President’s Letter - November 2008
Dear Members and Friends,
In my capacity as President, I am frequently the conduit of news, sometimes good, sometimes sad and sometimes a mix of both. And so with mixed emotions I want to make everyone aware that the late Dirk Barrett, surly the most rye wit to ever enter this building (built in 1926), remembered us in his Will, and that is a great joy and we humbly accept his generous gift. Sadly, however, Dirk is not here to thank, or acknowledge, and for me, that makes the equation incomplete.
All but our newest members surly knew Dirk. Dirk was an attorney by profession who lived in Ossining. He was a board member, board treasurer, board president and auctioneer (you had to be there) and served on various committees during his long tenure with our Fellowship. He was an active member who gave not only his time, but was a generous financial supporter as well. His commitment to the U.U. principles and mission was intellectual, but not an abstraction. Always inquisitive, always a source of the ironic political insight, with a quizzical, inscrutable expression for punctuation-the presentation was completely disarming, and that was just the surface!
And, now Dirk’s generosity continues with his gift to us of $25,000 for our “general uses and purposes.” Dirk did not earmark the gift for any specific project and accordingly, the Board has set this money aside and will keep it separate and apart from all routine accounts until we, as a congregation, reach a general consensus (we don’t expect unanimity) on how best this gift might be used. That discussion will be part of the mid-year budget conversation to be held in January. Should this money be used to repair this building, or applied toward a move to larger facilities? Should these funds be the seed of an endowment? The possibilities are endless and every member should think about how these funds might best be used and join the discussion in January if so inclined.
Other news? Oh yes, news aplenty: Your Board met for a retreat this past Sunday, hosted by Jan Ruotolo on the banks of the mighty Hudson. It was a beautiful day-outside and inside-as the Board plowed through a list of perennial issues that continue to go unresolved-and in that tradition, many of the knottiest issues were tabled, deferred for lack of critical information or just never rose from the agenda into the conversation within our time constraints (I could have gone on all night, but the other Board members were tired!). Some topics you may already be aware of-for example, Jim is experimenting with the 9 a.m. Sunday morning service and entertaining dialog at the conclusion of his sermons. It’s a great chance to digest what you’ve just heard with members who might share your values or, more pointedly, remind you of values that are as important as what you wanted to say. The Board discussed revising the bylaws (again) to formally clarify the status of “Friends” who pledge and serve, but are disinclined to become voting members. In addition, the Board has agreed to consider (i.e., consider) changing the name of the Fellowship to something simpler than the “Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Briarcliff-Croton-Ossining, Inc.” Yep, that’s the official name-try putting that on your name tag! (you can’t). These issues, and others, will be part of the bylaw committee process that will culminate in recommendations to the Board in anticipation of the annual meeting. These, and other less exciting matters, will come before the membership for a vote in June, but you can participate in the process by joining the ad hoc committee on Bylaws for 2008/09.
And lastly, I attended a conference recently on evaluating a “healthy congregation” in New York on October 18 with Jim. It was very rewarding and informative and overall, I’d say we’re pretty healthy-but, like most everyone, we need more exercise-so let’s all do it together. See you Sunday!
Rick Turner
President of the Board of Trustees