Bethany Lutheran Church

Bethany Lutheran Church
Council Meeting
Room 210
7:00 pm   September 22, 2009

1.  Opening Prayer - Pastor Ruth Ann

2.  Walk With Jesus – Kevin M.

3. Meeting Call to Order and Approvals - Doug

a. August 25, 2009 Minutes
b. Agenda Additions?

4. Reports:

a.  Stewardship – Ron Bruggeman  Report
b.  Audit – Jeff Finnin Management Letter and Financial Statements
c.  Clergy – Pastor Ron and Pastor Ruth Ann Pastor Rons report and Pastoral Ruth Ann’s report
d.  Finance/Administration Director – Joel  DFA report 091809
e.  Treasurer – Kevin  Treas Report 091809
f.   Breakout Sessions – Peggy, Kevin and Doug Breakout summary

5. Discussions and Recommendations

a. Council Report Template – Kevin   BLC Council Report Template V092809
b. Council and EC Minutes Template – Doug

6. President’s Items

a. Term Limits for Ministry Teams – Doug

7. Other – Pastor Ron  Book of Faith Resolution

8.  Closing Prayer - Pastor Ron

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Bethany Lutheran Church
Church Council Meeting Minutes
September 22, 2009

The regular monthly meeting of the Bethany Lutheran Church Council was held on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, at 7:05 p.m. in conference room 210.  Attending officers were Doug Aldrich (president and presiding), Andy Gift (vice president), and Peggy Furgason (secretary).  Other Council members present were Don Abram, Deb Bayles, Maren Diercks, Becky Godec, Heather Kekstadt, Bill King, Michelle Stone Kraus and Karen Witt.  Clergy and staff were Pastor Ron Glusenkamp, Pastor Ruth Ann Loughry and Joel Halvorson (director of finance/administration). Excused were Kevin Dempsey (treasurer), Terry Pickett and Sherri Koelbel.

Reports:

Joel Halvorson on behalf of Ron Bruggeman on Stewardship (attached);

Pastor Ruth Ann to Council (attached);

Pastor Ron to Council (attached);

Worship&Music Ministry Team on organist characteristics (attached);

Jeff Finnin on BLC Audit (attached);

Joel Halvorson for F/A Director (attached);

Kevin Dempsey & Joel Halvorson for Treasurer (attached).

Motions:

Approve Council minutes for August 25, 2009.  {Moved by Don Abrahm , Seconded Bill King}.  The motion was approved unanimously.

Approve the continuing education requests for Pastor Ron, Pastor Ruth Ann and Kevin   to be funded by the Stenstrom Bequest. {Moved Peggy Furgason, Seconded Andy Gift}. The motion was approved unanimously.

Adopt the Book of Faith Resolution.  {Moved, Peggy Furgason, Seconded Michelle Stone Kraus}  The motion was approved unanimously.

Discussions and Recommendations:

Council recommended that the Executive Committee consider a policy about continuing education requests to provide guidelines and/or restrictions to be considered important issues for any future education requests.

Council recommended that the Communications Task Force review a Council Corner column in the Beacon as Council streamlines minute-taking procedures with the Robert’s Rule of Order.

Council recommended that Doug Aldrich and Jeff Finnin coordinate with the Foundation to align auditing procedures for both the Foundation and Council to be handled by one accounting firm.

Council recommends that the Executive Committee discuss the continuing financial challenge for the General Fund and ways to support Council’s discussion in November regarding this subject.

Council was given reports of the three breakout sessions at the August Council meeting and the overall summary prepared by the three recorders.  This is work in progress.

Doug recommended to Council that we continue to be intentional about getting more people involved with ministry teams and plan for appropriate turnover to ensure we have a consistent flow of new energy and ideas.

Council recommends the use of the standard report format that was prepared and circulated by Kevin Dempsey.  The format is important.  Use of Powerpoint or any other software is not important.

Action Items

Doug Aldrich and Jeff Finnin will meet with the Foundation chair to discuss audit procedures and alignment for one accounting firm to handle both audits. {11/15}

Each Council member should review/critique the summaries of the breakout sessions and communicate to Kevin, Peggy and Doug possible actions for them to develop and report to Council.  {10/16}

The form for Bethany members to self-nominate for the Organist Search Committee will be available and distributed at Chancel Choir and the Hospitality Desk.  Information will also be made available in the weekly church bulletin. {9/30}

Each Council member should sign up for a time to volunteer on Consecration Sunday, November 1.  A signup form was circulated.

The meeting adjourned with prayer at 9:15 pm.