Fall Meeting of the Metro and Suffolk Associations
New York Conference, United Church of Christ

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Garden City Community Church
245 Stewart Avenue
Garden City, NY 11030

The Metro Business Meeting focused on the Proposed Budget for 2006. After long, difficult but respectful discussions, the Proposed Budget passed by 41 in favor, 34 against, 3 abstaining.

Background for this discussion includes:

• The Budget Numbers
• Budget Introduction
• Words from the Power Point Presention "2006 Balanced Budget"

Other reports to the November 19 meeting included:

• Minutes of the November 6, 2004 Business Meeting     
• Report of the Registrar     
• Report of the Building Committee

We opened our business meeting with a prayer by Patrick Dugan, praying that we might come together as one.

Vice Moderator Peg Mainusch opened the Metro Business Meeting.

Vice Moderator Peg Mainusch explained that Moderator Buddy Sampson was unable to be present on November 19, due to a death in the family. She noted that as Vice Moderator she was in charge on planning the meeting and therefore was focusing on these planning details. She asked that the group elect Terry McKnight of South Hempstead as "Moderator for the Day". Terry was elected.

Terry reminded us that the business would be conducted by Roberts Rules of Order. He asked that we show respect for all and listen carefully.

Terry McKnight served as the skillful Moderator of the Day

He asked that the group approve the following:

• Patrick Dugan and Lucy Werner as parliamentarians
• Chase Peeples as Clerk
• Voice and Vote for New York Conference Minister Geoffrey Black

His requests were approved.

NY Conference Minister Geoffrey Black presented "Five for Five" awards to five Metro congregations.

Geoffrey recognized five churches who, in 2004, had been "Five for Five" - participating in Our Church's Wider Mission, the Christmas Offering, Strengthen the Church, Neighbors in Need and One Great Hour of Sharing. These churches were:

• Ridgewood St. Marks
• Victoria Congregational
• Broadway United Church of Christ
• Nazarene Congregational Church
• Community Church of Syossest

The minutes of the November 6, 2004 Business Meeting were approved with corrections.

Terry noted that the report of the Regional Conference Minister wasn't in the packet distributed on November 19, 2005 but would be made available online.

Terry called on Metro Board President Ronald Williams Wells to present the Proposed 2006 Budget. Terry said that a period of questions and answers would follow Ron's presentation, prior to any formal motions regarding the budget.

Ron presented the information regarding a 2006 Balanced Budget .

Michael Caine responded to the question "Can we do the work of the Association with reduced resources?"

Terry asked Regional Conference Minister Michael Caine to comment on whether the Metro Association can do its work with the reduced resources proposed in this budget. Michael started by noting this is not "my budget", it is the Association's Budget. "You are here to vote on whatever budget you want."

Michael commented that during his tenure as Regional Conference Minister he has repeatedly reminded us that "times are changing" and that we must let go of "ways that were". He said that this budget had gotten more engagement on this topic than anything else.

"Am I happy to seek to do the work of the Association with less help? No!" Michael said. "But if we can't pay for full-time help, we can't ask for full time work. I believe we can do the work of the association with more help from volunteers, more reliance on conveying information via the web site and internet access."

Michael emphasized that the Board, in proposing this budget, is talking about positions, not about people. "We are incredibly appreciative, we love and honor the people whose compensation is proposed to be reduced in 2006."

Treasurer Fannie Davis provided financial background to the discussions.

Terry then opened the floor to Questions and Answers. Answers were provided by Board President Ronald Williams Wells, Treasurer Fannie Davis and Regional Conference Minister Michael Caine. Included in the dialogue were:

How many other loans are outstanding? What is being done to collect dues?

The two biggest loans are to St. Luke's and Grace Church. We have received interest and principal from Grace Church; we are in negotiation with St. Luke's. There is also a new loan to Hollis Avenue . We will deal with the smaller loans in 2006.

We are making phone calls to collect the dues. The 2006 budget is based on 85% payment of dues.

Where do the repayments go?

Interest goes to operations, principal goes back to the endowment from which it came.

We were promised an audit of the books. When will this happen?

The auditors have been engaged. They have given us their list of material they need for 2003 and 2004. They have given us a deep discount and will charge only $4,000 per year for each audit.

Is there something in place to require us not to use endowment principal for operations?

There are Donor Restrictions which have been honored. There are also Board Restrictions which tend to be lifted in times of financial strain. However, we are not proposing to invade principal in the 2006 budget.

What percentage of the total endowment would a $58,000 deficit be?

Five per cent.

What reduction in services will we experience if we pass this budget?

Currently the office is open 9 AM to 4 PM , and you can either talk with Louise Manigault immediately or she calls you back soon. We will need to revisit the office hours and the kind of telephone support you can expect.

The laws of the State of New York say that an Association can re-claim church property when there are less than 13 members. Are we doing this?

It has not been our practice to "move in" when church membership is less than 13.

The minutes we just approved don't say the deficit budget for 2005 was a one-time event.

Ronald Williams Wells said it was he who made that statement at the 2004 meeting, even though it isn't recorded in the minutes. "I stand behind what I said in 2004," Ron emphasized.

What happened to the rental income?

It now goes to Christhava Tamil Koil, the church that occupies most of the building where the Metro offices are located.

Has the Board sought opportunities for the Executive Administrator and/or the Registrar to be paid for work at other churches so their income won't be reduced?

The Board hasn't yet had time to research such opportunities.

What is the "Three Months Transition" which has been mentioned?

If the Executive Administrator chooses not to remain in 2006, there will be full benefits for the first three months of 2006.

What are the growth goals for the endowment?

The goal is 5% which translates to $50,000 per year.

Why is such a small increase (50 cents) proposed for the dues?

Local churches have their own financial needs. The New York Conference is looking at a deficit, and the national offices of the United Church of Christ are struggling for money after the Synod 25 commitment to marriage equality. Metro should have a share of the additional money local churches can raise, but we are in covenant with all settings of the church. Money also needs to be available to the local church, the conference and the national setting.

Why aren't there also cuts in the compensation of the Regional Conference Minister and the Conference Minister?

The Metro Association can only deal with the finances for which it is responsible. The compensation of the Regional Conference Minister and the Conference Minister is set by the New York Conference.

What is being done to generate more income? What is being done to stir the evangelical pot?

Each congregation, with the support of the Association, Conference and national setting must do its part to be evangelical.

What percentage is represented by each of the major sources of revenue?

Metro Dues - 40%
Interest Income - 44%
New York Conference - 8%

We should consider two levels of dues - the minimum level and a higher level for those who can afford it.

We should have a development committee in the Metro Association.

Both of these suggestions are excellent ones for consideration by the Blue Ribbon Committee.

In our church, St. Albans , our minister, Henry Simmons, will challenge us in our January 2006 congregational meeting to give $10 per person as Metro dues rather than the $6.50 being proposed.

We hope others churches will consider such extra giving, not only to Metro, but also to Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM) and to local outreach.

(From a Metro Minister) There is something wrong with embracing the attitude of poverty. I believe we clergy must take leadership in growing our congregations. We should have a goal of adding no less than one person each year to our church. Let's be church and be about our mission.

At this point the Question and Answer portion of the meeting ended and motions were made.

After several amendments, a motion was made to adjourn this meeting to pass a budget until the Annual Meeting in April 2006. Between November 19, 2005 and April 2006 the Blue Ribbon Committee would do its work and a new budget would be prepared. From January 1, 2006 until the new budget is approved spending would be at the levels of the 2005 Budget.

This motion was defeated by a vote of 32 in favor, 37 against, one abstention.

Board President Ronald Williams Wells then moved the acceptance of the Proposed 2006 Balanced Budget with the provisions that:

Metro dues be raised by 50 cents from $6.00 to $6.50

The staff be re-defined to the levels provided for in the Proposed Budget

The Blue Ribbon Committee be empowered

In response to this motion one person spoke making points which included the following:

Last year we called our deficit budget a bold one, now we are being timid.

The Proposed 2006 Budget provides no funds to support fund raising.

We could introduce at least one special offering to fund the work of Metro.

We can reduce other items like gardening.

We should re-visit the subject of rental income.

We should get more loans into re-payment.

We can use our endowment.

We should have worked with our staff over a longer period of time, work with them as partners in figuring out what to do.

On the first vote on the Proposed Budget for 2006, the count was taken by a show of voting cards. It was reported as 38 in favor, 33 opposed, 3 abstaining.

A call for a division of the house required that persons stand to be counted. This count resulted in 41 in favor, 34 opposed, 3 abstaining. The Proposed Budget for 2006 passed.

Reported by Lucy Werner

Return to top of page