[printprofilepic]Some of you may have noticed that Earle Marie and I have been away for most of November. As it happens I sat down and wrote the December column before I left; unfortunately, I forgot to send it to the Voice editor, Danise Begnaud, and it’s home on my computer! It was a stirring article on the mid-term state of the church—you’ll see it next month.
Fortunately, we have a very good Board, led by Larry Schultz the Vice-President in my absence, and they have been carrying out the necessary business of the church.
Everyone involved with the planning and studies required to move forward with developing plans for our new building are to be commended for their hard work. I asked Rick Bolton to give us an update on where we stand with the decision process for selecting an architectural firm and to discuss the next steps leading to a new church. His notes are below:
“Next year, 2011, will be a very exciting and pivotal year in our new building process. The Architect Select Task Force (ASTF) has been hard at work in October and November meeting with several prospective architectural teams. All the teams have toured our current facility and discussed our new building needs, as laid out in the Charge to the Architect document, with the ASTF. Some of them have taken the time to attend our Sunday services and observe our community in its ‘natural habitat’ in order to better understand how we function and congregate. By this time, each of the firms on the short list have made presentations to the ASTF describing various building options that would address our wants and needs and how they would work with us to realize our new home. Word from the ASTF is that they are very impressed with the architects on the short list and that the really hard problem will be to select only one to work with in the future.
“In December, the ASTF will make their decision and recommendation to the Board. We also plan to make a presentation to the congregation where the ASTF can detail the process and criteria that were used in making their selection. Once the Board is satisfied with the ASTF’s recommendation, the congregation will vote on accepting and proceeding with the selected architect. This congregational vote will be scheduled in December or January depending on the church schedule. Please be watching for the ASTF presentation and plan to attend the congregational vote!
“In early 2011, once the architect selection has been approved, a contract will be drawn up for the development of three levels of building plans: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. These designs will be fleshed out only to the extent necessary to clearly understand their functionality, aesthetics and cost. These three plans will be presented to the congregation in the spring of 2011 and in June the congregation will vote on the plan we wish to pursue.
“Also starting in early 2011, the Capital Campaign Committee will meet with our UUA Building Consultant, Mary Gleason, and start laying the groundwork for the new building capital campaign fund- raising program.“
If you have questions or suggestions concerning the new building, or if you would like to become actively involved with the new building process, please contact Rick Bolton, chair of the Building Project Steering Committee.
Dean Carstens
2010-2011 Church President
