Members present: Mike Arents, Gordon Arnold, John Belaski, Sue Belaski, Dennis Benoit, Roger Gilles, David Maxam, Dan Schneider, Herman Sullivan, Jackie Vines, Rev. Dr. Brent Smith

Absent: Jennifer Schpiro, Ursula Williams

Guest: H. David Soet

I. Opening Words – the Rev. Dr. Brent Smith, “Planning for the Ages, by Rev. Howard Thurman

IV. Organizational – President’s Report, Mike Arents

Mike showed the Board a flyer that ASCC member Belinda Dodge has created to publicize Rev. Chip Roush’s summer sermon series on the Grateful Dead. Roger Gilles noted that the “End of Summer” party would be at his home.

Mike asked that the outgoing and incoming Vice Presidents of Finance (Dennis and David) meet before July 10, which they will do. Dan and Ursula, outgoing and incoming Vice Presidents of Programs, will also meet. Jackie and John, outgoing and incoming Secretaries, will meet in early August.

The July Board meeting will be held at 7 PM July 18 at David Maxam’s home.

The Board Retreat is scheduled for August 20 at Jennifer Schpiro’s home.

Mike distributed a schedule of 2005-2006 Board meetings, scheduled for the fourth Mondays of each month from September 2005 through June 2006.

V. Old Business – Ahavas Israel Agreement, Site Committee, John Belaski

 

The Site Committee met a couple of times in preparation for talks with Ahavas Israel. The actual agreement was done on a handshake and “agreement,” not a legal document. Weekly rent will be $325, within our budgeted monthly rental expense.

All Souls will have the use of the sanctuary and seven classrooms on Sundays and building access two evenings per week. We will hold worship services in the large sanctuary from September through May, and in the smaller sanctuary during the summer. If meetings are scheduled for times when Ahavas Israel is using the building, we will incur no additional charges for maintenance. If not, we will be responsible for paying a building maintenance person.

The kitchen will be locked off so that the Ahavas Israel kosher kitchen may be safely maintained. Training in kosher meal preparation for All Souls volunteers will be delayed until after the first year of the agreement.

All Souls will be able to hold two potluck meals in the building in connection with the December and May Congregational Meetings. These meals must be vegetarian and kosher, and all foods and utensils brought in and taken out.

Any coffee time and RE snacks must be kosher.

All Souls will provide signs for the sanctuary and classrooms being used, as well as an outdoor sign to be put up on Sunday mornings. Zoning regulations prohibit a second, permanent, exterior sign.

John recommends that we wait at least until late October or November before requesting stage/social hall space for a fund-raising concert or speaker series.

Dennis has checked on making the insurance policy changes requested by Ahavas Israel and found they will increase our premium by approximately $100/year.

Additional details may be found in the actual Rental Agreement which has been sent to all Board members

A motion was made by John Belaski to proceed with negotiations with Congregation Ahavas Israel to finalize the agreement; seconded by Herman Sullivan. The motion passed unanimously.

VI. Closing Words – Rev. Brent Smith

The Rev. Dr. Smith reminded the Board that we are RENTERS and must remember to treat the Ahavas Israel space as we did the Jarecki Center at Aquinas College. Future changes will be signaled by their interest in learning about us, and it will come through their perceptions of us.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

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