Finance Committee reported by Greg Marsello, clerk: Business Meeting approved the FY16 Budget. This is the first time in memory an upcoming year’s Budget has been approved before December 1. Nice work done by all Committees. We agreed to add an additional $225 for New England Yearly Meeting per their request. The Budget is available on the WMM website.-Later in November the yearly donation reminder letter will be sent out. Offering donations are up this year, for which we are all thankful. With a projected year end surplus, we are hoping to allocate some of the surplus to our continued building upkeep projects, but also our outreach efforts. Any contributions are appreciated and will be put to good use..Thanks. Greg
New England Yearly Meeting (NEYM) has asked all monthly meetings to consider a 3-5% increase in their annual contributions to help support the work of the Yearly Meeting, which in tern supports the local monthly meetins. After a period of discussion, Friends agreed to increase our annual contribution to NEYM by 5% for the coming year.
Sandwich Quarterly Meeting will be hosted by our Meeting on Sunday, January 24, 2016. (Please note that SQM usually meets on a Saturday, but in January will meet on Sunday. Their ministry and counsel committee will meet at 8:30 AM. Their regular business meeting will begin at 11:30 AM. As a monthly meeting, Westport Friends will decide whether or not we want to offer a program at our December business meeting on Dec 13.
Property Coordinator: Because overseeing the Meeting’s calendar is part of her responsibility, Gretchen reminds Friends to be sure to check with her before scheduling committee meetings in our buildings to make sure that the space needed is not already booked. Once a proposed committee meeting date is confirmed, Gretchen places it on the Meeting’s Calendar.
Property Committee: Monthly Meeting has directed the Property Committee to explore the feasibility and costs related to bringing Internet and WiFi capability into our buildings. The advantages of this have been discussed within committees for some time. Doing so would allow us to remotely control our thermostat settings within our buildings, which, in addition to adding a measure of safety, may also save us money on heating expenses, etc. In addition, specific Friends, especially the Property and Book Fair Coordinators, each of whom spend many hours during the week attending tasks that benefit our community, would also be able to remain connected to the duties of their regular employment. Also, various groups who rent our Community House, including programs and retreats sponsored by New England Yearly Meeting, would also benefit by having access to the Internet while conducting programs on our premises.
Other Property News:
Over the past several months Property Committee has overseen the completion of a total renovation of the small third bathroom in the Potter House and all new windows in the Potter House. The exterior trim on the Potter/Community House was also completed. As our budget allows, plans for the coming year include painting the Fellowship Hall in the Community House and the exterior trim on the meetinghouse.
Important Notice: Belanger Flooring will be in Monday, Dec 28 to buff and apply a thin coat of sealant on the hardwood floors in the Fellowship Hall of the Community House. Nothing is scheduled for the CH during this time and Friends are asked to keep off of the hardwood floors between Dec 28-30. Thank you!
Latest Property Coordinator’s Report is HERE.
Book Fair Steering Committee: Books continue to be dropped off. So far over 150 boxes of books have been completed and stored. A promotion plan for Book Fair 2016 is being developed by Laura LaTour and will include more social media and other surprises.
Religious Education and First Day School: Amy Lee Vieira, clerk reports: Adults within our Meeting community are encouraged to speak with Amy and others on the Religious Ed committee if they would like to lead one or more First Day School classes. A sign-up sheet is posted on the FDS Bulletin Board in the Community House. Please contact Amy if you have questions or suggestion. Email Amy HERE.
