Members Present:  Amy Eklund, David Sarra, Beth LeFever, Gary Cook, Bea Takeuchi, Dick Berndt

1.       Minutes of the 1/27/08 meeting were approved as submitted.

2.      Treasurer’s report—A tax bill was received for a piece of property in Benton Harbor.  Dick will check into this.  Gretchen is currently receiving $200/month for her services as Administrative Assistant.  It is taking her about 5 hours a month extra beyond what she is compensated for and Dick is recommending that we reimburse her another $100/month for a total of $300/month. A motion was passed to pay Gretchen an additional $100/mo for a total of $300/month retroactive to the beginning of the fiscal year (July 2007) to cover the additional work she has been doing.  Full treasurer’s report will be given next month.  There are some auction items that have not been disbursed yet.

3.      Efraim Paredes issue—Joyce Gouwens asked us to destroy the check from Helen so Gretchen will be asked to do this.  (See correspondence regarding this matter)

4.      Ministry Team/Care team—Request for $1000 for professional development reimbursement.  The Ministry committee has recommended that this be done.  A motion was passed that BUUF issue a check for $1000 to cover Beth’s tuition for professional development.  The revised 2007-2008 letter of agreement was distributed.

Pledge drive kickoff event.  Marv will do a 10-20 minute presentation on the BUUF early days and he may speak about the difficulty we have raising money then.  Chris and Patty French will provide the music (they donated back their compensation last year).  It was suggested that we cover their mileage expenses.  $150 was suggested.  Dick will check to see what we paid them last year.

Elkhart would like us to serve April 26.  Tom (and possibly Emily) and Amy responded that they would volunteer.   Beth will respond that we can do this.

Signup sheets need to go up for the pledge dinner.  Further discussion about this will take place next meeting. The Mother’s Day brunch and the anniversary celebration opening event for May 3 will also be discussed then.  Dave will check to see what event Larry and Sandy Feldman have been contacted about.   It will not be a Purim event.

In May, Marv will start doing the historical moments and will write them down so we have a record.

Reminder of member musing….why I love/support BUUF through March/April.  Amy will begin on March 1 , Gary will do March 8, and Dick is scheduled for March 16.

5.      President’s Report—The Cabaret will start with performances by children if any wish to perform.  Dave will check with Ashley to see if she will do childcare.  Dave volunteered for setup crew.  Canvass letter should be drafted by March meeting so it will be done before the kickoff dinner.  Dave will email it prior to the meeting.  Music director—Dave knows someone who might like to use this space for piano lessons and might consider being musical director for Sunday services.  He has a classical musical performance (for kids too) scheduled for  Sunday October 26, 2008.  Dave got in contact with Marilyn K regarding planned giving and there is a seminar coming up and Marilyn is willing to talk with congregation members who are interested in this about it.  Dave will need to get with Beth to work out the grant content for getting Arcus to cover the welcoming congregation month services.  This would need to be done this spring for next fall.

6.      Buidings and Ground/Facilities-Sign competition; a committee was suggested to write the rules, etc.  Bea asked Gary and Amy if they would be on the committee.  Dave asked Bea to contact interested committee members and call the first meeting.  Dave tracked down the rules from the  township for the sign.

7.      Religious Education Team—CMD attendance was suggested for Theresa in April in St. Louis. BUUF would cover registration.   Dick will check the contract to see about the evaluation which is due.

8.      CO/SA  David emailed Emily Hecht regarding COSA.  There has been very little action this year.  It was suggested BUUF members wear our BUUF shirts and march in the blossomtime parade with the OAC float.

9.      Other Business/Team Reports—Mention was made that in the service opening statement BUUF is specifically mentions that the congregation is supportive in issues of sexuality but no other areas of diversity are included.  There was some support for the idea of revising this to be a broader statement of inclusivity.

10.   Adjournment (next meeting March 23, 2008)