself how I could contribute, and be helpful to our Minister and the Vestry Members. I am impressed by the current Vestry members whom I saw when I attended a Vestry meeting in March. Ms. Connie Hayes can really run a meeting, and Ms. Christine Magnarella Ray is so well-versed in the Church’s financial matters that I feel we’re in good hands. I’d be honored to serve but if you have more qualified others, go for it! This church needs the best qualified people! During the week I’m still in private practice as an educational consultant and am involved with IECA (Independent Educational Consultant Association). My fun activities are singing in the UU Choir, playing the recorder with a local group, tending to my raised bed in a community garden, and going to the gym a few times a week. 

Rick Schmiedt

I have been attending the Unitarian Church in Charleston since April 1st, 2012.  The date is important because that’s when I first met my future wife, Hillary Hutchinson, in the coffee hour after the service in Gage Hall.  Hillary has been instrumental in my growth as a Unitarian.  I formally joined the church in 2013 and love our community of open-minded, tolerant and loving people.  Over the years I’ve been a member of a Connecting Circle in Mount Pleasant, and more recently, have been attending the Death Café, but have not been much involved with formal church
committees.

My education began as an electrical engineer, then, after a fortunately high number in the draft lottery, I went back to school to learn something of bioengineering and sensory neurophysiology.  I am now an Emeritus Professor in the ENT Department of MUSC, having retired formally in 2008.  As an NIH-NSF-supported researcher for 30 years, I studied the neuroscience of age-related hearing loss.  I still have a small consulting position within ENT.   I have two sons: Dan, who is an IT Network Vice President at Texas A&M; and Chad, who is a professor at the UGA Veterinary School in Athens, GA. I also have two stepdaughters with Hillary: Kate, an IT Technician in Tucson, and Clare, a financial expert working for the DOE in Knoxville.  We have two grandchildren (Elodie and Eli) in Athens.

Member of the Unitarian Church in Charleston since 1979

Ph.D. Indiana University

B.S. University of California at Berkeley

Currently retired.





 

Key Educational Activities:

• Professor of Physiology at the Medical University of SC

• Associate Dean: MUSC College of Graduate Studies

• Coach: James Island Soccer Teams

• Reads to students and serves on various School Improvement Teams

• Chair and presently serves on the Constituent School Board for Charleston County School District

George has served in leadership capacities with the Charleston Area Justice Ministry to advocate for public education especially restorative practices and early childhood and science education.  He has also served as a Religious Education instructor at UCC.