Fifteen EUU members came together on Tuesday evening, Oct. 8 via Zoom, and after the usual 30 minutes of personal catching up, we began our business meeting. Of course, we began by centering ourselves with inspirational words and lighting of a chalice and sharing of Joys & Concerns of the Fellowships – actions which also help make our CC meetings more than just business meetings because we are not here just to “do business.”
We spent quite a bit of time looking over and discussing the proposed 2025 budget, presented by our treasurer, Jutta. Discussion included how to ask for new line items for spending (through CC reps); the nature of the budget as a flexible target, not a rigid cage; the positive state of our current annual pledge drive; increasing the line item for Social Action; a focus on strategic investment in EUU’s future using the assets that we have; and adding “Leadership” to our Professional Development budget line.
We also clarified and discussed the difference between elected officers who are legally responsible (and liable) for our association, and committee members and chairs who volunteer and do a lot of important work. As we looked at the proposed minor change of adding the Social Action Committee into the list of committees found in the “Committees” portion of our Bylaws, it was noted that committees and committee chairs were only “appointed.” Changes to the language were suggested and voted unanimously to include both creation and dissolution of committees, as well as both the appointment as well as dismissal of committee chairs, by the president.
Some “housekeeping” decisions were made: to change our official mailing address (this must remain in Paris, France, where we are legally registered as an association), and to try to find a more streamlined way to change the name of the responsible person on our bank account when officers change, though current international banking rules make that difficult to easily do.
The current retreat planning committee – spokesperson Derek – reports that all is going very well in the approach to the retreat in Cologne. We discussed the best way to use the volunteers who indicated willingness to “help with RE” but who are not willing to organize it. Two of our participants – Cappy & Casey – both stepped up to ensure that Religious Exploration will be properly organized for the teens at the retreat.
The nominating committee (shall we change the name to “Leadership Scouting Committee”?) reported that 3 of the officer candidates for next year have been identified, but they are still looking for a Secretary for 2025. The secretary role records the meetings, sends out announcements and listens. Bonnie notes that the job is now very well laid out and set up; it was also suggested that the use of the Zoom AI tool for creating good quality minutes should be tried, to reduce the workload and make this role more attractive. The concept of a secretary 2-person team has been floated, and some people are open to it, but the right team has yet to be found. Being a secretary is an excellent leadership development opportunity – it is a chance to observe, listen and learn, as well as be a part of a great team. Finding a new EUU Zoom assistant coordinator is an urgent (for January 2025) need and the current nominating committee (especially Matt) has names of people who might be good fit for this job.
Looking forward to retreats: all the CC reps are asked to SPEAK frequently and individually with all the different members of their respective EUU member fellowships + the At Large EUU members, to express how future retreats are dependent on new people volunteering to work on their creation, and to find people who will commit to planning a future retreat. There are experienced people within EUU who will help and guide the creation of future retreats. It was suggested that if a future retreat does not happen, then people might take notice and step up to organize a retreat. Intensive “retreat planner” recruitment needs to happen at the upcoming retreat in Cologne and at the AGM. People are needed to contact familiar retreat sites and make reservations for future fall and spring times when retreats can be planned. It was mentioned that the hostel in Mittelwihr (Alsace region of France) has closed, and that a more remote and rustic site exists in the area around Mulhouse, France.
Mentioned at the end of our meeting: the ongoing work on the “Safe Community Provisional Statement” has been undergoing revision, with numerous inputs since last year’s lengthy discussion at our AGM. John Eichrodt stated that he still would like to see additions that he finds very important; two members of the committee working on this statement in preparation for the AGM will be in touch with John to obtain his ideas and see about whether they can fit into the Statement that will be presented for a vote at the AGM.
Our next EUU administrative meeting will be after the Cologne retreat, our Annual General Meeting on Sunday afternoon, November 17, online. One additional CC meeting is planned to take place after that, in December, to wrap up this year and to finish up “loose ends” with the current officers, 3 of whom will be “retiring from office” at the end of this year.