Background

As you may know, at the first of two informational sessions regarding RVUUF’s financial situation held last Sunday, our leadership presented the amount of our current operating deficit, and also offered a plan to resolve it. They also expressed urgency in taking steps to sell Emerson House so as to assure that the fellowship remains solvent beyond year’s end.

A measure calling for the sale of Emerson House would require approval by 50 percent of those present at an all-congregational meeting of members currently slated for November 16th. Our Endowment Trust has offered to loan $92,500, contingent on the sale of Emerson House, and to be used to offset our current shortfall, and cover an anticipated shortfall in the coming months. Accepting this loan would require approval by 75 percent of voting members. The loan amount would be paid back to the Endowment upon the sale of Emerson House.

The proposals generated many questions seeking clarification of how the deficit was calculated. They also led to wide-ranging comments about the future of RVUUF.

Investment/Growth Initiative

Since then, in support of the Investment/Growth Initiative, several members have proposed establishing an investment group made up of RVUUF members. This group could pool funds to make a loan to the fellowship, secured by a deed of trust on Emerson House to reduce risk.

A loan from the investment group could address both a short-term need of addressing our deficit, as well as the longer-term objective of providing funds to launch income-generating projects proposed by the Investment/Growth Initiative.

Last week, supporters, wanting a thorough airing of the Investment/Growth Initiative, appealed to the RVUUF board for more time. The board graciously agreed to include an additional informational meeting on November 2nd.

Those of us working on the Investment/Growth Initiative are doing our best to navigate the white-water rapids of changing events. Sleeves up, heads down — we’re busy packing-in as much accurate and reliable information for the November 2nd meeting as possible.

Our thanks for your interest and support.

View a copy of the full Investment/Growth Initiative report [PDF, 2.2 MB]

 

Kenny Andersen

Guy Wulfing