As the newest member of the UU Asheville Board, recently being appointed to fill an unexpired term, I bring a unique perspective to the Board. This is the seventh UU Congregation that I have joined, and I have been either a board or finance committee member in each one. As my career took me around the country, I always found that the local UU Congregation would be a welcoming community with people that shared my values. UU Asheville has been no exception. When Judy and I moved here in 2008, we immediately joined UU Asheville, and it has been our church community ever since.  

       Shortly after arriving, I joined the Finance Committee and helped lead two pledge drives after the great recession. I have always monitored the budget and finances of this organization. I have been particularly concerned as we have had to use contingency funds to balance the budget for the past 5 years. These funds are now below the level we need to maintain.  A combination of circumstances contributed to these deficits including the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent retirement of our long-time minister, followed by two years with an interim minister. A year ago, we approved the budget for this year, reluctantly accepting an announced “final” deficit of over $120,000.  

     What a difference a year has made. Thanks to your generosity, we have a real chance of having a balanced budget for our next year beginning in July. We are still short, but several generous members have stepped up to pledge $25,000 to match any increase in one-time donations or new pledges between now and May 28th so we can approve a balanced budget at the June annual meeting. If you haven’t had the chance to take advantage of this match opportunity to help balance the budget, you can go to https://bit.ly/uuavlmatch to link to the Matching Gift Form.  

     I am so proud of the generosity of this amazing Congregation. Thank you!

Ken Brame, UU Asheville Board