Dear members and friends of First UU Church,
Thank you to all who have voted and participated in our Building Our Future process, and thank you to the Building Our Future: Beyond Ourselves team for their generous work. Here are the results of the vote, and initial plans for how we will move forward, together.
Results:
Total Votes cast: 278 (72.2% of eligible voters)
“Go” Votes: 265 (95.3% of votes cast)
“Stay” Votes: 12 (4.3% of votes cast)
Abstentions: 1
These results have been confirmed by our Administrators and Board Officers.
These results exceed the necessary thresholds. The Congregation has voted “GO”, meaning we now deeply explore our options to build or buy new in a different location.
As we move forward together, let us remember in gratitude the generations before us, and imagine the generations yet to come. May these words guide us:
“This is not any map you know.
Forget longitude. Forget latitude.
Do not think of distances, or of plotting the most direct route…
Step out, and you will know
what the wise who traveled this path before you knew:
the treasure in this map
is buried not at journey’s end
but at its beginning.” – Jan Richardson
In faith,
First UU Board of Directors
Brianna Berg, Molly Dingel, Jodi Edmonson, Kim Edson, John Helmers, Kim Reid, Walt Rothwell, John Tacinelli, Paul Trewartha-Weiner
Previous Voting Information
VOTING INFO.
The Board of Directors asks for your vote on the future of our building and grounds. This is the first of several votes in this process. This vote will help focus our energy and resources in the direction of the congregation’s intent.
VOTING PROCESS
Eligibility: All current members of First Unitarian Universalist Church who, per our bylaws, have joined at least 60 days prior to the vote (Nov. 24, 2022), are eligible to vote. Each member will have one vote.
Timing: The vote will open on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 10:00am, and will remain open for one week through Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 3:00pm.
How to vote: Members may vote in person at a voting table at church, online through electronic ballot (received by email), requested paper ballot, or by calling the office for a voice vote, received by Sunday, January 29, 2023 by 3:00pm. Each vote will be certified by our Congregational Administrators and Board Secretary.
Voting Results: Results will be shared through a special e-news to the congregation when the result has been certified, and then shared verbally the following Sunday at services. To be accepted as a directive, at least a quorum (30% of total membership) must vote, and an affirmative threshold of 75% of those voting must be reached for either option. If those criteria are not met, the Board will meet to determine what process is needed to move forward as a church.
VOTING LANGUAGE
I, a member of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Rochester, MN, believe that the future and flourishing of our congregation and our mission will be best served if we:
__ STAY: renovate or rebuild on our current property.
OR
__ GO: build or buy a building on a new property.
I understand that, by casting this vote, I am voting to direct the resources of the congregation to deeply explore the option for which I voted.
On January 11, 2023, the Building Our Future: Beyond Ourselves Team will give a summary of research and recommendations.
The final Board Forum will be held on Sunday, January 22, 2023, and voting will begin after the meeting both in person and online.
At its August 2022 monthly meeting, the First UU Board of Directors decided that a first congregational vote regarding the future of our building will be held in January 2023.
The first congregational forum held following the Board’s decision was on September 14, 2022.