Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Council

Council Minutes

June 20th,  2005

Gathering

Members in attendance: 

Alex Plavocos, Ann Kuhar, Jeff Dozer, Laura Prill, Michele Lee, Adam Buff, Pastor Jennifer Hepler, Pastor Noah Hepler, Pastor David Sloop, Becky Martin, Leita Lewis, Nancy Herje, Doug Austin, Frank DiNunzio, Mike Montgomery, and Nancy Ballard.

Also in attendance: 

Shirley Anthony, Dan Burris (youth director), Carol Henderson (director of music) Excused:  Christina Valente (Treasurer) ,Corinne Lee

 ~Quorum declared

 Faith Sharing ~Adam Buff

~Additions to agenda : none

~Approval of minutes from May 16th meeting  Becky Martin Motion, [Pastor David 2nd

Actions/Discussions

Personnel Report (Ann)

Interim SME position 

Position has been offered to Brenda Dozer.  July 1st is her start date.

Jeff will need to step down as a member of the executive committee (Vice President) per our constitution.  Executive committee will discuss this at their next meeting. He will continue as a liaison to the Endowment ministry, as well as a planning member of Fall retreat team and nominating committee.

Brenda will keep track of her hours in order for us to know how many hours this position actually entails.

HR Consultant

Denise has been to a staff meeting.  Coaching has begun with the pastors.

Youth Fundraising (Dan)

GSLC fundraising Philosophy (see revised version attached)

Discussion:  “third party” refers to whoever serves as an administrator to the particular event.  (Not the youth director)

Should the philosophy be renamed Youth fundraising philosophy?  It is intended to be a general policy—setting a precedent for how we live-- not just for the youth. Therefore preschool should present an additional motion to be more specific for them.  

Accountability of hours would be done through the third party. 

Concern was raised that this will open up an area that would be a “slippery slope”  —and would need to be very carefully monitored. 

Youth is a special situation.  

Wording changes:

Add Youth to philosophy title

Providing service to others “on a donation basis”. 

“The money raised form approved youth service campaigns will be managed as a dedicated account using normal GSLC accounting process.  The funds will be used to support youth participation in mission trips, and national youth gatherings.  A third party individual not directly associated with the planning of the trip/event will manage allocation of funds based on youth participation.”   

Action:  Motion-The  executive Committee moves that the GSLC Youth Fundraising Philosophy be adopted as a living document to guide the staff, council, and congregation in discerning how to resolve needed funding for youth ministry opportunities that exceed its program budget.            Passed unanimously

Action:  Motion-The Executive committee moves that Dan Burris have approval to proceed to develop a plan to cover proposed expenses for the 2006 ELCA National Youth Gathering, using the “1/3, 1/3, 1/3” philosophy, with the intent of submitting a detailed plan for council discussion and approval at a later date.

                                      Passed unanimously              

Leadership Task force update:  Nancy H.  (copy on file)

Values Task force update:  Ann Kuhar

Workbook is in draft form.  Team is working this summer on developing curriculum to address the core values. Change:  “Fellowship” has changed to “Hospitality”. 

Mutual Ministry update:  Pastor David

Congregational survey :  council looked over a document which contained potential questions for the Fall survey. The plan is that in July they would have a finalized document that would go out to the congregation—if the council wants to go forward with a survey. 

Discussion:  in the past the questions have been very specific.  These questions are very general—too open ended. Purpose of the questions is to allow the congregation to be heard.  Survey needs to be focused on what kind of data we are looking for (what are we trying to measure?)  This will also allow people to be more specific in their answers.  Maybe a dialogue would be better than a survey.  The survey should reflect on what we are doing, and get feedback from that.  It is the leadership’s (council) role to look forward---and the mutual ministry to get the “pulse” of the community.  There needs to be something—whether it be through a survey or dialogue/listening, regarding the changes we have been through over the past year.  There needs to be a small group task force regarding our 25th anniversary. 

Action:  executive team will discuss next steps.  The survey will be put on hold for now.  The task force, led by Pastor Noah, which is dealing with long range planning for Christian Ed. will look at ways to discuss last year’s staff changes with the congregation.  

Girl Scout request

There has been a request to sponsor another troupe.  As a sponsored group they will not be charged rent.  

Motion:  moved the Junior troupe 1258 become a sponsored organization. 

(Pastor Noah)  2nd  Becky Martin               approved.

Informational

Synod report              Paul Lester

The NC synod passed a resolution “memorializing” the ELCA to abide by its
present policies and disciplinary actions for ordained clergy.
Continuation of present procedures means that there would be no blessing
of same-sex unions nor ordination of non-celibate homosexual clergy.

It was a good experience. Some discussions were difficult—but productive.

Executive Team Report

Pastor Noah is leading the committee to look at the long range plans for Christian Ed. Is currently looking at filling the committee.  He will report in July. 

Pastoral Report

~Highlights presented at meeting. 

Proposed leadership series (draft) presented as well as New member seminars, as well as a proposed Schedule and topics for adult Christian Ed. 

The Evangelism committee has two new leaders:  Alene Love and Jayne Rusincovitch

Motion:  Give the executive committee power to appoint a vice president (Pastor Noah)  Passed

Sending

Benediction and Dismissal

Next meeting:  July 18th 6:30

Respectfully submitted,