Present:  David Sarra, Tom Hackley, Gary Cook, Bea T., Amy Eklund, Dick Berndt

Minutes of June 13, 2007 were presented.  A motion to accept was made by  Tom, seconded by Gary, approved as submitted.

Treasurer’s report:  Presented by Dick.  An analysis of pledges for 06-07 shows we are within $500 of the goal amount.  Dick will contact the few who have not fulfilled their pledges and this should bring us to the total budgeted.  As of next report, he will be switched over to new reporting system and will be able to present the year end report from last year.  It was suggested that a debit card be used for the purchase of incidentals and that Gretchen hold this card.  There was discussion about getting a second card for the use of board members if the situation merits.  This will be kept in an agreed upon location in the fellowship building.Suggestion, Gretchen.  There has been no activity with the fund for E. Paredes  project.

DRE Search Committee:  Teresa La Plante has been interviewed and will be offered a contract pending receipt of a resume, two references, and a background check.  Renee will work closely with her to facilitate the transition and has volunteered to be chairman of the RE committee.  The RE committee will continue to be active throughout the year.  Tom moved to authorize Dave to enter into a contract with Teresa La Plante on behalf of the board.   This was seconded by Dick and the motion passed.

Building and Grounds:  There was much discussion, mainly regarding what should be done with the parking lot.  There is concern that it is deteriorating and there needs to be a plan so there will be money set aside to deal with it.  Green alternatives were discussed.  While many ideas were presented, no decisions could be made due to lack of cost/benefit analysis for each of the alternatives.  Some members of the board volunteered to work on trying to find someone who could actually do the installation here and cost it out as well as finding out more detailed information about the material.  Assignments were as follows:

Bea-crushed asphalt

Dick-grassy pavers

Tom-plastic gridded web, open joint paver blocks

Tom—will call John La Plante and ask about the pervious concrete

Gathered information will be sent back to Tom who will bring I to the next meeting.

Other committees:  Music was discussed and David stated he could compile some recorded music and make CD’s available for weekly selections but first he would need to know which music members were interested in.

Membership Team: Tom Hackley asked if the Board wanted to continue participating with advertising for the three UU churches on WVPE. The suggested contribution from BUUF is $10 per member, with 36 members last year BUUF contributed $360 towards the total cost of $2,400, with the rest of the funds coming from the South Bend and Elkhart congregations. The radio spots direct listeners to a communal website that will in turn direct searchers to our own website. Tom suggested that BUUF could match our individual contributions 100%, so that if only 18 members contribute $10 each BUUF would cover the other half of the $360 and allow us to continue advertising. The Board agreed this was a good idea and asked Tom to contact the other congregations to let them know BUUF is willing to continue advertising on WVPE again this year.

Other Business: Dave Sarra asked the Board if it wanted BUUF to be listed in the “Spiritual Organizations” directory of Queerly Divine periodical. There is no cost. The Board approved and Dave will follow through with having BUUF listed.

Summer Schedule:  Dave presented Harvey Johnson’s schedule of summer services, noting that only August 5 remains to be filled. Gary Cook suggested having everyone bring in his/her favorite saying or motto and discuss all of them. The Board thought that was a good idea and Gary agreed to lead that service.

50^th Year Celebrations:  Dave asked Board members to consider what kind of celebrations or recognitions we want to do for BUUF’s 50^th year of existence so we can come up with a plan at the next Board meeting.

Tom Hackley moved and Dick Berndt seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 2:20 p.m.

Next Board Meeting:  August 19, 2007