Minutes Strategic Leadership Council 10/23/14
6:30 PM-8:50 PM
St. John United Church of Christ
In attendance: Tim Smith, Mitch Leigh, Sandy Kerlin, Pastor Keith Haithcock, Melissa Stephens, Stan Bowling. Guests-Mary Ann Reilly, Dean Griffith, Eileen Thornton, Willie Tackett, Bruce Horn. Excused absence-Theo Baldwin.
Meeting opened with reading of Vision and Mission by all and a meditation by Sandy Kerlin.
Consensus agenda including minutes, and Financial Secretary report approved.
Church Renovation:
1) Mary Ann Reilly reported that the cable to be run to Pastor’s office is for the key fob that will open the accessible door. The elevator work will not be completed until December due to the lag time necessary to open accounts and make deposit to elevator supplier. The deposit will occur on 10/24/14. The City of Bellevue has approved all plans for elevator and air conditioning including landscaping necessary to hide exterior AC units. Working on firming up dates to get back into the building. Sanctuary carpet will be taken up due to deterioration. Imbus will complete additional roof repair at approved allocation, $4500.00, as soon as weather allows. Action: Accessible entrance must be usable to reopen building for use.
2) Dean Griffith reported that $87,209.00 has been spent on the project to date it is anticipated that $288,000.00 is required to finish the project. All documents with the Bank of Kentucky for a line of credit on our $350,000.00 deposit have been completed. We will pay interest at prime rate (3.25%) on loan outstanding. An investment policy with the Bank is needed to define what we will and will not invest in. The Ludwig gift is currently in the St. John saving/checking account. A 90 day CD will be purchased while the investment policy is being developed. Mitch Leigh and Tim Smith are signatories on the checking account; Theo Baldwin and Tim Smith have signed all necessary bank and loan documents.
Action: Dean Griffith will head up the effort to put an investment policy together for SLC to consider so that funds will be invested to earn a greater rate of return.
Action: Report to SLC at November meeting regarding if deposits can be made to Bank of Kentucky on Sundays. Mitch Leigh will work with Dale Clark and report.
3) Mitch Leigh will email treasurer’s reports for September and October to SLC members on November 2, 2014.
4) Action: Mitch Leigh and Dean Griffith will ask Dale Clark to work with them to develop a financial balance sheet to be shared with congregation. Goal for completion is October 30, 2014.
Chili Cook-off Update:
Bruce Horn reported that the Chili Cook-off grossed $2944.00 with net proceeds of $2118.47. There are already some entries for next year. Bellevue Vets was a good location and will be considered in the future. Information on St. John Church and times of service will be available at the cook-off next year. Bruce hopes to sell tickets in front of community places of business next year. It was a very successful event and SLC thanked all involved.
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Proposals, Presentations, Planning:
1) Pastor Keith is investigating the possibility of a joint Thanksgiving Sunday service and dinner with 1st Presbyterian Church of Dayton.
2) Melissa Stephens presented a new program for Advent Season. The Hand Bell Choir will typically be playing the third Sunday of each month. December 21 will be an all music service.
3) Sandy Kerlin presented a proposal to investigate with Everything But the House (an online auction company), the feasibility of auctioning off items in the church that are no longer used or needed to start a furniture fund for purchase of new chairs and tables and other needed furniture. Action: Sandy will call Penny Poirier who has a contact at EBTH to ask for a free consultation to see if this is a viable idea.
4) The OMG retreat will be on November 15 to determine work to be continued and new work to be done to live out the church Vision and Mission for 2015 (through end of fiscal year June 30, 2015). SLC and OMG are planning a joint meeting with Raniele Jago as facilitator to develop a strategic plan to work together on joint goals. Dates to be considered are Dec. 6, 20, 27, of 2014 and Jan. 3, 2015. Action: Sandy Kerlin will contact Raniele regarding dates for meeting.
Goal Setting Part II:
1) Sandy Kerlin led a discussion of SLC goals: (1) SLC will partner with OMG so the St. John’s effort in mission and ministry to seniors is incredibly successful (this may change based on outcome of OMG’s retreat.) (2) St. John will increase its visibility in and engagement with the community (3) St. John will consistently extend an extravagant welcome to visitors and members. This is a work in process with specific strategies being defined, measurable objectives being put in place, attainability being assessed, and consideration of relevance, time frames to accomplish and identification of who to align with to make it happen. There will be time on each SLC agenda to further development of goals.
2) Action: The following members will add detail to be considered-Tim Smith, Goal 3; Melissa Stephens, Goal 2; Sandy Kerlin, Goal 1-for the November meeting.
Actions from 9/25/14 minutes:
1) All actions completed with exception of: Chair for Emergency Action Plan Development and cleaning on hymnals.
2) Action: Tim Smith will contact Debbie Reker regarding Emergency Action Plan Chairperson Acceptance. (Pastor Keith suggested that Jon Pohlman, Bromley disaster relief, might be a helpful resource). Hymnals will be cleaned when we move back into the church.
November SLC Meeting:
1) Meeting will be on November 20 (a week earlier than usual).
2) Possible agenda items: Women in Theatre 2015; consideration of house next door which is for sale (Jean Pritchard, owner); follow up on Action items in these minutes.
Adjournment: Moved by Melissa Stephens; seconded by Stan Bowling; meeting closed with prayer.
Next SLC regularly scheduled meeting is Thursday November 20, 2014, 6:30 PM at Church. All meetings are open and all are welcome to attend.
Respectfully submitted:
Sandy Kerlin, Acting Secretary
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