Members present: Mike Arents, Gordon Arnold, John Belaski, Dennis Benoit, Roger Gilles, David Maxam, Dan Schneider, Jen Schpiro, Jackie Vines, Ursula Williams, Rev. Dr. Brent A. Smith

Members absent: Sue Belaski, Herman Sullivan

President M. Arents welcomed Board members to the retreat, gave an overview of the day, and led the group in reciting the All Souls Community Church covenant.

• Minutes from the July 26, 2004 Board of Trustees meeting were reviewed and accepted.
• Vice President-Finance Dennis Benoit reviewed July Income Statement and Balance Sheet. (See attached financial statements.) He noted that revenues are slightly behind, as usual for August, and expenses are running a little higher, although there is no cause for concern. Reimbursements will be on the basis of "first come, first served." The Rev. Dr. Smith suggested that in May 2005 we use the Program Council to communicate the fact that August reimbursements will be slow. Dennis currently sends financials to the RE Coordinator and to the Program Council. The Board discussed the pros and cons of posting financials on the ASCC website, with no action taken.

• President Mike Arents discussed the help offered by the Unitarian Universalist Heartland District, whose "growth liaison" for congregations of less than 150 members, Holly Knibbs, will visit All Souls next month. Ms. Knibbs lives in Traverse City and plans to attend our worship service on September 26 and then join Board members to discuss ideas for growth over lunch.
• Site Committee Update. John Belaski reported that the Site Committee would visit Huff School at noon Monday, August 25.
• Called Minister Committee Update. Roger Gilles reported that the committee is modeling a full-blown Search Committee process including a congregational survey and focus discussions. They are searching for "a minister," not a specific minister.
• New Business. Jen Schpiro volunteered to investigate the cost of an All Souls phone line and listing in the local phone directory.

During a fellowship period, each Board member shared his or her most significant mentor, building, or community experience, followed by his or her strongest connection to All Souls. The following "strongest connections" were shared:

Dennis Benoit and Jackie Vines reviewed progress toward goals and objectives established in the All Souls Community Church Strategic Plan, created in the spring of 2003, with the Rev. Dr. Brent Smith reading "A Vision for the Future."

Led by Dan Schneider, Vice President-Programs, the Board identified and applauded 2003-2004 All Souls Community Church achievements and high points.

Ruth Butler Arents generously provided lunch as a gift to the church and the Board.

After lunch, the Board focused on identifying the most important things the Board can do to grow our church, followed by voting on the resulting list. (Each Board member had five votes to cast on whichever priorities he or she felt most important.) The resulting areas identified were

1. New Members
2. Building/ASCC Home
3. Music

3. Pledge/Revenue Increases

Brainstorming led to the following lists of ideas and assignments of Board "champions" for each area, with consensus that securing a permanent minister and maintaining our strong Religious Education program and staff are additional critical areas, but ones currently receiving attention and support.

(Board "Champions" Roger Gilles, Dan Schneider, Jen Schpiro)

• Get in the phone book
• Create a more welcoming atmosphere for worship
• Bring back the greeters
• Sponsor events, like a spiritual health talk
• Get into interfaith activities, non-Sunday activities
• Put sermons on GRTV, web, radio
• Buy a billboard message
• Advertise on NPR
• More outreach (e.g., music)
• Volunteer at WYCE in exchange for mention
• Same for GVU
• Work Festival
• Do new community member outreach (target U.U.s)
• Write a coffee shop letter about ASCC and leave it at local coffee shops
• Ask Heartland’s Holly Knibbs to fund UU publication by ASCC
• Link up with Chamber of Commerce
• Link up to BeliefNet
• Answer "How do I...?" questions.

(Board "Champions" Mike Arents, John Belaski, Dennis Benoit)

• Find out how much UU could contribute
• Ask congregation what it wants
• Open an account
• Plot the steps it will take
• What we can afford today? (rent or build or buy)
• Famous UU photo exhibit
• Spread the word..."Huff is available?" to build excitement
• Share square footage needs with congregation
• Explore partnership options (with businesses, maybe a preschool)
• Fund-raisers
• Start a catering service
• Start a day care center
• Partner with a similar congregation
• Consider North Kent Mall site
• Contact real estate agents

(Board "Champions" Gordon Arnold, Dave Maxam, Herm Sullivan)

• Stage a concert
• Find a music director
• Find a choir director (from another church? From a local college?)
• More congregation players
• Invite students
• Create a musical identity (e.g., "the church that plays jazz" would have a great freedom tie-in)

(Board "Champions" Sue Belaski, Jackie Vines, Ursula Williams)

• Ask for a specific pledge amount
• Use envelopes as reminders to people to pay their pledges
• Stage a concert
• Clarify fund-raising policies
• Establish fund-raising targets for Program groups
• Establish fund-raising recruiting
• Use direct mail
• Send regular reminders of pledge payment status

To conclude the retreat, President Mike Arents previewed the 2004-2005 church calendar, noting such events as Homecoming Sunday, key budgeting time frames, congregational meetings, and an all-church Strategic Planning event March 6. After much discussion, the Board decided to save the cost of renting meeting space at Jarecki Center and return to meeting in members’ homes for the remainder of the calendar year, with the exception of the November budget meeting. That meeting was re-scheduled to Sunday, November 14, following the worship service.

Adjournment - 3:10 PM

Respectfully Submitted,

Jackie Vines, Board Secretary

All Souls Community Church of West Michigan