SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL
The Salem Lutheran Church Council met April 12, 2006. The board members present were Deb Kingland, Tami Alphs, Jen McGrady, Bob Peterson, Jerry Hoffman, Gail Hansen, Don Aamodt, Wanda Playter, Scott Helgeson and Gaye Sletten. Guests were Kathy Borgmeyer, Bob Svec and Kim Brackey. Absent: Rick Orban and Pastor Mackey. Devotions were given by Deb Kingland

Secretary's Report: Secretary's report of March was reviewed with a correction being that the custodial services will be by Doug Hanna instead of Duraclean. Also, Gaye read two thank you's from those receiving prayer shawls and a thank you from Pastor Isaacson for being invited to Pastor Dykstra's going away program. Motion to accept report with corrections made by Bob Peterson and seconded by Jerry Hoffman. All approved.

Treasurer's Report: Scott Helgeson has filled the Treasurer's position vacated by Doug Bruhns. With this new responsibility, Scott will be reviewing the reports and will report in more detail at the next meeting.

Financial Secretary's Report: Tami Alphs reported that she received re-order form for offering envelopes. She will coordinate with Helen on ordering. Tami also reported that the offering pickup seems to be going well. We still need to fill August for offering pickup. Decision was also made that for the 2nd Service the offering should be brought to the altar during the service.
Motion to accept treasurer's report and financial secretary's report was made by Jen McGrady and seconded by Scott Helgeson. All Approved.

Special Report from SON Shine Preschool: Kathy Borgmeyer and Bob Svec were in to give an update on SON Shine Preschool. Their financial information is included in the Annual Report. They reported they started this year with 15 - 3 year olds, 12 - 4 year old AM and 11 - 4 year old PM. Next year there is a waiting list of 27 for the new 3 year old class and by state law they are only allowed 16 students. Next year the 4 year old class will be a little low, with the 15 coming up to 4 year old pre-school. They are looking at different options, so they do not have to turn any students away. They received a grant from the Hanson Foundation for new cabinetry, which was approved by the Property and Management Board and will be installed by Dras Cases. There was some discussion on possible fundraising at other churches and serving coffee forum. They also noted that they will be looking for a new assistant next year since Jan Belica will not be returning next fall. They will be reporting quarterly to the Board of Education. Deb Kingland thanked them for coming and giving an update to the Board.

BOARD REPORTS:
Board of Worship & Music: Gail Hansen reported that there will be another Communion In-service before the next board meeting, Wednesday, May 10th at 7:30. Question was asked of the board as to whether In-Home Communion was for Salem members only. After some discussion it was decided that it should not matter if they are a Salem members or not. Gail also mentioned they are looking for special music for the summer outdoor service. Contact Gail if you know of someone that might be interested. Bill Georgia will also be coordinating a BBQ after the first outdoor service on June 4th. This will be a fundraiser for a new keyboard, with matching funds from Thrivent.

Board of Stewardship and Social Ministry: Don Aamodt reported that they will be doing a time and talents survey this fall. Discussion was held that the Ministry Fair actually will be under this board from now on and that they would like to look at doing another Ministry Fair on Rally Sunday.

Board of Education: Bob Peterson reported that they have teacher positions filled for the rest of the year. He also reported that there will be a fundraiser going on for Bible Camp with pizza cards through Pizza Ranch. He reported that the spaghetti dinner went well with them clearing $600 and getting a match of $400 from Thrivent. Discussion and decision was made that Confirmation will be under Board of Education.

Board of Youth: Wanda Playter reported that Mark Anderson from the Synod gave them great direction on what to do with the youth program. They will be looking at sending kids to a summer Leadership Conference in July at Luther College. This is $2,000 per person, however, with sponsorship money coming from the Pharmaceutical Companies and the Synod the student would only have to pay around $49 for a week of camp. Mark suggested that we send at least 2 Freshmen, 2 Sophomores and 2 Juniors, but we are allowed to send more. We have 13 youths signed up for the National Youth Gathering in San Antonio, who will be going with Pastor Peters and Pastor Baldwin July 11-17th. We also have 9 youths signed up for Summer Mission trip to New Hampshire July 28 - Aug. 6th. Some activities they have planned: July Jubilee float, Friday pizza lunch talks, garage sale during City Wide sales for summer youth trips. This group has now shifted gears a bit on hiring a youth director and decided that for now they probably need to hire someone that is more administrative rather than someone to hang out with the kids.

Board of Life and Growth: Jen McGrady reported they are working on the New Member Orientation class on May 23rd, with 9 new members. The reception for these new members is scheduled for June 4th. This Board would like to do a picture type bulletin board of new members, newly baptized babies and possibly newly confirmed, so when people come in they can see what is going on with the church. They would like to do something in the Narthex, but possibly something portable so it could be removed for weddings, etc. All should think of ideas that would work for this type of board.

Board of Property and Management: Jerry Hoffman reported on several projects going on for the church. Sidewalk replacement and repair at the cemetery on North Lake was estimated at $10,000. This board will be going to the city council to see if they can get a variance to permit removal of sidewalks at the cemetery. Should the city council refuse to allow a variance, Scott Helgeson suggested that to reduce costs the cement could be purchased and labor be provided by volunteers. Larson Plumbing and Mankato Controls were contacted to make boiler repairs. Plans are to set up a maintenance contract with these two vendors to stay in code and keep boiler repairs up to date. There was discussion on the pews that were removed for the Praise Band area. Jerry also reported that there had been some vandalism to the room above the sacristy and that has been fixed. Jerry discussed the need for better security. To do this correctly, we have to install passage locks on 4 of the doors. There was a motion to accept the bid of $269 per door for passage locks on 4 doors. Motion to approve this bid was made by Jennifer McGrady and seconded by Gail Hansen. All approved. There was discussion on the leak in the north steeple. Deb Kingland mentioned a possible solution that was used by St. James Lutheran Church in Mason City that the board could investigate.

Pastor's Report: Deb Kingland reported that there has been wonderful feedback about Pastor Norris as our visitation pastor. She also reported that Pastor Smith has accepted a new position at Waldorf and will no longer be able to help us out after June 1. We appreciate the help Pastor Smith has been able to give us with confirmation and preaching for March, April and May.

Call Committee Report: Deb Kingland reported that the Call Committee continues to interview potential candidates for senior pastor. They welcome suggestions from the congregation. If anyone has a pastor they would like to recommend, please contact any member of the call committee.

OLD BUSINESS: Synod Assembly is on June 9-11, and we are still looking for someone to represent Salem. If a council member would like to go, please let Deb Kingland or Pastor Mackey know.

NEW BUSINESS: Deb Kingland gave a background on the vandalism. A motion was then put on the floor to change open church hours to be from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Motion to accept was made by Tami Alphs and seconded by Scott Helgeson. All approved.
Deb Kingland asked the directors on the boards to contact any members who have not been attending their meetings to check in with these members and remind them of their meeting times and places. We would like to have active members serving on each board.

A motion was made for the Board to accept the new members Cami Simpson, Bob Lair and Brian Budach. Motion made by Bob Peterson and seconded by Gail Hansen. All approved.

Transfers away: Roger Dykstra, Kathi Dykstra and Jean Kuentzel.

Next meeting will be Wednesday, May 10 at 8:00 p.m. We closed with the Lord's Prayer.
Gaye Sletten, Recording Secretary