SPRING 2006 CMWD UUMA Chapter Business Meeting
Madison Concourse Hotel, Madison, WI
April 21, 2006

Committee/Board Reps, Spring 2006:
Continuing Education -- Paul Beckel
Good Offices -- Nina D. Grey (Chicago), William Haney (South), Drew Kennedy, Dave Weissbard
CMWD Board -- Daniel O'Connell
Ministerial Financial Education & Advocacy -- Sydney Morris
Ministerial Settlement -- Roger Bertschausen, Axel Gehrmann
UUMA Exec -- Randy Becker
UUSC Ministerial Advocate -- Georgette Wonders
Youth & Young Adult Minister -- Kelly Crocker

Chapter Officers, Spring 2006:
Prez -- Dave Weissbard
Veep -- Bill Sasso
Treas -- Martin Woulfe
Sec -- Linda Slabon

The April 21, 2006 meeting was called to order at 10:45 a.m. by Dave Weissbard, interim president. 31 ministers were in attendance. Also present was our new Congregational Services Director, Ian Evison.

Minutes of the October 13, 2005 meeting were distributed by the secretary. Collegial observations included, "Simple but thorough." "Fabulous." "Humorous." Fine, but don't expect this blazing wit on a regular basis. What do you think? That I can repeat this? My favorite gem, "Can we get rid of the 'rev' titles in the minutes? Too formal." This, I can manage. Happily, the secretary complies. I'm wondering if I can do away with using names all together.
Action taken: Motion by Bill Sasso, second by Scott Prinster, that the minutes be accepted. Motion passed unanimously with a guttural and hearty, "Aye".

REPORTS
Treasurer (Martin Woulfe): Martin just keeps the good news coming with, "We are not broke!!" Contrary to former calculations, Mundelein, however, does not owe us money. We did receive a refund for the use of our meeting room at the Madison Concourse due to that foul odor we graciously endured. What you see in the report is what we have.
Action taken: Motion by Chip Roush, second by Emily Gage, that the treasurer's report be accepted. Motion passed unanimously with another guttural and hearty, "Aye!" (There be pirates, me thinks.)

Program (Bill Sasso): Bill reported on the survey taken at the fall 2005 meeting. The program on classism with Lynn Thomas Strauss was third of those most preferred. First was Parker Palmer on creating circles of trust. Perhaps we can secure this program in fall 2007. Second was Barbara Merritt with Ministry as a Spiritual Discipline. She has, however, withdrawn as a presenter. Bill thanked Martin Woulfe for coordinating with the hotel and sending out emails for this meeting. Thanks too to other members of the program committee. The Fall retreat is set for October 10, 11, 12, Tues-Thurs, in Racine, WI. The program will be more retreat-like instead of workshop-like. No discussion yet by committee for Spring 2006. We are open to receive ideas. Discussion of winter retreat is under Old Business.

Settlement (Roger Bertschausen, Axel Gehrmann): Roger had to leave for a memorial service but left written notes summarized here: "Relatively little business. Joyfully worked with First Unitarian, Milwaukee and Geneva who have concluded successfully second minister searches. Mukwanago is just beginning its search process. Axel has completed work with Fox Valley, Appleton, in its search for an assistant minister. Axel is currently working with Elkhart and Rockford.
Action necessary at Fall 2006 meeting: Roger states, "I will soon communicate with the Settlement Office (soon re-named Ministerial Transitions Office), with CMWD leadership, and Chapter leadership my intent to resign as MSR in spring of 2007. A new MSR will need to be in place by February, 2007 when the next training occurs."

Good Offices (Drew Kennedy, Dave Weissbard): Drew and Dave both report conversations with colleagues. Drew reminds us all: GET SUPPORT BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE! No report from Bill Haney who had to leave the meeting early.

CMWD BOARD & STAFF REPORTS
Board (Daniel O'Connell): A good year with some transitions on & off the board. We meet Friday evenings through Saturday. In a stroke of brilliance, Emily has invited congregational members from the host church to attend our Friday evening meeting. Marketing campaigns are all the rage. In 2007 the President slot & UUA trustee slot will be open on the CMWD board.

President (Emily Gage): The search process for CSD required substantial work on the part of the search committee this past fall. Sue Sinnamon and Scott Prinster served on that committee. Thanks. (Contrary to what you remember, Emily did not make this next statement choking back tears while dreaming of a limitless term ~your sec) This is my last year as president and I have served a total of 8 years on the district board. Dori has done A LOT of extra work this year. Thanks to Jim Hobart as interim CSD. Chip R. has been serving on the district Board. Roger is running for CMWD Trustee. Things have come a long way in lay and clergy relations in this district. THANK YOU!

Congregational Services, Interim (Jim Hobart): This experience has been verrrry innnnteresting. It would be helpful if the UUA could be in closer cooperation with the interim ministers who take over the CSD positions. There was some turmoil in the office when we lost Carol Hosmer. We had some false start replacements. We now welcome Peggy Boccard as the new office manager. Glad I did it, but not interested in doing it again.

Congregational Services Director, (Ian Evison): First and last, Thank you. It has been a wonderful experience being warmly greeted. I appreciate the thoughtfulness and care. My first agenda is to build relationships. Conversations with Dori, my new colleague, are enjoyable. I am weighing advice from Speed Lees, "God help ya'" and "Many variables that mark your success are not in your control so learn to live creatively!" The Machiavellian side of me seeks more of your input (Did I hear this correctly??? ~your sec) and I am heeding bits of advice such as, "Beware burnout. Don't wait for the telephone to ring. Be active, not just reactive to crisis."

MORE REPORTS
Continuing Ed (Paul Beckel): No report but a scintillating question, "Shall we eliminate this position?" Dave Robbins recalled a bit of history for us... a push back in the 1980s to encourage ministers to pursue continuing ed. To sweeten the effort, $$$ is available from the UUA for continuing ed.
Action attempted: Dave moves that Paul funnel the cash directly to us. The motion died for lack of a second although Scott offered a re-frame. Paul's question remains hanging there, in the air, unanswered.

UUMA Exec (Randy Becker): A new UUMA guidelines review is coming. Suzelle will serve on that small group. Daniel, who is serving on the UUMA nominating committee, reported that nominations are filled except communications.

Ministerial Financial Education & Advocacy (Sydney Morris): MFEA is a UUMA committee founded by Sydney. They meet by phone. Purpose is education & advocacy. Focus is on socially responsible investing. Recommend this book to us: Jihad vs. McWorld by Benjamin Barber. MFEA supports the maturation of capitalism; that capitalism can grow up and develop ethical behavior. You buy things and this ownership confers authority and responsibility. With your purchase power you can take an ethical stand in the world. You can invest in your community. There are funds from the UUA that will match your investment (up to $10k) to support socially responsible community development (see SRI at UUA website). We can help capitalism mature through purchases, community development, screening standards for investment funds, and shareholder activism.
Action invited: Join us. We meet 3-4x a year by phone. You have options with Fidelity in your retirement funds to select socially responsible companies. Join us.

UUSC (Georgette Wonders): Georgette was recruited to serve as a ministerial advocate for UUSC for our district. She states that this is a new role for her, but will convey info to us as she learns more. For our consideration:

1. Honor Yad Vashem and Martha & Waitstill Sharp who sponsor the Holocaust museum in Israel. Consider a worship service.
2. Be aware of "Rights Allowed" a UUSC speakers bureau. Go to UUSC.org/rightsallowed to read a profile of the speakers.
3. National campaign against torture. Sign a statement at UUSC.org.
4. Let Justice Roll, a multifaith coalition that works with churches and orgs to support living wage ordinances across the U.S.
5. Freedom Summer Just Works camp to support the history of the Civil Rights movement.

Nominating Committee (David Robbins, Georgette Wonders, Daniel O'Connell): The committee presents Jim Hobart as candidate for CMWD UUMA president. The term of service is to begin (One could say, "resume" ~sec) on July 1st, 2006. As this nomination is from the committee, no motions from the floor are required.
Action taken: Passed by acclamation.

OLD BUSINESS
Item 1. Winter Retreat (Bill Sasso & Scott Prinster): Bill noted that no action had been taken by the framers at this time. "It was agreed," he reflected, "that we do not want to rush into such a new, radical, ephemeral, and embryonic idea." Then this secretary heard the call it sounded, plaintive yet tentatively eager, bold yet somewhat coy, for others to join the framers in pursuit of the dream. With "Build it and they will come," echoing in their minds, the valiant few stepped forward (Not literally, of course. This is inspirational literature ~sec) Who else is interested in the quest? The valiant -- Scott Prinster, Martin Wolfe, Brett Lortie, and Suzelle Lynch. It is hoped that one or two community ministers be recruited to serve as well. It is hoped that this retreat would be available to them.

Item 2. Our Covenant: At the Fall 2005 meeting Drew had requested that our Program Committee build in a discussion on the nature and expectations of our covenant with one another. Discussion ensued. At the fall 2005 retreat a copy of our CMWD UUMA Chapter Covenant was available. It will be posted on our website.
Action taken: Motion by Jim Hobart that we send absent colleagues a brief note urging their participation and he added, "I will be glad to write those notes." Martin observed that there were 21 absent colleagues and that he would provide Jim with the list. Motion passed by acclimation.

NEW BUSINESS
Chip Roush asked for a clarification on students attend our meetings. Meadville students are welcome at CMWD UUMA meetings if they are student members of the UUMA. A list of ministers residing in our district should be available from Jeannette at UUMA.

Interim president Dave Weissbard then took decisive presidential action. He rekindled a profound district ritual -- the Secretary's naming of the most emotionally stirring and beatific sox. Tears hovered as I recalled long ago, when I was but a pup of a minister and new to this district, when the sox award had meant something. Dave brought it all back to us.
Action fulfilled: The Secretary named two Spring 2006 Sox award winners.

1. To Chip Roush for a lovely wrapped toe with the rest of his foot free and unfettered.
2. And to Drew Kennedy for his finely woven brown sox. They, on display before me during the entire Odyssey, had become familiar, friendly, and comfortable. Like an old sock. Sigh.

Motion to adjourn by Daniel O., second by John Biedler. Motion passed.
Meeting adjourned

Respectfully submitted,
Linda S. Slabon, Secretary