the OUUC spark

Dear Friends,

Over 50 congregants attended the May 5 "Bridging the Gap" presentation and listening session about OUUC revenues and expenses over the last few years. This event had the largest attendance of any previous Board Sunday in recent memory. Thank you all for your participation and for your thoughtful emails.

We want people to be engaged in the stewardship of our congregation. We want people to access the level of information they want and need. In this case, we asked you to brainstorm ways to raise revenues, even reduce operating expenses, without providing information you needed. So, along with the engagement and lively discussion, some unintended consequences were confusion, hurt feelings and deep concern expressed by some participants and listeners.

We're sorry for the impact this had. Rev. Mary and members of the Board want you to know that we heard you, and we are committed to being available to all congregants.

OUUC is at an exciting time. We have choices to make, but these are topics for a larger discussion. For now, here are the next steps:

• Tuesday, May 21: May Board Meeting. The Board discusses the draft 2024-25 budget. This budget version is revised to reflect the actual results of the 2024 Stewardship Campaign. When discussion is complete, the Board approves the final draft brought to the congregation for a vote at the Annual Meeting on June 9. Board meetings are open — just request the link in advance from a Board member or Rev. Mary.

• Sunday May 26: Annual Meeting Agenda Posted. The Board announces the Agenda of the Annual Meeting of OUUC to be held on Sunday, June 9. Links to agenda items, including the budget, are included so people can read about what they are voting on.

• Sunday, June 2: Board Sunday Budget Expo. The Board presents a high-level breakdown of the 2024-25 operations budget after the service on Sunday, June 2 at 11:30 am. Paper and digital copies of the budget will be made available to the congregation. This will be more detailed information than presented at the annual meeting, so bring your detailed questions here.

• Sunday June 9: The Annual Meeting of OUUC. Members vote to approve new Board Members, new Leadership Development Committee members, covenant changes, by laws changes, and the 2024-45 Operating Budget. If you are not sure if you are a voting member of OUUC, please contact Rosie in the office.

The Board and Rev. Mary have received all your suggestions and on June 2 will provide more information about them, the steps used to balance the budget for the next year, and steps to build OUUC’s financial health.

We thank you for your trust in us to represent your interests and the interests of future congregants, and to keep OUUC strong and healthy.

With love,

Arlene G. Colerick, Board of Trustees

Rev. Mary Gear, Minister

More than a year and a half ago, we began the process of revisiting OUUC’s covenant, making some revisions to the current covenant and adding a behavioral covenant. Based on your feedback during congregational forums last Spring, the writing team made some revisions, and the Board of Trustees has made some decisions.

We’ve done a lot of talking and listening, now it’s time to vote. At the June 9 congregational meeting, members will be asked to vote on the proposed changes to the current covenant and the addition of a behavioral covenant.

You can find the proposed covenant changes and more history here.

One of the concerns expressed last Spring was about what would happen if someone didn’t follow the behavioral covenant. This is a concern about how we, as a community, handle accountability. The Board adopted a policy about addressing non-covenantal behavior, which you can find here. This is one of the ways we help maintain safety for everyone and stay in relationship even when we disagree. You will see that the first step, whenever possible, is to have a direct conversation.

If you have any questions about this proposal or the process, please contact me.

I hope you will lend your voice and vote to this project.

Rev. Mary

Minister@ouuc.org

For tonight's community dinner, we will have noodles. All are welcome for food and fellowship at 5:30pm. Volunteers are needed to help cook, set up, and clean up. If you can help please contact Rev. Sara or just show up early.

After-dinner options (6:30ish) include the kids' class, UU Pagan Group, and UU Buddhists' Sangha.

In this week's Tiny Little News, this week's events and a special preview of the Volunteer Appreciation Game Show for Sunday.

Website: https://www.ouuc.org

Email: office@ouuc.org

Location: 2306 East End St NW, Olympia, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 634-2005

Office Hours

Tuesday - Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sunday, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Staff Contacts

Rev. Mary Gear, Minister

Rev. Sara Lewis, Director of Community & Faith Development

Troy Fisher, Music Director

Isaac Jennings, Business Manager

Rosie Koppelman, Office Assistant

Teresa Madsen, Communications & Tech Coordinator

Marie Arensmeyer, Facilities Manager

Anissa Bentlemsani, Religious Education Assistant

Carbon Marshall, Tech Specialist