Past Meetings
So Far this Year....
2008
Fall
December
All officers committed to continuing their current positions for 2009
The exception: Carl Lewis will take the VPres position vacated by John Meadows.
It was agreed that the MOU split the cost of the Armed Service Recognition Panel with
the chapel. ($125) The scholarship committee will consist of Russ Long, Bob Haigh,
Lane Chandler and Chris Best. Applications have been sent thru the admissions
office. (Victoria Cromwell)
We will be creating a Thank You letter for Lou Beck. He is stepping down with Daily Word
responsibilities. Lou has been sharing DWords in and around his neighborhood in northeast KC
for more than 25 years. Until recently he was distributing approx 300/month which figures
approx 90,000 over the 25 years!!
Russ Long, Dick Faris, Jim Kiso, & Les Clark will work up a proposal for a kitchen in the
Community Center and deliver it to our Chapel Board.
Our next fundraiser will be the 'Chili Bowl' on Feb 8th.
November
Warren Potter, ministerial student, presented the program. 'How did we get here? What are
we doing? And where do we go from here?' Warren is an engaging speaker and has a
lifetime of experience as a Unity 'student.' He and his wife Francie, Youth Ministry Dir.,
have been involved with the Chapel's Youth Ministry since coming to the Institute.
It was unanimously approved that we rename the Scholarship Fund The Hutch Hutchison
Memorial Scholarship Fund. As a member of MOU, Hutch was very much involved in the fund
raising and selection of recipients for the scholarship. The scholarship will also be affectionately
referred to as 'The Hutch Fund.'
Jerry Woody nominated Dick Faris and his wife Shirley for the Arthur Zebley Outstanding
Service Award. It is hoped that the award can be presented during a service in December.
October
Nick Thompson shared information about his work with the police departments of LSummit &
Kansas City and how it drew him towards his current position with the Suicide Intervention/Prevention
office. There are several programs in the KC metro that assist with suicide prevention: Rediscover;
Pathways; and Comprehensive Mental Health.
It was decided that the cookout fundraiser on Oct 12 be offerred on a love offering basis
and proceeds go to the chapel. An affirmation of our abundance and prosperity and our act of
tithe towards the chapel and its support of our fundraisers. It was decided that we prepare 150 burgers,
48 Boca burgers (veggy); and 60 hot dogs. With the MOU providing meats, chips, drinks we will
ask for contributions of sides and desserts from the Sisters of Myrtle and congregants.
September
No program due to the Labor Day Holiday
Summer
Our meeting speakers have included Michael Paul Swisher, John Goebel, and Rev Bob Brauch.
Our golf tournament was very successful.
We assisted with the Back to School Cookout at the Unity Village pool/clubhouse.
We have scheduled our next Cookout Fundraiser for Oct 12th.
Spring
So Far This Year...
With the purchase of two coffee urns and the leadership of
Dick Farris, and his wife Shirley, we are weaning from the cost
of fellowship drinks etc. As of June 1st we have been independent
of outside costs and provisions for our fellowship table.
Here is the link for MOU providing fellowship table assistance.
Diana Kennedy and Patty Williams shared their stories with us
last spring after being chosen as the newest recipients of the MOU scholarship.
These two extraordinary women are new students
to the ministerial program this year. They join current and 2nd year
student Mark Fuss as recipients of the Men of Unity Scholarship.
Bob Haigh has helped ministerial student Myra McNaughton with our purchase
and set up of a reading and information corner in the lobby of the
Activity Center.
In January the Lees Summit Fire Dept. explained the new philosophy
of 'Pump & Call' CPR and we're looking into aquiring the AED (automated
difibrilator) for the Chapel and available in the Activity Center.
Russ Rose is spear-heading the investigation into creating a kitchen
in the Community Center. Plans are being discussed and we're approaching
work assignments for beginning this project.
Our Prosperity Flourishes
This year's Duard Boone Invitational Golf Tournament was opened by Lyn Pearce, Duard's daughter.
Duard passed from our presence in March. The tournament was as successful as it has ever been raising over $2000!!
God is Good, and Duard's presence watches over us always in this endeavor.
Also passing this summer past president and leader of The Men of Unity Arthur Zebley.
Both of these Christ filled men will be missed and fondly remembered.
Visit the MOU Eternal page for more information.
We netted $630 from our January Chili Cookout Fundraiser. Our May Cookout raised $870!!
We received our first check from Hy-Vee $266, from the collection of
Hy-Vee receipts. So far we have received approximately $250 per quarter.
2007
March
Program featured Sam Bowman, current working at the Unity Institute Library Archives. He introduced
many items of interest thru a trivia game called, 'Fact or #*&!.' The news of Don Chitwood's health has
been a concern for our chapel community. (He made his transition with his family at his side. Beautiful service
and tribute on March 7th in Oak Grove). Business items included: Fundraising Cookout on 5/6; LClark will
liason between UVC MOU and OParkKS MOU. Upcoming events: Hiway Clean up 3/30; Blood Drive 4/18;
Association Conference 6/18-6/23 (1 Hr of Volunteering = 1 Hr of Class/wkshp)
February
Program featured new MEP and MOU Scholarship Recipient,
Mark Fuss, who shared his path and history which has led him to Unity Institute.
Several of the books he recommended were immediately purchased at the Unity Book Store!!
Some of the business discussions included: Blue Bird Boxes @ Unity Village (H Elder); Adding 2nd Mtg
each month and the format (social/business) & location (Unity Inn, John Knox, UVCommunity Ctr.)
Suggestions were made for purchasing breakfast/kitchen equipment
(coffee makers, griddles-we currently have microwaves and a refrigerator).
LChandler proposed creating a MOU poster for the lobby which will highlight the upcoming meetings
and speakers. It was suggested that MOU purchase a gift (table) for the new & improved Community Ctr.
The meeting concluded after approving a 'Blind Tithe' to MFuss upon hearing that he would no longer
be receiving his home church tithe.
January 2007
Stan Slaughter presented his Eco-Troubadour program. A past science teacher now program performer,
Stan presents his ecology program to students in the metro area and throughout the region. His passion
and knowledge are not only contagious, it inspiring...Perhaps he could lead our next (first) Earth Day!!
click to view larger image
Lane Chandler introduced the new Men of Unity logo. Members are voting on one of three styles. Chris Best presented the
new Window sticker. One is being made available for each family and additional stickers are available for $1 to keep
stickers on hand and available. Lane Chandler proposed the Unity Village Garden Proposal. We're hoping we can proceed
with this vision in time for spring planting!! Hutch Hutchison is going to be visiting with Duard Boone and Art Zebley
and will be passing along contact information. We will be sending cards etc frequently to check in. Jerry Woody will be checking
on availability of Club House for future meetings. But the consensus is that the New and Improved Community Center
would be a great place to meet. Russ Rose is involved with the Community Outreach Visioning and will liason between
that vision and our new directions for 2007.
Just cant get any better!
Life is good! Just as it is meant to be!!