1 DRAFT Westwood Lutheran Church Congregational Meeting ...
DRAFT Westwood Lutheran Church Congregational Meeting Minutes February 9, 2015 Attending: 108 voting members attended the annual meeting. Church Council Secretary Sue Ferguson reported to the Council President Bekah Padilla that a quorum was present for the conduct of business. The Council made available a printed roster of current voting members for inspection. Opening Hymn and Prayer: President Padilla opened the meeting at 6:05 p.m. by welcoming those present. Pastor Jason Van Hunnik led participants in an opening hymn and prayer. Procedural Guidelines: President Padilla presented some procedural guidelines, explaining that the meeting would follow Robert’s Rules of Order and that Jim Holmes would be the parliamentarian for the meeting. A central microphone was provided for participants to make comments. Secretary’s Report: Sue Ferguson Council Secretary Sue Ferguson addressed the minutes of the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Congregation, copies of which were provided to meeting participants. She asked if attendees would like the minutes to be read aloud or had any corrections. There were no such requests or corrections noted. President Padilla asked for a motion to approve the minutes. A motion was made and seconded, and the motion passed. Ministry Minute: Sara Whiting Sara talked about growing up in Staples, Minnesota and how she met her husband at the University of Minnesota. They have two young boys who attend WECC and have enjoyed participating in the Wednesday night Community Meal. Sunday School has also been a meaningful experience for her boys. She made the analogy of how she is 39 years old—the median age of Westwood members. Redeemer Lutheran Partnership: Pastor Kelly Chatman Pastor Kelly expressed gratitude to the Westwood congregation for the rich relationship between the two church communities. He described how the generous gift from Westwood for the Glenwood House, a duplex for young new grads to make a difference in the North Minneapolis community has greatly benefited many lives. Westwood Lutheran Memorial Foundation: Greg Loeschke, President of the Westwood Lutheran Memorial Foundation referred to the 2014 Foundation Annual Report, copies of which were provided to meeting participants. He gave an overview of the history of the Foundation and presented the mission and vision statements of the Foundation for 2015 and beyond. Some highlights from the report of 2014 included: Assets as of 12/31/2014 totaled $855,017. Received over 500 gifts totaling $26,308 Distributed $39,183 in grants Development of Ministry Partnership Plan1
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Financial Report and Approval of Annual Budget: James Behnke Treasurer’s Report: Doug Waterman, Council Treasurer thanked the congregation for their faithful stewardship in supporting God’s mission at Westwood. He referred to the Treasurer’s Report found in the 2014 Annual Report which was made available to participants. He thanked members of the Financial Management Advisory Group (FMAG) and the Audit committee for their contributions to the financial management of Westwood and listed their members. He also thanked Director of Administration, Cindy Folin, for her fine work throughout the year. Statement of Financial Position: James Behnke Doug introduced James Behnke, Chair of the FMAG, to present the financial results for 2014 found on pages 2-6 in the 2014 Annual financial Report. Some highlights of the report for 2014 included: OVERALL RECEIPTS Receipts: Receipts totaled $2.1 million Faith Promise giving- $1.4 million Annual capital fund gifts- $22,000 Mission Appeal Gifts- $494,000 Other Receipts- $130,000 ($25,000 over budget) GENERAL FUND Faith Giving 742 households made financial contributions Pledged commitments: 519 households pledged in 2014, making up 88% of Faith Giving. Non-pledged dollars given without a recorded commitment were 12% of Faith Giving. Receipts and Expenses were 1% under budget. Expenses were 2% under budget. The net change in the General Fund balance resulted in an increase of $10,000. The 2015 budget will increase 2% from 2014: Faith Giving is budgeted to increase by $47,000 and other revenue is budgeted to decrease by $9,000. WECC FUND Receipts were 4% over budget in 2014. Expenses were 1% over budget in 2014. $80,000 was transferred from the WECC Fund to other funds to support general capital, mission appeal and designated funds. The ending fund balance was $20,000. Budgeted revenues are forecast to increase by 2% in the 2015 budget. Expenses are forecast to increase by 6% in 2015 The Fund Balance is forecast to remain level with 2014 at $20,000. CAPITAL FUND Beginning balance in 2014 was $185,000. Capital Fund total receipts amounted to $516,000. Projects funded included the parking lot overlay, outreach to Redeemer, Good Shepherd Hall roof replacement and Door 2 redesign. Annual debt payments totaled $112,000 reducing long term debt by $32,000. No new debt was incurred in 2014. The ending fund balance was $265,000. 2
Contributions for general ongoing capital expenditures are forecast at $20,000 in 2015. Budget assumptions for the Mission Appeal shows $360,000 received in 2015. The Fund Balance is forecast to decrease during the year to $139,000.
Doug Waterman stated that members of the FMAG and the Church Council recommended the 2015 budget proposal for congregational approval. He asked if there were any questions or comments. Hearing none, he asked for a motion to approve the budget proposal for 2015. A motion was make and seconded to approve the budget, and the motion was passed. Ministry Minute: Jon Miller Jon spoke about how meaningful Westwood has been for their family and how much their two young sons enjoy Sunday School while he and his wife cherish the time together during worship as “date time”. He also spoke fondly about his involvement with a Westwood Men’s Group where he has established valuable relationships. Nominating committee Report: Rogene Bergquist Rogene Bergquist, Chair of the Nominating Committee, thanked members of the committee and presented the following slate of candidates for Church Council: President-Elect (2 year term): Karoline Pierson Members at Large (3 year term): David Raatz and Kristi Taft Rogene moved “that the slate of nominees as presented by the Nominating Committee be accepted and the individuals on that slate be elected to the positions indicated and for the terms stated.” No nominations were given from the floor. The motion was seconded and carried. Rogene presented the slate of nominees for the WECC Board. Rogene presented the slate of nominees to fill two positions for one-year terms. The nominees were Sally Hagen and Alexia Kuester. Rogene moved “that the slate of nominees for the positions on the WECC Board be accepted.” No nominations were given from the floor. The motion was seconded and carried. Rogene presented the slate of nominees for the Audit Committee. She presented the slate of nominees to fill one position, a 3 year term. The nominee was Andrew Nymo. Rogene moved “that the slate of nominees for this position on the Audit Committee be accepted.” No nominations were given from the floor. The motion was seconded and carried. Rogene presented the slate of nominees for the Nominating Committee (a one year term): New members: Carole Wogen, Keri Hammer, Josh Natzel, Bekah Padilla and members for re-election, Chris Hentges, James Catalano and Kelly Raatz. Rogene moved “that the slate of nominees for the positions on the Nominating Committee be accepted.” No nominations were given from the floor. The motion was seconded and carried. Senior Pastor’s Report: Pastor Tania Haber Pastor Tania thanked Bekah Padilla for her term as President of the Council. She also thanked the outgoing WECC Board members as well as the wonderful staff that helped make the many transitions in 2014 go so smoothly. Pastor Tania provided a Mission Appeal update describing how the order of projects has changed. Because of higher-than-projected costs in the Door 2 project, along with the smaller pledged total, the next phase of construction will be a remodel of Good Shepherd Hall in 2015 which will provide new lighting, sound and AV, as well as a new floor, wall and ceiling surfaces. The full Commons renovation will be postponed to the next phase of construction. A vote for a short-term construction loan will be held in the spring of this year. 3
New Business: Bekah Padilla President Padilla asked if there was any further new business. Hearing none, she entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. A motion was made and seconded, and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m. Participants then stayed for a visioning exercise to converse about what is critical and what is possible for Westwood. A closing prayer and hymn concluded the evening. Respectfully submitted, Sue Ferguson, Secretary March 7, 2015
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Financial Report and Approval of Annual Budget: James Behnke Treasurer’s Report: Doug Waterman, Council Treasurer thanked the congregation for their faithful stewardship in supporting God’s mission at Westwood. He referred to the Treasurer’s Report found in the 2014 Annual Report which was made available to participants. He thanked members of the Financial Management Advisory Group (FMAG) and the Audit committee for their contributions to the financial management of Westwood and listed their members. He also thanked Director of Administration, Cindy Folin, for her fine work throughout the year. Statement of Financial Position: James Behnke Doug introduced James Behnke, Chair of the FMAG, to present the financial results for 2014 found on pages 2-6 in the 2014 Annual financial Report. Some highlights of the report for 2014 included: OVERALL RECEIPTS Receipts: Receipts totaled $2.1 million Faith Promise giving- $1.4 million Annual capital fund gifts- $22,000 Mission Appeal Gifts- $494,000 Other Receipts- $130,000 ($25,000 over budget) GENERAL FUND Faith Giving 742 households made financial contributions Pledged commitments: 519 households pledged in 2014, making up 88% of Faith Giving. Non-pledged dollars given without a recorded commitment were 12% of Faith Giving. Receipts and Expenses were 1% under budget. Expenses were 2% under budget. The net change in the General Fund balance resulted in an increase of $10,000. The 2015 budget will increase 2% from 2014: Faith Giving is budgeted to increase by $47,000 and other revenue is budgeted to decrease by $9,000. WECC FUND Receipts were 4% over budget in 2014. Expenses were 1% over budget in 2014. $80,000 was transferred from the WECC Fund to other funds to support general capital, mission appeal and designated funds. The ending fund balance was $20,000. Budgeted revenues are forecast to increase by 2% in the 2015 budget. Expenses are forecast to increase by 6% in 2015 The Fund Balance is forecast to remain level with 2014 at $20,000. CAPITAL FUND Beginning balance in 2014 was $185,000. Capital Fund total receipts amounted to $516,000. Projects funded included the parking lot overlay, outreach to Redeemer, Good Shepherd Hall roof replacement and Door 2 redesign. Annual debt payments totaled $112,000 reducing long term debt by $32,000. No new debt was incurred in 2014. The ending fund balance was $265,000. 2
Contributions for general ongoing capital expenditures are forecast at $20,000 in 2015. Budget assumptions for the Mission Appeal shows $360,000 received in 2015. The Fund Balance is forecast to decrease during the year to $139,000.
Doug Waterman stated that members of the FMAG and the Church Council recommended the 2015 budget proposal for congregational approval. He asked if there were any questions or comments. Hearing none, he asked for a motion to approve the budget proposal for 2015. A motion was make and seconded to approve the budget, and the motion was passed. Ministry Minute: Jon Miller Jon spoke about how meaningful Westwood has been for their family and how much their two young sons enjoy Sunday School while he and his wife cherish the time together during worship as “date time”. He also spoke fondly about his involvement with a Westwood Men’s Group where he has established valuable relationships. Nominating committee Report: Rogene Bergquist Rogene Bergquist, Chair of the Nominating Committee, thanked members of the committee and presented the following slate of candidates for Church Council: President-Elect (2 year term): Karoline Pierson Members at Large (3 year term): David Raatz and Kristi Taft Rogene moved “that the slate of nominees as presented by the Nominating Committee be accepted and the individuals on that slate be elected to the positions indicated and for the terms stated.” No nominations were given from the floor. The motion was seconded and carried. Rogene presented the slate of nominees for the WECC Board. Rogene presented the slate of nominees to fill two positions for one-year terms. The nominees were Sally Hagen and Alexia Kuester. Rogene moved “that the slate of nominees for the positions on the WECC Board be accepted.” No nominations were given from the floor. The motion was seconded and carried. Rogene presented the slate of nominees for the Audit Committee. She presented the slate of nominees to fill one position, a 3 year term. The nominee was Andrew Nymo. Rogene moved “that the slate of nominees for this position on the Audit Committee be accepted.” No nominations were given from the floor. The motion was seconded and carried. Rogene presented the slate of nominees for the Nominating Committee (a one year term): New members: Carole Wogen, Keri Hammer, Josh Natzel, Bekah Padilla and members for re-election, Chris Hentges, James Catalano and Kelly Raatz. Rogene moved “that the slate of nominees for the positions on the Nominating Committee be accepted.” No nominations were given from the floor. The motion was seconded and carried. Senior Pastor’s Report: Pastor Tania Haber Pastor Tania thanked Bekah Padilla for her term as President of the Council. She also thanked the outgoing WECC Board members as well as the wonderful staff that helped make the many transitions in 2014 go so smoothly. Pastor Tania provided a Mission Appeal update describing how the order of projects has changed. Because of higher-than-projected costs in the Door 2 project, along with the smaller pledged total, the next phase of construction will be a remodel of Good Shepherd Hall in 2015 which will provide new lighting, sound and AV, as well as a new floor, wall and ceiling surfaces. The full Commons renovation will be postponed to the next phase of construction. A vote for a short-term construction loan will be held in the spring of this year. 3
New Business: Bekah Padilla President Padilla asked if there was any further new business. Hearing none, she entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. A motion was made and seconded, and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m. Participants then stayed for a visioning exercise to converse about what is critical and what is possible for Westwood. A closing prayer and hymn concluded the evening. Respectfully submitted, Sue Ferguson, Secretary March 7, 2015
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