Isles of Shoals Association (Unitarian Universalist), Inc.
Annual Meeting Minutes
Saturday, November 5, 2022
In-Person and Virtual Meeting
The meeting was called to order at 1:35 PM.
Opening Words Maura La Rocca
Maura La Rocca provided opening words from Ralph Waldo Emerson, “This is my Wish for You”.
President’s Report Patricia Coleman
Tricia Coleman opened the session by welcoming members to the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Isles of Shoals Association Unitarian Universalist (ISAUU) Board. She provided a historical reference of Oscar Leighton and his efforts to overcome challenges of getting a horse to Appledore Island. Tricia related this story to the board’s efforts to run the shops under Patti Washburn’s leadership. She thanked each of the ISAUU Board members and officers.
Minutes of 2021 Annual Meeting Tricia Coleman/Cheryl Doty
Tricia led the meeting in reviewing the minutes from the 2021 Annual Meeting. There was a motion to approve the 2021 annual meeting minutes. The motion was seconded and approved.
Updates from Star Island Corporation Joe Watts
Joe Watts, CEO of Star Island Corporation (SIC) joined remotely. He expressed appreciation of the ISAUU and their work. 2022 saw many people return from the island after being absent since 2019. This was a challenging year for several reasons. 2021 was a miracle reopening, where we had no cases of COVID, we had 45 cases in 2022. There were varying opinions on the COVID policies. Spent a lot of time working with the health committee and staff on mental health issues. We had an increased level of mental health issues and some mental health emergencies. In 2022, we experienced the perfect storm of challenges. We dealt with pandemic policies and the differing views around them, staffing issues, and service issues. We did not offer the level of service that we would like to. These challenges were not limited to Star Island. Despite these many challenges, guests had a great time and meaningful experience on Star Island. It was a major accomplishment that we were open at all and overall, we were in a strong place in 2022.
On the financial front, Star Island will not hit its budget total for the year. The island is expecting to come in with a $200,000 surplus but they had budgeted for a $340,000 surplus. The main reason for this is the island is under enrolled by about $225,000. This was because there were a lot of cancellations. All Star 2 filled up to the enrollment cap, but then they had 17 cancellations in the weeks leading up to the conference. The annual fund looks to be on track. Joe asked ISAUU members to consider contributing sooner rather than later if they haven’t already.
Looking ahead, the island will focus on four areas: 1) COVID-19 policies; 2) staffing and staffing structure; 3) services—including methods, quality, and expectations; 4) beloved community project.
Related to COVID-19, SIC is looking at policies for masking, testing, vaccines, and day visitors. The island would like to shift the focus from SIC to individual responsibility. For staffing,
SIC is looking at staffing structure, reporting relationships, recruitment, etc. For services, the island needs to do better in food services and housekeeping. They are hiring a new executive chef and head of housekeeping to supplement existing staff. There will be a focus on living our values related to how we interact with one another: Kindness, understanding, respect, and open and direct communication. The Beloved Community project is an ongoing effort that the island has heavily invested in. The island is drafting a strategic plan and looking for ways to include the broader community in developing the plan. SIC is moving back into an established cancellation policy during the coming year. The current state of the economy is a challenge. The island wants to pay fair wages but keep rates affordable—even though rates have not kept up with inflation. In closing, Joe mentioned that the island does have some challenges, but they are committed to working through them. Star Island’s future is bright. Joe closed by thanking the ISAUU for their support.
Tricia asked how the role of Island Minister played out this year. Joe said that 40-50% of her time was devoted to addressing mental health issues behind the scenes. He envisions this role being a strong part of the leadership effort moving forward.
Tricia mentioned that Stary Night will take place on November 19.
Treasurer’s Report Cory Easter
Cory presented the Treasurer’s report for the Fiscal Year ending October 31, 2022. Cory explained that we present two sets of financials: one for the shops and one for the ISAUU. Total revenue for Shops on Star came in at just over $168,088.34, a 62% increase from 2021. ISAUU Total Income was $174,446, a 59% increase. Shops on star Expenses were at $116,255, and ISAUU expenses were $166,088. Cory went on to say that we finished in the strongest position in years. Our gift to SIC was increased by 67% this year due to our strong financial performance. Cory thanked the Shops Committee and volunteers for their efforts which led to ISAUU’s strong financial year. Joe thanked ISAUU for the gift, which represented 7% of the amount that took SIC into the black.
Nominating Committee Report and Elections Ali Walton
Ali put forth the slate of nominees for 2023 to ISAUU board as follows:
Patricia Coleman, President
Ali Walton, First Vice-President
Patti Washburn, Second Vice-President
Tom Smurzynski, Third Vice-President
Cheryl Doty, Board Secretary
Corey Easter, Treasurer
Marlene Smurzynski, Assistant Treasurer
Deb Weiner Soule, Membership Secretary (new to the board)
Deb Walton, previously Membership Secretary
Miriam Coe, previously Second Vice-President
Molly Mansfield (new to the board)
Linda Pollak Johnson (new to the board)
Ali introduced the three new directors for 2023:
Deb Weiner Soule. Deb is a religious professional. She currently serves as transitional pastor of First Parish in Waltham, MA and is a mentor and coach for religious leaders. She first came to Star Island when she was 18 months old. She lives in Lexington with her husband Ben Soule. She is honored to be nominated to serve on the ISAUU board.
Molly Mansfield. Molly has been part of the Star Island community her entire life as a conferee, a volunteer, and a Pelican. She helped to create and implement the personal retreats program at Star Island. She is a graduate of UNH where she completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Linda Pollack Johnson. Linda first visited Star Island as a child in 1968. In 1982, she was married to Bruce Johnson in the chapel on Star Island. They were both Pels on and off throughout the eighties. In the 1990’s they returned to Star Island with their young kids. Both of her children have been Pelicans. She is active in her local UU church. Linda is looking forward to using her skills and energy to support ISAUU.
Ali thanked the nominating committee members.
A motion was made to approve the slate of nominees. Motion was seconded and approved.
Shops on Star Committee Report Patti Washburn
Patti provided the Shops on Star update. She compared the Shops Committee’s work to making a patchwork quilt. This season has had its share of challenges, specifically with staffing and supply chain issues. Patti thanked individuals who helped Isles of Shoals Board of Directors and the Shops on Star Committee members. She thanked Arlyn Weeks who donated a sweater for the raffle and presented her with a gift. Patti thanked the captain and crew of the Thomas Leighton and Uncle Oscar for their efforts in transporting staff and volunteers to the island and back. She thanked this year’s managers, volunteers, and the shops leadership team for their support over the year.
Conference Grants Report Ali Walton
Ali provided the conference grants report. In January, the ISAUU established the conference grant committee including Ali Walton, Corey Easter, Sarah Gordon, and Cheryl Doty. Applications were distributed in January and subsequent reminders were sent at the conference leadership meeting and via email. We received a total of 24 applications, requesting a total of $13,005.97 was awarded. $100 was not used and returned, resulting in total expenses of $12,905.97. Ali read a thank you note from the All Star One chairs. They thanked ISAUU for the grant which was spent on a songwriter. Ali thanked the conference grants committee members for their work.
Clergy Grants Miriam Coe
Miriam reported that the ISAUU decided not to give clergy grants in 2022. She provided an overview of the history of the clergy grants program, which provides grants to UU ministers and their families who have not experienced Star Island again. The hope is that the ministers will want to come back and will share the program with their parishes. In 2022, we partnered with the Star Island Beloved Community to expand outreach of the program. We were pleased to offer awards to seven ministers, but only one was able to attend. We plan to adjust the timing of the program by moving the deadline from March to January. This will enable clergy to apply to conferences before they have filled up. Miriam thanked the committee members.
Any other Business: Tom nominated Ali Walton as Chair of the nominating committee. Ali accepted the nomination. A motion was put forth to accept Ali in this new position. The motion was seconded and approved.
Adjournment of Business Meeting Patricia Coleman
The business portion of meeting was adjourned at 2:40 pm
Acknowledgements Patricia Coleman
Tricia acknowledged Mike Bray for his contributions to the board. Mike is stepping off the board this year.
Presentation—History of Art at the Isle of Shoals Christopher Volpe
After a brief break, Christopher delivered a presentation entitled, Picturing the Isle of Shoals. 150 Years of Artistic Fascination. He presented the history of artists painting the island from the 1800s to present times.