SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL
The Salem Lutheran Church Council met June 13, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.
The board members present were Lynn Bartness, Cindy Haugsdal, Scott Helgeson, Jerry Hoffman, Deb Kingland, Rick Orban, Gaye Sletten and Pastor Weeg
Absent: Tami Alphs, Jennifer McGrady, Bob Peterson and Wanda Playter
Guests: Bart Winter

Call to Order by Deb Kingland
Devotions were given by Pastor Weeg.

Secretary's Report: Each council member individually read the secretary's report. The report was received and filed.
Treasurer's Report: Scott Helgeson reported the following balances as of May 31: MBT checking $43,255.71, MBT Principal $102,130.29, General Fund Balance $83,708.07 and Total Fund Balance $145,172.74. Scott also reported that the sale of the parsonage is complete. Scott reported that Daron Fritz noticed that there are some article changes that were never filed with the State. This has caused some confusion on what the State has recorded as the name of Salem Lutheran Church. We have hired Daron to get this straightened out.
Financial Secretary's Report: Scott reported in Tami's absence that the General Fund Income for May was $22,042.00, with the total income for May being $36,129.93.
The financial reports were received and filed.

BOARD REPORTS:
Board of Worship and Music:
Cindy Haugsdal reported that the organ has been tuned. Their board has also been working on the summer schedule and it is going well. Cindy reminded all that there will be no Saturday night service on July 14th because of the All School Reunion. Stone Soup will be coming again in August to do an outside service. Cindy reported that their board is looking at the JC4U service; they will be pulling a focus group together at the end of July to work on this. They are also in the process implementing a wedding coordinator; this person would be the contact person for the bride and her family. Cindy also reported that Krista Reeder has taken a full time position in the fall, so she will not be playing organ but will continue to direct the Senior Choir.
Board of Stewardship and Social Ministry:
Lynn Bartness reported that they will be working on a Stewardship drive. Lynn also asked how the Enduring Gift Fund Committee worked. We will ask the chair of the Enduring Gift Fund to address the council at a future meeting and explain how the fund works and what their plans are for the future.
Board of Education: Bob Peterson was absent so no report was given.
Board of Youth: Wanda Playter was absent so no report was given.
Board of Life and Growth: Jennifer McGrady was absent so no report was given.
Board of Property and Management: Jerry Hoffman reported that their board went over the insurance coverage we have with Keith Helland. It looks like we are covered well and the premiums went down about $300. Jerry also reported on some small projects that are going on: Katie painting her office, carpets getting cleaned next month, looking at replacing the window air conditioners in the office area and cleaning up the courtyard. Jerry then brought up the issue of unlocking and locking of the church since Hannas are no longer doing it.. Many people have been asked but nobody has been willing to do this. Helen is currently unlocking when she arrives in the morning and locking up when she leaves in the afternoon when possible. However, when activities are going on either in the morning or evening someone else has to come and lock or unlock the church and also unlock and lock up on weekends. Jerry has been doing this since Hannas stopped in May. We really need to come up with someone to do this. Jerry will put something in the bulletin to see if somebody would be willing to take this on. Jerry is going to look at getting information on a magnetic lock system and will report back to the Council about that. Jerry then handed out the preliminary structural evaluation of the bell tower from I&S Engineers & Architects, Inc. Rick Orban will present the options at the first informational meeting that he will be holding once a month between Sunday services later this summer.
Pastor's Report:
Pastor Weeg handed out some information on a Natural Church Development Summary. This is a way of measuring the health or quality of a church by using a carefully prepared questionnaire with 30 members of a church. The survey will determine the health of the church in 8 critical areas. Pastor Weeg thinks this would be a great activity for our church at this point. The cost is about $300 to go through this process. The Council agreed and Pastor Weeg will follow up to see how to proceed. Pastor Weeg reminded all that if there are meetings going on in the church that Katie and he should be made aware of these. Discussion was then held on confirmation activity. Katie is working on getting the 9th grade confirmation retreat lined up for sometime this summer. Pastor Weeg will be meeting with the parents of the 7th & 8th grade confirmation class to discuss how confirmation will be handled for the next year. Pastor Weeg also discussed the "Let the River Flow" seminar being offered at Prince of Peace Church in Burnsville that he would be attending next week. Pastor Weeg would like for the whole staff to attend this next year if it is offered again. It is a great seminar for churches of our size.
Call Committee:
Rick Orban acting for the Call Committee presented the compensation package for David Jordan should he be called. The compensation package presented is in line with the budgeted amount. The total compensation package would be $75,508.50 a year. The cost for this year, if he would be hired starting in August, would be $31,461.88 plus moving expenses. A motion was made by Scott Helgeson and seconded by Jerry Hoffman to accept this compensation package. All approved.
All board reports were received and filed.

OLD BUSINESS:
Deb Kingland reminded all that they should be keeping minutes from their board meetings and turning those in to Gaye. Also, everyone should be working on their procedural manuals so they will be ready to pass this information on to the incoming board chairman and copies should also be given to Gaye Sletten, the Council Recording Secretary.
Deb Kingland requested each board put together a list of things they need volunteers to help with now and in the near future. From this meeting we will be adding to the list: someone willing to lock/unlock the church and people to do some painting.
Rick Orban, Council Vice President, is going to hold informational meetings starting in July between services.

NEW BUSINESS:
Deb Kingland reported that the youth have declined to do a float for July Jubilee. We would like to see the Salem float in the parade. Deb has asked the Board of Life and Growth if they would take on this project.
Deb Kingland also reported on a wonderful example of evangelism at Salem. Bonnie Freeman, head usher for Saturday night service, has started a campaign to increase attendance at the Saturday evening service. She printed up a handout for their bulletin that invited all in attendance to invite at least five individuals to come to worship at Salem with them. She has been contacting members and inviting them to attend worship services, Saturday night or either of the Sunday morning services and asking others to do the same. Bonnie's effort, along with the help of some other regular Saturday evening worshipers, has doubled their attendance the last few weeks. The Council would like to thank Bonnie and encourage others to follow her example. Thank you Bonnie!
Transfers away: Val Kvale and Jesse Lee.
Motion to adjourn was made by Lynn Bartness and seconded by Jerry Hoffman. All approved.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, July 11th at 7:30 p.m.
Meeting was closed with the Lord's Prayer.

Gaye Sletten
Recording Secretary