Minutes of Most Recent Annual Meeting

Church moderator, Florence Mercer, was ill, and appointed Walter Shivik as "Moderator Pro Tempore." Walter opened the meeting and indicated that we would use a modified version of Roberts Rules of Order. Parish Clerk, Nancy Crochiere, took minutes.

Walter read Article 1 of the Warrant:

Article 1: To act upon the reports of the officers and committees. Cecilia Healy moved that the reports of the officers and committees be accepted. Betty Pike seconded.

The Moderator recognized Harold Babcock, who praised the strong attendance at annual meeting for the second year in a row. He asked for a moment of silence for those members who had died over the past year. Harold noted that Eleanor Bailey, who died a few years ago, left us a bequest of $200,000.

Harold updated his minister's report: he has performed 28 child dedication ceremonies and 13 funeral and memorial services. He thanked Bert Steeves for his support and for filling in on memorial services and weddings as needed. Harold noted that he had now been with FRS for ten years and thanked the staff and retiring chairs and Parish Committee members. He also thanked the choir members and recognized Cecilia Healy as retiring Parish Committee chair.

This year, the Society has have averaged 190 people at its worship services (not counting choir members and Young Church teachers). That is a 20 person increase from the previous year. The highlight of the year for Harold was the visit paid to us by members of our Partner Church in Transylvania.

Among the accomplishments for the year, Harold mentioned the great success of the Collection for Cause program; the completion of a five-year church survey, the eight youths who will be traveling to Transylvania this summer; and the success of the Shared Ministry Groups. The challenges facing us include raising enough money to fund our salaries and programs, continued upkeep on our historic building, and assimilation of new members. However, Harold said, the future looks bright.

The Moderator called the motion and it passed unanimously.

The moderator read Article 2.

Article 2: To act upon the 2005-2006 budget recommended by the Parish Committee.

Bill Heenehan moved that the 2005-2006 budget as recommended by the Parish Committee and as amended be adopted. Peter Cullinan seconded.

As Finance Committee Chair, Bill spoke about the budget. He indicated that the budget represents an eight percent increase to $426,000. The increase was the result of taking on the debt service associated with the mortgage as well as anticipated increases in the cost of fuel oil and utilities. The budget also restores a number of commitments we have made to our staff, including a 3% cost of living increase and the reinstatement of a 14% church contribution to staff retirement funds, from the 12% budgeted last fiscal year. The budget does not, however, include funds for expanded programming.

Peter Cullinan asked what the original budget target was, when we started the Annual Canvass. Bill responded that it was $442,000. In other words, although we had a successful canvass and raised more money than in the past, we still fell $14,000 short.

Chris Hyde asked for clarification on what the money listed as Parish Committee budget represents. Bill indicated that this money is used to fund specific needs that arise that cannot be assigned to other programs. Chris thought it was unfortunate that the funds for the Partner Church were zeroed out. Harold noted that we donate the money from our Christmas Eve offering (usually $700-800) to the Partner Church, and that the Partner Church Committee may ask the Parish Committee for permission to do additional fundraising. However, the need is not as immediate this year as in the past year, when we were trying to fund the visits by the Transylvanian contingent.

The membership voted unanimously to approve the motion.

The moderator read Article 3.

Article 3: To act upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee for the election of officers and chairpersons.

Nancy Crochiere, Chair of the Nominating Committee, moved to amend the recommendation of the Nominating Committee as follows: add Jay McCarthy to the Parish Committee nomination for a three-year term; have Ann Power replace Alicia Raddatz as Chair of the Human Services Committee. John Mercer seconded the motion.

Peter Cullinan asked how the church might fill the empty chairperson position for the Social Action committee. John Mercer said that an interested individual could be appointed by the Parish Committee and then be approved by the membership at a later date.

The motion passed in the affirmative.

The moderator read Article 4.

Article 4: To act upon the recommendation of the Social Action and Parish Committees relating to Collection-for-a-Cause donations to local charities.

Liss Campbell moved that starting July 1, 2005, 50% of all loose plate funds be donated to charitable organizations selected by the Social Action Committee. Betty Pike seconded.

Liss, the outgoing chair of the Social Action Committee, noted that we were able to donate $3000 to various charities this year from the funds collected in the loose plate offering and still the church realized a gain in the amount it collected for its own uses. Laurie Evans Daley asked if the new budget has taken this increase into consideration. Bill Heenehan replied that yes, we have budgeted for $7000 for us and for local charities. Liss indicated that, in other churches, as the percentage given to charities increased, so did people's giving.

The motion passed unanimously.

The moderator read Article 5.

Article 5: To act upon the changes to the bylaws of the First Religious Society as recommended by the Parish Committee.

Harold Babcock moved acceptance of the bylaw changes shown in the report of the Bylaws Subcommittee, essentially changing the name of the Human Services Committee to the Community Human Services Committee. Ruth Hughes seconded.

The motion passed unanimously.

The moderator read Article 6.

Article 6: To act upon the recommendation of the Parish Committee to establish the Bailey Fund with bequest money currently in the FRS endowment.

Cecilia moved that we act upon the recommendation of the Parish Committee to establish the Bailey Fund with bequest money currently in the FRS endowment. Mindy Sheehy seconded.

John Mercer amended the motion so that we establish the fund and have it managed by the trustees.

The motion passed in the affirmative.

The moderator read Article 7.

Article 7: To act upon the recommendation of the Parish Committee to enter into various contracts.

Cecilia moved that we vote to act upon the recommendation of the Parish Committee to enter into various contracts. Cary Plumer seconded.

Bill Heenehan amended the motion to move that the Society approve two contracts: $42,000 to George Burgess for the painting of the steeple down to the meetinghouse roof ($10,000 to come from an anonymous gift and $32,000 from the Bailey Fund); and $15,000 to Lombardi Oil Company for a new boiler in the Parish Hall, the maximum allowable amount to come from the Bailey Fund, the remainder up to $3,500.00 to come from the budget surplus at fiscal year end 2005.

Michael Fosburg asked if the Parish Committee can enter into other contracts. Harold said, no, just these.

The amendment passed unanimously. The motion then passed unanimously.

Article 8: To act upon the recommendation of the Parish Committee relating to 2004-2005 retirement payments for qualified staff members.

Bill Heenehan moved that the FRS restore retirement payments of 14% from the voted 12% for the 2004-2005 fiscal year to all qualified employees, the amount to come from the budget surplus at fiscal year end 2005. Nancy Kidd seconded.

The motion passed unanimously.

Article 9: To act upon the recommendation of the Parish Committee to remove certain inactive members from membership of the First Religious Society.

John Mercer moved to amend the list of those recommended for removal from membership. John explained that one person on the list had already been removed from membership and that the other had requested to remain a member.

Anne Verret-Speck seconded the motion. Bill Heenehan seconded the motion as amended.

The amendment passed unanimously. The motion then passed unanimously.

Article 10: To act upon any other business that may legally come before the Parish.

Hearing none, the moderator said he would entertain a motion to adjourn.

John Mercer moved that the meeting adjourn. Louis VanBokkelen seconded.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Crochiere
Parish Clerk