WCA Executive Committee Agenda

August 14, 2007, 10:00 a.m.

Faith Community Church

 

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Call to Order

Moderator Rev. Sue LeFeber called the meeting to order at 10:08 a.m.

 

In attendance:  Bob and Louise Noble, Cheryl Stapleton, Rae-Ellen Preuss, Pam Roble, Sue LeFeber, Rob Brink, Cindy Bacon, Ardie Johnson

Absent:  Jarl Petterson

 

Opening Prayer

Rev. Ardie Johnson offered our opening prayer.

 

Introductions

Each member introduced themselves and new board members were welcomed.

 

Approval of April Minutes

The April minutes were accepted as corrected.

Discussion was held about how to record names.  It was decided that names would be included in EC minutes of those who give reports and make motions.  At the Annual Meeting of the WCA, we will ask people to stand and state their name before every question and answer, to aid in the ease of including their names in the minutes.

 

Reports

  • Treasurer – Bob Noble

Bob reviewed the Income and Expense sheet from April 1 through August 14, 2007.  The CD was up for renewal and not renewed.  The Wakefield funds from camp have not been taken out and put into camp.  Bob is waiting to hear from Shawn on that. 

Bob reviewed the contribution list.  We are behind where we were at this time last year.  Bob and Louise will send a letter (from Sue) to those churches who contributed in the past, but not yet this year. 

Bob reviewed the Camp Income/Expense sheet.  The camp showed a profit of $416.00.  Bob asked if we should keep the Wakefield monies where they are, since we have a profit.  The point was raised that these are designated funds, to be used only for camp scholarships.  Can/should we designate those funds back to the Wakefield fund?  It was agreed that the monies have to come out, for accurate record keeping.  By consensus, it was decided to transfer the money (on paper) now.  We can then decide at a later time if we should gift the money back to the Wakefield fund.  Ardie suggested that we indicate those are designated funds by placing an asterisk next to the Wakefield line item.

All financial documents were approved.  Pam made the motion.  Rob seconded.

  • Youth and Camp – Rob Brink

Youth and Camp will meet later this month.  There will be more information available at our next meeting.  Mini Kamp was a huge success, and it has been suggested that the Mini Kamp be extended to a full week for next year.  At the Youth and Camp meeting, the appropriateness of skit night will be discussed, as well as dates for rallies.  Overall, Rob thought that camp went very well.  Attendance was very good.

  • Resource Person – Cheryl Stapleton

Since the Annual Meeting Cheryl has worked on:

            The Congregationalist—September 15 is the next deadline, for October 1 issue

            Youth and Camp Committee—Registrations

            Conflict Resolution Seminar

Working on contact lists with emails—she has kept copies of those for various groups who need them for communication purposes.

 

  • Annual Meeting – Cheryl Stapleton

In looking at attendance, the count for the meeting officially was 45 that we have forms for, but there were more like 65 (about 80 on Friday night, but mostly from Mukwonago).  The food was great!!  There were very positive reports on the workshops.  However, there was no response from the summer edition of the Congregationalist asking for further suggestions.

  • Conflict Resolution Seminar – Cheryl Stapleton

Only three registrations have been received thus far.  Sue will send an email to the WCA churches, via Les Schultz, including the flyer, asking pastors to print this in their bulletins and announce it from the pulpit, encouraging lay people to attend.  We will ask that registrations be in by September 10.  Cheryl reported that the retreat center needs at least eight people to use that space.  Rob Brink suggested another retreat place that Steven Peay knows of.  Cheryl will contact Steven about that, as well as check with Don to see if he is willing to lead the seminar with only four attendees.

  • WCMA, WCTS – Sue LeFeber

Sue reported that Steven Peay is presenting a paper to the WCTS on August 23 regarding the proposed merger.  All are invited to attend the WCTS if they are interested The WCA has voted to explore the merger.  The WCMA will discuss it on September 14.  The question was raised about how the merger might impact us.  It was thought that a merger between the WCA and the WCMA might facilitate better communications, and hopefully encourage better attendance at WCA events.  

 

Action Items

  • Set November EC meeting date and location

Our next meeting will be on November 15 at 3:30 at the NA office in Oak Creek.

  • Next step for Curriculum Committee

At the Annual Meeting, the committee reported they had a WIKI.  They would like to explore the possibility of  connecting this somehow to the NA.  Sue will speak with Don about how to implement this idea.

  • WCA Annual Meeting 2008

It was brought up that Hayward might be interested (via Diane Williams).  Sue has not yet contacted them.  It is quite a distance for many of our churches, and attendance might be very low.  Also, the Council at North Shore has extended an invitation.

Ardie moved and Pam seconded the following motion:

Motion:           It was moved that depending on clarity from Diane Williams about what was promised to Hayward, that we would gladly accept North Shore’s invitation.

Discussion—Perhaps the churches outside the Milwaukee might feel slighted.  It was pointed out that it has not been in Milwaukee for four years.  It was offered that we might benefit from opening it up to other churches, following Sue’s conversation with Diane. 

Motion tabled until after Sue speaks to Diane.

Bob will email the list of churches who have offered to host in the next few years to Sue.

  • Merger with WCMA (see WCMA and WCTS, above)
  • Fundraising Options

We have a deficit of approximately $1730.  Sue and Cynthia Gray have tried to communicate some about grant applications.  Cynthia does not know why our grant application through the NA was unsuccessful two years ago.  Each year we have lost about $4000 in the last several years.

Sue spoke to someone from Lilly about grant applications for staff people.  He said they were almost always denied.  It is much more likely to support projects instead of staff people.

Rob reviewed the qualification for a successful grant application from a book he brought.  We do not have any measurable outcomes, and do not partner with any outside sources.  What are we offering that is not duplicated somewhere else?  Most government funding would deny requests from organizations that are solely faith based.

 

  • NACCC Annual Meeting 2009
    • John Carson joined meeting, 11:30 a.m.

The date of the meeting is June 27-30, 2009.  John now working with the Church Services Committee, one of whose jobs is to assist the Host Committee.  Lottie Jones Hood is the Moderator for this meeting, and has already chosen a theme from Isaiah.

    • Selection of Host Committee General Chair and Committee

Responsibilities of the Chair are outlined in the Host Committee Handbook

Suggested names:  Pam Smith, Jon Hanson, Les Schultz, Jim Benz, Mary York

Mary York was Chair of the Host Committee the last time.  We should contact those people from four years ago and see if they have any suggestions, or would like to work again.

The committee also provides hospitality and entertainment.  It has been difficult in the past to coordinate all the different groups who are making plans for the meeting.  This new structure, will hopefully streamline the planning and communication.

ICF is just prior to the NA meeting.  Patrick Shelley and Harding Stricker are co-moderators.  It might be a good idea to talk with Patrick about how to coordinate.  The same thing is true of NAPF/HOPE.  The chair of the Youth Commission is Lexy Van Deneede.

We have volunteers for subcommittees, and should not have trouble filling those slots.

Sue will talk with Steven Peay about securing a chair for the Host Committee.

    • Financial Expectations of WCA

We have the numbers from the Florida Association and a list of expense items in the handbook.

    • Other Expectations of WCA

We need to do a promotion at next year’s meeting in Plymouth.  Sue has suggestions from the Massachusetts people.  Ideas about outings from the hotel were shared.  Entertainment ideas were shared. (use local talent from area churches, church choirs, etc.).

 

Break for Lunch

12:00 – 12:45 p.m.

 

Executive Session (elected officers only), 12:45 – 1:30 p.m.

            We concluded the discussion of fundraising and the budget.

A discussion was held about the WCA Resource Person job description.  Clarification of the job description was begun.  It was suggested that we all tweak the job description on line by September 17.  Rob will email us the website.  Changes will be communicated to the Resource Person in a timely manner.  Following that communication we send a letter to WCA churches, encouraging them to support the WCA and this position, with personal witness statements from churches who have benefited from the implementation of the position. 

 

It was suggested that the EC keep in contact with the WCA churches: an update after each meeting, Christmas Cards, news items, etc.   Could we email the minutes?  Rae Ellen has volunteered to spearhead this communication.  She will write the letter following this meeting and send it to all churches.

 

Closing Prayer

            Sue offered a closing prayer.

 

Adjournment

           

 

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