Part II: Principal Activities Through June, 1998
After nearly two years of meeting in members' homes, the Fellowship
secured the use of the Sun Room at Memorial Hospital in North Conway,
and met there twice a month (2nd and 4th Sundays) starting April 18,
1982 at 4 p.m. Among the early guests were Barbara and Malcolm Reed of
the Reading (MA) Unitarian Church on July 11th and August 8th. On
September 5 we shifted to the first- and third-Sunday schedule which was
maintained until 1997, when activities were added for the second- and
fourth-Sundays.
Discussion began in September, 1982 between president Marilyn McKenna
and the Rev. Deane Starr, Executive Secretary of the NH/VT District,
regarding the possibility of the District's providing us with a part
time minister. The Rev. J. Chandler Newton, District Extension Minister,
met with the Executive Committee on November 3rd to learn of our needs,
and conducted his first worship service for us on November21, 1982. His
once/month services were partly subsidized by the District. We moved our
meeting place to "The Chapel" (later renamed the Henderson
Room), downstairs in the Conway Village Congregational Church on June
19, 1983. With a few exceptions, our "long distance minister"
Rev. Chandler continued to provide one service a month, with the other
service led by either a guest speaker or a UUFES member, through June,
1986.
A note on attendance: During that period it averaged 7.4 through the
end of 1981. In calendar '82 the average was 10, and in the first half
of 1983, 8.3. These figures are possible because Russ Miller kept
record, neatly typed, Sunday by Sunday, with the names of those in
attendance.
Having accepted the presidency at the Annual Meeting in June, 1984,
Roderick Forsman began leading most of the services on those alternate
Sundays when Rev. Chandler was not here. He had earlier conducted the
services on 10/3/82, 1/2/83, and 7/17/83. Rod was a school psychologist
and active UU who had moved to the area in1980 from Plattsburgh, NY
where he was on the faculty of the State University of New York College.
The sermons he read were ones sent him by The Rev. Robert Senghas,
minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Society, Burlington, VT.
This pattern continued through June, 1986 when Chan's Extension Ministry
with us ended. During the year '86-'87, Rod moved more and more into the
"pulpit role", and there was also increased participation by
other members and friends as well as guest speakers.
Rod's role as lay leader/minister was formalized at the Annual
Meeting on June 7, 1987 (and was eventually to continue to his
retirement in June, 1998.) Russ Miller moved to appoint Forsman as Lay
Leader "to serve on an annual contract which will automatically
renew each year unless either party gives notice by April 1st. . . and
in consideration of an annual 'honorarium' mutually agreed upon."
Since 1985, at least one service per year has focused on the Unitarian
Universalist Service Committee, both to publicize its highly effective
programs and to urge membership in the UUSC and/or financial
contribution for its support by us as individuals.
In November, 1989 permission was received to use the Henderson Room
at 8:30 a.m. There had been persistent dissatisfaction over the years
with the 4 p.m. meeting time, especially during the winter months.
However, there were still the problems associated with
"sharing" these quarters with other users from the preceding
week. For example, a day-care program consistently left the room covered
with furnishings, toys, etc. which all had to be moved out of the way in
order for any semblance to be achieved of a worship space. As I recall
it, early in the summer of '89, carpenters started work at the rear of
the Henderson Room to install storage space for foodstuffs for a new
food pantry program.
This development further increased our awareness of shortcomings in
our worship-service space. Subsequently, at the Annual Meeting in June,
1989 it was decided to delay adoption of a budget until the fall,
pending outcome of our looking for an alternative location, which might
mean significant change in rent. A Site Location Committee was
appointed, composed of Warren Witherell (south), Rod Forsman (Conway
area) and Russell Miller (Maine) to scout out possibilities. None was
found, but the process had been started. Nearly two years later we did
secure the use of Runnells Hall in the village of Chocorua, commencing
September 15, 1991. The change also allowed us to move the meeting time
a half-hour later to 9 a.m. The Fellowship has continued to meet there
with great satisfaction through the present time.
Happenstance notes made at our last service in the Henderson Room on
Labor Day Weekend, 1991, recorded the following persons present: Margie
(that's with a hard 'g') Fennell, Phyllis Hatch, Marilyn McKenna,
Wardner and Frederika Gilroy, Foster Gilroy, Dave Fisher, Erma Perry,
Sylvia and Warren Witherell, Russell and Janet Miller, a homeless man,
Richard Doreghty, and lay minister Rod Forsman. Incidentally, my
recollection is that the attendance at one of the services that summer
was four.
A further note on attendance. Accurate records have not been kept
consistently, but it is accurate to say that attendance at worship
services steadily grew over the years. By 1997 we were numbering two
dozen or more per worship service. Special occasions saw this number
jump into the high thirties or low forties.
Membership in the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Eastern
Slopes is specified in its Bylaws (as amended) as follows: "Any
person sixteen (16) years of age or older who is in sympathy with the
purpose and program of this Fellowship may become a member by signing
the membership book. Membership is open to all qualified persons
regardless of race, color, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, or
national origin." The following persons have signed the book (many
former members moved out of the area, without resigning; their status
has been listed here as "name removed":
Date
Name
Status
11/15/81
Judith H. Johnson
active (resigned, rejoined 4/6/97)
11/15/81
Janet P. Miller
deceased 11/11/96, age 79
11/15/81
Marilyn F. McKenna
deceased 2/20/03, age 82
11/15/81
Robert O. Johnson
moved away, resigned,
remains as Friend
11/15/81
C. Russell Miller
active
11/15/81
Judith N. Soule
name removed
11/15/81
Holly Ann Johnson
name removed
11/23/81
N. Linda Richardson
resigned (moved away)
11/23/81
Lyle M. Richardson
deceased 12/4/82
12/20/81
Elizabeth C. Carlson
name removed
12/20/81
Winthrop M. Carlson
name removed
12/20/81
Mildred P. Boyle
deceased 10/20/86
5/2/82
Kenneth Dole
deceased 10/5/93
5/2/82
Roderick Forsman
active
6/27/82
Evelyn Dole resigned
6/10/84
11/7/82
Tom Packard
name removed
6/17/84
Chandler Newton
given associate membership, 6/88
3/17/85
Howard Miller
name removed
3/17/85
Margot Miller
name removed
3/31/85
Cindy Shelley
name removed
3/31/85
Warren Witherell
deceased 7/30/99
3/31/85
Sylvia Witherell
deceased 4/26/96
5/19/85
Frederick B. VanCor
active
11/3/85
Phyllis J. Hatch
active
3/30/86
Margaret F. Fennell
deceased 9/21/94
3/30/86
Adele Sanger-Glass
name removed
5/17/87
Louise D. Wilson
deceased 2/26/99
5/17/87
Peggy Rossing
name removed
5/17/87
Diane Sinclair
name removed
5/17/87
Doug Bowen
name removed
1/3/88
Louisa Goss
resigned (moved away)
2/3/90
Frederika Gilroy
active
2/3/90
Wardner Gilroy
active
12/16/90
Edith W. Gimpel
active
1/5/92
Kathryn A. Burnell
active
1/5/92
F. David Fisher
active
2/2/92
Susan D. Stowbridge
moved to Starr King Fellowship
1/19/92
Deborah H. Frock
active
3/?/92
Beulah Dean-VanCor
name removed
9/20/92
Honore Hill
resigned 5/96
9/20/92
Malcolm E. Reed
active
9/20/92
Barbara Reed
active
12/20/92
Carol A. Smith
active
3/7/93
Marc Stowbridge
moved to Starr King Fellowship
3/21/93
Joan T. Sherman
active
9/5/93
John D. Koob
resigned (moved away)
2/6/94
Perry Conley
resigned (moved away)
2/20/94
Peggy Erskine
deceased
3/19/95
Martin Frank
resigned
9/3/95
Tom Reichheld
active
9/15/96
Selma Dendy
resigned
9/15/96
Hans Norenburg
resigned
11/17/96
Cynthia Foster
name removed
11/17/96
Kim Dietel
name removed
12/1/96
Douglas VanD.
Leathem
active
12/1/96
Susan B.K. Forsman
active
12/15/96
Lisa Johnston
name removed
12/15/96
Sally Louise Wheeler
active
4/6/97
Connie Jan Sears
active
5/31/97
Marlene J. Ostrowski
active
6/15/97
Lyn Slanetz
active
12/21/97
Greg Bossart
name removed
12/21/97
Nancy Sheridan
active
12/21/97
Susan M. Glenn
resigned
12/21/97
John Hancock
active
6/7/98
Robert C. Young
active
6/20/98
Richard E. Cary
active
6/20/98
Deborah V. Cary
active
10/8/98
Duncan Howlett
active
11/1/98
Clare Fox
active
11/1/98
Charlotte Van Hof
active
12/19/98
Beth Bonanno
active
2/7/99
Barbara L. Lomas
active
2/21/99
Brenda Taylor
active
2/21/99
JoAnne M. Rainville
active
6/20/99
Laurie E. Forsman
resigned (moved away)
1/16/00
Marilyn Bennett
name removed
2/6/00
Mirick Friend
active
6/4/00
Jean B. Holbrook
active
8/20/00
Sandra L. Carr
active
10/29/00
Wilma M. Mork
active
10/29/00
Tina Craig
active
10/29/00
Charles Greenhalgh
active
11/5/00
Elizabeth Rhymer
active
11/5/00
Joel Rhymer active
11/19/00
Ann Thomas Wilkins
active
12/17/00
Donna Polhamus
active
1/21/01
Edward Wright
active
1/21/01
LaVonne C. Wright
deceased, 12/ /01
1/21/01
Miriam A. Morrell
active
1/21/01
Rosemary Loveday
resigned (moved away)
1/27/01
Teena Manning
active
4/8/01
Erika M. Hunter
active
5/20/01
Joy Lynne Maidment active
5/28/01
Russell T. Maidment
active
11/4/01
Erin K. Wright-Stanten
active
11/4/01
Howard Stanten
active
5/12/02
Eleanor Jenkins
active
7/7/02
Alice Clapp
active
7/21/02
Denise D’Eri
active
7/28/02
Ira Lubkin
active
7/28/02
Helen Crowell
active
8/4/02
Theodore K. Osgood
active
8/11/02
Roberta Flack
active
9/1/02
James H. Clemons
active
9/29/02
Robert Fisher
active
9/29/02
Pamela Fisher
active
12/15/02
Wendy
Gaal
active
One source of information about who we are and what we have been
doing is our annual budgets. From its adoption of Bylaws in October,
1981 to the following June 30, 1982, the fledgling Fellowship operated
without a budget. It had receipts of $510, of which $250 was a loan and
another $100 a grant from the District. The balance came in from
pledges. Disbursements in that period were $55. The following full year
1982-83 showed total receipts of $396.28 and disbursements $288.17. Most
of the latter ($190) was for room rental.
The operating budget adopted for 2002 ($52,740) offers a dramatic
view of Fellowship growth overall in those 20 years, and specifically in
what has been budgeted:
Administration $1500 Advertising 2000 Caretaker 50 Caring &
Sharing Fund 200 Child Care 700 Clergy of the Eastern Slope 100
Contingency 800 General Assembly 1000 Hospitality 200 Insurance 375
Library Contribution 50 Member Delegate 1400 Membership Expenses 100
Mileage 1000 Minister Compensation 26,265 Minister Expenses 500 Phone
400 Religious Education 4200 Rent 1500 Savings & Investments 1000
Search Committee 1000 Social Concerns 600 Speakers 1800 UUA Fair Share
2400 NH/VT District Dues 600
Numbers do sometimes tell a story!
Despite continuing efforts over the years to "grow an R.E.
program for children", we have been hampered by the fact that few
of our UUFES families have had younger children at home. Judie Johnson
and Deborah Frock, to mention only the two primary persons, have
invested enormous interest and energies into R.E. development. Our
District R.E. consultant, Cindy Spring, has also provided her services,
support, and curriculum materials.
We have offered several Adult R.E. programs. Rod Forsman gave a talk
on "Late 18th and Early 19th Century Origins of Unitarian
Universalism" in December, 1986. Enough interest was kindled by
this talk to undertake a three-part series on "Origins of American
Unitarianism" in the spring and early summer, 1987. Rod also led an
8-session adult series titled "What Unitarian Universalists
Believe: Principles For a Living Faith." A video-based program, it
basically discussed the newly adopted UU Principles and showed how to
apply them to our personal and congregational lives. Meetings were held
on the second Sunday of each month, beginning in October, 1987 and
lasting through May, 1988. Ken and Evelyn Dole of North Conway
generously provided their home for the series.
In February and March, 1997 Dave Fisher led a 4-session discussion
group sparked by the book Salted With Fire: Unitarian Universalist
Strategies for Sharing Faith and Growing Congregations. (edited by Scott
W. Alexander,1994, Skinner House Books). Participants explored views and
experiences of Unitarian Universalism, evangelism, and how we can be
more actively involved in our spiritual growth.
A more formal workshop series on "Building Your Own
Theology" was offered in November, 1997 through June, 1998 by Dave
Fisher and Rod Forsman. The sessions were held in participants' homes,
including those of Lydia Miller, Sally Wheeler, Nancy Sheridan, and
Charlotte Van Hof. (If there are others I have forgotten, my apologies.)
Eleanor Jenkins, friend of the Fellowship (became a member in 2002),
led a group of women in Cakes For the Queen of Heaven in the fall, 1996.
Judith Soule, who was the first president of UUFES, corresponded with
the Extension Consultant of the UUA in the summer of 1981 and obtained
several samples of Bylaws. By early August the organizers of the
"Phoenix UUFES" had finished an initial draft and submitted it
to the UUA for review and suggestions. One of the main questions they
had was which district to affiliate with. The organizers came from
western Maine and also Mount Washington Valley, NH. Partly the question
hinged on how the two states' laws compared regarding incorporation for
tax-exempt status. Even the possibility of dual membership had been
considered. The original Bylaws were adopted on October 4 , 1981. With
some uncertainty, the decision was made to affiliate with the Northeast
District of the UUA. Upon reconsideration of that choice, apparently
influenced by Judy Soule's personal contacts with other UUs in the NH/VT
District, Article IV of the Bylaws (Denominational Affiliation) was
amended on November 15, 1981 to affiliate with the NH/VT District of the
Unitarian Universalist Association.
I could not locate in the Minutes of any meetings just when, prior to
a May 20, 1989 re-typing, that three further changes were made to the
Bylaws: (1) Article III, Section 4 added an Associate Membership
category for "Unitarian Universalist ministers who have shown an
interest.. . Such membership shall be without vote or expectation of
financial or other participation." This was probably done after
Chan Newton ended his part-time ministry with us. He had signed the book
as a member, but we did not wish to hold him to the requirement of
making financial contributions in order to maintain membership. (2)
Article VI, Section 1 added the office of Vice President. This change
made unnecessary the Section 5 of that article, which provided for the
Executive Committee to appoint a temporary chairperson to preside over
meetings which the president is unable to attend. (3) Section 5 was
therefore deleted. In a special business meeting on October 15, 1989,
voting on a motion by Phyllis Hatch, the existing Section 3 of Article
III was canceled and replaced in its entirety by a new Section 3,
reading as follows: "Those members who are not active members (i.e.
those members who have not made a financial contribution within the
year) shall become associate members. Persons may be dropped from
membership only on death or by a request in writing."
A later development arose which was to have major consequences for
the Bylaws. The concept of long range planning was introduced to the
Executive Committee in late 1993. The Committee embraced the concept
enthusiastically and appointed 5 members to a Long Range Planning
Committee: Kathryn Burnell, Rod Forsman (Secretary), Edith Gimpel, Bob
Johnson, and Mal Reed (Chairman). The Committee developed a Mission
Statement which was adopted by the Fellowship in 1994. They then went on
to conduct a questionnaire survey to explore the Fellowship's priorities
and goals. The findings were reported on 10/1/95. The LRPC was asked in
January, 1996 to review our current Bylaws and to make recommendations
for changes to improve the functioning of UUFES. After several meetings
of the LRPC a single-page list of recommended changes was given to the
Executive Committee on March 15.
On April 17, 1996 the Executive Committee approved putting the
recommendations before the Fellowship at its Annual Meeting in May.
Earlier that same day the membership itself had changed the Bylaws to
meet annually in May instead of June. Meeting on May 19th, members
approved the numerous proposed changes to the Bylaws. The most
significant ones were: (1) voting members shall have made a financial
contribution within the current fiscal year; (2) the associate
membership category was dropped; (3) membership termination is effected
by written request; (4) the Executive Committee is renamed the Governing
Board; (5) this Board is expanded to five members by the addition of a
Chairperson of Religious Education; (6) several standing committees are
created, including Religious Education, Membership and Publicity,
Finance, Social Justice. The previously existing Nominating Committee is
now listed with these new committees, and is appointed by the Board (not
elected at Annual Meeting) as are the other committee chairmen and
members.
Other revisions have been made each year at annual meeting since
1999. Denominational affiliation now includes the NH/VT District of
Unitarian Universalist Societies (omitted earlier presumably as an
oversight). The quorum is now 40% instead of 20%. A Proxy vote on
pre-published agenda items is available. Religious Education is now
recognized as Lifespan Religious Education, and the fifth position on
the Governing Board has been changed from Chairperson of Lifespan
Religious Education to Member-At-Large. The standing committees are now
Lifespan Religious Education, Membership, Program, Social Concerns,
Ministerial, Long Range Planning, Finance, and Nominating. The minister
is a non-voting ex officio member of all committees except the
Nominating Committee.
Our annual meetings have usually been the occasion also for a
memorable potluck meal, making it very much a "social event".
The initial one in this now-long series took place at Bouldacres, the
residence of Janet and Russell Miller in Fryeburg, Maine on June 27,
1982. Over the years the pot lucks have been hosted by Ken and Evelyn
Dole ('83), the Millers ('84), Bob and Judie Johnson ('85 and '87),
Sylvia and Warren Witherell ('86 and '88), and Marilyn McKenna ('90 and
'91). We moved our worship services to Runnells Hall in September of
1991, and concurrently our social events have benefited from the
convenience of the kitchen facilities there since then.
Despite our wide individual differences as UUs in response to the
whole Christmas Season phenomenon, we have almost always managed to
capitalize on its heightening of our sense of community. The Johnsons
hosted the Christmas party in '84. My records are absent of information
about holiday gatherings for several years, but I do recall that they
occurred. Following the 12/19/93 worship service we gathered for the
first of three wonderful annual potluck meals hosted by Beulah and Fred
Vancor in Wolfeboro. Since '96 we have gathered for a Christmas Brunch
at the Whittier House in West Ossipee.
The First Annual William Ellery Channing Brunch was held at Runnells
Hall following the Easter Sunday service on April 3,1994. It was
superbly organized and coordinated by Barbara Reed who has been
masterful in her accomplishment of directing such events. The brunch has
been held annually since, but variously renamed. Another of Barbara's
projects has been the organizing of "Dinners For
Six/Seven/Eight" to brighten the dark days of winter during January
through March. These are "small, intimate social gatherings (which)
will foster the interchange of ideas and sharing of fellowship between
UUs in a purely social setting - nurturing the mashed potato concept'
noted by your president in the last issue'' (of the newsletter
Inclinations, Feb, 1997). The reference Barbara makes is to an excerpt
from Bruce Marshall's Taking Pictures of God:
What I want in church is a place where there are suppers on Sunday
evenings and they serve you mashed potatoes! Never have I heard it
expressed more succinctly: the comfort role of the church community.
Mashed potatoes are warmth and nourishment and safety and support. It
would be a shame if our lives have become so busy and important that we
don't have time to offer mashed potatoes to each other.
Hosts supply beverages, and the randomly-assigned guests bring the
food.
Fellowship-wide retreats have served that vital "social"
purpose as well. The first one I know of came at the generous invitation
of Doug Leathem to his Kezar Lake lodge, the weekend of September 27-28,
1997. It was an overnight affair combining business (Board and committee
meetings) with pleasure: a potluck supper, canoeing, nature walks,
pancake breakfast, good music and singing, a video on UU history, board
games, and lots and lots of warm fellowship.
We have participated over the years in the activities of the Clergy
of the Eastern Slope by having one of our members attend the group's
regular meetings. Marilyn McKenna represented us in earlier times, and
later, Kathryn Burnell. Each year we budget a line item for CES. Also,
numerous UUFES members participate in the annual Crop Walk that is
sponsored by the Clergy. We are the only local denomination whose name
closely reflects the Clergy of the Eastern Slope, the difference being
that we pluralize "Slopes".
As reported in the May, 1997 issue of Inclinations, a UUFES Memorial
Fund has been established, as follows:
The purpose of the UUFES Memorial Fund is to provide a permanent
remembrance of persons dear to us. At the time of an individual's death,
friends may be invited to give to the Memorial Fund amounts they would
otherwise expend on flowers or other nonpermanent remembrances. Or,
perhaps a member would like to make a contribution to commemorate a
birth, an anniversary, a graduation, or a marriage. All gifts -
including permanent, non-monetary gifts - will be recorded, with the
donor noted, in a permanent record book. The name of the person in whose
memory the gift is given will also be recorded. All gifts will be
acknowledged by the UUFES treasurer and notification will be sent to the
next of kin of the person memorialized. Donors may condition or restrict
their gifts to serve a particular purpose, pending Governing Board
approval. The Governing Board will be responsible for management of the
Memorial Fund.
There are also two other dedicated funds not available for any other
but their stated purposes. The Peggy Erskine Caring and Sharing Fund,
and a Social Action Fund.
Note was made earlier (II.E.) of the work of the Long Range Planning
Committee. In early 1994 the LRPC convened an all-day session to develop
a mission statement. Eighteen members worked through the whole day at
the Ossipee Concerned Citizens Building led by the Rev. Kitsy Winthrop
of the Springfield (VT) UU Church. The LRPC subsequently reviewed and
polished the draft, which was then approved by the Executive Committee.
The mission statement expressed how the Fellowship defines itself and
its purposes.
Using the vision statement as a guide, the Committee constructed and
administered a questionnaire which was mailed out to 20 members and
friends. It sought to learn what the Fellowship community wished to
accomplish in the future regarding the specifics of change and growth.
The results of its analysis were reported to the Executive Committee on
October 1, 1995.
A few of the more interesting findings were: very high interest in
adult RE; desire for a full time minister by the year 2003; priority of
attracting new members, especially those with young children; lukewarm
feelings about having every-Sunday programming, particularly because it
would require higher levels of pledging; and very strong interest in
maintaining high-quality sermons.
A second all-church questionnaire was prepared, disseminated and
evaluated by the Public Relations Committee, ably led by its chairperson
Cindy Foster. The results of the survey were reported in April, 1998.
Cindy and Connie Jan Sears, a committee member, were commended for the
tremendous effort they gave the project. The findings provide an
interesting basis for comparing the results of a later survey only four
years later, showing significant changes:
1. A majority of members are female, over 50, and retired. 2. The
numbers of persons identifying themselves religiously or philosophically
were: 20 Humanists, 18 Naturalists, 16 Eclectics, 12 Ethical Christians,
10 Agnostics, 1 Theological Christian, 1 Atheist. 3. Even split between
wanting an ordained vs. lay minister. 4. Regarding the type of person
who would be leader: 24, "facilitating type" who should be a
spiritual leader; 23, intellectual leader; 16, a community builder; 13,
a social activist; 11, a facilitator; 8, a provider of pastoral care. 5.
All respondents said they would increase their pledge to support a new
minister. Potential increase of pledges ranged between 10% to 120%. 6. A
majority favor a change to weekly meetings, but not weekly services. All
favored the alternate Sundays being used for public-issues forum, adult
education or book discussion. 7. Most adequately served at present are
fellowship and spiritual growth, with needed improvement in social
activism and pastoral counseling. 8. The aspects of church most
important to members are intellectual stimulation, community and worship
service. Adult education and social action are mid-way. Children's
program was last.
Independently of this survey, about 20 members and friends met on
Saturday, March 29, 1998 for a pancake breakfast, followed by a workshop
lasting past lunch, to identify and prioritize concerns for the
Fellowship's future. The number of votes for specific priorities was:
Leadership, 17; Voice of Conscience in the Community, 12; Finding a
Building for Services and to Support Community Affairs, 12; Increasing
membership and Sustaining Spiritual Development, 10. A detailed report
was published with the May, 1998 issue of Inclinations.
Social action/social justice projects have held central interest for
many of our members for a long time in true UU tradition. Several
members are significantly involved in social justice issues as
individuals in their respective communities. Our ability to move forward
more energetically in this realm was given a tremendous boost in 1997 by
an anonymous donation of $2,000, and a pledge of two more annual
contributions of that amount for a total of $6,000 (the Social Action
Fund; see II.H.).
Hopes for a future church building of our own was expressed formally
as far back as the Annual Meeting in June, 1983 when $100 was budgeted
for a "Building Fund". Minor amounts were budgeted and paid
into the fund thereafter, just to keep it alive on the books. Then, in
the Annual Meeting of 1986 we assigned a small savings account and two
CD's (totaling $1603.77) to the Building Fund, augmented by another
$2000 we had received during the year from the dissolution of the White
Memorial Universalist Church of Concord, NH. As if to emphasize our
intent, we transferred another $500 to that fund from a NOW account. A
future home of our own was on our minds.
At the Annual Meeting in May, 1998 the Governing Board reported that
they had removed the Building Fund from the operating budget and made it
a stand-alone fund. Three years later the question arose whether in fact
the monies in that fund were formally "dedicated" as such.
Although the Board and membership alike considered that fund to be
dedicated, it had not been formally declared so. Russell Miller moved to
change the term "Building Fund" to "dedicated
funds". The motion passed and they are now so designated. At the
same time, the Fellowship voted to create an ad hoc committee "to
investigate the past history of the dedicated funds (Building Fund), any
potential problems, and to make recommendations to the Governing Board
regarding policies and procedures pertaining to them" (Minutes,
Annual Meeting 2001, Action 9A.). This committee has not yet reported
its progress in this task.
The designated Building Fund is currently in the form of dividends
and cash held by Salomon, Smith, Barney. As of mid-January, 2003, its
value was in excess of $6,000. However, another $28,000 not specifically
designated is fully available for the purchase of a parcel of land
currently being considered (more on this in Part V, Section H.)
At one time, in the late fall of 1990, the Fellowship did become
quite interested in a potential purchase. The Executive Committee was
authorized to negotiate a one-year lease with option to buy the former
Post Office Building in Center Conway, NH. This transaction did not
materialize. However, having our own building is definitely an active
priority.
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