St. Paul Lutheran Church
Council Meeting Minutes
April 16, 2007

Present: Pr. Eastman, Jim Baumgardner, Charlie Boone, Carlo D’Agostino, Mark Demich, Kevin Dixon, Patty Fess, Ann Holmstrom, Lisa Jackson, Bob Miller, Gayle Meskimen, Nick Poulos

Kevin Dixon called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Devotions: Lisa Jackson

Treasurer’s Report
Ann Holmstrom presented the March financial report. She reported that we are continuing to do well financially. Notable expenses for March were two down payments, $7,000 for a security system and $2,300 for some new chairs. Nick Poulos moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report and Jim Baumgardner seconded. The report was approved.

Approve Agenda
Carlo D’Agostino added the topic concerning Michelle Petersen and the Alleluia Choir vacancy, under Reports and Information. Mark Demich moved to approve the agenda as amended. Nick Poulos seconded and the agenda was approved as amended.

Approve March Minutes
Patty Fess moved to approve the minutes dated March 19, 2007 and Lisa Jackson seconded. The minutes were approved.

Pastor’s Report
Pr. Eastman circulated a copy of her report to each council member. She will be taking vacation April 23-27 and May 7-11. She verified that her name is being circulated for Bishop and assured us that she is focusing on St. Paul and is not spending any extra time at the Synod. She included a schedule of dates for the Bishop Election in her report. Pr. Eastman presented an article by Bishop Hanson titled “The Future of ELCA Institutions” to each council member to be included in the council binder.

Reports and Information
1. Bob Miller presented the update from the Nominating Committee. Currently there are two candidates, Nick Poulos and Patty Fess for three council positions. An announcement will be made before each service Sunday, April 22 seeking more nominees.

2. Carlo D’Agostino updated the council on the call process for an associate pastor. The committee now has sets of papers from three candidates and they recently went to hear one candidate preach. They are committed to find the right candidate for St. Paul.

3. Gayle Meskimen and Patty Fess reviewed the agenda for the leadership forum on Saturday, April 21. Pr. Eastman will present the topic of Polarities in Systems followed by small group discussions on topics relating to the Strategic Plan. Nick Poulos will give a presentation requesting Ministry Teams to document the job descriptions on the teams.

4. Pr. Eastman presented the structure for the congregational meeting concerning St. Paul chartering a Cub Scout Pack. She will begin the meeting by laying out the ground rules for discussion, introducing the other members of the discussion planning team, and introducing Matt Sons as moderator for the rest of the meeting. There will be up to15 minutes for questions of clarification after the proposal for the charter is presented. The questions will be followed by at least 40 minutes of feedback and concern. The meeting is April 29th and will be located in Fellowship Hall. Lisa Jackson will record comments.

5. Bob Miller presented guidelines for a proposed Personnel Policy. It covers the need for job descriptions and performance plans for all staff, including pastors. It also calls for review of all paid staff and their right to a rebuttal of the review.

6. Reports from the Ministry Teams for the Annual Report are due on May 7th. Please send the report electronically to Sharon at the church office.

7. Jim Baumgardner circulated a plan from a focus group on membership for the purpose of retaining members. There are plans to call members after four consecutive absences and plans to provide sponsors for new members. Also included are a form for exit interviews and a form planning for fellowships on the lawn. Charlie Boone noted some additions and corrections needed to be made to the organizational chart included with the plan before the final copy was complete.
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8. Carlo D’Agostino expressed concern regarding any recognition for Michelle Peterson after ten years of directing the Alleluia Choir and a need to find her replacement.

Action Items
1. Nick Poulos presented Section One of Continuing Resolutions of the Council of St. Paul Lutheran Church. The purpose of the resolutions is to allow Council to provide policies, procedures and description of practice that supplement the Constitution and Bylaws. Section One provides the structure for developing and adopting these resolutions. Charlie Boone added wording to R1.05 to say the proposed resolution must be approved by two-thirds vote of all voting members of the Congregation Council as stated in C18.02 of the St. Paul Constitution. Nick Poulos moved to adopt Continuing Resolutions of the Council of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Section 1. Bob Miller seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

2. Bob Miller moved to approve for recommendation to the congregation the draft of the minutes from the January Congregational Meeting. Jim Baumgardner seconded and the motion passed.

3. Charlie Boone presented the Audit Report for 2006 prepared by the Audit Team and explained away some concern about the reserve accounts not being compatible with a cash basis accounting system. Charlie Boone moved to recommend for approval to the congregation the 2006 Audit Report. Nick Poulos seconded and the motion passed.

4. Carlo D’Agostino and Charlie Boone moved to delete the restriction on Executive Committee’s authority to determine the merit of items submitted for an agenda. Gayle Meskimen seconded and the motion passed.

5. Kevin Dixon moved to approve the date of May 15 for the next Council meeting and Carlo D’Agostino seconded. The date was approved.

Board Celebrations and Concerns
1. Bob Miller from Property reported, the first part of the fire doors will be installed on Wednesday and the new red chairs for the choir room and Sanctuary will be delivered in mid May.

2. Mark Demich from Worship and Music announced, Marilynn Dashiell takes over the scheduling of people to work the Welcome Table.

Adjournment
There was no other business and Jim Baumgardner moved to adjourn. Lisa Jackson seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.




Respectfully submitted,
Patty Fess, Congregational Secretary