Secretary’s Report: Each council member individually read the secretary’s report. The report was received and filed.
Communication and Correspondence: Kris Colby read a letter from the ELCA regarding Global Missions. With the increase in fuel their dollars are not going as far and they are requesting a donation of $75.00. A motion was made by Doug Harmon to give $75.00 and seconded by Dave Kingland. She also read a letter from the Palestine Lutheran Church in Huxley regarding the flooding at Riverside Bible camp. The chapel and other buildings were filled with mud and water and they requested help or donations to help with repairs. Doug Harmon made a motion to give $100.00 and it was seconded by Cindy Haugsdal.
Treasurer’s Report: Bill Tweeten reported the following balances: Income & Contributions of $43,895.98 for the month of June and expenses of $39,521.30 with a difference of $4,374.68. The year to date giving is $229,914.38 with expenses of $258,984.86 leaving a difference of ($29,070.48). Contributions were up in June and the fuel costs were down due to the nice weather. Some special funds are being requested from members in addition to regular giving to be put towards Hymnals, a sound system and the windows. The window by the organ will not be repaired and the new hymnals will not be purchased until the money is raised.
Financial Secretary’s Report: David Kingland reported on the mid-year financial statements which will be mailed to members the first part of August. Statements showing $0 in contributions will not be mailed to members who have not made a contribution this year and have not contributed in past years. We have about 400 families that have not made monetary contributions, so we will no longer spend money printing and mailing statements to them. Hopefully our active members and staff will find other ways of reaching out to these inactive members instead of continually mailing them statements showing zero balances.
BOARD REPORTS:
Board of Worship and Music: Cindy Haugsdal reported Nate Sletten has completed his commitment for summer worship and the remainder of the summer will be handled by Bill Georgia and Katie Zenk. The new sound system for the outdoor service is in and working well. There have been several donations given for the new hymnals and the campaign will continue until the end of September. There was a request to add the new hymnals to the memorial list. The search continues for a Traditional Music Choir director and they are working on advertising this position.
Board of Stewardship and Social Ministry: Pastor Weeg reported for Lynn Bartness and Celebration Sunday will be November 9, 2008 and they are planning to have one worship service with a meal afterward. There will be speakers, temple talks, and many other exciting things happening in the weeks following Celebration Sunday.
Board of Education: Marlys Christianson reported the Sunday School teacher list has been completed but they are looking for a 1st grade teacher and possibly music leaders. They were invited by One in Christ to meet and discuss Bible Day Camp which will be held the week of August 11 in Oakwood Park. It will be led by EWELU. They are also making plans for Rally Sunday in September.
Board of Youth: No Report
Board of Life and Growth: Jennifer McGrady reported her board will be working with Pastor Jordan to finalize plans to have a staffed nursery starting this fall. They are also working on visitation and the current list of shut-ins. They are also planning a picnic on Rally Sunday.
Board of Property and Management: Rick Orban met with Keith Helland to go over the insurance policy for Salem. Rick would like to do an energy audit to see where we can cut some costs due to the fuel increase. We need $8000.00 for a window on the North side of the church that is falling in and some of the windows aren’t shutting properly. He also reported the youth are growing out of the youth room and are looking at using the chapel. They would exchange the pews for stackable chairs to make it a more useful room.
Pastor’s Report: Pastor Weeg suggested doing a single service every quarter and it would coincide with special events such as Rally Sunday and Consecration Sunday. He is looking forward to beginning the visioning process for Salem.
Pastor Jordon reported on the need for a paid staff person to manage the nursery and a donation was made specifically for that purpose. He has also assembled a team to work on the website and it will be updated soon. He reported that the Faith in One Clown Troupe was well received with about 75 in attendance.
OLD BUSINESS: There has been no Enduring Gift Fund report to date.
NEW BUSINESS: Mid-year review of staff compensation. At the annual meeting in January it was determined that the Council would evaluate compensation for staff mid-year because Pastor Weeg, Pastor Jordon and Katy Zenk all had service anniversaries falling in the summer. After considerable discussion by the Council on the current financial state of Salem, the troubled state of the general economy, and balancing the need to pay our professional staff at rates that reflect their training, experience and educational background, there was a motion made by Doug Harmon to give Pastor Weeg, Pastor Jordon, Katie Zenk, and Helen Rice a 3% raise. It was seconded by Jenn McGrady and unanimously passed.
Transfers: Scott Hanson and Ross Hanson
Motion to adjourn was made by Bill Tweeten and seconded by Doug Harmon. All approved.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Kris Colby
Recording Secretary