United Church of God—Lafayette, IN

Council Meeting Minutes

June 17, 2009

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Beverly Kubik, Victor Kubik, Tom Peine, Chris Rowland (chairman), Cherie Zahora, Ken Zahora (treasurer)

OTHERS PRESENT: Sue Peine, Katherine Rowland (recorder), Don Turgeon

Chris Rowland opened the meeting at 7:44 p.m. at the Kubiks' home. He noted that the last meeting had been in March, with the only major business being the passing of the last meeting’s minutes.

Treasurer’s Report:

Ken Zahora went through the report. (copy of ’08-’09 budget report)

Victor asked whether the post office box was necessary. Ken said that a few offerings were received that way, but there was general consensus that it might be possible to do away with the post office box. Cherie asked where the mail should be forwarded, and Victor suggested that it go to Ken Zahora. Ken reported that he had just paid for a year of having the post office box. Chris suggested that the address be changed in the bulletin and then Ken will see whether he can cancel the box.

The $100 under budget for hall rental was because of the week we could not use the hall for Passover, and the SDA church gave us a refund.

Ken passed around the balance sheet with the expected balance as of June 30, 2009.

New Budget:

Ken passed around copies of the ’09-’10 budget.

There was some discussion about the sound budget ($600) and the possibility of needing to replace the laptop that is currently used for webcasting and other functions.

Cherie mentioned that Tim Howie had spoken about needing a choir microphone when the two churches are all together and that there might be a possibility of combining funds to help fund such a purchase.

Don asked where we were with the issue of the building fund. Chris looked at the minutes and said that the Nov. 15 minutes reflected that the congregation wanted to see the information summarized, along with the information about the building fund and that there was to be a survey to cover topics regarding the sufficiency of the building we’re currently meeting in.

These actions are to satisfy the requirements of the UCG building policy; the 7 required areas were researched and presented to the congregation. Several people said that it made sense to not have the building fund, but that they wanted to see the information presented in summary and laid out. Many people, Chris noted, mentioned that their opinions about a building had changed. Mike Grovak had mentioned in Nov. that there should be a survey to see how people felt that the current meeting place met our needs.

Chris and Beverly mentioned that this seemed a fairly dead issue, really. While there are possible shortcomings in our current building, the other options do not seem particularly viable—and may not have anything to do with a building fund.

Chris mentioned that when we talk about church halls with other congregations, we are the subject of envy. So that if the hall is really seen as inadequate, perhaps it is our perspective that needs shifted. He talked about Fort Wayne congregation and their serious discussion about finding another building. He said that he’d rather see some of the money go to them to meet their needs, rather than it just sitting in our bank account.

There was general support for the idea of offering funds to the Fort Wayne church. Chris asked about when the CDs come due; one is coming due on July 18^th, and one other that had come due recently and was put into checking.

Cherie moved that we communicate to Fort Wayne an offer of $20,000 (minimum) financial aid for their purchase of a new church building, if they are indeed seeking a new one, with a time limit of the end of the next fiscal year.

Beverly seconded the motion.

Motion was passed unanimously.

Because the council has chosen not to pursue a permanent building at this time, Bev moved that the previous motion from November 15, 2008 be rescinded. This motion was in regard to the building fund action items.

Tom Peine seconded the motion.

The motion was passed unanimously.

It was agreed that the money budgeted for the post office box will be moved to the contingency fund. Victor moved that the budget for ’09-’10 be accepted with amendments; Beverly seconded. The motion was passed unanimously.

Ken asked what he should do with the CDs, since the previous type of CD that he had used were not available. Chris suggested waiting until we have talked to Fort Wayne; the current plan is, then, to put the CD monies into checking.

It was agreed that Chris will contact the chairman of the Fort Wayne board, Scott Moss, in regard to the potential monetary gift to their congregation.

New Business:

Prophetstown State Park

There will be a potluck at Prophetstown State Park following services on June 27^th.

Peinerosa

Still planned for August 1. Any changes of plan from last year? It was agreed to skip the ping-pong activity. Victor suggested that some of the chores that are necessary be assigned to willing volunteers. Tom will come up with a list of duties. There was discussion of the Zahoras and Victor doing a PowerPoint slide show of their trip to Ukraine.

Victor moved that we end the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Cherie seconded.

The motion was passed unanimously.