Grace Community Church
Grace Community Church Council Meeting Minutes 12/12/2017 Council: Dan Lanyon, Daniel Porter, Ray Jones, Liz Fast, LaVern Fast, Cory Spink, Kristie Taylor, Blain Harris, Dave Bertolini Absent: Julian Contreras, Bryan Luker The meeting was opened in prayer. November minutes were approved. Elder report Elders met with Chuck, Jodie, and Dan to talk about the BGW master plan proposal. They will continue to discuss the options posed. Budget Report Julian was absent, and Daniel provided an overview of the financial reports. Giving was very strong for November. Expenditures were also higher for the month, but the budget remains in good standing. Pastor’s Report Pastor Dave provided some graphs depicting the four giving methods currently being offered and the frequency by which they are being utilized. No names or individual giving amounts are disclosed in the reports, but reviewing general usage trends for a short while will help to inform which methods should continue to be offered. BGW – A report will be ready for Council next month after the Elders have more time to discuss BGW’s proposal.
Jingle Bell Beach was great and brought huge attendance. Saturday night service is seeing higher attendance for the past month and seems to be going very well. The Christmas Gift collection effort is underway. Pastor Dave led a brief discussion regarding Chapters 2 & 8 from our book, Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons. For the next meeting, Council and Elder members should come prepared to discuss chapters 3 & 9. Pure Desire group meetings will begin in January, and sign-ups have begun. Pastor Ryan reported about the prayer team and lanyards that the team is wearing for visibility. Elders exited Budget Report Council continued to review some additional details of the budget activity. The purchase order process was also reviewed to ensure that expenditures are being approved by ministry leaders and are being requested and documented through the existing approval process. The 3-yr CD in the Edward Jones account has matured. Interest earned was minimal. However, the church is currently carrying a balance of cash in the checking account after ending strong last year. A motion was made to retain $100,000 in our checking account which maintains at least 3 months of operating expenses on-hand and to invest the remaining cash balance, approximately $50,000 - $60,000, into the Edward Jones account, along with reinvesting the current CD balance, for another 6-12 months
depending on the current return rates. The motion carried. Dan will check with Jodie to verify the cash balance and will take care of the investment/reinvestment activity. Review of previous business Service Animals – Ray has continued researching this topic and will bring a proposal next meeting. Van fuel – Pacific Pride paperwork has been completed, and each driver will be provided with a card to use as needed to keep the bus fueled. Security Team – Pastor Ben has scheduled a meeting in January. Gift Acceptance Policy – Council reviewed a policy that was drafted a few months ago. The policy will be finalized for approval next month. New Business Some gutters are leaking on the back of the 3rd floor classrooms. Due to the height, LaVern will contact a gutter company to tend to the repairs. Charisa has an annual fundraiser for Christmas tree pick-up, but she doesn’t have access to the chipper this year to dispose of the trees. She is wondering if anyone else has access to a chipper, or is there an option to burn the trees instead? After discussion, Council agreed that Daniel, Ray, and Dan will help burn trees on the back side of the property on the day of pick-up as long as it’s an approved burn day. Blain closed in prayer. Next meeting Jan. 9, 2017, 7:00pm
Addendum: After the meeting, and after some further discussion and research, it was decided to reinvest in a 6-month CD through Edward Jones instead of a 1-year CD.
Jingle Bell Beach was great and brought huge attendance. Saturday night service is seeing higher attendance for the past month and seems to be going very well. The Christmas Gift collection effort is underway. Pastor Dave led a brief discussion regarding Chapters 2 & 8 from our book, Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons. For the next meeting, Council and Elder members should come prepared to discuss chapters 3 & 9. Pure Desire group meetings will begin in January, and sign-ups have begun. Pastor Ryan reported about the prayer team and lanyards that the team is wearing for visibility. Elders exited Budget Report Council continued to review some additional details of the budget activity. The purchase order process was also reviewed to ensure that expenditures are being approved by ministry leaders and are being requested and documented through the existing approval process. The 3-yr CD in the Edward Jones account has matured. Interest earned was minimal. However, the church is currently carrying a balance of cash in the checking account after ending strong last year. A motion was made to retain $100,000 in our checking account which maintains at least 3 months of operating expenses on-hand and to invest the remaining cash balance, approximately $50,000 - $60,000, into the Edward Jones account, along with reinvesting the current CD balance, for another 6-12 months
depending on the current return rates. The motion carried. Dan will check with Jodie to verify the cash balance and will take care of the investment/reinvestment activity. Review of previous business Service Animals – Ray has continued researching this topic and will bring a proposal next meeting. Van fuel – Pacific Pride paperwork has been completed, and each driver will be provided with a card to use as needed to keep the bus fueled. Security Team – Pastor Ben has scheduled a meeting in January. Gift Acceptance Policy – Council reviewed a policy that was drafted a few months ago. The policy will be finalized for approval next month. New Business Some gutters are leaking on the back of the 3rd floor classrooms. Due to the height, LaVern will contact a gutter company to tend to the repairs. Charisa has an annual fundraiser for Christmas tree pick-up, but she doesn’t have access to the chipper this year to dispose of the trees. She is wondering if anyone else has access to a chipper, or is there an option to burn the trees instead? After discussion, Council agreed that Daniel, Ray, and Dan will help burn trees on the back side of the property on the day of pick-up as long as it’s an approved burn day. Blain closed in prayer. Next meeting Jan. 9, 2017, 7:00pm
Addendum: After the meeting, and after some further discussion and research, it was decided to reinvest in a 6-month CD through Edward Jones instead of a 1-year CD.
