Minutes of the Meetings -- January 19, 2006

Members Present:

                                Rev. David Ridge                   (D)

                                Kay Johnsen                         (K)

                                Clarence Johnsen                  (C)

                                Patrick Sanders                    (P)

                                Pam Denny                           (PD)

                                Paul Denny                           (PSD)  (not present)

                                Jeff Graef                              (J)

Checking in.

The meeting was called to order by P at 6:45  p.m.

Opening prayer by Rev. Tyler Clements.  Presentation on Raising More Money by Tyler.  Tyler offered to provide some assistance in our fund raising efforts.

Review of minutes of the last Board Meeting by K.  Changes were suggested.  Kay to make the changes and revisions. 

Motion to approve the minutes as amended was offered and second. The motion passed unanimously.

Operating Statement & AUC Financial Report presented by D.   $13,645 will be needed.  $5,365 was received towards the end the month.  Minister’s salary, $2,600 paid, and tithes were not paid.  Rent is up to $3,370.  November of 2006 the lease will be up for renewal,  $1,800 paid towards ministers salary in arrears, $200 bookstore paid towards debt in arrears.  Total unpaid tithes of $6,418 (four board meetings in this period).  Rainbow Bridge asked for a commitment but we were not able to commit at the time they asked.   Motion to approve by P, second by C. Motion passed unanimously.

D presented the Living Water Unity Church Proforma. 

DSL was installed at the church last year.  Broadband has been installed at his home and had been previously been used for sermon uploading.  We need to discuss if this full expense is not needed. 

Direct marketing.  Print advertising.  DR wondered if we need to do print advertising.  DR said he is undecided.  We could get a month of free ads with the local papers to see if we get a response.  D suggested trying it.  Yellow pages:  DEX forgot to ask us about Denver ad so we get if for free so we only have to pay $80/month for the ad. 

Custodian care $55 per week for Katie to do it.   Administrative assistant 10 hrs per week.  Child care, Crystal starts at 9:00 / 9:30.  P suggested an 8:45 start may be better. D said he will visit with her.  We could pay for her actual hours or have her start later. 

Band and music are a significant expense.  Suggests had been made to have a part-time band at times and some reductions in guest musicians.  A suggestion was made to make across the board reductions in salary and keep the full band.  It was suggested that a significant amount comes back to the church (in contributions). 

J made a motion that the board approve the 2006 Proforma Budget on a tentative, month to month basis until a tenable plan has been approved to: raise adequate funds to meet the regular monthly expenses of the church and to repay, on a reasonable time schedule, the debt of the church to the minister for accrued salary.   C seconded it.  All approved.

Minister salary cut (versus accruing it) was brought up.  D proposed that he would be willing to forgo payment (but not accruing) for the next quarter.  D noted that he feels the music program is an integral part of the church program.  C noted that it is more and more integral each month. 

P brought up telephone.  $185 per month.  A new phone service for Vonnage was discussed.  Comments were made about poor service from Vonnage.  D had just renewed the cell contract.  It was suggested to wait until better service is available (from services such as Vonnage). 

P made a motion to increase the MANS of D’s salary from $2,000 to $4,000 per month to reflect his change in his mortgage expense.  Seconded by K.  Approved by all.

Chaplaincy Program, first intensive training completed with eight participants. The second training will be in February with a request for greater commitment to move forward with the program. 

Volunteers, Stephany has resigned and has decided to leave the church.  Tithe this month: Broomfield Fish for $804, Silent Unity $536.  K made a motion and it was seconded, all approved. 

D brought up the Major’s Homeless Initiative. 

D brought up the (large) number programs this church is having compared to other Unity Churches.