July 15, 2012 Congregational Meeting
The next step in our Solar Project will be the formal consideration to authorize the Church to exceed $25,000 on this project, if needed. This will be considered at the July 15th Congregational Meeting. The concept to be presented is one of expending the money to install the solar project; but, to NOT utilize the general operating fund of the Church. Rather, a short, intense capital fund drive, combined with the 0% or low interest loans from SW, would fund the project. All of our analyses show that the cost savings from generating some of our own power needs, combined with the financial kickback incentives from the State and Avista, will cover any loan payments and still leave us financially ahead year after year. The larger the array and the longer into the future we look, the better it gets!
To call for a vote on the Solar Resolution (exact language to be published in the Focus as soon as it’s available) requires a 30% quorum of voting members to be present at the meeting. It must receive a 2/3rds positive majority to pass. This means we must have at least 117 voting members in attendance, with 78 voting in favor to pass the resolution. So, please mark your calendars and plan to attend the July 15th Congregational Meeting after Church. — Tom Mosher, Chair, UUCS Solar Steering Committee
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to take our Congregational Solar Survey
Congregational Conversation Update
Because it was Father’s Day, attendance at the June 17th Congregational Conversation about our proposed solar project was small, but lively. And, it was very helpful to our Church leadership, the Solar Steering Committee, and the persons in attendance. The information presented in a PowerPoint presentation — shown on our new 70 inch flat screen TV — stressed: (1) how our solar system would work; (2) financing options, including the high level of intention by Sustainable Works (SW) to make 0% or very low interest loans available to us; and (3) the economic advantage to our Church to act soon, due to the current low prices for solar equipment and the limited time WA State and Avista financial kickback incentives will be available to us.
Detailed spreadsheets examining costs and benefits through 2043 were presented and discussed. Many intelligent and probing questions were asked and answered, resulting in a very informational discussion. These same spreadsheets and Q&As are posted on the solar kiosk in the Friendship Hall. Results of the solar surveys (available at the solar kiosk) are being tallied for use by the Management Team (MT) and the Board of Trustees (BOT).
