St. Paul Lutheran Church
Council Meeting Minutes
May 15, 2007

Present: Pr. Eastman, Jim Baumgardner, Charlie Boone, Carlo D’Agostino (late), Mark Demich, Kevin Dixon, Patty Fess, Ann Holmstrom, Lisa Jackson (late), Bob Miller, Gayle Meskimen, Nick Poulos (late)
Guests: Marianne Avery, Barb Deli, Kari Huff, Pat Pape, Matt Sons

Kevin Dixon called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Devotions: Jim Baumgardner

Treasurer’s Report
Ann Holmstrom presented the April financial report. For the month of April the general fund received $7,000 less than the planned for amount. B.O.B. received $2,000 less than what was planned. We are about $5,500 below budget to this date. Nick Poulos moved to approve the April financials. Mark Demich seconded and the motion passed.

Approve Agenda
Bob Miller added an action item to approve a bid for air conditioning. Patty Fess moved to approve the agenda as amended and Nick Poulos seconded. The amended agenda was approved.

Approve April Minutes
Bob Miller moved to approve the minutes dated April 16, 2007 and Lisa Jackson seconded. The minutes were approved.

Sr. Pastor Report
Pr. Eastman distributed her monthly report along with the Agenda and Resolutions for the Synod Assembly. She gave more detailed information for Resolutions 2 and 3. Resolution 2 deals with amending the definitions of the bylaws to allow ministers in same-sex relationships to stay in their role as pastor. Resolution 3 is about reinstating the Advocate Health Care member board. Pastor also explained that our new member Nathaniel Wilson is to be getting ministerial experience in our congregation in the category of encouragement. He will be asking to pray with church leaders.

Reports and Information

1. Jim Baumgardner introduced Barb Deli and Pat Pape from the Focus Committee working on member retention. Barb and Pat distributed booklets that focus on the process for member retention and connecting new members. They explained that members with an absence of four or more consecutive Sundays receive a phone call from the callers in the focus group. They reported that so far the phone calls have been well received. New members will have a one-year follow-up with a sponsor from the congregation and will be connected with something to do or a group within the church.
   
2. Lisa Jackson introduced Kari Huff with a presentation for a scholarship fund for members attending an ELCA college. Kari reported that of the twenty-eight ELCA colleges two provide matching funds for students with scholarships from their home church. She recommends we provide a $500 per year scholarship for any student in our congregation attending an ELCA college. Currently we have seven students that would qualify. Carlo D’Agostino suggested an ad hoc committee look into this idea. Nick Poulos, Lisa Jackson and Kari Huff volunteered to be on the committee.
   
3. Jim Baumgardner and Gayle Meskimen reported on the workshop they attended along with Pr. Eastman. The workshop was titled Congregational Leadership and was led by Dr. Peter Steinke. It was affirming that St. Paul had already accomplished much that was discussed. They learned that congregations do not want to confront chronically anxious members, congregations tend to be reactionary, and congregations need to learn to play.
   
4. Patty Fess and Gayle Meskimen reported on the Leadership Forum for the Strategic Plan held recently at St. Paul. This forum was affirming as many ideas generated that day were along the same lines as the Strategic Plan. Notes from the two topics covered that day were distributed to all that were invited whether or not they attended.
   
5. Bob Miller presented an update from the Nominating Committee. There are four candidates for three positions on the Council. The candidates are Patty Fess, Bob Hiein, Nick Poulos, and John Warbiany. The Nominating Committee will count the ballots.
   
6. Bob miller provided an update on some capital improvements from Property. John Warbiany is researching the replacement of the windows on the east side of the education wing. ESSE received a $1400 grant for new window air conditioners, which they will pass on to us towards the cost of the central air conditioning we are considering for this year. The first bid to air condition the ESSE Room, ESSE Lunchroom, Computer Rom, Choir Room, and Education Office was $38, 859. Carlo D’Agostino requested at least two more bids prior to the next council meeting before making a decision. There is a workday planned, Saturday, May 19^th.
   
7. Jim Baumgardner presented an idea from the Witness Team to create a new team focused on evangelism and the name for the new team would be Outreach. Charlie Boone recommended making this decision for a new team at the time the Strategic Plan is finalized.
   

1. Mark Demich moved to approve the May Congregational Meeting Agenda. Nick Poulos seconded and the agenda was approved.
   
2. The Cross-Over Council meeting will be Monday, June 12th off sight, at the home of Charlie Boone. Dinner will be at 6:00 p.m. with a business meeting to follow. Charlie’s address is 1250 Midwest Lane, Wheaton.
   
3. Pr. Eastman moved to receive these new members into the congregation: Nathaniel Wilson; Mabra McCumber; DeAnn, Senead and Nieve O’Donovan. Carlo D’Agostino seconded and the motion passed.
   
4. Nick Poulos moved to have St. Paul charter a Cub Scout Pack. And Patty Fess seconded. The motion passed with 6 yeas and 5 nays.
   
5. Jim Baumgardner presented and moved to approve a revised and updated organizational chart that reflects what is currently happening at St. Paul. Nick Poulos seconded and the motion passed.
   
6. Kevin Dixon presented the revised Pastor annual review process. Charlie Boone moved to approve the Pastor annual review process and Nick Poulos seconded. The review process was approved.
   
7. Charlie Boone moved to approve the forms for the job descriptions for: Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor, and church administrator. Jim Baumgardner seconded and the motion passed.
   
8. Patty Fess requested up to $500 to purchase a button machine and some additional supplies. Nick Poulos moved to purchase the button machine and supplies for up to $500 and Bob Miller seconded. The motion was approved.
   
9. Bob Miller move to approve up to $40,000 for a bid for air conditioning provided he seeks at least two more bids and has concurrence from the operations board. Nick Poulos seconded and the motion carried.
   

1. The Call Committee announced a candidate’s name is coming before Council for consideration for the Associate Pastor position.
   
2. Bob Miller announced that Barb Warbiany is willing to write articles concerning St. Paul for the newspapers.
   
3. Pr. Eastman reported that Niles Eastman is interested in working with the High School Youth of St. Paul next school year.
   
4. The titles of the resolutions and the agenda for Synod Assembly were distributed to the Council.