FIRST UNIVERSALIST

U N I TA R I A N C H U R C H
Wausau, Wisconsin

ANNUAL MEETING 2016

November 20, 2016

715-842-3697
www.uuwausau.org

504 Grant St, Wausau, WI 54403

SLATE FOR 2016 ELECTIONS

The Nominating Committee is putting forth the following candidates for election:
Board of Trustees (for a 3-year term)

Josh Wright

Endowment Committee (for a 3-year term)

Tom Eberlein
Nominating Committee (for a 1-year term)

CJ Heiser
Jeff Leigh
Heather Busig
-2015 Nominating Committee
CJ Heiser, Jeff Leigh, Heather Busig

Vision: We are a safe haven, where all are accepted, valued, and
connected. We support and encourage each other in exploring our
religious, spiritual, and intellectual paths. Through our shared ministry,
music, and meditation, we rejoice and mourn together. We are active
partners in service to others. We bring light to social justice issues and
are conduits for sparking change in ourselves, our community, and the
world.

Mission Statement To transform ourselves and the larger community by

being a bright and welcoming sanctuary of hope, compassion, service, and
understandingallowing individuals of differing spiritual and religious
beliefs to experience acceptance and support, a sense of belonging, and
continued personal growth as part of a free-thinking, inclusive church
community.
Adopted by congregational vote, October 2016

CONTENTS

Cover, Reverse

Election Slate

Agenda

Minutes of 2015 Annual Meeting

Minutes of October 2016 Special Congregational Meeting

Presidents Report

10

Minsters Report

11

Search Committee Report

12

Treasurers Report

16

Endowment Report

17

2016 Pledge Report & 2017 Stewardship Drive Report

18

Financial Report 2016

(Profit and Loss - Budget vs. Actual)

21

PROPOSED 2017 BUDGET

Annual Meeting Agenda

Sunday, November 20, 2016
I.

Call to Order

II.

Agenda Changes

III.

Approval of minutes:
a. 2015 Annual Meeting
b. October 9, 2016 Special Congregational Meeting

IV.

Reports
a. Presidents ReportRandy Jefferson, Board of Trustees President
b. Ministers ReportReverend Laurie Bushbaum, Interim Minister
c. Search Committee Report Linda Haney, Chair
d. Treasurers ReportCarol Bronston, Co-Treasurer

V.

Adoption of 2017 BudgetRandy Jefferson, Board of Trustees President

VI.

ElectionsCJ Heiser, Nominating Committee

Board of Trustees (3-year term): Josh Wright
Endowment Committee (3-year term): Tom Eberlein
Nominating Committee (1-year term): CJ Heiser, Jeff Leigh, Heather Busig

VII.

Endowment DeclarationCarol Bronston

VIII.

Closing Words

FIRST UNIVERSALIST UNITARIAN CHURCH

2015 ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING MINUTES
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Attendance: There were 56 members in attendance.
Written Reports Received: 2015 Annual Report
Call to Order: 12:00 p.m. by Board president, Dawn Ashenbrenner.
Approval of Agenda: A motion to approve the agenda as published was made by Marguerite
Donnelly, second by Linda Ware and passed by the membership on a voice vote, and with one absentee
vote.
Approval of minutes from the 2014 annual meeting: A motion to approve the minutes as written
was made by Mike Moen, second by Judy Beier, passed by the membership on a voice vote, and with
one absentee vote.
REPORTS
Presidents Report: Dawn Ashenbrenner, Board of Trustees President, presented highlights of the
report.
Ministers Report: Report submitted by Interim Minister Rev. Laurie Bushbaum.
Treasurers Report: Carolyn Bronston, co-treasurer, presented highlights of the report.
ADOPTION OF 2016 BUDGET
Dawn Ashenbrenner presented the 2016 annual budget.
A motion to approve the budget was made by John Faville, second by Jeff Leigh and passed by the
membership on a voice vote, and with one absentee vote.
Discussion/Questions:
During discussion, it was noted that the most critical action any member can make to help in the
creation of a balanced budget is to make an annual pledge in a timely manner.
ELECTIONS
Jeff Leigh, Nominating Committee, presented the following slate of officers:
Board of Trustees
Three year term: Jody Meier, Joyce Kurth, and Kathi Hupy
Motion to approve by John Faville, second by Mike Moen; motion passed on a voice vote, and with
one absentee vote.
Endowment Committee
Three year term: Dan Schaut
Motion to approve by Richard Olson, second by Marguerite Donnelly; motion passed on a voice vote,
and with one absentee vote.
Nominating Committee
One year term: Heather Busig, CJ Heiser, Jeff Leigh
Motion to approve by Jody Meier, second by Kevin Briquelet-Miller; motion passed on a voice vote,
and with one absentee vote.

FIRST UNIVERSALIST UNITARIAN CHURCH

2015 ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING MINUTES
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Ministerial Search Committee Election
Joni Hahn, Board Secretary, highlighted the Board process for creating the Ministerial Search
Committee and presented the following slate of candidates:
Ingrid Zavadoski, Sheryl Hemp, Jeff McDonald, Linda Haney, Mary Pierce, Bart Hobson, and Holly
Briquelet-Miller.
Motion to approve by Carol Bronston, second by Sharon Faville; motion passed on a voice vote, and
with one absentee vote.
By-Law Adoption:
Judy Beier, By-Law committee, highlighted the changes to the By-Laws.
Motion to approve by Joni Hahn, second by Sheryl Hemp; motion passed on a voice vote, and with one
absentee vote.
Discussion clarified that the By-Laws give the Endowment Committee the right to replace committee
members when there is a vacancy between term elections.
Endowment Declaration:
Jerry Phelan, Endowment Committee, highlighted changes in the Endowment Fund Declaration.
Motion to approve by Judy Beier, second by Dawn Ashenbrenner; motion passed.
Discussion included recognition of the goal to grow the Endowment Fund to twice the operating
budget, and to refrain from reliance on the Endowment to help fund the operating budget in a planned,
gradual drawdown from past practice.
In Closing, Dawn Ashenbrenner thanked the congregation for the opportunity to serve as Board
President.
The meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joni Hahn, Board Secretary

End of 2015 Minutes

FIRST UNIVERSALIST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF WAUSAU

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING MINUTES
October 9, 2016
DRAFT FOR APPROVAL
In Attendance:
51 Congregation Members, including Heiser (presiding)
Call to Order:
11:30 AM by Heiser
Chalice Lighting and Reading
Acknowledgment and Appreciation:
Drafting Team:
Sally Schmidt
Sarah Thurs
Sally Decker
Anne Jefferson
Church Staff:
Interim Minister Laurie Bushbaum
Congregational Administrator Anji Spialek
Director of Lifespan Faith Development Julie Trombley
The Congregation as a whole
Approval of Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and Congregational Covenant:
Motion by John Faville, seconded by Dan Schaut. Time for discussion allowed, none occurred.
Passed unanimously.
Closing Remarks
Adjournment
11:36 AM

Board Presidents Report to the Congregation

November 20, 2016
As our famous UU author for all ages Dr. Seuss might have said, Oh the places the Board has gone.
We certainly followed his advice and got on our way this past year. Adventurous it was. We were
tested, but your board and minister were steadfast in their commitment and focus on doing what was
needed for the welfare of the church we all cherish. We were guided by our mantra of move forward
following a compass pointing in the direction of what is best for the long term health and vitality of the
church. We complete this year by many measures in better health and more vital than when we began
the voyage of 2016.
We again have a paid staff member directing our Religious Education/Lifespan Faith Development
Program. Julie Trombley has had a significant positive impact in applying her considerable experience,
talents, and energy. She is doing the absolute most she can during her half-time hours to make sure our
children have a challenging, stimulating program that helps them develop their sense of spiritual self.
We deeply appreciate all she has brought us and what she has accomplished. We need to do our part to
help Julie succeed. When her call goes out for teachers, please step forward. Exposing yourself to the
wonder of our children may be the most rewarding volunteer task you will ever do here. As we fill out
our Lifespan Faith Development Ministry Team in the coming year, consider contributing your skills as
a team member. We are putting the pieces together for a Lifespan Faith Development Program that
could be a major attraction for a new minister, but how we respond as a congregation to the charge to
get involved will determine if our promise is realized.
Through our collective efforts this year surfacing ideas about who we are and what we want to be as a
congregation, then blending and skillfully putting them into words, we now have new Vision and
Mission Statements, and a Congregational Covenant, which we have never had before, to help guide
our way forward into an exciting future as a church.
A major concentration for the Board has been to strengthen our fiscal health. That has meant prudent
budgeting and careful spending, and obviously critical are successful stewardship efforts since pledges
comprise such a major portion of our income. Last year it all came together. A strong Stewardship
Drive for 2016 and reduced Lifespan Faith Development expense until Julie was on board are the
primary reasons we have not yet had to use the budgeted Endowment money from which we are
weaning ourselves over a multi-year period. As of this writing, if pledge contributions hold, it appears
for the second straight year we will have a slight surplus to invest in our Reserve Fund. We have
managed to grow that fund over the last several years. The surplus growth, along with a generous
unallocated member gift has resulted in a board decision to use $15,000 of our Reserve/Special Funds
combined with a $10,000 Endowment Fund contribution to reduce our mortgage principle and
restructure the mortgage. These actions will result in major long term interest savings and a reduction
of 3 years in the length of the loan.
The fiscal challenge for us now is to complete another successful Stewardship Drive. The board has
made a concerted effort during this interim period to increase our minister compensation package so
that we would be competitive in this key factor for ministerial candidates. The 2017 proposed budget
7

Board Presidents Report continued

does that. We have also added a part-time music coordinator beginning mid-year, and intend to make a
fair share contribution to the UUA and Region for the first time in a number of years. These are also
important considerations for any candidate looking at us. We must meet our pledge income goal to
keep our momentum moving forward. If we do that, we will be able to call that special minister in
2017 to join in our quest to become the church of our Vision.
We have come far. We will always have more work to do. What can you do? Ministry Teams come
readily to mind. The Social Justice Team is starting to come alive. We need to pick up the baton that
Laurie has so ably carried for us. The Hospitality Team can always use more help to spread the vital
interpersonal tasks we depend on among more of us. Remember the Lifespan Faith Development
Team too as you consider how you can play a bigger role in the health of our church. Again, the
rewards of volunteering are real. They are of the heart, and mind, and spirit. In good UU fashion, they
are of this earth. Your church needs you.
Clearly I could go on, but I think you get the message. Were doing really well. We cant let up.
As I looked at the end of my term on the board, I asked myself what I could do to continue serving our
church. At the same time, Carol Bronston was looking to reduce the Treasurer responsibilities she has
shouldered so well since 2002. Being a numbers guy who made a professional career of analyzing data,
we found a match. Effective 1/1/2017, by Board appointment, I will assume a co-Treasurer role
working with Mary Pierce on the monthly financial report production and analysis for the Board and
quarterly congregation reporting. Carol will continue serving as the Treasurer responsible for providing
support to the Endowment Committee. Carol masterfully applied her keen, questioning mind combined
with her attention to detail to consistently provide incisive observations and recommendations to the
Board and congregation. Jerry Viste made a great choice when he asked Carol fourteen years ago to
take on the role from which he was stepping away. We are deeply grateful for Carols dedicated
service.
I close with additional thanks.
To Laurie, who has so capably fulfilled her interim charge to get us to critically look within ourselves
and at our processes and organizational structures. She has alerted us to things we would not have seen.
She has provided the impetus for work we may not have undertaken. She has poured her heart into
preaching, teaching, and ministering. For all that, we thank you.
To Anji, Im not sure anyone knows all you do while sitting on that balance ball to keep our church
operations flowing smoothly. Your steady, dependable, unflappable approach to the myriad of jobs
weve tasked you with provides confidence that what you do will be done well. Thank you for those all
agendas, financial reports, special requests, and insightful advice that have helped enhance the
effectiveness of the Board and the congregation as a whole.

Board Presidents Report continued

To the congregation, you have trusted us, hung with us, and positively responded when help was
needed. I know you will continue to stand behind the trustees you elect to serve you. Thank you for
caring. Thank you for sharing your talents.
To the Board, you are simply the best. Your commitment has been exemplary. Your problem solving
remarkable. Your resolve and cohesiveness unshakable. Your support immeasurable. I am one
fortunate President to have been able to serve with you. Thank you. I love you.
Randy Jefferson, President, Board of Trustees

Ministers Report to the Congregation

November 20, 2016
So much has happened in the last year:
1. We have put the church back on a strong financial foundation.
2. We have continued to review and update important policies and procedures to have them in place for
your next settled minister.
3. The Board had an excellent Board Retreat in June and will have another Board Training workshop in
February.
4. Julie Trombley has fully come on board with her kind and intelligent leadership of Lifespan Faith
Development.
5. The Staff developed a Staff Covenant.
6. The congregation created a new Mission and Vision statement and First UUs first Congregational
Covenant which were approved earlier this fall.
7. Renovation is underway in the Rec Room and the Kitchen.
8. The Ministerial Search Committee was selected.
9. Our Garage Sale was financially successful and the church got a good cleaning!
10. We walked through some very challenging issues last spring regarding the Boards discomfort with
my prophetic witness. And while we have continued our ministry together, those issues were never
fully discussed.
11. We joined NAOMI and received a Social Justice Grant.
Right now, we are in the midst of what looks like another very promising Stewardship Drive for the
year 2017, thanks to your lay leaders, Carl Drake and Andy Benedetto.
While I will share my concluding thoughts about this Interim Ministry toward the end of the church
year, I want to encourage you all to keep asking yourselves the question, What can I do to make
ministry successful at First UU of Wausau as the next minister arrives? What attitudes, what
communication skills, what commitments make for successful relationships of all kinds and how do
those apply to being in partnership and relationship with a minister? How can your Covenants inform
these important relationships and how will you actually engage and use your Covenants?
Recent national events have made it clear how very important this congregation is to you and how
important it is to Wausau. I encourage you to become even more visible! Let people know you are
here. First UU matters!
Rev. Laurie Bushbaum, Interim Minister

10

Search Committee Report to the Congregation

November 20, 2016
The Ministerial Search Team includes Holly Briquelet Miller, Linda Haney, Sheryl Hemp, Jeff
McDonald, Mary Pierce, Ingrid Zavadoski, and until recently Bart Hobson. Bart has resigned from the
committee. Our goal is to have a new settled minister with us during the summer and in the pulpit by
September, 2017.
Early this year we began meeting to learn about one another, to discover what our members are looking
for in a new minister, and to begin work on the various documents required by the UUA. Along the
way weve attended a day-long retreat, learned to work with our differing communication styles, urged
members to complete a variety of surveys, arranged for the whole-church workshop Beyond
Categorical Thinking, consulted with Ian Evison our Mid-America UUA representative, obtained data
from our Office Manager, and sharpened our writing skills.
The process of calling a new minister to our church is carefully laid out by the UUA. After many
months of work, we are just about ready to go online December 1st. At that point prospective ministers
will be able to look at who we are and what we have to offer. On January 2, we will be able to see and
contact those ministers whose interest we have piqued and who are seeking a new congregation and
home. Following phone interviews and reference checks, we will invite two-to-three ministers to visit
with us for a weekend and to preach in a nearby church. We and the prospective minister(s) will be
looking for the best fit with our congregation. For several reasons, the selection process will be strictly
confidential and we thank you for your trust. The next step will be to select the right individual to
be presented to you for your approval.
We are excited about the next several months, the adventure ahead and welcoming a new minister. We
know that you too, after waiting many months, will be ready to do everything you can to insure our
wonderful church community will welcome he/she with open arms.
Linda Haney, Chair

11

Treasurers Report to the Congregation

November 20, 2016
This is my 14th Treasurers Report at the annual meeting. In this one, I am going to give a little
historical perspective. Revisiting my first report in 2002, I was reminded that at the time the report
consisted mainly of reporting on the pledge drive. In 2008, the Pledge Committee (now the
Stewardship Committee) took over reporting on the pledges followed in 2012 by the church
administrator. I started reporting on the financial status of the church more generally. However the
pledge charts are very useful for making a few points.
Budget
Amt. Pledged
Collected
No. of pledges
Avg. Pledge
Median
Deficit/excess

2002
$170,100
167,300
168,520
149
$1123
$710
($1,580)

2003
$175,810
174,000
179,183
149
$1166
$720
$3,373

2004
$196,600
186,700
183,978
153
$1220
$900
($12,622)

2005
$196,810
196,810
190,843
158
$1245
$800
($5,967)

2006
$216,491
204,134
207,974
151
$1532
$900
($8,517)

2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Budget
$216,500
$244,000
$245,000
$250,000
$260,500
Amt. Pledged
212,309
226,055
231,846
249,517
250,069
Collected
212,864
225,224
230,159
239,014
*260,300
No. of pledges
139
138
161
161
163
Avg. pledge
$1527
$1650
$1440
$1550
$1534
Median
$1000
$1140
$1000
$1140
$1080
Deficit/excess
($3,636)
($18,776)
($14,841)
($10,986)
($200)
(2011 *- Includes $10,000 one-time gifts raised in a special campaign, $5000 of which came from the
Board of Trustees)
2012
2013
2014
Budget
$255,000
$255,000
$244,000
Amt. Pledged
254,000
245,245
254,840
Collected
248,675
246,564
246,623
No. of pledges
164
164
166
Avg. pledge
$1549
$1495
$1508
Median
$1200
$1000
$1010
Deficit/excess
($6,325)
($8,436)
$2,623
(2016* Collected as of 10/31/16 *Avg. as of total amt. pledged)

2015
$252,650
227,415
226,308
147
$1539
$1000
($26,342)

2016
$245,500
249,603
*207,207
130
*$1920

Out of the last 14 years, we have collected more in pledges than was budgeted twice, totaling less than
$6,000. The deficits add up to $118,228. Why is this important? Pledges are generally around 85% of
total income. Unless some other source of income can be tapped or unexpected contributions appear,
expenses have to be cut.
As you can see, budgets for pledges tend to increase slowly over a few years and then show large
increases. These increases can represent small changes in several categories but often they are the
result of staffing changes. The change in 2004 is mostly of smaller changes, but $6,500 was added to
12

Treasurers Report continued

the ministers compensation, $5,000 was added to the Director of RE and $2,000 to the Music
coordinator. In 2006, the position of Education, Membership and Program Coordinator was introduced
at a cost of $22,000. In 2008, that position went to full time and $43,208. In 2011 there were mostly
small changes in expenses but pledges jumped to cover the decrease in support coming from the
endowment. The increase in 2015 was mainly to cover the return of a music coordinator at $4,500 and
several other small changes.
The years of large budget increases are also years of large deficits. This was true in 2004, 2008 and
2015. It would also have been true in 2011 without the $10,000 raised by the Budget Shortfall
Campaign. Large deficits can also persist for years that follow if the budget increase is maintained as
in years 2009 and 2010. Decreasing the budget in 2014 finally produced a pledge surplus. (The change
to a full time position in 2008 was also especially poorly timed since it coincided with the advent of
the Great Recession.)
We have a reserve fund that is used at the Board of Trustees discretion. In 2008 it was tapped for
$13,500, in 2013 $5,000. However the reserve fund is comprised solely of budget surpluses from
previous years so must be used judicially. Some years the Church receives a gift, usually $10,000 to
$15,000, from a heritage family that may be able to be used to offset an operating deficit. In 2013,
higher than expected income from the auction offset the loss. However, if these other sources of money
are not available, the Board must cut expenses.
Many expenses are out of the Boards control. Two that are voluntary are the denominational
contributions. The UUA has a suggested fair share amount based upon the number of members in a
congregation but it is not obligatory. The last time our church paid its fair share was in 2012.
Facing a budget shortfall, the Church paid 81% of fair share in 2013 saving $4,000 and saved even
more in 2014, 2015, and 2016 by paying only 50%, 65%, and 75%. The 2017 budget returns us to fair
share at a total cost of $17,850.
The other large expenditure the Board has some control over is staff. They can skip or cut salary
increases (and they have.) The Minister and Administrator need to be full time but for other positions
they can cut hours or even eliminate them entirely. The position of Music Director was created in 2003
with a salary of $8,000. Thereafter, it was budgeted between a high of $10,000 to a low of $5,000 until
it was eliminated due to the budget shortfall in 2014. The position of EMP Coordinator rose from
$23,000 in 2007 to $51,600 in 2015. Facing a $25,000 pledge deficit that was not improving by midyear, the board ended the position and created a new part time job. In 2016 it was budgeted at $25,000;
for 2017 it is set at $19,000.
The operating budget needs to be supported by the congregation. Pledges are by far the largest part of
that support. When pledges dont meet budget expectations, the boards choices are very limited.
Cutting fair share is unpopular. But cutting beloved staff is even more unpopular and has undoubtedly
resulted in some lost membership.
To support future budgets requires getting new members, increasing the percentage of members who
pledge, increasing the size of the pledges or some combination thereof. For 2016, our member count is
down, only 58% of them pledged, but the average pledge size increased.

13

Treasurers Report continued

We have had four large projects since 2002. In 2004, the Church began a project which resulted in an
addition which costs close to $2,000,000. The Endowment Fund contributed a total of $71,315 to the
project, including $50,000 to the capital campaign, which totaled just under $1,500,000. In 1997 the
Church signed a promissory note with M & I Bank for $400,000 with a 25 year amortization schedule.
After several payments on the principal from member donations and 9 years of premium payments, the
loan stands at $225,500. With $10,000 from the endowment and $15,000 authorized by the Board of
Trustees from the reserve fund, the principal will be reduced to $200,000 when we refinance this
December. Both the Endowment Committee and the Board of Trustees have expressed a desire to both
pay higher than minimum premiums and make lump sum payments when feasible to pay the loan off
early thereby saving thousands of dollars in interest payments.
The second capital project was the Preservation Fund which was active from 2011-2013 and made
many improvements to the old building, repairing or replacing windows, restoring gables, repairing the
tower and roof, pews and balcony, replacing electrical work, capping the chimney, etc. It raised
$87,000, spent $71,000, leaving a balance of $16,000 in a restricted fund.
The third project occurred in 2013 and 2014 when over $65,000 in pledges were made for the renewal
of the sanctuary. With the addition of $15,000 from the endowment, more than $80,000 of
improvements were made.
The current project of modernizing the kitchen is supported entirely by a most generous bequest of
$150,000 from the will of Barbara Seegert. We are all much indebted to her.
Just a word about the endowment. It was started in December, 1982, with shares of stock in 7 different
corporations. Between then and 2002 it received memorials/ bequests of $109,612 and reached a value
of $324,799. From 2002 through 2016 it received another $99,332 in memorials/ bequests for a total
in receipts of $208,735. It started making disbursement to the Church in 2002 and has since disbursed
$258,235. The September 31, 2016 value was an estimated $442,465 (Septembers value of $459,965
minus $17,500 to be contributed to the church this year.) This growth reflects the generosity of church
members who remembered the church in their wills or trusts and careful investing and disbursement of
the assets by the endowment committee.
For many years Jerry Viste did the entire treasurers job by himself. In 2002 we initiated a two person
team. My partner has always prepared reports from the raw financial data. I have commented on the
reports monthly for the Board, quarterly for the circuit writer and annually for the congregation. I have
also served on the Endowment Committee and performed what other tasks were required from the
treasurer. Deb Wasilczuk prepared the reports from 2002-2008, followed by Saleem Surti, who
committed for 1 year allowing us time to find Jen Powers who served from 2009 through November of
2015. We were then without a co-treasurer for several months until Mary Pierce stepped up this
spring. I want to thank all of them for their contributions of professional service to the church.
I also want to thank the congregational administrators with whom I have served, since they are also an
essential part of the treasury team, for their patience and unfailing device: Kathy Schmirler, Deb
Hartman and Anji Spialek. Thank you.

Treasurers Report continued

14

The time has come for me to step down. As of January 1, Randy Jefferson will be taking over my
position and Mary Pierce will be continuing as his co-treasurer. I leave the co-treasurer positions in
good hands. It has been an honor to have served as
your co-treasurer.
Carol Bronston, Co-Treasurer

15

Endowment Report to the Congregation

November 20, 2016
Committee Trustees:
Randy Jefferson Board President; Tom Eberlein Committee Chair; Carolyn Bronston Treasurer
(Church Co- Treasurer); Dan Schaut Secretary; Jerry Phelan Committee Member; Laurie
Bushbaum Interim Minister, Ex-Officio Committee Member.
Committee Purpose:
1. The Trust Fund was established to encourage and receive gifts and bequests. The Endowment
Committee is responsible for the management of the resulting assets, to ensure the mission and
ministry of the First Universalist Unitarian Church of Wausau. The Endowment Fund was
established to assist in funding programs and projects that are beyond the scope of the annual
church operating budget.
Summary 2016:
1. The Unitarian Universalist Core Endowment Fund (UUCEF) fiscal year begins July 1st. On a
calendar year basis, the First UU Endowment Fund balance on January 1, 2016 was $385,199.
We received a $50,000 bequest and showed a total gain through September of $74,766. The
ending Fund balance as of September 30, 2016 was $459,965.
2. The Endowment Committee committed $7500 to assist with mortgage payments in 2016. This
payment will be reduced to $5,000 in 2017; $2500 in 2018, then ended.
3. The Endowment Committee has approved a $10,000 distribution to pay down the mortgage
principal for the upcoming mortgage refinancing in December 2016. With the understanding
that the Board of Trustees will approve a payment from the Reserve Fund towards the
mortgage principal.
4. Revised Endowment Fund Declaration 2016; Develop a plan to solicit memorials and bequest
from members, friends of the church and legacy families to the Endowment Fund. A marketing
plan has been established and is ongoing.
5. The revised Endowment Fund Declaration established a Best Practices Goal for the Fund of
2X the church annual operating budget. Currently that represents around $570,000, which is
$110,000 over the September balance. The Endowment Fund needs to continue to grow
through memorials and bequests to continue the contributions towards beyond the scope of the
annual church operating budget, while at the same reaching the Goal.
6. All members currently serving on the Endowment Committee have expressed an interest in
continuing serving on the committee for their terms.
7. The Endowment Fund Declaration requires that the Church Board President and Treasurer
serve as Endowment Committee Trustees during their terms of office.
8. The Endowment Committee meets at least quarterly and church members are invited to attend.
Tom Eberlein, Endowment Committee Chair

16

2016 Pledge Report to the Congregation

November 20, 2016
The following table gives a long-range look at UU Wausaus pledging history. There was a 9.32%
increase in the amount pledged in 2016. As of November 15, 2016, 87% of those pledges have been
received, which puts us slightly ahead of schedule. I am optimistic that by the end of December, we will
have collected the majority of monies pledged.

The UUA has created a quartile guideline to help determine whether a congregations distribution of
pledges can be considered healthy. While not the only indication of financial health, the following table
gives a look at how UU Wausau compares to the UUAs guidelines.

2017 Stewardship Drive Report to the Congregation

The Stewardship Drive for budget year 2017 was planned and executed largely by the Stewardship
Committee, with help from the Interim Minister, Board of Trustees, and Congregational Administrator.
The drive, themed Cycle of Transformation, kicked off on October 16 with a Stewardship Brunch. This
years drive included small recognition parties for top pledgers, held in private homes.
As of November 15, 2016, we have received 94 pledges totaling $230,574. This is 14% higher than
pledge amounts received at this point at the end of November, 2015.
During 2017, the Stewardship Committee will continue to plan for future drives, with the goal of
making Stewardship a year-round priority.

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Anji Spialek, Congregational Administrator

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