Minutes of the Meetings -- May 19, 2005

Members Present:

                                    Rev. David Ridge                   (DR)

                                    David Cowles                         (DC)

                                    Clarence Johnsen                  (CJ)

Pam Denny                             (PD)

Checking in.                                  

The meeting was called to order by PD at 7:23 p.m.

Opening prayer by DR.

Agenda read and approved.  Motion to approve by PD, second by DC.  Motion passed.

Review of minutes of last Board meeting by CJ:  Motion to accept the minutes by DC, second by PD.  Motion passed.

Operating Statement & Financial Report presented by DC.  Motion to approve by CJ, second by PD.  Motion passed.

Old Business

1)      Budget – presentation and discussion of pro forma by DR

a)      Cash flow:  we can anticipate a two-to-three-month hiatus re: the funds we’ve been receiving for some time from the “angels.”  It could be at least mid-August before the cash flow from them starts again.  As such, dire financial circumstances exist, to the point of some LWUC staff’s pay being temporarily held back, DR’s credit cards being maxed out, and making the rent payments may be very difficult until the cash flow loosens up again.

b)     There followed a general discussion regarding how some of the current financial difficulties might be alleviated.  There are only a very few organizations or individuals using (or soon to be using) the church facility who will be/are paying for the use of the church space, e.g., Universal Dance for Peace.  Could we promote the church as a venue for small groups to use it for meetings, weddings, small concerts, etc., in order to generate funds?  What types/sizes of gatherings would be appropriate or, moreover, allowed by either LWUC or the property owner to use the church?

c)      The question was raised as to whether or not it would be a cost saver to cut back to one Sunday service until the current financial situation eases.  DR stated that it only costs about $140.00 extra each week to do a second service and, as such, the offertory collected at the 9:00 service generally allows the 9:00 service to pay for itself.  Therefore, eliminating the second service would not really save us any money.

d)     There may be additional discussion next month on the topic of how to make the church building pay for itself if board members have any new ideas on how this might be accomplished.

Our next meeting is scheduled for 6-16-05, 6:30 p.m. at LWUC.  We may need to change the date to 6-23-05 due to DR’s availability. 

Motion to adjourn at 9:29 p.m. by DC, second by PD.  Motion passed.