Present: Pr. Eastman, Pr. Williamson, Jim Baumgardner, Charlie Boone, Kevin Dixon, Patty Fess, Bob Hein, Ann Holmstrom, Lisa Jackson, Gayle Meskimen, Bob Miller, and Nick Poulos
Excused: Carlo D'Agostino
Guests: Barb Deli, Ann Hein, Nancy Hubbard and Ellen Noth
Kevin Dixon called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Devotions-Patty Fess

Guest Presentation
Ann Hein reported that the African Dinner had proceeds of $700. The money is being sent directly to a Lutheran hospital in Africa. She also distributed invitations to a meeting on affordable housing to be held at St. Paul on April 15th.

Approve Agenda
There were no additions or changes to the agenda. Jim Baumgardner moved and Gayle Meskimen seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Approve February Minutes
Nick Poulos moved and Jim Baumgardner seconded to delete the last three paragraphs under the Executive Committee Report. The motion passed. Gayle Meskimen moved and Nick Poulos seconded to approve the minutes dated February 18, 2008 as amended. The amended minutes were approved.

Recommend Congregational Minutes
Bob Hein moved to recommend for approval by the congregation the Congregational Minutes dated January 27, 2008 and Lisa Jackson seconded. The motion carried.

Treasurer's Report
Ann Holmstrom presented the February financials. St. Paul's expenses exceeded our income by $15,000 in February. For cash flow purposes $20,000 was moved from the savings account to the checking account. Lisa Jackson moved and Nick Poulos seconded to accept the Treasurer's Report. Motion carried.

Sr. Pastor Report
Pr. Eastman and Fr. Don are in discernment regarding the trip to Germany and the number of people signed up to travel. The study on human sexuality has come out and can be downloaded from the ELCA web site. Adult Forum plans to lead two sessions devoted to the sexuality study. Pastor led the council in a discussion of the article, "The Externally Focused Church", by Chris Ellerman.

Associate Pastor's Report
Pastor Williamson reported a large response to the Men's Group and the group may be forming into two or three small groups. Pr. Williamson has been using his Spanish with some of the students from the computer lab. He has also been delving into the Emerging Church movement, a movement toward liturgical eclecticism.

Nominating Committee Report
Lisa Jackson and Ellen Noth were present from the Nominating Committee. They reported three confirmed candidates for the vacant council positions. Those running are Carlo D'Agostino, Lisa Jackson and Mina Kerr.

Action Items
1. Nancy Hubbard distributed information regarding the Green Congregation Covenant along with an action plan for St. Paul. She highlighted the items on the action plan that are appropriate for St. Paul as we begin to comply with the Green Covenant. Lisa Jackson moved to adopt the Green Congregation Covenant and Patty Fess seconded. The motion passed.
2. Kevin Dixon requested a new member from the council to fill the vacated position on the Nominating Committee left when Lisa Jackson decided to run for council. Bob Miller volunteered to be the council representative on the Nominating Committee. Nick Poulos moved to approve Bob Miller as the council representative for the Nominating Committee. Jim Baumgardner seconded and Bob Miller was approved.
3. A Special Call Congregational meeting is needed to elect one more representative to the Synod Assembly and to approve Bob Miller for the Nominating Committee. Gayle Meskimen moved to approve Sunday, April 6th for a Special Call Congregational Meeting. Nick Poulos seconded and the motion passed.
4. Charlie Boone distributed a compensation package for all of the staff to be reviewed with Council and then collected.
a. After the review Jim Baumgardner moved and Lisa Jackson seconded to affirm Pastor Melody Eastman's compensation package as reflected in the 2008 general operating budget approved by the congregation at its January semiannual meeting, such compensation to include a base salary at recommended Metro Chicago Synod minimum standard for ordained staff at 22 years of credited service effective as of January 1, 2008. Motion carried.
b. Jim Baumgarder then moved and Lisa Jackson seconded to affirm Pastor Mark Williamson's compensation package as reflected in the 2008 general operating budget approved by the congregation at its January semiannual meeting, such compensation to include a base salary and vacation days, 29, at recommended Metro Chicago Synod minimum standard for ordained staff at two years of credited service effective as of January 1, 2008. Motion carried.


Kevin presented and reviewed with council the proposed responsibilities of Executive Committee regarding the yearly compensation package. Lisa Jackson moved and Jim Baumgardner seconded to approve the following.
a. All personnel compensation budget proposals shall originate with the lay members of the executive committee with input from the pastor(s) and other council members.
b. The council shall approve all personnel compensation changes including recommendations to the congregation for consideration at its annual meeting to approve the annual budget.
c. The compensation forms from the pastor(s) call letter shall be utilized as the means for recording any changes to their personnel compensation each year. Approved compensation forms shall be provided to the audit committee and budget liaison each year.
d. The council president shall sign all personnel compensation change forms each year.
e. The audit committee shall be requested to review and ensure for each year that the amounts of all personnel compensation changes approved by the congregation or council are accurately implemented. Motion carried.

Bob Miller moved and Nick Poulos seconded to approve the following. Pursuant to the responsibilities and authorities granted by the constitution, it is reaffirmed that all council members shall have timely, equal, and complete access to all personnel compensation information. Council members are specifically expected not to use any personnel compensation information in an inappropriate manner. Motion fails with 7 yeas and 2 nays.

5. Gayle Meskimen on behalf of the committee presented the proposal, "Assisting in the Identification of Mission Initiatives" (outreach). The proposal included four defined activities: an evening of history, house meetings, community interviews and an evening of norm identification. There was also a time line and a request for three more members for the seven-member task force. Gayle Meskimen moved to approve the proposal. Lisa Jackson seconded and the motion passed.

Board Celebrations and Concerns

1. Lisa Jackson complimented the Pastors and the choir on a wonderful Palm Sunday service.
2. Jim Baumgardner reported the defibrillator is ordered.
3. Tim Kelly is doing an excellent job working with Property and a church workday is scheduled for May.

Other Business

Carlo D'Agostino is checking into the corporate status of St. Paul and has discovered that we still comply and need to do some updating.

Adjournment

As there was no other business Gayle Meskimen moved and Lisa Jackson seconded to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Patty Fess, Congregational Secretary