December 6, 2025 Board minutes

January 3, 2026

Attendance: Robert, Allen, Annie, Kelly, Viorica (late), Elena (visitor).

Opening verse

Minutes of the previous meeting here. Comments or corrections? With no objections, the minutes were approved unanimously.

Treasurer’s report: (Robert): The Youth and Multigenerational Gatherings financial results were:

Income $7,833.69 (includes $1,000 grant from LA Branch, Fundraising Dinner, ticket sales, donations)

Expenses $7,249.95

UGMC rental donation: $400.00

Honoraria for artists and presenters: $2,640.00 (Tim Kennedy, Louisa Barnum, James Dyson, Christina Beck/Beth Shirey)

Travel reimbursements to presenters & registrant: $1,525.36

Food and supplies: $2,684.59 (about $2,100 was for food)

Net Income $583.74 (establishes the Youth Fund)

DONE: Robert notified the Youth Group representative.
Need a checklist for next time we hold an event:
- Budget: need estimates & clarity for honorarium agreements, food estimates based on prior event(s), check the receipts for purchases. Note: we may need SSNs to issue year-end 1099 tax forms, if the annual amount earned was over $600/year.
- Organize sufficient volunteers so the work is spread out (in return for travel reimbursement or free registration).
- Rental agreement should be in writing or email exchange. Include a rider on the insurance for the venue (an additional insured certificate).
- Watch overspending on food.
- Do we need liability release forms (e.g. for volunteers working on projects)? Or additional liability insurance for the event?
TODO: ?? create a checklist with help from Supreet and Ben based on these kinds of events.

Restart the Events Calendar devoted solely to Branch events. Can a Google forms calendar be open for posting for events, meetings, etc. by designated people?

Community events

Michaelmas celebration: DONE: Robert sent the website page to the RSB-NC list.

Youth Gathering and Multigenerational Gathering:
- Elena is working with the Youth Group to encourage further activities (see the next item)
- Further discussion?

3rd Advent Sunday: December 14, 2-5 PM.
- Lynn Jericho will give a slide presentation on The Mystery of the Threshold at the Mays home. Light refreshments during the break?

Christmas Festival (Elena): December 19-20 around the Shepherds’ Play
- Christmas Play: Friday 3:30-4:30 PM tea and refreshments (donated), 4:30 PM Shepherds’ Play, afterward a Spiral Walk. Donations to the Church at the door. Spiral greens from EWS (at UGMC).
- Christmas gathering: Saturday 10 AM – 2 PM: eurythmy (Eve), art (Martha), simple lunch (soup, bread & butter), conversation, sharing, and contemplation. At UGMC.
- Costs: Friday tea & refreshments done by volunteers, Saturday simple lunch (soup & bread). Honorariums ($150): Martha & eurythmist. Space rental? Decorations & candles for spiral.
- Income: donations (Friday – go to the church; Saturday program suggested $30 including lunch) and supplies).
- Needed: estimates of the income and expenses

- Motion: Robert moves & Kelly seconds to cover the net expenses of the Friday Spiral Walk plus Christmas gathering (decorations, candles, and journal, total $200), rent donation ($75?), lunch ($120-150). Total $425. Passed unanimously.

- TODO: Robert to create donation link for Christmas Festival on RSB website with QR code.

Planning for the Holy Nights: Note: Christina has said that the “See the Sun…” presentation during the Holy Nights is not possible because a suitable space is not available. Consider UGMC??
- How to get the word out to the youth?
- Madonna Sequence (now or later in the year?)
TODO: Robert to announce invitation for people to hold Holy Night gatherings; coordinate with TCC activities (Claire).

Report on the status of Branch activities

Study groups: Philosophy of Freedom study group; Study at the Christian Community & visits to community members (Judy Frey and with Diana Haynes?).
EWS: Board members now are meeting regularly with the new pedagogical director, faculty & College of Teachers.
Christian Community:
Other Waldorf initiatives: Annie is doing festivals with the homeschooling group.
Other initiatives:

Set date for next Board meeting: January 10th, 10-12 PM. Prepare for Festival of the Unborn? Membership renewals, prepare for Annual Meeting in March. Suggestions for new Board members.

TODO: Robert to talk to Eve, Christina, Claire about Festival of the Unborn.

Closing verse, adjourn