The special meeting of CSM Governing Council was called to order by Curry Miller, President, on Thursday, January 8 at 7:45. The purpose of the meeting was to approve the budget proposed by the Board of Trustees to go to the congregation for a vote at the Annual Meeting.
ROLL: (P=PRESENT, A=ABSENT)
| P | Rev. Sharon Temple, Interim Minister | ||||||
| P | Curry Miller
President |
A | Ellen Bentz | A | John Pecoul | A | Bythelda Davis |
| P | Richard Timpton
Vice Pres |
P | Marie Weatherspoon | P | Jim Bonds | P | Andrea Gibson
Diaconate |
| P | Arlean Fermanis
Secretary Christian Ed |
P | Bill Jeffrion
Board of Trustees |
A
A |
Karen Wulff/
Sylvia Warren Community Svc. & Mission |
A | Rachel Ricks
Communications & Outreach |
Also Present: Michele D’Aquin, Milton Cheramie, and treasurers, Carol Etter and Ed Urrutia.
Bill Jeffrion presented the budget that the Board of Trustees approved to present to the congregation. The budget with additions made during the BOT meeting will have a projected deficit of about $90,000.00.
Marie Weatherspoon noted that the Board of Trustees had reduced the line item for conference attendance by $1500.00 and she moved that the budget reflect a reinstatement of that $1500.00 as we will be sending our pastor and delegates to the National Synod this year. Jim Bonds seconded Marie’s motion and there were 6 yes votes and one no vote. The motion passed.
President Curry Miller asked for other comments. There were some concerns voiced and Curry pointed out to all that we are once again going into the year with a deficit budget and we have a lot of work to do to turn our finances around.
Arlean Fermanis moved that the budget presented by the Board of Trustees with the addition of $1500.00 being reinstated in line 5340 “Conference Attendance” be approved to be distributed to the congregation and to be voted on at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation, January 25, 2015. Richard Timpton seconded.
Jim Bonds stated that he cannot say yes to another deficit budget. He would like to see the tithes and offerings line increased and for us to take extremely active measures to do fundraising and have a more active stewardship campaign throughout the year to raise the money we need to operate. He stated that “we can do better.”
Bill Jeffrion responded that increasing the tithes and offerings line would be unrealistic and others stated that they felt it would be hiding the reality if we showed the congregation anything other than a deficit budget.
Curry emphasized that when we present the budget to the congregation we need to stress to all that we only have two years left in our savings to cover our expenses. Pastor Sharon reminded us that we need to use more positive words as we do have exciting possibilities in front of us and we can look forward to what is in our future.
The question was called. The vote was 5 in favor and 1 nay vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45.
Respectfully Submitted, Arlean Fermanis, Secretary