COUNCIL MINUTES -- FEBRUARY 14, 2008

Present: Darrell Paske (president), Tim Bergin, Dean Maier, Carol Smith, Tom Larson
        and Denny Holmen.
Absent: Pastor Joan, Tami Lueck, Colleen Both, Sharon Ingvoldstad and Donna Trapp.

We Celebrate Our Past  

• Approved minutes, as written, of our 1/10/2008 meeting. M/S/P (Larson/Bergin).
• Approved January 2008 financial report as presented by treasurer, Tim Bergin.
  M/S/P (Smith/Larson).

We Present Our Offering

  Senior Pastor's report

• Covenant of Conduct -- distributed in January by Pastor Joan. The Covenant will be reviewed at the March meeting.
• Call Committee -- all paperwork has been turned in to the Synod office. Now waiting for potential candidates' names from Pastor Jacobs.
• Staff concerns --
  1. Ministry staff took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test with the Call Committee. Interpreted by a pastor trained and licensed in administering and interpreting the test. Lots of insights into how and why we each "tick" the way we do. Already enhancing how we work together.
  2. Volunteer Coordinator resignation (see Personnel Committee report below).
• Membership update --
1. In November-December 2007, having only financial giving records (no communing records as required by constitution), we noted the households for whom we had no record of giving from Jan. 2002 through Dec. 2005.
   • Since the constitution regards a member as active if they have given once in two years, we will do this process again for Jan. 2006 and Dec. 2007. Had to wait for 2007 books to close.
   • Discovered several people who have moved out of the area and quite a few who had already been removed from our roster in 2005 but not from our financial records. Also found one person who had died and an insurance company.
   • Also discovered several people who have no record of financial giving over many years but are active in the life of the congregation.
2. Staff is setting up an Excel spreadsheet for recording Holy Communion attendance, which we will begin later this month.
• Continuing Education -- Head of Staff seminar in early February was, as always, extremely helpful. I deeply appreciate being able to attend this each year.

  Property report

• Sanctuary tiles -- Broken tiles in the sanctuary will be replaced by Crissa Knaus. To be paid for from the Property budget.
• Altar exit area -- The exit area by the altar and the meeting room has been cleaned up, and shelves to store the stands, etc., will be put up by Chuck Klang. Extension cords under the organ pipes have been replaced with permanent wires and switches.
• Parsonage bathroom -- The parsonage bathroom requires major repairs. It will be re-done by Dean Winters. Cost: $3,500. M/S/P (Holmen/Smith).
• Fire extinguishers -- The Property Chair furnished a schematic showing the location of all fire extinguishers.

  Worship and Music report

• We will proceed with the installation of cabinets for the choir room as previously approved by Council.

  Outreach report

• Interfaith Hospitality Network -- LCC received wonderful written feedback from two families who stayed in December as well as great feedback from volunteers. Our next hosting date is March 9th - March 16th. A lot of past volunteers are out of town or will be soon. (If anyone is interested in staying overnight, please contact Dick Peterson.) Question regarding phone service - Darrell Paske will investigate. The September hosting is changed to October. Upcoming dates are June 29-July 7, 2008 (4th of July), October 19-26, 2008, Jan. 4-11, 2009 and March 15-22, 2009. Have communicated to the Facilities Coordinator so we can plan accordingly.
• Food shelf -- March is food shelf month. Angie Readin is the new food shelf liaison. We will conduct a food drive during the month of March. Posters will be put up and we will have information in the bulletin discussing the increasing need for the Food Shelf. Temple Talk on Feb 24th to kick off the drive.
• Name badges -- Received the first order, will order again in two weeks. Response has been good. People like the color, etc. and they look nice. We need to consider putting up a metal board so we can give people the option of leaving them at Church or taking them home. Badges will be ordered for all new members so they will have them on the Sunday they join.

  Youth report

• Mission trip -- Fund raising going great for mission trip. Parking for fishing contest maxed out by 9:30 a.m. Sale of pastries is on-going.
• Senior Youth -- Group activities include Wed. group meeting with Pam Sandelin, snow tubing and youth-led Sunday services.
• Synod Seminar -- For youth leaders in McGregor, MN on Feb. 29 - March 1. Hope to have 2-4 youth leaders attend with Stacy as an instructor.
• Financial -- Permission to request matching funds from Thrivent for $800. M/S/P (Maier/Holmen).

  Personnel Committee

• Resignation -- It is with sadness we accept the resignation of Lori Dooley, our Volunteer Ministry Coordinator, effective February 29, 2008. We thank her for her service to LCC. The replacement process has begun. Anyone interested in this position can find application forms in the Church office. The Volunteer Coordinator position is 10-12 hours per week. The application deadline is March 1, 2008.

Old Business

• Strategic Planning Goals -- We reviewed the goals. Discussion/planning will continue at our March meeting. Each Council member is to prioritize three goals to be discussed at the next meeting.

New Business

• Cookbooks -- The Anniversary Celebration cookbook project is coming along very well. Any profit will be allocated to a dedicated anniversary fund - M/S/P (Bergin/Maier).

We close, as always, with prayer, giving thanks and asking for guidance. All are welcome at Council meetings. Approved minutes and approved financial reports are available in the church office to any member upon request.

Respectfully submitted,
Denny Holmen, secretary