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Proposals for the
Annual Meeting
May 21, 2006
1. Shall Eliot Chapel become a Welcoming Congregation?
Passed
Background:
The Welcoming Congregation is a voluntary program designed by the UUA to assist congregations that would like to become intentionally more inclusive towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people. About half of the UU congregations in the U.S., and 3 of 9 in Missouri, have voted to be recognized as Welcoming Congregations. Over the last two years, Eliot Chapel has held a series of workshops and other activities to increase awareness of LGBT issues. Voting to become as a Welcoming Congregation would allow Eliot Chapel to be recognized publicly as a place where LGBT people may feel safe and accepted as part of a religious community. Eliot Chapel would be identified on the UUA web site and in other UUA publications as a Welcoming Congregation.
2. Shall Eliot Chapel adopt the congregational resolution:
"The congregation affirms that it invests the Board of Trustees with the authority to manage and administer all assets of the church. This resolution supercedes any conflicting resolutions."
Tabled until next annual meeting with a board committee created to study the impact.
Background:
Eliot Chapel has been undergoing governance changes for the past four years. This resolution is an outcome of that effort. Historically, several committees have managed, and will continue to manage, certain assets of the chapel. This resolution affirms that the Board of Trustees has overall authority and fiduciary responsibility for all the assets of the chapel.
3. Shall Eliot Unitarian Chapel become an Endorsing Congregation of the Missouri Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice?
Passed
Background:
MORCRC is a liberal religious voice in the effort to protect women's reproductive freedom in Missouri. Its parent organization (RCRC) was founded by ministers who wanted to be sure that women could safely prevent having more children than they were prepared to care for. Advocacy for reproductive rights, which can be controversial, is a very important, but relatively small, part of its work. Its primary effort is birth control education of teenagers, parents of teenagers, college students, seminarians, counselors and the general public. RCRC also works through ministers and other counselors to provide all-options counseling for women with problem pregnancies. Eliot would make an annual donation of $100.
4. Shall Eliot Unitarian Chapel ordain Susan Maginn in the Fall of 2006?
Passed
Background:
Susan Maginn has recently met all the requirements for UU ministry, and has been cleared for settlement as a UU minister by the Ministerial Fellowship Committee of the UUA's Board of Trustees. Susan is requesting to be ordained at Eliot Chapel in the fall of 2006. Susan was our ministerial intern in 2003-2004. In the fall of 2004, Susan returned to full-time seminary study while also working as Eliot's Youth Programs Director, a position which she still holds. Susan will graduate from Eden Theological Seminary in May 2006.
5. Shall these persons serve on the Board of Trustees of Eliot Unitarian Chapel for a three-year term commencing June 1, 2006?
All elected
Chris Bowland
Rich Wagner
Jeanne Wilke
(and)
Shall Steve Lawrence serve as Treasurer for a one-year term commencing June 1, 2006?
Bios of the board member candidates are posted on the bulletin board outside Adams Hall.