Board members Present: Beth Simone, Tom Beall, Linda Beall, David Banister,
Peter Schoenbucher, Coles Mallory, Mary Alice Smith, Barbara Nowicki, Anna
Smith, Jake Smith, Eleanor Elmer, Piper Padillia. Also present were Amy Bowden
Freedman, and Ruth Jernigan. David Banister agreed to be the process observer.

A motion to approve the minutes for the January Board meeting was made by Tom
Beall, David Banister made the second. The board unanimously approved the minutes.

Ruth Jernigan presented to Presidents’ Task Force report. A March 26th meeting will take place where the Board will meet with members of the Presidents’ Task force to review their three proposals. Ruth will prepare an article for the Catalyst, which will inform the congregation about the work that has been prepared.

Tom Beall distributed the Canvass goals and plans to the Board. John Burnham and
Rachel Balaban will host the Leadership dinner on February 20th. Enthusiastic,
leadership groups have been assembled. These teams with the help of board members will present the goals; stewardship theme and treasures format at canvass potluck dinners.

Peter Schoenbucher lead a discussion concerning the budget for next year in which it is hoped members will give a 15% increase in their pledge so there can be opportunities to recapture space for church meetings and classes and provide a reasonable increase in staff salaries. Even with this increase in pledges there will not be significant monies budgeted for property management, which is a concern for the property committee. It was suggested that perhaps the proceeds from the service auction be earmarked for property issues.

After the discussion, a motion was presented to the Board by David Banister with Tom
Beall seconding:

A motion to formally approve a tentative amended budget plan, which targets $130.000 as the canvass goal. This goal will enable us to take back the rear apartment of Channing House.

The motion passed.

Amy reported on the Assembly at Rogers High School scheduled for Thursday,
February 17th; yhe Historic preservation conference panel she will be on; small groups continue to thrive with 50 people signed up for six groups; the tsunami relief concert; and study leave goals and time period. She presented to the board an action item concerning the piano in the parish hall.

In our efforts to increase space and improve the appearance of our facilities, I recommend that we remove the piano from the parish hall. With the Board’s approval, I will take the following steps:

1. Check with Janet Grant to insure we do not need the piano.
2. Announce in the order of service and the Catalyst that it is free to anyone
   who removes it.
3. Find an outside group to remove it.
   

Board approved this action item.

Jake Smith presented the fellowship report. The coffee houses have been fun and have provided opportunities for outreach. Fellowship hour contributions have been generous.

A new coffee pot has been purchase and inventory will last through April. An International Potluck dinner is scheduled for February 12th.

Property report was not given in the interest of time.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:08

Respectfully submitted,
Piper Padillia, Clerk