Board Members Present: Tom Beall, Linda Beall, Peter Schoenbucher, Coles Mallory, Mary Alice Smith, Sally Hanchett, Piper Padillia. Also present were Rev. Amy Bowden Freedman, and Alison Kates, DRE. Alison Kates agreed to be the process observer.

Approval of Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes for the February Board meeting was made by Coles Mallory, Tom Beall made the second. The board unanimously approved the minutes.

Canvass Update: Tom Beall updated the board on the Canvass, the number of Church members working on Canvass goals and expenses to date.

President’s Report: Mary Alice reported to the board on the work being done by the Committee on Ministry to gather information on how other congregations work with ministerial sabbaticals and funding ideas to help this change work smoothly for Channing.

The Nominating Committee is working to present names for various Board Offices for the coming year. Mary Alice talked about the “council model”, a church leadership style and wondered if this might be a good time to consider moving to this style. At this point in the calendar year board members felt it was not a good time to consider this transition.

Minister’s Report: Rev. Amy reported the results of the piano query will be to have the piano stay. Book sales were good for the latest fundraiser and it is important that labor and funds raised equal out. Amy’s study leave was very productive and valuable.

VOTE: Amy presented this action item for board consideration: The ordination of Wendy Jones to the Unitarian Universalist Ministry. The Channing Memorial Congregation will vote to ordain Wendy at the Congregational meeting in May. The Ordination ceremony will take place in Channing Memorial Church in the fall of 2005.

After consideration Sally Hanchett moved to approve this action item with Peter Schoenbucher giving the second. Board approved this action item.

Treasurer’s Report: Peter Schoenbucher went over the work he has undertaken regarding the Church’s office computer, and updated the Board on the response of the church to the Insurance Carrier’s investigation. Peter Schoenbucher presented the current profit and loss statement for board consideration.

Property Committee: Coles Mallory reported concerns regarding the fire marshall’s inspection of the Parish Hall and the sanctuary. The fire marshal is citing us for deficiencies because we house a day care, which requires the property to meet the fire codes for an “educational” purpose. One requirement is to have our alarms connect directly to the fire department.

Coles Mallory provided the property report with updates regarding the tax credits for the Channing House painting and distributing the steeple report to the congregation. A hot topic forum was suggested for April 20th when the engineers will be available to answer questions from the congregation. Two work projects will begin in the Spring. A temporary roof will be installed over the bells, which will brace the pinnacle in the church and the chestnut tree will be removed from the playground area. May 15th is a tentative date for a Spring workday.

Meeting Evaluation: Alison reported that the meeting had a friendly tone.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 in the hopes that all would arrive safely home through the snowy streets.

Respectfully submitted,
Piper Padillia, Clerk