First English Lutheran Church

minutes of the annual meeting

February 3, 2008

Call to Order: Council president, Karen Dorn, called the meeting to order at 12:20 p.m. at the North Site. She welcomed the 72 members who had signed in, and, with a quorum present, began the official meeting.

Devotions: Pastor Dismer led opening devotions.

Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the 2007 annual meeting were approved unanimously.

Reports: In addition to the written reports, Pastors Detweiler and Lyle each noted that attendance has risen modestly this year at both sites. Treasurer Mike Lokensgard thanked Brenda Smongeski and the rest of the staff for their hard work. Responding to a question, Mike Lokensgard also noted that anything we can do to educate members about church finances will be helpful in implementing the very tight 2008 budget. Karen Dorn noted some highlights in the ministry team reports and gave her thanks to all those who serve on ministry teams — they are the people who make First English the wonderful place it is. Other reports were delivered without additional comment.

Communications Orientation: Jan Sommerfeld provided an overview of the branding that First English undertook in 2007, developing a new logo, new stationary and a more uniform look for all its publications.

Capital appeal kick-off: Walt Rugland gave the report of the Capital Appeal Task Force, then Fred Hauser introduced the video, “We are Called.”

Nominating committee report: Fred Hauser presented the slate of candidates for Congregation Council and noted that the five candidates with the most votes will be elected for three-year terms, but that the individual with next highest number of votes will be elected to replace Phyllis Anderson, who resigned from the Council, for the one year remaining in her term. Elected to three-year terms were Amy Henderson, Mike Lokensgard, Dana Olsen, Peter Peregrine and Steve Uslabar. Karen Dorn was elected to fill the remainder of Phyllis Anderson’s term.

Old business: Karen Dorn asked the members to formally adopt the Constitution presented and provisionally adopted at the Annual Meeting last year. After brief clarifications, the new Constitution was adopted.

New business:

Resolution 1: “Approval of the annual operating budget for 2008 as recommended by the Congregation Council.” John Zweig presented this resolution and gave an overview of the recommended budget. After several questions, the resolution passed unanimously.

Resolution 2: “Approval of the reports of the pastors, president, and treasurer.” Karen Dorn presented this resolution, which passed unanimously.

Resolution 3: “Resolved: That First English Lutheran Church undertake a $3 million capital appeal among members and friends during the year 2008. Eighty percent of the funds obtained will be used for repayment of funds borrowed for facility development; the remainder will be used for repairs of the southeast corner of the Downtown Site sanctuary, refurbishment of the organ, and for upgrading of sound systems at the North Site. Pledges will be encouraged over a 3- or 5-year schedule.” Walt Rugland presented this resolution, which passed after brief discussion and a friendly amendment.

Resolution 4: “Approval of the Official Acts of 2007 as documented in the 2008 Annual Report.” Karen Dorn presented this resolution, which passed unanimously.

Resolution 5: “Election of the nominating committee for 2008.” Karen Dorn presented the following slate of individuals for the 2008 nominating committee: Diane Bemis, Karen Dorn, Diane Putzer, Paul Kayser, Marge Dahms and Pat Snow. The slate was adopted unanimously.

Other business: Carol Diehl requested that more information be included in the annual report, including a list of Council members and ministry team chairs, and some detail on how endowment funds are spent. Elizabeth Hensel moved that the annual meeting be held at the Downtown Site in odd years and at the North Site in even years. The motion was seconded but defeated 19 aye, 32 nay. Clarification of the motion's defeat pointed out that the site for the annual meeting still must rotate annually, per the original 2006 vote. John Zweig gave brief comments as incoming Council president.

Closing prayer: Pastor Detweiler led the closing prayer.

Adjournment: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn, and was passed unanimously at 2:20 p.m.

Peter Peregrine,

Secretary