Embedded Files
Board Bits
July & August Board of Trustees Meeting
The board discussed increasing our visibility with the congregation. When ready, the board will be wearing ribbons with their UUCGN name tag along with a purple lanyard. We are inviting the congregation to have greater engagement with board members on Sundays after the service.
The opportunity for congregants to share ideas, concerns and appreciations on Sundays at 11:30 via the Listening Circle was not well attended. A different format will be tried in November.
The board was pleased to welcome and approve Charles and Ann Anderson as new members. They were welcomed at Joys and Sorrows this summer. New members will be regularly announced at Joys and Sorrows.
Ellen Hemrick, our Interim Director of Religious Exploration (IDRE), spoke about the success and value of OWL, Our Whole Lives, a UUA sexuality education program that provides honest, accurate information about sexuality which can change lives. It fosters healthy relationships, improves decision making and has the potential to save lives. The board approved funding for the training and manuals for this program. The board also approved the hiring of a nursery aide and a teacher’s aide for the RE program. This is minimal staffing with the legal requirement for two adults with each group of children or youth.
The finance committee welcomes Tom Parkhurst into their committee. The stewardship campaign will be returning to November and December this year.
August
The board welcomed Rev. Tony back. We were excited to see a photo of his new grandson, Quinn Sky.
The UUA has a new curriculum called Woven Faith which has many components. Religious Exploration program (RE) will be pilot testing this comprehensive congregation-wide curriculum. All components are free for this first year and include worship resources, small ministry, faith engagement for committees and boards, faith engagement for social justice, all ages fellowship activities and faith engagement for inclusion and belonging. It wants all ages to have a stronger UU identity.
The board approved updated and customized performance evaluations for the staff. These evaluations better align with the goals of our strategic plans.
The membership committee will now have a second meeting for potential new members. While the first meeting, held at the end of the month, is more focused on Unitarian Universalism, this second meeting, on the first Sunday of the month, will help those interested in learning more about UUCGN.
Strategic Planning Task Force
The team is made up of Eric Anderson, Brad Cornell, Rev. Tony Fisher, Janet Hoffman, Lisa Nickerson, Janet Parkhurst, and Tabitha Stadler. The team is currently asking each committee to review the nine strategic objectives that have been developed, and then record the activities that they are involved with that align with these objectives. It is also time to look at possibilities and think about what a committee could take on to help us reach these goals. Tabitha developed a template to use in this process which has been sent to committee chairs. She also will attend the next Program Council meeting to present this and answer questions.
Finance Committee Corner
Linda Allan, Treasurer
Where Your Generosity Goes
Did You Know? There Are Smart Ways to Fulfill Your FY27 Pledge and Potentially Reduce Your Taxes!
Did you know that you can fulfill your FY27 pledge to UUCGN in ways other than writing a check? Some giving strategies may offer valuable tax advantages while supporting our congregation. If you would like to fulfill your FY27 pledge, due by March 31, 2027, consider these three options. Making a qualifying gift before December 31, 2026, may provide tax benefits for the 2026 tax year while helping UUCGN fund its operating budget, programs, activities and staffing needs.
Make a Gift Directly from Your IRA
If you are age 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to UUCGN. In 2026, you can donate up to $111,000 (subject to the applicable annual limit). A QCD is particularly valuable if you are required to take an annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA. Your charitable gift can satisfy all or part of your RMD while generally being excluded from your taxable income. This may reduce your tax liability and potentially help you avoid moving into a higher tax bracket. Unlike a regular charitable contribution, a QCD can offer tax benefits even if you do not itemize deductions. To qualify, the gift must be transferred directly from your IRA custodian to UUCGN.
Donate Appreciated Stocks
If you own stocks or other investments that have increased in value and have been held for more than one year, consider donating them directly to UUCGN rather than selling them first. You may be able to deduct the fair market value of the donated securities if you itemize deductions, subject to applicable tax limits. In addition, you can generally avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation. This strategy can make your charitable gift go further while potentially providing a tax advantage.
Contribute to a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)
If you have an existing Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), consider recommending a grant to UUCGN. You can also establish a DAF through a sponsoring organization or community foundation. Contributions to a DAF may qualify for an immediate charitable tax deduction in the year you fund the account, subject to applicable rules. You can then recommend grants to UUCGN and other charitable organizations over time. A DAF can be a convenient way to plan and manage your charitable giving, although grants from a DAF generally cannot be used to satisfy a legally binding pledge.
Your Gift Makes a Difference
These are just a few ways to make your charitable giving more tax-efficient while supporting the congregation we value. If you have questions about these options, please contact our Treasurer, Linda Allan, or Janet Parkhurst, a member of our Finance Committee with an extensive background in financial planning. As always, consult your tax or financial advisor to determine which strategy is best for your individual circumstances.
Endowment Notes
The UUCGN Endowment Fund was created to ensure that the mission, values and work of the Congregation continue well into the future. The Fund’s principal was started with and continues to grow with donations from members of the Congregation. The Endowment Board is responsible for managing the Fund (independent of the UUCGN Board of Trustees).
Prudent investment of the Fund’s assets by the Board is crucial to preserve the principal long term and to generate return on investment which can be reinvested to grow the principal. It also allows for the potential of annual support of the Congregation’s mission apart from its general operation. When the Fund exceeds $500,000 in any year, the Board is empowered to review/approve proposals to allocate up to 5% of the Fund for these purposes: program enhancement, building and grounds enhancement, community outreach and/or UUA’s wider mission.
So far this year the EB has funded the 50th Anniversary Open House Celebration in March and the creation of a choral piece by Shawn Allison dedicated to the 50th anniversary to be premiered by our choir at a service in March. Last year these funds paid for the new riser in the sanctuary and supported the installation of the handicap accessible doors.
In these challenging times, the significance of UUCGN’s ongoing mission cannot be more clear. Your gift to the Fund helps to ensure that the opportunity for connection, support and service to the community you found at UUCGN will be available for the generations ahead.
1. You can honor someone with a memorial or testimonial (for someone living) donation in their name to the Fund at any time. Contact the office.
2. Please consider a future gift in your name as a member of the Fund’s Legacy Circle. You can choose from among several planned giving options to include the Fund in your estate plans. You will join other Circle members whose own legacy furthers the legacy of UUCGN. Contact the office to have someone from the Endowment Board contact you.
3. Make a gift in your name to the Fund any time. Contact the office.
Thank you from the UUCGN Endowment Board! Click on this link for our brochure.
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