DECEMBER BOARD MEETING
Attendees: Mike Balazovic, Elizabeth Benson, Debbie Chapoton, Martin Dinner (@ 6:35 pm),
Rev Jeff Dinner, Sheryl Petri, Dick Rosner, Marilyn Rosner
Absentees: Pat Callaghan, Steve Hatt
The meeting was called to order by Dick. Rev Jeff opened with a prayer.
The minutes from the November 9, 2011 meeting were reviewed. Motion made by Mike, seconded by Marilyn to accept the minutes as written. Passed w/o dissent.
Pastor’s Report/Rev Jeff: 35 contacts, 4 Counseling, 2 Funerals Vacation planned over w/e of 2/5. Debbie to cover sermon/children’s moment. Communion to be moved to 2/12 service.
Financial reports prepared by Treasurer Elizabeth reviewed. Marilyn indicates Memorial Finances do not reflect expenditure for Fellowship Area chairs. This is r/t bookkeeping software issues. Motion made by Mike, seconded by Martin to accept the reports as clarified. Passed w/o dissent.
Monthly income of $6890.79 with disbursements of $4690.26.
Finance & Stewardship/Dick: Audit complete w/ accuracy to within $0.13 with letter from Fred Butler Recommendations of Finance Committee (with input from auditor) reviewed.
1) Rev Jeff’s 1099 Form should show salary minus the total of monthly “parsonage” costs. (Parsonage= housing allowance for an active duty preacher. Doesn’t have to be owned by the Church.) Motion made by Sheryl, seconded by Marilyn to have the Treasurer reflect the salary minus the housing costs on Rev Jeff’s 1099 Form. Discussion explains that for a preacher, the parsonage costs are similar to pre-tax contributions to an annuity/401K account. Even despite the fact that TCC does not specify a “Benefit Package” in Rev Jeff’s contract, this is an acceptable practice for a preacher. Passed w/o dissent. (Rev Jeff needs to supply figures to Treasurer for this deduction.)
2) Auditor recommends closing the $10K account at PNC Bank r/t to poor interest earnings ($0.85) and disappointing service during the auditing process.
3) Discussion re: Certificates of Deposit in equal amounts of $20K to be deposited in 12, 24 & 36 month terms at Onaway Community FCU (Based on research by Steve into interest rates.) This will leave $17K in checking at Citizens National Bank. Motion made by Sheryl, seconded by Debbie to close the account at PNC, deposit amount into CNB, then initiate three CD’s at OCFCU in $20K/ea for terms of 12, 14 and 36 month terms. Passed w/o dissent. Elizabeth, Martin & Rev Jeff to manage transfers.
4) Auditor urges the Memorial Funds quickly be set-up similarly to the Mission Fund, with stipulated donations being put in a savings acct and unstipulated donations being put in a checking acct. Memorials should also have a logbook to easily access and record the movement of the donations.
Rev Jeff/Martin still trying to set-up new bookkeeping software.
Dick discussed desire for employees to receive bonuses and to have them remain the same as last year. Elizabeth, Heather, Lisa, Nancy and Sheryl to receive $50. Rev Jeff will receive $500. Sharon Ridley (B&B manager) and Debbie (Adult Bible Study Leader) to receive appropriate gift/ flower baskets. Motion made by Marilyn, seconded by Mike to provide employees bonuses and Sharon & Debbie gifts, as stated above. Passed with the abstentions of Sheryl & Rev Jeff. Further discussion re: who should distribute bonuses/gifts? Sheryl suggested a Deacon. (Perhaps Personnel Chair: Steve??)
Discussion re: future frequency of audits, as it had been 10 yrs since last one. Motion by Sheryl, seconded by Martin to have audits performed every 3 yrs. Passed w/o dissent. (Addendum to ByLaws??)
Personnel/: No report
ByLaws/: No report
Memorials/Marilyn: $925 YTD
Missions/: No report. (Refer to Financial Report)
B&B/: No report. (Will be closed from 12/17/11-1/5/12)
Property/Mike: Discussion re: setting up temporary Parking Lot lighting for Christmas Eve until permanent lighting can be installed. Sheryl= Luminarias around edge of Parking Lot and around front of Church. (Perhaps Mike can check into borrowing from Indian River Christmas people?)
Check with Mike Sexton re: plowing/salting parking lot Check with Mike Marks re: shoveling/salting walkway
Mike read letter rec’d re: noisy men’s toilet. Rev Jeff demo’d for all to hear. Mike to contact M&M Plumbing.
Sheryl= “Discovery” of smaller stained glass window above Easter Lily window. Wondering about lighting it, especially for Christmas season. Wonders about lighting front of Church, including steeple, similar to IR UMC. Has spoken to Larry Balazovic who doesn’t think it would take much to light smaller window. NO “cheesy” lighting at front of Church, likely have to wait.
Worship & Fellowship/Debbie: Two Toys for Tots boxes full of toys for USMC-R with one week to go. Elizabeth report $479 collected in star envelopes for Ken’s Market/Salvation Army, so far, as well. Debbie asks when final tally in by 12/11, that Elizabeth divides it equally (if not specified by donors otherwise) and delivers to both places.
Potluck on Jan 15th with Quarterly Meeting Jan 22nd.
Rev Jeff=To draw more attention to Special Events, wants bulletin insert of activities at end of month
Religious Ed/Sheryl: 12/13 Youth Night
Adjourned 7:45 pm
Next Meeting: Wednesdays, January 11th & February 8th @ 6:30 pm
NOVEMBER BOARD MEETING
Attendance: Mike Balazovic, Elizabeth Benson, Pat Callaghan, Debbie Chapoton, Rev. Dinner, Martin Dinner, Steve Hatt, Sheryl Petri Absent: Dick Rosner, Marilyn Rosner Guest: Lauri Hatt
Vice Chair Martin called the meeting to order @ 6:30 pm. Rev Jeff opened with a prayer.
Minutes from the 10/12/11 meeting were reviewed. Motion made by Steve and seconded by Debbie to accept the minutes as written. Passed w/o dissent.
Pastor’s Report/Rev Jeff: 38 contacts; 6 Counseling sessions; 2 Funerals
Abbreviated Financial Report prepared by Treasurer, Elizabeth, reviewed by Council. Motion made by Debbie and seconded by Pat to accept the report as presented. Passed w/o dissent.
Finance & Stewardship/Martin from written report from Dick: Auditor Fred Butler will be attending Worship and Potluck on 11/20 and meet with the Committee afterwards to review findings. (So far reported variance of only $0.13!!) Because auditor cannot accept payment, he will be given a gift certificate for a springtime dinner for 2 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island and Ferry fees, as show of appreciation. (Work time 50-60 hours, generally would cost upwards of $7K for a CPA) Motion by Rev Jeff and seconded by Sheryl to approve this expenditure. Passed w/o dissent.
Rev Jeff and Martin are working with Elizabeth to set up the Bookkeeping Software.
Steve presented research of area Financial Institution’s Certificates of Deposit interest rates. These will also be presented during the 11/20 Committee meeting with the auditor.
Expenditures for October were $5,096.14 with Income of $7,506.09. (Net= $2,409.95/mo)
Personnel/Steve: Nothing to report
ByLaws/Steve: Nothing to report
Memorials:
Pat: New chairs are receiving compliments. Garden subcommittee providing seasonal décor for outside main entry, as well as pedestals in sanctuary, when no flowers are purchased by members of congregation.
Missions/Pat: Refer to financial report
Bargains & Blessings/: No Report Sheryl indicates knowledge of October having good sales.
Property/Mike: Furnaces have been checked and prepped for winter use. Steve: Parking lot lighting will be a private endeavor by the Church as Consumer’s Power declined involvement. Rev Jeff: Will need to lay power lines (which TCC men can do) and connect to Church (which will require practicing electrician.) Will require Bldg Permit, thus $$. S. Main entry door needs longer screws for reapplying closer. (Steve) Pat: Door latch on B&B door needs replacement, as it catches when opening. Sheryl: Lamps rigged by Art Mills to stay lit 24/7 at S. entry landing are burnt-out.
Worship & Fellowship/Debbie: 11/20 Thanksgiving Potluck and Hanging of the Greens Will need more tables and chairs set-up for Potluck.
Discussion: People need to take the folding chairs they requested home.
Christmas Stars: US Marine Reserves Toys for Tots box to be placed in the narthex for collection of new, unwrapped toys. Effort made to distribute locally. Envelopes with stars to be placed in Bulletins/Pews to collect money for The Village Pharmacy at Ken’s Market and The Salvation Army. Collection to take place 11/20, 11/27, 12/4 and 12/11
Sharon Ridley to provide coupons for B&B to Ken’s to put in their food baskets given to the needy.
Recent experience with using round tables at IR UMC… very conducive to interacting with each other vs. rectangular tables.
Religious Ed/Sheryl: Continues researching Confirmation curricula.
Rev Jeff: Pastor Mike Sanders may have resources to Interdenominational plan.
10/27 Youth Night had 15 children attend.
Nominations/Martin: Nothing to Report
Old Business Martin: Meeting w/ Mike Ridley re: Audio-Visual System update. 11/10
New Business Martin: Dick requesting December Council Meeting be changed to 12/7, as it will be prior to his and Marilyn’s “flight” south. Pat, Mike are doubtful attendees if meeting changed. Sheryl questionable until new work schedule posted. Motion by Debbie and seconded by Mike to change the meeting date from 12/14 to 12/7. Passed.
Martin: Presents letter rec’d from DTE re: TCC overpaid for natural gas, determined by placement of new meter. (Credit totals $1,249.70)
Rev Jeff: In an effort to de-clutter the Office, some items will be moved to closet in S. stairwell.
Adjourned 7:22 pm
QUARTERLY OCT. 16, 2011
29 people attended the meeting; 27 of which were members.
At 12:05 pm, Council Chair Dick Rosner opened the meeting.
The prayer had been given at the onset of the Potluck by Rev Jeff Dinner.
Rev Jeff gave his Pastor’s Report. (See accompanying page.)
The minutes from the July 17th Annual Meeting was reviewed. Motion by Sue Petri, seconded by Steve Hatt to accept the minutes as written. Passed without dissent.
The summarized Financial Reports prepared by Treasurer Elizabeth Benson were reviewed. Motion by Dan Duncan, seconded by Sue Petri to accept the reports as presented. Passed without dissent.
Finance & Stewardship/Dick Rosner: Alerts the congregation that an Audit is in progress and should be completed by mid-November. At which time the Committee will meet with the Auditor to discuss investing $60,000 into three $20K Certificates of Deposit, perhaps of varying terms. Congregation is invited to notify Committee members of alternative ideas.
ByLaws/Steve Hatt: Nothing to Report
Personnel/Steve Hatt: Rev Jeff renewed his contract in August for another year.
Memorials/Marilyn Rosner: $905 YTD; Nothing during 1st Quarter. Paid $2,200 towards the purchase of the new Fellowship Area chairs.
Memorial Garden: Will be supplying seasonal floral décor at main entrance of Church
Missions/Pat Callaghan reported by Marilyn Rosner: 6/30 balance was $4,698 9/30 balance was $5,278
Committee’s objective is to donate money earned in the previous month to the various charities supported
Bargains & Blessings/Sharon Ridley reported by Marilyn Rosner: (Please see accompanying page.) Key point: Most volunteers for the store are provided from outside TCC. No one showed for seasonal merchandise changeover. Perhaps TCC needs to give up control to a “younger, larger congregation.”
[No reaction or comments received from congregation members in attendance.]
Property/Mike Balazovic: New chairs now in use in Fellowship Area. Both furnaces will be checked this week in preparation for winter.
Parking Lot lighting being checked into by Steve Hatt.
Main Entry door closer/frame needs to be repaired.
Worship & Fellowship/Debbie Chapoton reported by Dick Rosner: 8/10 Pontoon Boat Ride Fellowship 8/21 Vesper Cruise 9/4 The Living Truth 2
9/16 Hot Dog Roast 11/20 Thanksgiving Potluck and Hanging of the Greens
Nominations/Martin Dinner: Nothing to Report
Audio & Visual/Martin Dinner: Discussions with Mike Ridley re: updating equipment in sanctuary.
Some may be donated by Mike. Will be on a cart that could be easily removed from sanctuary for safe-keeping.
Religious Education/Sheryl Petri: Youth Night planned for 10/25 and again in December. Researching available curricula for instituting a Confirmation program for TCC youth.
Old Business
New Business
Dick: October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Presented Rev Jeff with card and $100 check on behalf of the congregation.
Adjourned at 12:25 pm.
OCT 16, 2011 COUNCIL MEETING
Attendees: Mike Balazovic, Elizabeth Benson, Pat Callaghan, Debbie Chapoton, Rev Jeff Dinner, Martin Dinner, Steve Hatt, Dick Rosner, Marilyn Rosner, Sheryl Petri
6:25 pm WebMaster Brian Callaghan took photos of the 2011-12 Council
Dick called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Rev Jeff opened with a prayer.
Minutes from the September 14th meeting were reviewed. Motion to approve minutes as written by Steve, seconded by Pat and passed without dissent.
Dick requested Committee Chairs submit a list of their committee members to Sheryl by Sunday, 10/16.
Pastor’s Report/Rev Jeff: 10 Counseling sessions; 5 Home visits; 4 Hospital visits; Communions current.
A summary of Financial Reports prepared by Treasurer, Elizabeth, were reviewed. Discussion re: investing money in CD’s, though interest rates are still poor.
Dick will mention at 10/16’s 1st Quarter Meeting for congregational input. Motion to approve summarized reports by Marilyn, seconded by Martin. Passed without dissent.
Finance & Stewardship/Dick: Plans for mid-November committee meeting, when Audit completed.
ByLaws/Steve: Nothing to report.
Personnel/Steve: Discussion re: changing annual employee evaluations from Jul to Jun to Jan to Dec.
Memorials/Marilyn: Nothing recently received.
Memorial Gardens: New crockery and Autumnal plantings outside main entry placed.
Missions/Pat: Donates $$ rec’d from Church tithing/B&B earnings from previous mo. in current month.
Bargains & Blessings/per report by Sharon Ridley: No volunteers showed to help with seasonal merchandise changeover. Still gets more volunteers for working store from outside TCC than own members. Suggests that if trend continues, perhaps TCC should give-up control of store.
Property/Mike: New Fellowship area chairs in use. (Sign-up list to take possession of old chairs.) South door of Main Entrance needs “closer” replaced. Broken since June VBS. Steve: Contacted Consumer’s Power re: lack of Parking Lot light. TCC’d stopped paying bill. None of electric contractors contacted have returned calls for estimate on other lighting options. Still needs to contact M&M Heating for furnace “check-ups.”
Worship & Fellowship/Debbie: 10/16 and 11/20 Potlucks (Need 3 volunteers for cooking turkeys.) Hanging of the Greens after Thanksgiving Potluck. Revamping criteria for Christmas Stars.
9/16 Hot Dog Roast yielded 20 participants. Adult Bible Study consistently has 10 attendees.
Religious Education/Sheryl: Youth Night 10/25 Researching Confirmation Curricula. No Interdenominational info. All are geared to various specific Christian religions.
Old Business
Rev Jeff: Susie Kuhl heading-up task force to create modesty curtains for piano/organ.
Dick & Rev Jeff: Auditor cannot accept payment r/t liability. Want to reward work with gift of appreciation, perhaps dinner and show. Rev Jeff to “subtly” discover preferences.
Martin: Met with Mike Ridley who discussed some equipment which he would be willing to donate. Eqt. would fit on cart, allows it to be removed from sanctuary when not in use.
Meeting adjourned @ 7:15 pm
1st Quarter Meeting/Potluck: Sunday, October 16th @ 11:45 am
Next Meetings: Wednesdays, November 9th and December 14th @ 6:30 pm
