Board of Directors Meeting
April 7 & 8, 2006

Present: Denny Davidoff, Frank Wells, Laurel Amabile, Terry Robinson, Brad Greeley, John Lees, Harold Babcock, Alicia McNary Forsey, Lois Reborne, Lorraine Dennis (Executive Director), Jane Rzepka (Sr. Minister), Paul Sprecher (Intern Minister), and Iris Hardin (clerk).

February 2006 Teleconference Minutes (Davidoff)

Unanimously accepted.

Sr. Minister's Report (Rzepka)

In addition to her written report, Jane talked about the use of volunteers. The CLF uses volunteers to: correspond with prisoners, lead covenant groups and special interest groups, manage electronic lists, record Quest on audio tape for the visually impaired, write for Quest , proofread, and serve on the CLF Board and nominating committee.

The Board would like to see the Sr. Minister's report in a prominent place on the web site. Denny will refer to its highlights when she preaches in Ridgewood, NJ (when she asks for a CLF second offering).

Executive Director's Report (Dennis)

The only addition to Lorraine's written report is that we're making some changes to jewelry, specifically with regards to marketing. Denny raised the idea that we could use jewelry as an incentive gift when we do fundraising.

Laurel told us about John Carson in Kentucky, who designed her chalice necklace. We discussed the possibility of writing a Quest article about John.

Membership Administrator's Report (Hardin)

15% retention of trial members sounds very high. Iris agreed to track how many are still members a year after they convert to full membership . Also, there was discussion of contacting people who leave immediately after the trial period is over and those who leave after a short period of full membership (e.g., 6 months). This contact may help us understand membership turnover better.

Iris talked about the new Gift of Quest program and the pros and cons of offering a one-year, $50 Quest -only introduction to CLF.

Marjorie Matty is coming in to assist Cathy Cordes in the International Relations office. Iris will work with them to help people with international questions and issues.

Board/Staff Covenant (Amabile)

We have a revised draft of the Board/Staff Covenant, and the plan is to get staff and Board together in September to finalize this document.

Finance Reports (Lees)

2006

• John reported that, although we projected an increase in the budget for the year, we're down in the first quarter in member contributions.
• Jewelry sales are also somewhat worrisome. Lorraine reported that focus will be placed on marketing/advertising. Denny's idea is to advertise in congregational newsletters before GA, announcing a sale on CLF jewelry. Because newsletter advertising is free, it is imperative that we continue to take advantage of this resource.
• A planned gift from the mid-1970s has come to fruition, leaving us with $15,000-17,000.

Projected 2007

• The projection shows a $48,000 deficit, with a stretch in member contributions and another challenging jewelry goal. There is a real problem with projected 2007.

Investments

• Denny reported for Ken that everything is on track relative to our investments.

Fundraising (Greeley)

Second Offering, 2005
15 of 37 minister members of the CLF agreed to Second Offering requests. Three congregations sent money in 2005. Brad hopes this program will get more attention and work from the Board in the future.

2006 Schedule
Ministers' Solicitation and APF letters will go out in April. The APF letters will segment members into two groups:  those that support other congregations as well as the CLF, and those that support only the CLF. Next year we will segment more finely.

5-Year CLF Giving Analysis (Wells)

Frank presented the following analysis: 

• median CLF household gift hasn't changed in 5 years
• average gift is going up slowly
• number of giving households is not showing any real trend
• we are a classic giving pyramid, without the top level of givers

Discussion points:

• Monthly POS payments:  currently, we have 111 members paying this way. There are additional members paying an annual donation by credit card.   It was noted that if 100 new members were enrolled at $50/month, we'd raise $60,000. We should encourage members to pay with a monthly POS.
• Frank proposed that the Board consider something like Torch Lighters (Interfaith Alliance) –a group of folks who give through monthly POS, regardless of amount. He wants people to start thinking about giving as a regular spiritual practice. Regular. The name of the program would be important. Sensitive language is important so that people who can't participate don't feel excluded.
• If we're aiming for $5,000-10,000 gifts, we need to talk about stock transfers.
• Should we have some sort of “offertory” in each issue of Quest?

CYF Report (Wells)

CYF is moving ahead with technology and worship:  streaming live video of sermons; live online chat and classes (e.g., a member who was raised Muslim teaching a class on Islam); historical sermons for audio download; to name a few.

Stewardship and leadership remain challenges. Also, it would be ideal to have funding for staff to increase membership.

We need to send the CYF a reminder that, through our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), we are required to conduct a review in the fall. Sabrina, Jen Hazel, and Erik will be involved in a conference call to review the MOU with Lois, Frank, and Denny. They will come to an understanding about what will be evaluated.
CYF is planning to have a worship service at GA. Lois will also invite CYF to the CLF ingathering. Denny will invite CYF to the annual CLF meeting.

Jason Shelton Project (Dennis)

Jason requested 4 things of the CLF. That we:

1. co-sponsor a music grant
2. house/manage the scores
3. sponsor a cantata
4. manage the fundraising/money.

We've answered in the affirmative to the first 2. Jane and Denny agree that we shouldn't do the 3rd and 4th. We will work this out with Jason.
Terry stated that he will sponsor $1000 personally (in honor of CLF) for Jason's cantata. Details will be arranged separately from this meeting.

Board Committees – Executive Committee Report (Davidoff)

The goal was to take the major work of the Board and divide it into Committees, as follows. Details are listed in an attachment from the February Board teleconference (Committees of the Board).

Finance (John Lees)
Funding and Resource Development (Frank Wells)
Board Communications (Tad Crawford)
Executive (Denny Davidoff) 

Denny asked Ken Gross to fill the role of Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee, with Frank Wells taking Ken's at-large seat. The Executive Committee will now consist of Davidoff, Gross, Lees, Wells, and Crawford.

Nominating Committee Report (Babcock)

There is a concern that we don't contact people who are not nominated. Harold will write a letter thanking those nominated and explaining the process.
Harold Babcock made a motion to accept the slate. Brad Greeley seconded. Frank Wells, Terry Robinson, and Lois Reborne abstained. Five voted to accept the slate. The slate was accepted.

2006 General Assembly

Frank Wells, Terry Robinson, and Lois Reborne will be delegates to GA.

Brad Greeley moved to accept the slate of delegates. Harold Babcock seconded the motion. The motion was accepted unanimously.

Harold Babcock moved to empower the Executive Committee to accept additional delegates who apply between now and the deadline. Terry Robinson seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously accepted.

Terry Robinson moved to adjourn the meeting. Brad Greeley seconded. The motion was unanimously accepted.

Board Notes Main Page

Last updated October 9, 2006