From The Executive Operations Director
On the eve of Thanksgiving I am focusing on the many projects on my desk and all that is happening around me. Tomorrow I will stop, enjoy the day, and experience gratitude for my life, my loved ones, friends, this congregation, and for the privileges and blessings I enjoy. I will be out of the office beginning tomorrow Thanksgiving Day until Tuesday, December 4.
It is hard to know where to begin with my updates to you on buildings and grounds, administration and rentals.
Building and Grounds
Parking Light Lights: The preliminary news on the parking lot lights is not good. For weeks I have been trying to get these repaired. It seemed it was electrical, then it was suggested it was the bulbs. I had the bulbs replaced, yet the lights continue to fail. Today Mike Corrigan and team were out to do further exploration. There is no power going to the poles. It will be a costly and timely project to go under the parking lot to replace potentially rusted pipes that carry electricity to the poles. Mike is continuing to look into the matter and will send recommendations to me Friday or early next week. It is possible that we may need to install temporary lighting along the building where there is electricity, shining light on the lot. We will also explore whether it is possible to attach solar powered or battery powered lights on the existing poles as a temporary measure.
Roof: Replacement of the wing roof is now complete.
Automatic Doors: Installation of automatic doors at the main west entrance will take place at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 28. Julia Takarada, project coordinator and I will be present for this installation. The following day the security system will be put into place. Lobby staff will continue to be in place throughout the remainder of the fiscal year.
Entry cards will replace keys. More information will follow to help us navigate through this new process. Ultimately, it will be a great improvement for accessibility to our church.
Tree Trimming: A few weeks ago several trees on the southeast lawn were trimmed away from the building, the roof and throughout the area. Dead bushes and volunteer trees were removed. This was necessary for the health of the trees and to prevent damage to our sanctuary and wing.
Snow Removal: A contract has been let for the winter snow season. I interviewed a second company in Evanston but the proposal came in at more than three times the current provider proposal. The contract calls for Zero tolerance. During the season when it rains and freezes, the southernmost section of the parking lot will be closed off to parking to prevent falls on black ice. Water tends to collect around the drains, freeze and when covered with snow can be hazardous. The sewers are planned for repair and restoration during the upcoming Capital Campaign.
Capital Campaign – A town hall meeting on the Capital Campaign will be held in Room 3 after the service on Sunday, December 9. At that time congregants will see sketches and learn more information, including costs of proposed projects.
Accessibility and Inclusion: A monthly meeting of the A & I team is held. I, as lead of the Buildings and Grounds Team attend each meeting. This month Rev. Greg Stewart joined us. Robb Geiger joins the team now as he has replaced Dick Whitaker as co-lead on Buildings and Grounds Team. A current project being undertaken by the A&I team is the installation of grab bars in one of two stalls in each the boys and girls bathrooms in the lower level. Vickie Doeble is project coordinator for this item. She and I met yesterday to take measurements and discuss on installation and design. Vickie is doing more research on this product.
Administration
Staffing: Religious Education Assistant Margaret O’Connell will be embarking on her student teaching semester and will be leaving UCE. We have known this for some time, but now the time is near. Elizabeth Edelen, our Sunday morning lobby staff is leaving in December as well. Elizabeth has begun to work more hours working with special needs individuals and it is taking her away from us on Sunday mornings. We send these two individuals off with a warm thank you and our best wishes on their new endeavors. We celebrate them.
Database: Our new REALM database continues to be under construction headed by Brian and Carol Nielsen. Melanie Kitchner has worked hours with Brian and Carol to transfer the data, scrub the data and prepare the database system for eventual launch. Razvan Sofronie is currently working to send member donations and pledge information to REALM by uploading files from Quickbooks. More information will follow from the REALM Team as they get closer to making the software available for congregant individual input and participation.
VOIP Phone System: Carol Nielsen has done extensive research on a new phone system which was intended for the Capital Campaign. Because the costs are so reasonable and phones are included, staff has decided to move forward as it is less than we are currently paying for our multiple land lines. There are many new exciting features, including an app that will allow staff to answer calls remotely as well as a more efficient method for answering and transferring calls internally. This system includes a conference and video calling feature. We will maintain a land line for our emergency phones in the LULA and Lift to the balcony.
Integrated Stewardship Council: ISC met during October and November. Current updates on Endowment and Capital Campaign, as well as the financial health of UCE is discussed. All minutes are shared with the Board of Trustees and can be found in my report on the bulletin board outside Room 2. This is a strong, thoughtful team of people including Susan Comstock, Treasurer; Amy Dooley, Endowment Chair; Ann Peterson, Capital Campaign Chair; Tom Ticknor, Member At Large; Marianne Griebler, Member at Large; Susan Carlton, Secretary and Martha Holman and Jeanne Kerl as alternating Board Liaisons. I am Staff Lead for ISC.
Denominational Affairs:
Large Church Gathering: On the Thursday, November 8, UCE was host to the Regional Midwest District Large Church Gathering. This group is comprised of Sr. Ministers, Assistant/Associate Ministers, Executive Directors/Administrators, Religious Education Directors, Music Directors, Membership Directors and Social Action Directors. We gathered at 8:30 a.m. for coffee, bagels and mingling. At 9:00 a.m. we shared information about the day and then broke into affinity groups according to our positions. These sessions provide an opportunity for each of our staff to share information, to review guide questions and gain a better understanding of each other and our work.
After lunch we regrouped in the sanctuary for a program on racial justice. Two presenters hired by the district provided a presentation by Pastor Givens and Reverend Horan on how to plan for and create inclusive, multi-racial/multi-ethnic staff teams with productive relationships. The program concluded at 4 p.m. Leadership of the Midwest Region were exceptionally grateful for UCE hosting this important day of fellowship and learning.
Denominational Support: a new formula for calculating congregational dues will be in place for the upcoming fiscal year. The Annual Pledge Fund of the UUA and Region will no longer be based on the congregation’s membership number, but rather certified operating expenditures. Eileen and I sat at a table with a representative of the UUA APF staff. We have received preliminary information on what our dues will be. Eileen and I are seeking additional information on the calculation of our amount. This topic will be shared at many levels, including and especially the Integrated Stewardship Council. Decisions will need to be made to determine our level of support as it relates to our Budget Working Group process starting in December.
Rentals: On Sunday, November 11 Chicago Area Peace Action Council held their annual fundraiser in our Sanctuary. On the day after Thanksgiving CARE Fair sets up for their annual fundraiser on Saturday, November 24th. This group has rented from UCE for more than 15 years now. On Thursday December 6 thru Saturday, December 8 Udumbara will hold their Rohatsu Sesshin in room 2. On Saturday, December 1 a local resident memorial will be held in our sanctuary.