From Sandra Robinson – Executive Operations Director
It is a pleasure to be back at my desk after a peaceful and satisfying holiday break. My priority was spending time with my ninety-five year old mom who needs extra care and attention these days. My time there was low key and filled with moments of family love and togetherness. I hope that your holidays were filled with quiet times and joy and that we all return together in good health.
On the Capital Campaign front, the lower level accessible and inclusive bathroom is underway. We experienced a delay due to metal channel supply chain delay. The channel arrived and was installed last week. The following phases of work include plumbing, masonry and concrete saw cutting. Once complete, this project will provide a welcome new addition to our lower level space.
You may have noticed the wooden bin in the lobby that houses our waste receptacles. A few tweaks need to be made to better accommodate our needs, but we are making progress.
As you saw in our previous newsletters, we are inviting congregants to join us for a focus group discussion on selection of sanctuary chairs. Please follow this LINK if you would like to participate in our zoom discussion on Wednesday, January 11 at 6 p.m.
Our Budget Working Group continues to meet and are preparing a draft of our 2023-2024 Budget. Members of the team include ISC members Carla Williams, Board President; Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Sr. Minister; Tom Carlton, UCE Treasurer, Rob Wingader, ISC Member at Large; and myself as Executive Operations Director. A preliminary budget will be approved by the Board of Trustees on Thursday, February 18. A Budget Town Hall Meeting will be held by Zoom on Tuesday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Susan Carlton, Tom Carlton, Eileen Wiviott and I are heading up the 2023-2024 Pledge Drive Team which is a collaborative effort of staff and volunteers. Several teams have been formed to assist in this important effort. Thank you to Jim Strickler who has recruited members for the Support Team, which will be co-led by Laura Etchen and Susan Carlton. Thank you to Joyce Loftstrom, Ally Hunter, Emily Ekwhal-Sanna, Carla Williams and David Carling who make up the Communications Team headed by Rev. Eileen Wiviott. Thank you to Tom Carlton is the lead of data and pledge information. Tom, Vickie Doebele, David Carling and I make up the Accounting Team. We are working with volunteers who will head our “Celebration Team”. If you would like to be part of the celebration by making food, baking or providing entertainment, please let me know. I will pass your name along to the leaders when they are affirmed. We need everyone’s help this year in making this important pledge drive a success. Our goal is to fulfill our mission through our many programs and activities and to pay our staff fairly. It takes our entire congregation to make this happen and we count on your support. Thank you all.
Lastly, but not of lesser importance, please keep our space in mind when you talk with friends and colleagues. COVID closure hit our rental program hard and we are still trying to recover. I’m working on marketing efforts to rent our sanctuary for music performances, music recordings, weddings, and memorials. I am reaching out to not-for-profits to utilize our Room 3 and Room 6 classrooms, which have state-of-the art hybrid equipment for holding meetings and conferences. If you know of anyone who would like to rent space at UCE, please ask them to email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org