According to Article V of our Bylaws, "The main business of the Community shall be conducted at regular Rituals for Business by the Committee of the Whole."
This section of the website is an archive of minutes from these meetings starting with the May 2011 meeting. Previous meetings' minutes can be found in the issue of the Earth Healer that followed that meeting.
Started at 10:55
In attendance: Erin Scrogum, Kit Peters, Jamie Peters, David Reynolds-Gier, John Boyce, Linda Boyce, Kate Miller, Aubry Gabbard
I. Approval of Agenda – Approved.
II. Role Assignment – John—Red Tape, Kit—Vibes Watcher, Aubry-Devil's Advocate, Jamie-Non Sequiter
III. Approval of Minutes – Approved.
IV. Treasurer's Report – Kidspace fund sits at 1400.85. New Home fund sits at 24,157.90. There should be more soon. The penny collection has not been taken into account due to the massive amount of shiny!
V. Committee Reports
A. KidSpace – Kidspace is hoping to break a class out for the tweens. Kidspace is currently seeking two teachers. One for the nursery, one for the tweens on the first weekend of the month. Karen Lips is currently considering coming back to work with the nursery as her schedule allows.
-Until further notice, Kidspace is currently seeking a new committee head.
B. Social Justice – Social Justice is going to crawl First Friday in June looking for new projects. SJ would also like to work with Pagan Pride Day and its interfaith ritual.
-If you're interested in helping, contact one of the committee (Andrew, David, Aubry, etc.)
C. Communications – Jamie is now communications chair (with keys!); David had been doing it for a Loooooooonnnng time. David will continue to work with the e-list and be webmaster. Last week we discovered that listings on Witchvox were out of date; have since been updated. What it says we do is actually what we do now!
The weekly announcements will remain the same. The Earth Healer is about to undergo a major overhaul, however. There will be a weekly Wednesday email as directed by Vertical Response (a service that runs mass email for nonprofits that has worked with All Souls UU.) The advantage of using Vertical Response is that they make it simple and pretty. The email addresses that are currently on the Earth Healer list will be included, and a note will be on the Gaia UU Yahoo group asking for more emails. This week’s events at a glance—Online! Similar to the announcements except with links, additionally committee/community info that may've been too late for the Earth Healer.
Double-sided flyer used distributed to local shops/community spaces with visitors as a target audience. This would be put out on a high holiday to high holiday schedule.
Budget and election info will be special editions. Longest Night, God Auction and other fundraisers will be given premium space. RfB minutes will be available the Sunday after RfB, whenever possible. Kidspace will be invited to publicize at their own discretion; there will be a small blurb concerning what our RE program has to offer.
This will reduce paper (Caring for the earth!) and printing costs (& each other!) Communications committee is growing, but you should still come out for communication communicating. YAY!
D. Site – We're still meeting at SMUUCH.
E. Welcoming – We're still welcoming. :)
F. Ritual Teams – Ritual teams will be recruiting outside of ritualists pool after God Auction. We left Lammas out of the calendar, but this has since been fixed. God Auction quickly approaches. We have a pretty good handle on who is aspecting this year. However, if you would like to help, ask David how! We have laptops! :D
G. Membership- We have people interested in joining Gaia! New Member classes are still being scheduled; when scheduled they will be informed.
-Greeter's Table continues to be staffed, but could always use more staff.
-The Library continues to have books in need of reading, and Aubry continues to look for suggestions for books to enter/review.
H. Caring – Still cares.
I. Nominating Committee – Nominating Committee is looking for an enthusiastic Stewardship head. Ask us how!
J. Stewardship –
- Pledge Drive: Jamie has sent out requests for pledges and has acquired an estimate of both Prairie Star District dues($893) as well as current estimated pledges ($11,935) for the upcoming fiscal year.
-Expenses: Expenses, while frugal, come to $24,218. We still need to raise $6,353 in pledges to meet this.
-The UUA World: has been lost in a gap in the space/time continuum. This has been looked into, and is through no fault of Gaia's. We'll let you know if anyone finds it in their travels.
-Garage Sale: The Garage Sale has been postponed due to personal conflicts of the original host. Prospective dates include August, but we are still scouting for hosts. More info will be spread as it happens.
VI. Old Business
A. Women's Full Moon Covenant Group- During the March RfB, the presence of a representative from each covenant group was requested. Kate and Linda came to represent today. The Full Moon Covenant Group exists solely for the purpose of presenting monthly women's full moon rituals for the public, and 50% of their membership is Gaia members. It was reiterated that those 50% must be full active members (Kate took a pledge card).
-Their report reads as follows:
Women's Full Moon Covenant Group
Organized by Kate Miller and Linda Boyce
The Women's Full Moon Covenant Group plans and conducts Full Moon rituals on the Saturday closest to the full Moon, to celebrate the goddess both within and outwardly. These Rituals are open to all women in the general community regardless of spiritual or religious preferences. We consider a woman to be at least 13 years of ages, have achieved menarche and have the interest and maturity needed to attend a formal Ritual. In addition, transgender women are welcome.
These Rituals are offered to foster an opportunity for women of different faiths and paths to share spiritual community. Membership is open to any women who have an interest in creating Rituals for the greater community. There is no fee charged for attending a Ritual or joining the convent group. Ritualist experience is not necessary to join the covenant group. Love offerings to defray expenses are appreciated.
As members of Gaia we affirm and promote the Unitarian Universalist Principles and Purposes.
Gaia members in this covenant group include; Kelley Emmet, Kate Miller, Linda Boyce, Kerry Smith. In addition other Gaian women have attended the Rituals. Please check the calendar on Meetup.com for more specifics about upcoming rituals, or for more information about the Full Moon Covenant Group, contact Kate Miller or Linda Boyce.
VII. New Business
A. Longest Day Fundraiser-
- The Longest Day Committee met and made the following proposal:
Gaia Community will hold a Picnic and Fundraiser on Saturday, June 25th at Tomahawk Creek Recreation Area, at 103rd and Marty, in Overland Park, KS, from 5 to 8 pm —and add an hour to each end of the event for set up and tear down.
Said event will include the auction of dinner baskets, a silent auction, a bake sale, vendors, games, music and other events designed to create a fun carnival experience and raise money for Gaia Community.
Longest Day Committee will pay the City of Overland Park @20 an hour plus a $5 permit fee. Should the event have to be canceled, the City will refund all but the permit fee of $5.
Rental of the venue will be $105—needing to be paid in advance. $100 for the venue itself from 4pm-9pm on June 25 and $5 permit fee.
The Longest Day Committee requested an additional $195 from the general funds to pay for advertising, a DJ (maybe), and other needed expenses to produce The Longest Day picnic. Since this is a new event, we need to advertise.
We expect to sell tickets online as we do for Longest Night Ball online and the day of the event. The Longest Day Committee plans to seek donations of materials from businesses and community members.
A letter will need to be filed by the Longest Day Committee to the City of Overland Park re: any music stating what type (DJ, boombox, etc.) and times it will be played.
The CoW reached consensus that $300 would be moved from the Membership budget line to the Longest Day Committee.
B. General Assembly- Due to a fortunate openness of time and equally unfortunate lack of money, Aubry requested aid from the CoW to aid hir in General Assembly registration. The CoW consensed that $500 would be moved from the ritual teams conferences line for this cause.
What Can We Do For You?
Discussion on the recent lack of Sunday Attendance. Where do Gaians come from? Where are they leaving to go? How can we better satiate the spiritual needs of ourselves, our church, each other? What can we do for you?
Started at 9:55 AM
In attendance: Erin, Kit, Cynthia, David, Kimberly, Jamie, Rosemary, Barbara, Aubry, Darcy, John, Linda
I. Approval of Agenda – Agenda approved with corrections to spelling and nonsense. Budget will be presented with Treasurer's Report.
II. Role Assignment – Aubry for Non Sequitur, Barbara for Red Tape, Erin for Vibes Watcher, Kimberly for Vibes Watcher
III. Approval of Minutes – Approved w/corrections
IV. Treasurer's Report – General Fund – 6,789.57; Kidspace Fund – 1,431.85; New Home Fund – 24,158.09. Penny Auction funds haven't made it into the account yet due to a deceased bank coin counting machine. Longest Day refund will be sought from Overland Park; the project has died due to illness and uber-busyness, but the bones are in place for fleshing next year.
V. Committee Reports
A. KidSpace – In the process of trying to find a new committee head. Staff is in good shape at the moment, with some shuffling ideas in the works.
B. Social Justice – Information was put out about Zombie Walk; there will be a meeting this Tuesday at Andrew's place, so come and give us ideas! Or e-mail sj@gaiacommunity.org for any ideas, including ones that are potential new patron-based.
C. Communications – It occurred to the COW that we should test the phone number, so that was done; we'll get the test results in later. EH was out June 5. Working on getting Vertical Response to believe we qualify as a non-profit so we can use their e-mail stuff. Communications would like paragraphs & pictures for God Auction.
D. Membership – Looks like we're getting a couple of new members, as they're taking the class. Yay, new people! Half upside-down brochures are fixed.
Library – Aubry is using the Cue Cat to scan in more books.
E. Site – It has been brought up that should the need ever arise, we would likely be welcome at All Soul's. It's a potential avenue of exploration.
F. Welcoming – The bathroom signs have gone fishin'. We need new ones. Queer Allies is looking for more Queers and Allies.
G. Ritual Teams – There was an extremely efficient meeting last month, and the next set (3 months) of ritual cycle is completed. Need to move stuff from closet to storage space!
H. Caring – Leo is concerned about not doing a good enough job, and thinks that perhaps someone else would do a better job. Aubry is going to be involved in the committee, and would like to get together with other folks who are interested, so a meeting of the minds is in order.
I. Nominating Committee – Looking for Stewardship and Caring and Kidspace.
J. Stewardship – Still looking for a head! Please contact NomCom! (The budget is done, so it's safe now.) Longest Night task force is assembling now.
VI. Old Business
A. Budget – Currently we have 17 pledge cards for a total of 14,555; with fundraisers the total projected income is set at 21,305. Linda has taken a pay cut to drop the budget shortfall to a manageable level. Some trimming and adjustment has balanced the budget. Consensus!
See the budget here.
B. Update on Longest Day – Due to crazed circumstances with all involved, it is being set aside until next year. So there will be a party in 2012.
C. Aubry & GA – Money from the COW has made the trip possible, but Aubry and Darcy are still short some gas money. They are looking for donations, people to buy books, and odd jobs – dog walking, cooking, cleaning, organizing, whatever! Please!
D. Full Moon Covenant Group – If Kate returns a pledge card by July 1, the covenant group can continue. This will fulfill the two requirements: At least half of the group must be full active Gaia Community members, and The convener must be a full active members. Otherwise, the group will be subject to losing covenant group status.
VII. New Business:
A. Space Days – Being worked into the lease agreement are 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month, Longest Night (evening of Dec 17), 6 additional 4-hour floating blocks. Kimberly needs to set some EIR days; perhaps Sundays after ritual? It is believed to be workable, and will not eat our blocks.
Started at 9:45 AM
In attendance: Cynthia, Kit, Jamie, John, Linda, Rosemary, Aubry, Devin, Erin, David, Kimberly
I. Approval of Agenda – Approved
II. Role Assignment – Aubry for Devil's Advocate, Devin for Non Sequitur, Cynthia for Red Tape, and John for Vibes Watcher
III. Approval of Minutes – Approved
IV. Treasurer's Report – 738.93 in coins have gone into the General Fund, which is currently at 9.807.17; New Home 24,158.28; Kidspace 1,475.76. Our deposit is back from OP and back in funds. It was learned that annual insurance premium is less than budgeted, so there was much rejoicing.
V. Committee Reports
A. KidSpace – New committee head is Kate. Linda will be gone next weekend, and Dani will be filling in for her. Hoping to soon break the tweens into their own class.
B. Social Justice – Meeting in Lawrence @ Devin & Erin's on Tuesday. At last meeting, began discussion on developing a Facebook app for tracking Social Justice opportunities.
C. Communications – Minutes hard copies are now being kept at the Greeters' Table and they also live on the website. Jamie has an e-mail from Vonage that should let her into the phone account. Vertical Response was not satisfied with our Welcome to the UUA certificate. John is going to have to dig through the treasury's IRS files to dredge up something.
D. Membership – Alison finished NMC, so will be joining us at New Member Sunday. Susi's time has been very limited, so she may not be ready yet, but she is still quite interested. It has been requested that the Greeters put up the entire table every Sunday. Christopher will be manning GT during God Auction. The Attendance Sheet is shiny.
i. Library – Aubry has been talking up the Library to people.
E. Site – Currently undergoing restructuring.
F. Welcoming – New bathroom signs have been created.
G. Ritual Teams – Buried in God Auction, mostly, but had a teleconference meeting lately. (Ooooooo, technology!) Someone from CUUPS has asked us to help with a Midwest CUUPS Conference.
H. Caring – Aubry has e-mailed people saying, “I feel caring! Do you feel caring?” And they have replied, “We feel le tired!” It is agreed that people will feel less tired and more caring after God Auction is over.
I. Nominating Committee – There are coms that need to be nommed. There has been information gathered on what a perfect Stewardship chair would look like. The unicorn hunt is commencing.
J. Stewardship – Going to start working on Longest Night as of August 1st. Gaia Garage Sale will be the second weekend of August at Devin's parents' house, 7608 W 64th St, Overland Park, KS.
VI. Old Business
A. Lease News – Lease has been signed and all is well. A copy will be put onto the website for perusal in the members-only section. SMUUCH's rental schedule is pretty full this year, so we need to be careful to make sure that we are always using the correct room(s).
B. Full Moon Covenant Group issue – Kate has turned in a pledge card, so the group has been brought into compliance.
VII. New Business
A. General Assembly Report – There will be an in-depth report on July 17th. Budget covered registration and about half the gas required for the trip. 50th year anniversary was going on this year, so there was some looking back over what the UUA has done, both good and bad. There was a theme of mending relationships; between ministry and lay-led groups, between adults and youth, etc. Aubry is now on CUUPS's nominating committee. There is lots more for the presentation!
Ritual for Business Minutes – August 13, 2011
Started at 9:48 AM
In attendance: Erin, Kit, Cynthia, David, Rosemary, John
Approval of Agenda – Approved
Role Assignment – Cicadas as Vibes Watchers
Approval of Minutes – Approved
Treasurer's Report – General Fund is currently at $9,192.22; New Home $24,158.49; Kidspace $1490.59. We may be looking at putting NHF into a Money Market account; John is going to look into the rates to see if it's worth it.
KidSpace – Classes have been introduced to Athena & Linda is going forward with the planning to have a full schedule of people to cover RenFaire. Looking at after RenFaire splitting tweens out. It could be a week-to-week split depending on attendance.
Social Justice – Did meet, but no progress on Facebook app as folks have been busy. It is still in planning, but there is no timeline, as there is a learning curve involved. Meetings alternating every other month between Andrew's and Erin's.
Communications – John has been receiving e-mails from Vonage that are transcripts of calls coming into the phone line, but no other updates are available. We do now have a tracking account with FedEx/Kinko's. It has been suggested that we put things like our IRS documents and such up into a board-restricted section of the website. Jamie is asking for help with some of her communications duties. Also, some of the Earth Healers are going to start going out in the mail to their destinations.
Membership – Alison did not sign the book, as she is out of town. We need to look for another opportunity for a New Member Sunday. If you have questions for Membership, ask Barbara or Devin.
Library – We has the books.
Site – Still restructuring. David has some information about foreclosure land sales in Jackson County.
Welcoming – The little airplane welcomed us.
Ritual Teams – God Auction happened! Everything seemed to go well.
Caring – The cicadas care!
Nominating Committee – MIA
Stewardship – Longest Night work will commence soon.
Old Business
None!
New Business
None!
Ritual for Business Minutes – September 10, 2011
Started at 9:50AM
In attendance: Devin, Erin, Rosemary, Barbara, Jamie, Kit, Cynthia, Cheryl
Approval of Agenda – We likes it
Role Assignment – Jamie for Non Sequitur, Barbara for Vibes Watcher, Cynthia for Devil's Advocate, Cheryl for Red Tape
Approval of Minutes – Approved with grammatical corrections.
Treasurer's Report – No treasurer today.
KidSpace – Meeting was had; there is a tenuous coverage for the entirety of Faire.
Social Justice – We're sure they're up to something good.
Communications – Still looking for someone to help with Sunday tasks. EH will be written & disseminated tomorrow & Monday. FedEx account number will be done tomorrow; this number will be made available to people on appropriate committees. People who use it should please let Jamie know when they do so that she can track things for accounting purposes.
Membership – We continue to have greeters' table, and we could always use more volunteers for the rotation.
Library – Books are awesome, read them.
Site – Devin is chair, and we have homework assignments. Meeting again on October 6 at Central Resource Library. Currently, we are researching potential move plans and getting the legwork done.
Welcoming – We need to get a new rep for KCCoWM to get back in the citywide loop.
Ritual Teams – RT had a meeting last week, in which titles were hashed out from Samhain to Imbolc. The list will be out on the greeters' table so that people who are interested can volunteer to help. The closet clean-out and move is currently a mystery which needs to soon be solved.
Caring – cares
Nominating Committee – Needs to find a new chair for stewardship.
Stewardship – E-mails have been sent out for Longest Night Ball helpers. Meeting times are still up in the air.
Old Business
A. Gaia Garage Sale – Took place over two days; one day was stormy, and the other was nice and people came to buy things, although Kit tried to chop off his finger. Totals came up to about $300. It suffered from the time of year, and it's also possible that it would be a good idea to do GGS every two years to allow time for the buildup of stuff. Stewardship will make a recommendation at budget time.
VI. New Business
A. Moving Devin's Mom's House – Devin's mom has two houses; stuff must be moved from one house to another by October 1st. She has offered up $400 to hire Gaia for the movings, though some might go to a U-Haul, though we might have another option. Strong backs are needed.
Ritual for Business Minutes – October 8, 2011
Started at 10:00 AM
In attendance: Devin, Erin, Rosemary, David, Kimberly, Cynthia
We did not achieve quorum, so no business was conducted at this meeting. Only committee reports were given.
I. Committee Reports
a. KidSpace – Linda has been eaten by Faire. She will return.
b. Social Justice – No meeting this past month.
c. Communications – Jamie's been getting the newsletter out. Working on Longest Night Ball website.
d. Membership – Continues to staff the Greeters' Table. We can always use more people, though.
I. Library –
e. Site – Meeting on Thursday, found several locations we could buy outright. There are several excellent options; more will be gone over next Site committee meeting.
f. Welcoming – Bathroom signs are back!
g. Ritual Teams – Scheduled out through 1 Sunday after Imbolc. There's a group in NC interested in our EIR curriculum. There's also a congregation in SC looking to start a CUUPS chapter that may be interested in our methods later.
h. Caring – Hugs for everyone!
i. Nominating Committee – Still need to find a Stewardship chair.
j. Stewardship – Working on Longest Night Ball: steampunk victoriana is the theme this year.
Ritual for Business Minutes – November 12, 2011
Started at 9:50AM
In attendance: Erin, Devin, Rosemary, Linda, John, Cynthia, Jamie, Kit, Cheryl, David, Kimberly
I Approval of Agenda – Approved
II Role Assignment – Jamie as Non Sequitur, Linda as Devil's Advocate, Kit as Vibes Watcher, Cynthia as Red Tape
III Approval of Minutes – Approved
IV Treasurer's Report – General Fund is currently at $10,413.18; New Home $24,159.08; Kidspace $1,544.33. Due to a bank error we had $200 more come in in October than originally thought; we also received a safety insurance refund check for $38. Church Mutual is suggesting that each congregation create an emergency plan and communicate it to their members. Regarding expiration of our nonprofit status, we have a pile of paperwork to fill out to get tax clearance before we can start on our reinstatement. We do at least now have our tax ID number.
a. KidSpace – Linda is back! There is much rejoicing. There have been a couple of new visitors; at least one will be a regular attendee. Saplings are starting their chapter on Elements. Trees are working on a service project to earn chalice pins. Trying to set up a field trip to Harvester's to see what happens to food once it's been donated (grown-ups will be welcome!). Next meeting will be Sunday, Nov 20 at 2PM at SMUUCh.
b. Social Justice – They had a meeting; next month's meeting will be at Andrew's. They are going to make a point of visiting Occupy KC on the 19th (meeting at Crown Center @ 1PM). They are in particular need of medical supplies, hand-warming packets, and foodstuffs. There is an upcoming forum to get some input from the community on what we want to see the committee focus on.
c. Communications – EH came out the same weekend as 1st quarter report cards, so it's a little behind schedule. It's printed, but not yet disseminated. Facebook has arbitrarily changed the times on our invites since DST ended. This is particularly odd, since the time changes don't actually seem to have anything to do with falling back. Kimberly has negotiated the labyrinthine torture chamber that is Facebook's bug reporting system; hopefully this will help. Also, our website went down for a couple of days as the hosting auto-bill credit card's expiration date changed.
d. Membership – Need to proposition new people about membership classes. Staffing for Greeter's Table continues to happen.
I. Library – Nothing of note to report.
e. Site – Met at Kit's house; talked more about Jackson County Land Trust, and Lizzie brought info about Wyandotte's Land Bank. While the former bases prices on tax value, the latter sells parcels for a flat $300 fee, but you must build within a year. Site continues to sort through parcels.
f. Welcoming – National Transgender Remembrance Day is on November 20. Also, Standing on the Side of Love is doing a web seminar coming up on December 7.
g. Ritual Teams – Everything seems to be trundling along on schedule. David Pollard (a UU CUUPS officer) would like to interview Gaia for the CUUPS podcast. Kimberly proposed to him a potential 2-person interview (her talking about EIR, the other discussing God Auction and the general workings of Gaia). It seems that those present believe that Kit would be an excellent candidate for the second.
h. Caring – Leo received an e-mail from Maria Snyder, a far-traveled former member. She is seeking to apply to UU seminary, and putting out some feelers about getting congregational sponsorship. (All sponsorship entails is a letter of good character, stating that they would be a good minister.) The general consensus is that we could consider it, but we'd like a chance to talk to her and reconnect if she's going to be in the area.
i. Nominating Committee – Still looking for Stewardship chair.
j. Stewardship – See above; we are a leaderless group, though, so still getting things done! Working on Longest Night. It is coming, and tickets are $20. There will be a costume contest and entertainment and tea sandwiches! There will be a few vendors and exhibitors, a raffle, and a nifty show and dancing and stuff and runon sentences. Oh, and a cordial tasting! www.longestnight.org
V Old Business – None
VII. New Business
A. Tree Service Project – The Trees are collecting donations of nonperishables and money for Harvester's. What they would like to do is come up with a donation match from the Kidspace account. Because it involves taking money from the KS account, it is being brought to RfB as a proposal. Kimberly brought up a concern to make sure at least some of the money in the account is protected so that one class doesn't go and drain the account that is shared between all classes, and suggests putting a cap on the match amount. It is thereby added to the proposal to cap the match at $300. Consensed and passed.
B. FedEx ? Charge – Kit would like to convert our current FedEx online account into a charge account, so that rather than doing an out-of-pocket reimbursement, it will be a direct charge to Gaia, so as to save some time and paperwork. It was brought up that if we do this, we should wait until our tax status is all worked out. There is also a concern that it is very easy for anyone to use the account, it should be run as a charge account (not direct debit) so that we can track the charges. It would be best to restrict who has access to the account, rather than anyone with the FedEx number. This will be tabled until our tax status is resolved, and we can work out what the terms and billing would be like.
C. Emergency Plan – Church Mutual says we should consider an emergency plan for various disasters and emergencies (fire, flood, zombie apocalypse, etc). At this time, we can likely copy most of SMUUCh's plan, since we'd be using the same building plan. Also, we may actually already have one in existence thanks to Lizzie, we just need to dig it up. It is proposed that further research (John & Linda volunteered) is required before a proposal be brought forth.
Ritual for Business Minutes – December 10, 2011
Started at 9:45AM
In attendance: Erin, Devin, John, Linda, Rosemary, Aubry, Kimberly, Jamie, Kit
I Approval of Agenda – Approved
II Role Assignment – Kimberly for Non Sequitur, Jamie for Vibes Watcher, Kit for Devil's Advocate, Linda for Red Tape
III Approval of Minutes – Approved
IV Treasurer's Report – General Fund is currently at $9,908.77; New Home $24,159.27; Kidspace $1,635.89. Trees Harvesters' project generated $84.27 which will be matched by Kidspace account, as well as 168 items of food. Check order is out so that we can get more checks. As for our tax and nonprofit status, we are fully reinstated thanks to Cynthia's hard work.
V Committee Reports
a. KidSpace – Trees are mostly done with their project, save for the field trip. Saplings have been working with elements & directions. Trees & Saplings have been working together on Yule music. Still at three classrooms. One student has requested a chapter on altars, which will be scheduled for January. Committee met, and we spent $15 on curriculum books. Saturday, December 17, meet here at noon for the Harvesters' field trip. We are scheduled from 1-3 there.
b. Social Justice – Visited Occupy KC Liberty base camp, brought donations, Kit fixed a a generator, a wish list was attained. They're still out there for now, though we're not sure how they're going to cope with the oncoming winter. Emerald City is talking about opening up one of their buildings to the OKC movement.
c. Communications – Continues to lament the fact that Facebook events are no longer as visually prominent on the site as they used to be. EH will be written today, and with any luck will be at the church tomorrow. We are searching for a solution to the fact that getting to the Westport Post Office is a pain in the arse. For the moment, John's schedule is open enough that he can pick it up, so crisis is averted; he now has the key.
d. Membership – We continue to member and staff the Greeter's Table. The next New Member Class will not be unti after Longest Night Ball. That is all for the moment.
I. Library – We have one! If you need to use it, contact Aubry.
e. Site – All of our real good stuff is in New Business.
f. Welcoming – Tried to watch the Standing on the Side of Love webcast, but there were myriad technical difficulties. Apparently, there was a very interesting conversation, which can be accessed through our Facebook page.
g. Ritual Teams – Met & scheduled out Imbolc to Beltane. It's looking good and juicy. In more stories about how UU's + Technology = Fail, there was an interview with David Pollard, but it required two different calls that will be edited into something that sounds like it all happened at once. Or something.
h. Caring – If you are interested in offering input, contact Aubry! She'd love to have a meeting, but she's currently the only committee member, and it's hard to have a meeting with yourself.
i. Nominating Committee – We know who we're going to ask, but we're going to wait until after Longest Night to approach them.
j. Stewardship – Longest Night Ball is on the 17th! Buy your tickets!
VI Old Business
A. Emergency Preparedness Proposal – We propose at the moment to be allowed to have some more time to research and gather information. It is tabled until February to dodge the holiday madness.
VII. New Business
A. Preliminary Site Proposal – That the Committee of the Whole empower the Site Committee to meet with representatives of Emerald City Kansas City and Kutumba to discuss plans for the space at 4327 Troost;
That the members of the Site Committee arrange for a date when interested members of Gaia Community can tour the space;
That a task force headed up by Kimberly be formed to research the legality, insurability and feasibility of the community joining as a stakeholder in an LLC which will own 4327 Troost outright;
and
That the Site Committee present the committee of the Whole with a full report on the space at 4327 Troost as a possible new home at the January RfB.
Consensus was reached, and there was much rejoicing.
B. GKC Interfaith Council – They have contacted Barbara, and stated that they would like to have a Pagan representative. They meet once a month at All Souls, though we're not exactly sure when. Linda is interested.
Coming soon to this space!
Coming soon to this space!
Ritual for Business - March 10, 2012
In attendance: Erin, Lizzy, David, Kit, Jamie, Eric, Cheryl, Cynthia, Thomas, Katie
Approval of Agenda - consensed (and then changed later)
Roles - Kit as Vibes Watcher, Jamie as Non Sequitur, Lizzy as Red Tape, Cynthia as Devil’s Advocate.
Minutes - Rosemary was not in attendance but tried to send them to the email list which doesn’t accept attachments. We will probably just have to approve them next month.
Committees
KidSpace Report - in February, no KS meeting was held due to lack of attendance. They also did a social justice cleanup at South Lake Park and seeing the Harvester’s CANstruction display at Ward Parkway Mall. Plans for this Sunday are to go outside, but
Social Justice - talked about adopting a highway, either in KS or MO, and looked up the regulations. Another option would be adopting a street near our new home in KCMO, assuming that happens (that meeting was before the Special RfB). Also, Blue River Rescue is coming on March 31st! Signups started today, will continue tomorrow so hopefully we can get a more kid-friendly location this year. They’re usually good about assuming we are coming, but we should let them know.
Communications - Earth Healer is being finished this weekend - send info if you have anything you want included! We will start including the Use Circle groups so more people can come. Facebook and Website are up-to-date, and Facebook is treating events more rationally again. However they have changed the header’s for groups and we need to put some other images up there. Lizzy was interested in starting a GC Twitter account; she will get with someone who knows Twitter later.
Membership - New Member class is complete, with five new members coming April 1. Greeter’s Table is adequately staffed but is always accepting more people! It’s an easy way to get to know more people.
Welcome - everything is going smoothly as far as we’re aware. We are plotting to make non-gendered signs for the doors of the restrooms at 4327 Troost, with the ability to swap them out every so often.
Ritual Teams - Ritual titles are assigned through Lughnassadh. The space around May and June is fluid to account for the indecision about where we might be meeting. Excellence in Ritual has begun, with 6 students and 1 audit. There are at least 9 names in for the Penny Auction so far, with more being mailed.
Caring - despite being slow to start, Caring Committee is picking up steam. They have started a list of members and friends, with birthdays, interests, and whether or not they want to be contacted if they don’t show up for several weeks.
Library - the Cue Cat is still with Aubry, who is working on finding time to use it. The library contains over 700 books but has no current users.
Nom Com - ? of NomCom has met, which catches them up with when the earlier ? of NomCom had met. They have a slate for all of the board (pending one confirmation) and are still working on the General Assembly delegates and incoming NomCom. People were interested in finding if there would be competition for positions; right now there may be competition for Members at Large. If you’re interested in competition, you should run!
Stewardship - Pledge Drive and Pledge Sunday are coming! Work continues on those accordingly, but there is no specific report today.
Site - report pending. There was a question about the difference between “unanimous consent” and “consensus” for decision making. There was also concern that a requirement for unanimous consent would leave the LLC open to steeplejacking or otherwise iniquitous behavior. Most people in attendance suggested a supermajority requirement for ‘big’ decisions and a controlling interest/majority decision for normal decisions. We will forward that concern/idea to the LLC Circle.
Eric mentioned that after the Building Use circle, Bill talked about being an investor but not necessarily a member of the LLC. He will certainly be interested in getting his money back and getting out at some near point in the future. He was concerned about us being responsible for 50% of the bills, but that’s what an LLC prevents! Of course if we want the LLC to be sustainable, money will have to be found/obtained from renters from others.
Eric asked about whether or not Gaia will get to approve/disapprove the LLC agreement once it is finalized.
Cynthia asked about the Certificate of Occupancy - nothing has been formalized yet, but it shouldn’t be a big deal. The city just needs to see the space and sign off.
Building Care Circle is on Saturdays at 1:30pm. Building Use Circle is on Mondays at 6:15ish. All are open to anybody, but there’s no sense overloading the meetings with Gaia people.
Financial Circle is not particularly active yet. LLC Circle is ongoing between the various parties.
Revisited and clarified the rules for Special Rituals for Business, if we need to have one to consense on the LLC rules.
Old Business - nothing
New Business
Covenant Group Checkin - Women’s Full Moon group said they would not be able to present anything at this month’s meeting, so they are tabled. Craft Circle presented an update to include: Still meeting regularly, 9+ attendees at last meeting. Lizzy has large vinyl signs and foam core for Ritual Teams to use and for the use of Craft Circle.
Community Survey - Lizzy would like to propose a Community Survey to get a basis for space use related to Activities (Games Nite, FNSC, Movie Nights, Craft Circle, God Auction, Other stuff) and Services (Time/day of services, types of services, rituals, class/workshop, forum, SOS, other). Willing participants were established, group will review, specifically ritual teams input. Survey Monkey will be used with the potential for a paper version (which will then be put into Survey Monkey, for reporting purposes).
Move - we need to decide if we are going to move ON July 1, or before then, or what? SMUUCH is definitely not moving to their new site until October, so we will not have to move twice!
Troost Festival - April 28th; we should table! Ubuntu Village could probably table as well/alongside. A small task force of Jamie, David, and Thomas will look into it.
CUUPS proposal - Aubry has asked for help renewing her CUUPS membership so she can continue to serve on their Nominating Committee. She is asking for $25 from the budget to renew her membership. A member in attendance said they would donate the $25 out of pocket and save the group from having to consense on anything. Problem solved!