Individuals and committees/teams are invited to submit a proposal for the use of funds freed up by federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.  As you may recall, early on in the pandemic Albany UU was awarded this loan to support retention of our personnel, a loan that was subsequently forgiven. 

 

The Paycheck Protection Program funds no longer exist as discrete funds. When we received the funds that first spring of the pandemic, they were used to fund staff salaries in the budget we passed that May. Beginning that March, we faced an immediate and complete loss of rental income. We weren’t certain if the current year pledges would continue to be paid, nor were we certain about the outcome of the stewardship campaign, still underway at that point. But we were committed to maintaining staff salaries.

 

Happily, current year pledges continued to be paid, and the giving in the stewardship campaign remained strong. As a result, we had revenue over our planned expenses and were able to set aside a significant sum in the newly created Strategic Reserve Fund. At the time, we didn’t think we’d need to repeat the virtual stewardship campaign a second year, but the pandemic ushered in many things we didn’t think would happen.

 

Now we’d like to learn what ideas you may have for the use of all or part of the $52,000 freed up by the PPP funds in our ministry together. Funds can be used in a variety of ways:

 

·    Existing program

·    New program

·    Infrastructure need

·    Personnel 

·    Debt relief

·    Distribution in some targeted way in the community

 

We ask that you submit your idea using this form as a guideline by October 18, 2021. We will have a congregational conversation on October 31, 2021 to discuss the various proposals. Even if you don’t submit a proposal, please join us so we can get your feedback on how to best utilize these reserve funds. Your input will aid the Board in making a decision regarding this unique opportunity. Everyone who submits will need to make a brief presentation of their proposal at the congregational conversation.

 

Deadline for Proposals:

October 18, 2021

 

Congregational Conversation:

Sunday October 31; 12:00 – 1:30pm

 

Use this link to join remotely:
https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-Conversation

By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000