SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL
The Salem Lutheran Church Council met September 12, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

The board members present were Tami Alphs, Lynn Bartness, Scott Helgeson, Jerry Hoffman, Deb Kingland, Jennifer McGrady, Rick Orban, Bob Peterson, Wanda Playter, Cindy Haugsdal, Pastor Weeg, Pastor Jordon and David Kingland representing Staff Management. Gaye Sletten was absent.

Call to Order was made by Deb Kingland.
Devotions and prayer were given by Pastor Weeg.

Secretary's Report: Each council member individually read the secretary's report. The report was received and filed. We will have Helen post these minutes on the bulletin board by the Fellowship Hall once they are approved and they will also appear in the next Informant.
Communication and Correspondence: None.
Treasurer's Report: Scott Helgeson reported the following balances as of August 31st: MBT checking $35,726.61, MBT Principal $103,407.44, General Fund Balance $73,977.16 and Total Fund Balance $128,742.65. Monthly income and expenses will be listed in the bulletin each week with the offering totals from the prior week and attendance numbers. Scott will include a Treasurer's report quarterly in the Informant.
Financial Secretary's Report: Tami Alphs reported that the General Fund Income for August was $28,294.50 with the total income for August being $33,750.50. There will be two more giving reports mailed out this year. The financial reports were received and filed.

BOARD REPORTS:
The board chairman are emailing copies of their board's minutes to all council members and they are also being included in the packets members receive for the council meetings. The board minutes will be filed with the secretary's report each month.
Board of Worship and Music: Cindy Haugsdal reported that Stone Soup was given $100 for their ministry. Ryan Hulshizer will be giving an organ concert on October 29th and everyone is invited to attend. Pastor Weeg will finalize arrangements to have either a recorded service or sacred music played for KIOW at our usual 8:30 time on 9/23. He will also contact the Twedt family regarding the change in routine for that Sunday as they are sponsoring that Sunday's radio broadcast. There was a follow-up meeting to the JC4U Focus Group meeting and implementation of recommendations have begun. The pastors are meeting weekly with the JC4U music director to plan services. They are also recruiting members to become more involved in the service. The goal is to develop a worship team that would include more members, including band members, song leaders, drama and technical support. Discussion was held about the importance of training for ushers and communion servers. The W & M Board is working on writing an "Usher Guidelines" document that will be provided for ushers. They will be training ushers counting and depositing the offering in October and November. Cindy will report back on how this process is working. Katie Zenk is responsible for the acolyte program.
Board of Stewardship and Social Ministry: Lynn Bartness reported that he will be attending an ELCA Stewardship leader's meeting in Clear Lake on September 27 with Pastor Weeg.
Board of Education: Discussion was held about having a place where parents of young children could meet and have fellowship while their children are in Sunday School. Plans for a 'Ministry to Young Families' task force will begin under Pastor Jordon's leadership.
Board of Youth: There was discussion about Katie Zenk's job description and a clarification of the age group that will be her focus. A motion was made that she focus on young people from age 3 to 22 and all approved.
Board of Life and Growth: The indoor picnic to meet and welcome the Jordon's was well attended. Thanks to all who helped with the planning, serving and supplying bars. Jennifer McGrady asked all boards to have people available to help with the meal following the Installation service. The board will be purchasing a movable information board to put up in the Narthex to help let people know what is happening at Salem. Olan Mills will be here taking pictures for a new Salem Church Directory beginning November 2.
Board of Property and Management: Jerry gave a detailed report in writing of each stained glass window and the plans for final restoration stages. The cost for the next phase will be roughly $45,000 and will begin hopefully in October. Discussion was held about the courtyard and a motion was made to remove the overgrown or dead shrubbery and trim up what is remaining so it looks nice. All approved. Discussion was held about the locking and unlocking of the church. It was agreed that the staff will be responsible for making sure the church is opened and locked and they will make arrangements for locking with the P & M Board if there is a time when a staff member will not be available to do so. P & M unanimously voted to approve the recommendation for new sound equipment to replace damaged or outdated equipment. Discussion was held about a full time janitorial position.

OLD BUSINESS:
Deb Kingland reminded all that they should be keeping minutes from their board meetings, emailing those to all council members so they can be read before our council meetings and a copy to Helen so they can be included in our packets for council meetings. Also, everyone should be working on their procedural manuals so they will be ready to pass on to the incoming board chairman. These manuals must be turned in to Gaye and Pastor Weeg at or before the November council meeting.
Deb Kingland requested each board put together a list of things they need volunteers to help with now and in the near future and have those placed in the bulletins.

NEW BUSINESS:
David Kingland, representing Staff Management, explained the Personnel Manual. A motion was made by Jerry Hoffman to approve the manual. It was seconded by Lynn Bartness. All approved.
Discussion was held about what information is included in the bulletins and it was agreed that the pastors will have the final decision about what information will be included. We will be happy to post any information about fundraisers from other sources on a bulletin board in the church.
Discussion was held about the timeliness of the Informant and the importance of it being delivered to Salem Members before the 1st of the month.
There will be no Saturday evening service on Sept. 22 and there will be only one service on Sept. 23 for Pastor Jordon's Installation. The service will be at 9:30 a.m. and the Board of Life and Growth is planning a meal that will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall.
Motion to adjourn was made by Scott Helgeson and seconded by Wanda Playter. All approved.

Transfers: Wendy Haugebak, Jeremiah Haugebak, Joshua & Jacob Crowder, Stephanie Colby, Aidan & Keaton

A motion was made by Rick Orban and seconded by Tami Alphs to accept David, Heather, Nathaniel, Nicholas and Erica Jordon as new members. All approved.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, October 10 at 6:30 p.m.