Council

Meeting Minutes of April 16, 2009

Members Present: Chris Keiter, Debra Andrews, Chris Dow, Dave Allen, Sally Hinckley, Sally Sutton, Nancy MacLean, Phil Whitney and John McCall.

Special Guests: Don Russell, Representative from Business Referral Group; Jim Otis and Ron Bennett, Representatives from Admin. Team

John mentioned his up-coming sabbatical. Elsa will, of course, have the full support of the Council during John’s absence.

Pastor Parish Relations has completed review process for Senior Minister. Other issues on their agenda are prioritizing of ministries and a review of how the church is doing as a whole. When completed, this comprehensive work will be presented in a report to the Council.

Delegates from our church will be attending the Maine Conference.

Nancy MacLean visited the Admin. Team. They are doing very well and all members wish to stay on.

Chris K. asked for nominations to fill up-coming vacancies on the Council. We need a slate by mid-May.

Reminder: Annual Reports are due by May 4.

Don Russell presented an update from the Business Referral Group. Their proposal is to implement a system by which church members/supporters may contact business persons within the church, from a base which would include information about the member/supporter and his/her goods or services. This idea could be in the form of business cards posted in a specific area or an on-line directory. The Council felt more time was needed to work out details. In the mean time, it was suggested that perhaps during a Sunday coffee hour the Business Referral Group could make themselves available for questions and input from the congregation.

Administration Team members, Ron Bennett and Jim Otis were on hand to address the following:
• Room rental charges for non-profit entities. The discussion that ensued resulted in John McCall agreeing to create language which would encourage a donation but not make payment a requirement. John will send his suggestion to Jim Otis.
• More comprehensive Church Budget. This question segued into the entire area of bookkeeping and accounting practices; audits vs. reviews, cost of evaluation of system and other concerns. Sally Sutton made a motion that we charge the Administration Team the task of making specific recommendations to improve what appears to be a flawed system. Chris Keiter will advise Admin. Team of exactly what the Council requires.

Ron, Don and Jim were thanked for their presence and input.

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Recorded by Sally Hinckley

Next Meeting: May 21
Recorder: Carol Zechman