ROSER MEMORIAL COMMUNITY CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING February 22, 2017 In Attendance: Jim Bennington, Joy Bennington, Beth Bernet, Cherrie Birkman, Lynn Brennan, David Cheshire, Susan Cheshire, Rev. Neil Crowell, Dianne DeLong, Doug DeLong, Betsy Grundy, Linda Moore, Jill Morris, JoAnne Moyer, Susan Nudd, Dr. Bob O Keef, Lorna Smilde, Dick Walter, Alan Ward, Randy Zion OPENING REMARKS AND CONCERNS Chair of Congregation Dick Walter called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm, and Rev. Neil Crowell led Council in an opening prayer. Joys & Concerns were shared. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL 1/25/17 MEETING MINUTES Motion by Dr. Bob O Keef that 1/25/17 minutes be approved as presented. Seconded by Jim Bennington. REPORTS: Board of Stewardship & Finance Jim Bennington -The 2017 Stew/Fin Officers are Chair, Jim Bennington; Vice Chair, Dan Morse; and Secretary, Marcia Powers. -For use during an internal financial audit at Roser on years that an outside audit is not performed, the Board asked that Council approve forming a Stew/Fin Sub-Committee to aid Dale Crall, by stating the proper financial policies and procedures that Roser is expected to conduct regularly, and those to perform in an internal audit. The Sub-Committee would report back to Stew/Fin, the Executive Committee and Council. Marc Deur and Jim Bennington had volunteered to serve on the Sub- Committee. The 2015 outside audit firm does not provide a list of these policies/procedures for Roser. Dale Crall, non-member, is well experienced professionally as an auditor. The goal of the Sub- Committee would be to have its first draft document done by the end of March. Motion by Jim Bennington that an Audit Policies / Procedures Sub-Committee be formed. Seconded by Randy Zion. -The Board asked that Council approve the Music Committee s conducting a financial appeal to ask for at least $5,000 toward purchase of a used grand piano. In addition, recently two Legacy Gifts to the Roser music ministry have provided $10,000 toward the purchase of a piano. The growth of the music program and success of the Concert Series have demonstrated the desirability of having a grand piano in the Sanctuary; a need for a grand piano was also expressed in the 2016 budget. It is estimated that the cost of the piano would be c. $15,000. The piano currently used in the Sanctuary had been donated in the past anonymously, and it would likely be moved to the Coleman Building (CB) for use there; the current CB piano would be moved elsewhere. Dr. Bob recommended that we communicate with the current Sanctuary piano s donor. Randy Zion felt that the Congregation would back this campaign. Alan Ward expressed that Kristen Stanton and Phyllis O Keef would best know which small used grand piano to select. 1
Motion by Jim Bennington that a financial appeal be conducted by the Music Committee to raise at least $5,000 toward a used grand piano. Seconded by Jill Morris. Pastor The Rev. Dr. Bob O Keef -Dr. Bob thanked the volunteers who helped make the Roser Valentine Dinner a success. Associate Pastor Rev. Neil Crowell -A $65 early-bird special is offered to those who sign up and pay by 4/2/17 for The Rev. Dr. Mike Slaughter s summer lecture series at Roser 7/30-8/2, including the meals, daily sessions and book, The Renegade Gospel. Regular price is $75. -Ash Wednesday services will be held 3/1/17 in the Roser Chapel at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm. Nominating Committee Joy Bennington -The 2017 Report of Officers, Boards & Committee Chairs was approved at the Annual Meeting 2/5/17. The following corrections are made to the Report: Jean Knopp is a new member of the Board of Deacons; Steve Walter begins the second year of his first term of the Digital Applications Team; and Rose Ward begins the second year of her first term for the Board of Religious Education. Motion by Dianne DeLong that the corrected 2017 Report of Officers, Boards & Committee Chairs be approved. Seconded by Doug DeLong. Board of Trustees Alan Ward Reporting for Dick Gilmore -Rose Garden memorial plaques and name plates have been restored. Council had approved $15,000 from the Rose Garden Memorial Fund for the Rose Garden beautification project. Contracts have been awarded to LaPensee Plumbing, V.A. Masonry, Inc., Mike s Deck Service, Stewart Landscaping, and Manasota Plasters. The project has started and is projected to complete by end of March. -As outlined by committee, Trustees had voted to award contract to Miller Electric to provide campus lighting; their quote for the related fundraising project is $5,270. A motion was made by Jim Bennington for Council to approve the expenditure of Trustee Special Funds by the Board of Trustees. Randy Zion questioned the necessity of Council approval of the use of Special Funds by Boards or Committees. After discussion, Jim Bennington withdrew his motion. -Quote to refinish Chapel pews awarded for $5,225 to person who refinished the Chapel front doors. -Trustees will look into a plan for better utilization of the South Campus buildings. -Fellowship Hall door hardware had been installed at a cost of $1,000; one additional fix was required. Board of Deacons Beth Bernet -Deacons, in cooperation with the Minister, are working to maintain, enrich and encourage the spiritual life of the congregation. -We are reviewing the Deacons role for Lenten season. Stephen Ministry Lorna Smilde 2
-Stephen Ministers continue to provide Christian caring to many Care Receivers. In an effort to meet unaddressed needs, we encourage all members of the Congregation to notify JoAnne Moyer or another Stephen Leader, if we know of someone who could benefit from meeting with a Stephen Minister. -Stephen Leaders will continue to meet with other area churches throughout the year to enrich our Roser program. Roser Guild Susan Cheshire - Roser Guild met for a Valentine s Day Tea 2/14/17, with program provided by Roser Migrant Quilting Group and included a quilt making demonstration. Hannah/Lidia circle was in charge of arrangements. -The Guild s Fashion Show and Luncheon will be 12:00 noon 3/14. Those In charge of the event are Laura Ward, luncheon menu; Ginger Huhn, selecting models; and Rebecca circle, arrangements. -Circle meetings were held on 2/1, 2/6 and 2/7. All women are invited to attend these small groups. -Church Women United met 2/3 at Pathways Christian Fellowship, Bradenton. Migrant Sewing met 2/13, and will also meet 2/27. Next Guild Board meeting will be 2/23. -Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 9:30-2:00; and Saturdays 10:00-1:00. Donations are accepted Wednesdays 9:00-11:00. Volunteers are always needed. Board of Religious Education Susan Nudd -Linda Gianiotes and Mark Morris are serving as Co-Chairs of BREd for 2017. -Background checks on applicable Roser Vacation Bible School (VBS) associates and volunteers will be required, as well as for our teachers and leaders who minister to children, both at VBS and in other areas / times. The checks will be done free of charge through the Sheriff s office, and Glenda Beck had volunteered to obtain the checks upon receipt of required information for each individual (name, DOB, race and gender). Neil Crowell will create a related policy and procedures pamphlet and send copies to BREd members for review, including a form for the applicable individuals to sign acknowledging receipt and understanding of the policy. Mark Morris will coordinate checks for the non-vbs teachers. Events Dick Walter Reporting for Glenda Beck -Pancake Breakfasts will be held 2/25 and 3/25. Dr. Bob noted that the 2/25 event will support funding for our planned special discipleship programs. Membership Cherrie Birkman -On 2/12/17 we welcomed into Roser membership John and Patty Ball, and Robin Hamilton. One additional person has expressed interest in becoming a member with a later group. Music Committee JoAnne Moyer -JoAnne was thanked for providing Music Committee s list of voting members: Chair, JoAnne Moyer; and Carol Baker, Cherrie Birkman, Mary Deur, Christine George, Jill Morris and Randy Zion. Dick Walter reminded that the names of voting members of all Roser Committees need to be provided to Council. -This Sunday 2/26 The Wyndbreakers will present a concert at Roser. See the Roser Bulletin for full listing of our Roser winter Concert Series. Alan Ward recommended that Trustees place a sign outside to promote the Series concerts. Missions Committee Lynn Brennan 3
-2017 voting members of the Missions Committee: Co-Chairs, Pam Alvord and Lynn Brennan; and Anne Morse, Sally Martin, Peggy Nash, Carol Patterson and Renee Ferguson. -The Roser Missions Fest was held outdoors on 2/19/17. Lynn Brennan thanked the many who had helped with the Fest, including those who provided refreshments. Dr. Bob noted that he had heard mostly very positive comments about the event. The Fest total that was contributed to Missions will be determined; however, it is known already that $670 was raised during the Sunday service offering, and that a donor contributed $100 to each of the 22 missions who participated. -Neil reported on the JOY Group s informative tour at the FL Sheriff s Youth Ranch on, including observing youth activities and house families. Alan suggested that Food Pantry might consider donating to this worthy mission. Treasurer s Report David Cheshire -As Jan. 1 fell on a Sunday this year, financial contributions and attendance were lower, when compared with January 2016 results; however, we were still well in the black over our Jan. 2017 operating expenses. -During January 2017 we received very nice Specials Contributions. The Food Pantry received a $2,700 grant from the Chamber of Commerce / Anna Maria Trolley Funds; and Terrific Tuesdays (TT) program and Stephen Ministry each received $625 grants. With reduced TT meal costs, the program should end in the black. The Pancake Breakfast on 1/28 raised $1,600 to support Dylan Tribble s Eagle Scout picnic tables project for Roser. As of 1/31/17 the Concert Series had raised enough to cover this winter series programs, including the extra and expensive Ditchfields Christmas concert. -The annual Dr. French estate gift to Roser is projected to be $69.2K in 2017; the gift was budgeted conservatively at $65.0K. That is a 2.8% growth for the French estate 2016, while return on Roser investments was 10%. -Emergency / Operating Reserves and Endowments are up 1.5% for January, and have now exceeded $400K (initial investments were c. $260K). -Reports reviewed: January Financials Report as of January 31, 2017, compiled from detail reports: Executive Summary of Operating Income and Expenses January 2017: Total income of $41,758.64 Total expenses of $37,576.13 Income less Expense for January: $4,182.51 Special Funds Activity & Status Report D January 2017: Donations $12,826.82; Expenses $4,761.83; Special Funds Total Balance $202,806.36 Statement of Financial Position: Total Assets as of January 31, 2017: $578,042.52 Total Assets as of January 31, 2016: $539,511.57 Total Attendance: January 2017 1,959 (avg 392 per week) January 2016 2,097 (avg 419 per week) Executive Committee Dick Walter 4
-There is work in progress of the By Law Review Committee. Its Phase One goal is to identify appropriate by laws to be removed to a workable looseleaf Roser Policy and Procedure Manual. New Business -Dr. Bob reported that Loving Hands mission will hold its annual golf tournament on 4/8/17 at the Tara Preserve golf course. Teams are needed for the tournament, bringing funds to this worthy mission. -Lorna Smilde suggested that we make sure our defibrillators are readily available and their location is well published. She related an incident at another church where an orchestra member was lost to a heart attack. Discussion related that we should call 911 in an emergency, that a defibrillator should only be used if the patient has stopped breathing, and that a CPR session could be set up at Roser, led by trained people. Dick confirmed that Roser could publish the planned class time(s). Next Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is scheduled for Wednesday 3/22/17 at 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. Adjourn / Prayer: The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 pm, ending with Lord s Prayer. Betsy Grundy, Clerk of Council 5