Board Meetings

Mountain Unitarian Universalists Board Meeting

April 6, 2025

1:PM

Sierra Senior Center

1. Opening Words and Chalice Lighting (Chris)

2. Roll Call and Establish Quorum

a. Teresa Allen-Rowe (Pastor)

b. Deb Spurlock (President)

c. Jessica (Vice-president)

d. Jennifer Spurlock (Treasurer)

e. Judy Ball (Secretary)

f. Kat Lewis

g. Judith Stafford

h. Amy Blodgett

i. Chris Allen-Rowe

j. Katie Cotter

k. Neil Dutchovel

l. Brenda Acord

3. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes (Tabled to May meeting)

4. Treasurer’s Report (Jennifer)

a. Copies handed out to all attending (copies available on request)

b. Motion to accept: Katie

i. Second: Teresa

ii. Motion passed

5. Old Business

a. Bylaws Review (Chris)

i. Brief review of progress on Bylaws in progress

ii. Chris and Jennifer continuing to revise and refine.

b. Board Covenant (Chris)

i. Planning virtual training session for Board Officers and area UU

representative next week.

ii. Following training will be refining and feedback. This will be an

organic document that will change and grow in sync with our

congregation.

6. New Business

a. 501c3 Filing Date

i. Progress being made on all requirements/documents needed.

b. Upcoming Events /Fundraising Ideas

i. River Grove Community Yard Sale

ii. Rally 4/19 @ Noon—Corner of 41 and 426. We have purchased a

sandwich sign to use. Table with sign in book will be available.

Information on MUU available for those interested in joining us.

iii. Communications and Website Update

1. The 7 th Day Adventists have a trailer they may be willing to

donate for our use.

2. The website is making great progress. Tina's daughter has been diligently

working with Pastor Teresa.

3. Website address: mountainuu.org

7. Closing Words: Chris

8. Adjournment: 2:05pm

Mountain Unitarian Universalists Board Meeting Minutes

May 4, 2025

1:00 PM

Sierra Senior Center

1. Opening Words and Chalice Lighting (Pastor T)

2. Attendance and Quorum Check (Judy)

a. Teresa Allen-Rowe (Pastor)

b. Deb Spurlock (President)

c. Jessica Turner (Vice-president)

d. Jenn Spurlock (Treasurer)

e. Judy Ball (Secretary)

f. Chris Cantwell

g. Chris Allen-Rowe

h. Amy Blodgett

i. Natasha Arnold

j. Danetta Vawter

k. Judith Stafford

3. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes (Deb)

a. Unanimous approval.

4. Treasurer’s Report (Jenn)

a. Future reports will be in summary form.

b. We will reach out to Summer for guidance when necessary.

c. We will track any items that are “out of the ordinary” to align with the larger

budget tracking.

d. Motion to approve (Chris) Second (Amy)

e. Unanimous approval (Deb)

f. Annual expenses budget tabled. Still in process.

5. Letter of Application

a. In process. It is only offered 3 times a year.

b. Our chosen deadline is May 15.2025.

c. Being under the UUA makes us completely official and supported by the

UUA.

i. Liability coverage, sharing music, searchable access to all resources

on the UU website, etc.

ii. Quite a bit of the information needed for the application is a

copy/paste from information we have already sent to Summer.

d. Worship practices and Religious Education plans

i. This is meant to give UUA an idea of what we’ve done so far and our

hopes for our future.

ii. The letters necessary are all in process.

iii. Note: The Annual Program Fund determines the percentage that

we will pay for annual dues to UUA. This is generally 6.5% of our

annual budget. They have a committee that helps with this.

6. Mission Statement approval

a. Chosen statement (but could change over time): Love in Action—Creating

Change.

b. Motion: Natasha 2nd : Jessica

c. Motion passed unanimously

7. Community Covenant

a. Jessica shared her feelings about the Board Officer’s meeting/workshop with

Summer. It was a very positive and helpful experience for all of us.

b. We have the option of scheduling future trainings with Summer around full

Board training in a broad range of topics.

c. Natasha read the covenants aloud.

d. We discussed the use of the word “radical” and all its meanings. Some

examples given were the idea that we’re in this for the long haul. It’s not a

sprint. Self-care comes first, even if others may be frustrated by it. We may

adjust some language to provide a broader understanding.

e. We always have the option to make changes as we grow and develop as a

community.

f. One of our first committees may need to be conflict resolution.

8. Upcoming events

a. In general, we’re going to need a lot of volunteers!

b. Chris: We will up the space at SSC within a week or 2 due to our growth!

Chris will need about 6 or 7 consistent volunteers each week to set up and

take down. We have a projector and screen. Chris asked for patience as she

fine-tunes the design of our space.

c. Fresno Pride:

i. We are set to have a float and booth. Trailer for the float is arranged.

We have a list of people who have folding tables to loan as needed.

ii. Paster T has created an Amazon wish list of decorations, etc.

iii. Budget: Pastor T will request that other entities participating with

us contribute what they can. We are trying to keep the costs as low as

possible.

iv. More detailed budget document is in process.

v. Committees will be created as needed.

vi. Pastor T has an Amazon Wish List set up for the supplies, etc., to

decorate the float and the booth.

vii. More info and planning is happening almost daily.

9. New Business:

a. Brief discussion around what constitutes a “Voting Member” of MUU.

b. We will provide a Member Book for those over 18 to sign. Other age levels

(children and youth) TBD.

10. Other Business: Pastor T starts school the first week of September and needs to

begin her course reading assignments.

11. Closing Chalice Reading: (Pastor T)

12. Adjournment: 2:00 pm

Mountain Unitarian Universalists Board Meeting Minutes

May 19, 2025

1:00 PM

Sierra Senior Center

1. Opening Words and Chalice Lighting (Pastor T)

2. Attendance and Quorum Check (Judy)

a. Teresa Allen-Rowe (Pastor)

b. Deb Spurlock (President)

c. Jessica Turner (Vice-president)

d. Jenn Spurlock (Treasurer)

e. Judy Ball (Secretary)

f. Chris Cantwell

g. Chris Allen-Rowe

h. Kattie Cotter

i. Amy Blodgett

j. Natasha Arnold

k. Jey Xander

3. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

a. Unanimous approval.

4. UUA Membership Application (Chris)

a. Application has been submitted.

b. UUA meeting for approval is June 30 th . We should hear back shortly after.

5. 501c3 Status:

a. Almost everything is complete.

b. Summer is sending us more helpful information.

c. We still need a 3-year projected budget plan.

d. There are resources available to help with this process.

e. Paster T shared her long-term vision of a true sanctuary in every sense of the

word. A place that is available 24/7 where anyone in any need can find help

and solace.

6. Proposal: The Healing Nest Meditation Group

a. Natasha shared how well the first meeting went. There were only a few

people there, but everyone expressed a desire to have this regularly

scheduled.

b. Discussion on how often to offer it.

i. Decided weekly. Wednesday evenings at 6pm.

ii. Open to the whole community.

c. There is a $30 cost for SSC rental. Chris said he would be happy to fund that

for the next 2 months.

d. Motion: Chris C.

e. Second: Jessica

f. All in favor. Motion passed.

7. Fresno Pride Planning

a. Paster T has created an Amazon wish list of decorations, etc.

b. Budget: Pastor T will request that other entities participating with us

contribute what they can. We are trying to keep the costs as low as possible.

i. More detailed budget document is in process.

c. We will rent a trailer for the float.

d. Committees will be created as needed.

8. Other Business: Pastor T starts school the first week of September.

9. Closing Chalice Reading: (Pastor T)

10. Adjournment: 2:00 pm

1. Opening Words and Chalice Lighting (Pastor T)

2. Attendance and Quorum Check (Judy)

a. Teresa Allen-Rowe (Pastor)

b. Deb Spurlock (President)

c. Jessica Turner (Vice-president)

d. Jenn Spurlock (Treasurer)

e. Judy Ball (Secretary)

f. Chris Cantwell

g. Chris Allen-Rowe

h. Kattie Cotter

i. Amy Blodgett

j. Natasha Arnold

k. Jey Xander

3. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes and Treasurer’s Report

a. Members reviewed May 4 th and May 19th minutes.

b. Minutes unanimously approved.

c. Discussion around upcoming Agendas, Financial reports, and previous

meeting minutes being submitted prior to the meetings to save time. Agreed

that we will try this and then adjust as needed.

d. Motion: Jey. Second: Jessica. Approved.

4. Pride Activities Update

a. Pastor T requested an additional $50 for the budget.

i. Motion to provide the additional money.

ii. Motion: Jen. Second Chris C. Approved

b. Pastor T reviewed the status on volunteers. There is a lot of interest, and we

should have lots of help, especially with the North Fork congregation joining

us. Catie has volunteered to be at the booth during the parade.

5. Discussion Items:

a. Budget Priorities and Planning (Chris)

i. Chris shared an overview of future budget needs.

ii. Discussion around potential Finance Committee Members

1. Volunteers: Jennifer, Deb, Chris C, Katie, Amy, and Chris

b. There is some good training available from UUA. Chris has started one of the

classes and will report back on others who may be interested in signing up

for classes.

c. Chris led the group in an activity (pennies in small popcorn buckets) designed

to help us get a start on prioritizing and categorizing the budget. This info will

be part of upcoming steps on fleshing out the budget.

i. Top items: Contingency and Reserve Funds, Governments (?), Justice,

and Service, Cooperating Expenses.

ii. Chris will tally these amounts further.

iii. It’s important that we are aware of where our money is coming

from.

iv. Chris suggested we begin thinking about having a Pledge Drive.

The Finance Committee will be working on this, and we would likely

begin with the Board and then bring it to the full congregation.

Donations can come in many ways and a pledge is not legally binding

or anything. We will never spend money we do not have.

6. Question on liability, etc. (Amy)

a. This is where our UUA membership and 501c3 will come in. We will keep

updating this information as we gather it.

7. Closing Chalice Reading: (Pastor T)

8. Adjournment: 2:15 pm.

9. Next meeting: June 15 @ 1:15 pm

MUU Board Meeting – July 6, 2025

Time: 2:25 pm

Location: Sierra Senior Center

1. Opening
   
   • Chalice lighting - Pastor T
     
   • Attendees
     1. Deb, Jenn, Chris A, Judy, Teresa, Amy, Jessica, Katie C, Kat
     2. Brief check-in: How was the ceremony for you? 
        1. Exciting, beautiful, emotional, warm and inclusive, tribal
           
2. Approve Minutes & Agenda - Deb
   
   • Approve last month’s minutes
     1. Motion: Chris A
     2. Second: Kat
     3. Unanimous approval

1. Treasurer’s Report
   
   • Current finances - Jenn
     1. Jenn reviewed the monthly summary
     2. Robust discussion around purchasing and oversight
        1. Follow-up planned for next meeting
           
   • Updates on 501(c)(3) status and pledge drive - Chris
     1. Chris reviewed the necessity for a 3-year budget, and why the Pledge Drive is so important. 
     2. Chris passed out envelopes for each Board Member containing an explanation letter and pledge forms for the board. Request to complete and return to Chris. 
     3. Suggestion was made to include the MUU phone number to the Zelle line item. 
2. Discussion Round on Dynamic Governance - Chris
   • Chris shared information she has been learning regarding this concept.
     1. Our UU Region uses this format during their meetings. We may or may not decide to implement it. Today’s round-table is a taste of what it’s like. 
   • Note: Full discussion available via attached audio file. (Begins at 27:43)
     

1. Wrap-Up
   
   • Next meeting: August 3, 2025 at 1:15 pm
     
     
   • Chalice extinguishing - Chris A