ALL SOULS COMMUNITY CHURCH OF WEST MICHIGAN

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES

October 25, 2004

Members present: Mike Arents, Gordon Arnold, John Belaski, Dennis Benoit, Roger Gilles, David Maxam, Dan Schneider, Jen Schpiro, Herman Sullivan, Jackie Vines, Ursula Williams. Guest: Paul Namaste

Absent: Sue Belaski, Rev. Dr. Brent Smith

 

    1. Opening Words – provided by Herman Sullivan
    2. Introductory Functions
      1. Minutes from the September 20 Board of Trustees meeting were reviewed and accepted.
      2. Agenda items for this meeting were reviewed and times were established to complete Agenda within two hours.
      3. Assignments for this meeting: Action Item Recorder Jen Schpiro, Process Observer John Belaski, and Timekeeper Herman Sullivan.
    3. Financial – Report from the Vice President-Finance (Dennis Benoit)
      1. September Income Statement and Balance Sheet were discussed. (See attached financial statements.)
      2. Pledge statements will be distributed this Sunday, October 31. Dennis reported that the Finance Committee will meet October 26 to discuss finances, the Fall Canvass, and establishment of a Building Fund. Committee members include John Belaski, Roger Gilles, Herman Sullivan, and Dennis Benoit from the Board of Trustees, as well as David Soet, Greg Hopkins, Dick Hoffstedt, and Chad Coffman from the congregation at large.
      3. The Fall Canvass will kick off Sunday, October 31, with a presentation by Mike Arents during the "Welcome" portion of the worship service. Mike will post a Canvass poster of pledges to date each Sunday of the Canvass. Herm Sullivan will write a notice for the Weekly Expression about the pledge drive.

       

    4. Organizational
      1. Report from the Minister, the Rev. Dr. Brent Smith - None
      2. Report from President, Mike Arents
        • Mike reported that the Rev. Dr. Smith has asked him to give a "State of the Church" speech on Sunday, November 14, and asked Board members to get ideas to him as soon as possible.
          1. Report from Vice-President of Programs, Dan Schneider
            • Dan reported that program board budget requests are coming in.
            • Dan also reported on Program Council discussion regarding ROOTS and its organizational "home" – whether it should fall under Newcomers/Membership or under Covenant Groups. Child care for 2005 ROOTS sessions will be budgeted through Covenant Groups. The Board of Trustees will provide refreshments for 2005 ROOTS participants through Dan.

           

           

            1. Old Business
              1. Called Minister Committee. Roger Gilles reported that 41 completed surveys have been received, and six or seven focus group discussions have occurred. On the basis of information gathered, an All Souls Congregational Profile and an All Souls Ministerial Profile have been written and will be available at the Information Table next Sunday. The second phase of the Called Minister Committee’s work will be to consider the Rev. Dr. Brent Smith as an "inside candidate." The committee will publicize the two profiles and inform the congregation of their time line. (They would like to hold an "Intent to Call" congregational meeting on November 21, with a "Call" vote at the scheduled December 12 Congregational Meeting.)
              2. Dennis told the Board that the special collection for Aquinas will be paid soon.
              3. Vernon Shepard Chalice Committee. Ursula Williams shared the new chalice with Board members. She reported that a ring (which can be inscribed in Vernon’s memory) will be purchased as a base for the chalice, and that she will contact Jack Mohney about making a chalice table to match the pulpit. Thus far, the project is coming in under budget. Any surplus funds will be donated to the general fund.
              4. ASCC Directory. Jen Schpiro has agreed to take on this project, with digital pictures taken by Mary Blackwell. The final date for photographs will be November 7.
              5. Fund Raising. Bake Sales are continuing, with the next one scheduled for November 14. In addition, Community Life is planning another silent auction for December 5. Dan will talk with Community Life about expanding the silent auction to include services as suggested by Nina Namaste. Nina will plan to attend the November 8 Community Life meeting to explain her proposal.
              6. Fund Raising Policy. Herman Sullivan volunteered to research church fund-raising policies and recommend one for adoption.
              7. Seder. The Thanksgiving Seder is scheduled for 7 PM on November 21. The Isaac Walton League Lodge has been reserved. Get any inexpensive alternative site ideas to Jackie Vines as soon as possible.
              8. November Board of Trustees Meeting is scheduled for November 14, after worship service. The Board will invite program boards to join us for budget discussion and will provide a potluck lunch.

            2. New Business
              1. Prince of Peace Church. Dave Maxam reported that talks continue regarding our leasing the Prince of Peace facilities.
              2. Communications. Mike Arents will call WZZM/Ch. 13 about All Souls Community Church’s inclusion in their Faith and Diversity series. Jen Schpiro will call Calvin about our participating in their Religious Ethics television series, which may be produced through GVSU-TV.
              3. Other. The Religious Education program board is working on finding a replacement for Carey Compton.
            3. Reports from Action-Item Recorder and Process Observer

              Jen Schpiro and John Belaski reported on action items and group process.

            4. Closing Words – Mike Arents read a selection from The Universalist Herald.

          Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM

          Respectfully submitted,

           

           

          Jackie Vines, Board Secretary, All Souls Community Church of West Michigan