Board-Member Attendees: Chase Den Beste, Marty Beech, Annette Pearce, Kim Ross, Sally Andersen, Alden Hutchison
Invited Attendees: Rev. E.N. Hill & Greg De Angelo
Guest: Gwendolyn Waldorf

The minutes from the November 2024 meeting were approved unanimously. The November finance reports were then reviewed. The reports were also approved unanimously.
The topic of signage was raised, and the Board decided to postpone further discussion until the upcoming GLOW meeting. One specific suggestion discussed was the possibility of placing a banner outside.

The Minister’s December report highlighted a few successful events, including “Cookies, Carols, and Bonfire,” which saw a good turnout, and “Steven Universe,” which was also well attended. The Minister noted that the office would be closed on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, and would reopen in January. It was also mentioned that staff would be working from home starting Monday, December 23, 2024.
The Safety Committee’s upcoming meeting on January 7, 2025 was noted.

The Share the Plate program was reviewed. A motion to approve the program, with the form to be available online and a paper copy in the back of the church, was made and passed with 5 votes in favor and 1 abstention.

An update from the Building and Grounds Committee was shared regarding landscaping and tree removal. Three bids had been received, but the lowest bid exceeded the current budget. A generous donation helped cover part of the cost, and the lowest bidder was contacted to reduce the scope of the project. A motion to approve the tree removal bid was made, but after further discussion, the motion was withdrawn. The Board agreed to gather more information about the costs of removing all the problematic trees.

The revised Staff Personnel Manual was reviewed and approved unanimously, after having gone through the Personnel Committee.

The Board approved the formation of an ad hoc Music Director Search Committee, with a timeline for hiring the new director set for July 1, 2025. The committee was also authorized to manage payment for the position and allocate funds for advertising. All motions were passed unanimously.