Happy fall!  I’m writing to provide a few updates and celebrations.  It was pointed out during the recent Next Steps Weekend that we need to be doing a better job of communicating about finances, particularly celebrating the things that we do well.  As Treasurer, I need to be doing a better job of communicating about our finances.  I have a few ideas for ways to increase my communication, which will include a variety of formats, but I would really like to hear from you as to what information you would like to receive.  If you have any ideas, please catch me in person or email me.  (Eli Martinson at elias.martinson@gmail.com).

Helping Hands

We began an experiment back in February to give all of the collection plate money (not marked for UUFM) each month to that month’s Helping Hands recipient.  While there are several vari-ables that make it difficult to identify exactly how this is impacting the Fellowship’s operating finances, one thing is for sure:  we should be very proud of our increased contributions.  Below is a table showing increases we have seen over the experiment period from the same period of the previous year.  During the Board’s annual retreat, the Board decided to continue this experiment and revisit the policy at the March 2020 Board meeting.

                                    2019                 2018                 Increase

February                $820.24             $489.00              $331.24

March                    1,162.00               684.00                478.00

April                          626.23               434.00                192.23

May                           878.00               388.00                490.00

June                       1,123.10               294.27                828.83

July                           715.00               556.40                158.60

August                      980.00               445.00                535.00

Totals                    $6,304.57           $3,290.67         $3,013.90

Pledge Drive

A group of volunteers has been contacting members all summer regarding their pledges. If you haven’t heard from someone yet, expect to soon.  To date, we’ve received pledges totaling $104,660 from 46 pledge units.  Many increases from last year. Thank you for your generosity.  Making some reasonable assumptions, our total increases to $130,500 from 56 pledge units.

Facilities Projects

The facilities committee has recommended that we hire Hartman Masonry to fix the brick spalling on the southern and western exterior walls for the quoted amount of $14,400.  The Board approved the project at its September meeting under the condition that we receive congregational approval to transfer the funds from expendable endowment.  A congregational meeting will be held on October 20.  Earlier this year, we held a similar meeting to request approval to transfer funds for roof repairs.  Several members donated funds, totaling $7,405.50, that reduced the endowment transfer to $19,335.50.  Thank you for the support!  To donate money towards the brick spalling project, please contact me (elias.martinson@gmail.com).

If you have an interest in, or questions about, Fellowship finances; or for help in making your pledge, or setting up an automatic payment plan, please contact UUFM Treasurer Eli Martinson at elias.martinson@gmail.com.