Until I became involved as a committee chairperson, I was wholly unaware of the finances of the church. I knew the budget was made public and I even perused it before voting to approve the budget at the annual meeting but I honestly didn't pay that much attention. The treasurer and the finance committee and the board seemed to be handling it all quite well. Until recently, I never even really connected my pledge to the budget and thus to the work of the church. Four years ago, I became chair of the Human Resources Committee and since salary and benefits comprise the overwhelming majority of the budget, I soon began to connect every penny of my pledge to the church budget. When our committee guided the congregation to adopt policy declaring that our church strives to follow the UUA Fair Compensation Guidelines, I began to feel greater responsibility for doing everything I could to pledge as much as possible so that we, as a congregation, can do what our principals demand of us: provide a just wage for all of our staff. Currently, Bryan is the only employee for whom we are not meeting the UUA Fair Compensation Guidelines. The proposed budget includes a small step toward meeting Fair Compensation Guidelines for our minister. As each of us contemplates our personal circumstances, may we be guided by love to give generously, stretching ourselves while being responsible stewards of our personal finances.

Love and peace,

Amanda

Message from your Finance Committee Chair
David Oulton

The Budget Subcommittee and Finance Committee put together a Preliminary 2010 Operating Budget Proposal of $701,407 for the church. Based largely on estimates of expenses by committee chairs and church staff we have maintained most spending near 2009 levels. Modest changes are requested for Salaries and Benefits, for Committee expenses and to cover most general church operations.

There are really only two items for which large changes are requested. First, I strongly recommend we restore our “Fair Share” contributions to the UUA and PC district. This requires an increase of about $25,000 from our 2009 budget. Secondly we must begin setting aside funds to pay off a $200,000 loan which is due in about 4 years. The Budget Subcommittee suggests $50,000 per year beginning in 2010.

The cost of these two items, $75,000, is almost exactly the increase of the proposed 2010 budget from that approved for 2009 and, further, is more than the requested pledge increase. How can we do this, after digging deep the last couple of years with large pledge increases? The best, and easiest, way is for us to increase the number of pledges this year. Remember : “We Are the People. The Time is Now.” Together, we can accomplish our goals!

David