Unitarian Church of Montreal

Governance Task Force Update

You can download a summary of the Governance Task Force report presented at the AGM here

GTF-June 7 summary

Governance Task Force Motion to Adapt the Proposed Structure of Unitarian Church of Montreal Governance for a Trial Period of One Year

Whereas the congregation of the Unitarian Church of Montreal approved the following mandate for the Governance Task Force in June 2008:

 "The Governance Task Force is responsible for stewarding the process of reflection, consultation and decision-making necessary to generate a new governance structure that will better meet the evolving needs of our congregation";

 

June 2010 Annual General Meeting

We are a democratically run congregation. All of our members have a vote and a voice in major decision-making. In June 2010, the congregation voted to accept a first-year trial of a new way to govern what we do. Our board is moving to a new format, with a steering committee to handle administrative matters, and a council of committees and other groups that organizes and manages the daily life of the church.

Here are the reports from the June 2010 annual general meeting.

Nominating Committee Annual Report 2010

Name of Committee: Nominating
Chair: Alison Hall
Committee Members: Prue Rains, Elizabeth Anglin, Petrina Lee Poy (Chair, Membership), Sylvia Heuckendorff (Warden) 

The Nominating Committee would like to acknowledge and thank the board members who are ending their terms this evening and introduce the new slate for 2010-2011.

Music Collective Annual Report 2010

The Members of the Music Collective have included: Shawn Dohring, Marlean Martin, Jack Cobb, Elizabeth Forbath, Margo Ellis, John Pike, Marie-France Boisvert, Kirstin McKeown, Erika Lehnen-Sgroi, Carol Cumming Speirs. 

The formation of the Music Ministry Collective arose from a discussion at the UCM Board of Management meeting, December 2009, on the role of music and music ministry at the church.

Archives Committee Annual Report 2010

Name of Committee: Archives
Committee Members: Diane Kohl, Eleanor Beattie, Diane Short, Barbara Jackson, Nancy Labonté and Carol Cumming Speirs; Cailinn Burns, McGill student volunteer.
The Archives Committee continued to be active in the past year despite very much missing the presence of Barbara Jackson, our former chief archivist, for almost all of the church year.

Building Committee Annual Report 2010

Name of Committee:  Building & Grounds

Chair:  Jean Freed
Basic comments about the building follow:

This is no longer a “new” building.  It is now a 14 year-old building.
In general, the building was well built and maintained.  Some wear is now apparent, as is to be expected, and a few design elements need to be upgraded.  I am very concerned about the drainage and retaining walls at the back of the building.  There are also some additional flashing problems on the roof, which need to be addressed to avoid potentially costly interior damage.
A schedule should be drawn up to anticipate major repairs that will be required within the next 5/6 years, with their associated costs, for instance:
            Roof replacement   $40,000 - $50,000

            Furnace replacement   $20,000 - $25,000

Committee on Ministry Annual Report 2010

Name of Committee:  Committee on Ministry 

Members: Emanuel Freitas, Shuvo Ghosh and Eleanor Beattie 

The Committee on Ministry, made up of the Minister and three members of the Congregation, aims to meet monthly. It provides a place for reflection on the overall health of the congregation, acting as a “sounding board” for the minister regarding sensitive issues and the larger ministry and life of the congregation. 
Normally, members of this committee do not speak outside of our meetings; however, this last year we certainly did. On December 6, 2009, we celebrated with the congregation Diane’s ‘Final Fellowship’ – the culmination of a long process. According to the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee, “The candidate must have satisfactorily completed all educational and skill training programs and demonstrate the qualities, skills and aptitude required for Unitarian Universalist ministry as determined by the MFC.”

During our celebratory service, we read letters received from other ministers close to Diane and to our congregation. And more congratulations are to come: All the ministers who received Final Fellowship in 2009 – including Diane – will be publicly honoured at a ceremony to be held during the UUA's Annual General Assembly from June 23 to 27 in Minneapolis, during the Service of the Living Tradition. 

Communications Committee Annual Report 2010

Name of Committee:  Communications 

Chair: Carol Cumming Speirs

Committee Members: Nancy Lorimer, Alison Hall, Sue Montgomery (web editor), Cym Gomery, Janine Cobb, Diane Rollert, David Rollert, Margo Ellis 

Congregational Affairs Annual Report 2010

Name of Committee: Congregational Affairs

Committee Chair: Rosanne Baatz

Committee Members: 0
Program Changes:

M.I.S.S. is a new program that was brought to the UCM this year by member, Ann Howell. This support group for those who have lost children peri- or post-natally is available to the public as well as to UMC members
 
Spirit of Life met four times in the fall. The participants did not feel drawn to continue.
“What Moves Us”  is a group initiated by Rev. Rollert which has met with enthusiasm.
The Music Collective is a new group working to expand the musical programs in the church and to expand fundraising through concerts.

Lay Chaplaincy Committee Annual Report 2010

Committee Members: Ann Beer, Nicoline Guerrier, Emanuel Freitas, Aldyth Harrison, Rev. Diane Rollert, ex-officio
Committee Chair:  None – tasks are rotated among Committee members

Highlights from 2009-2010 – The Lay Chaplaincy committee has been well served by its present participants.  We would like to note, with gratitude, the work of Emanuel Freitas, Aldyth Harrison, and (for one meeting) Bob Wright.  Diane and the LC team work continually to advance the issues that face the Committee.  Major questions discussed this year were ways to simplify the fee structure for rites of passage, issues involving the use of space for rites of passage held at UCM, the use of the notice board, and the ongoing issue of recruiting new Lay Chaplains.

Minister's Annual Report: 2010

Report from the Minister to the 2010 Annual General Meeting

“We hold space.  We hold hearts.  We come together because things of worth are worth gathering for.”  —UCM  members responding to the question, “What do we do here?”

There are so many highlights that I could share from the past year.  Here are just a few: