July 2024 Board Briefing

Eliot’s Board of Trustees held their first meeting of the new church year on Wednesday evening, July 17. (Board meetings for the 24-25 year will be held on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm in Adams Hall and are open to any visitors who wish to attend. Please notify chair@eliotchapel.org if you plan to visit a meeting.)


The board approved 1 new member for the month of June. Welcome, Cheryl Lockos! We had a total of 26 new members for the 2023-24 year! 


Jennifer Stauber was selected and approved to be the 2024-25 Chair Elect, becoming Chair for the 25-26 church year.


Rebecca Taylor was selected and approved to be the 24-25 Secretary of the Board of Trustees. 


Bob Becker was selected and approved to fill the role as the 2024-25 Ombudsperson.


We have exciting expectations for a strong financial finish to the year with a projected surplus! We anticipate to have final financial numbers for the 2023-24 year next month.

Last year board members, staff, and a few other lay leaders attended a three-year rolling strategic plan workshop led by David Pyle, the UUA Regional Lead for our MidAmerica Region (see photo, left). Afterwards, the board approved adopting the three-year rolling plan model for a strategic plan and formed a subcommittee consisting of Rev. Krista, Carole Glauser, Kalen Ponche, and Steve Mennerick. This subcommittee is ready to share the draft of this new strategic plan model that the board will begin implementing this next year. A Zoom meeting to introduce this plan to the congregation will be forthcoming. Keep an eye out for the email announcement containing details and a date for the meeting. 


Our newly adopted Ministerial Evaluation Process that will be implemented this year is being led by Bob Becker and Kathy Brunts.


Last year, some updates to simplify and strengthen the way the board conducts monitoring of their policies was approved. Board member Steve Swift spent a chunk of time this past year reviewing the process and making recommendations. Now it’s time to begin the implementation of this new policy monitoring initiative. The board approved David T. Cox to lead this initiative.


Every year, the board engages in leadership education pursuits throughout the year. This year they will be reading and discussing a collection of articles (compiled by Chair Carole Glauser), which includes a 5-part series from the New York Times published last year, on the topics of the state of religion in the U.S., what is happening with the largest and fastest religious shift in America, and the “great dechurching” of America.


The board will hold its annual summer retreat on August 16-17 at Toddhall Retreat Center.


Kathy Brunts and Rebecca Taylor were selected to help with Rev. Krista’s installation worship service. 


We look forward to seeing everyone at the official launch of the new church year, known as our Ingathering Sunday, on September 8!


Question or concern? Email us at board@eliotchapel.org.

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