Executive Committee Summary

Nov. 19, 2007

The Executive Committee reviewed the ministry team reports, along with proposed programs, goals and budgets for 2008. The Executive Committee was pleased with the programming and goals the teams set, but because it appears that benevolence will not increase significantly in the next year, the Executive Committee will ask the ministry teams to hold their 2008 budgets to 2007 spending levels. While this will necessarily curtail programming and outreach, there is nothing the Council can do until benevolence giving increases. This issue was highlighted in the treasurer’s report, which suggested that benevolence giving will not reach the level budgeted for 2007. Expenses have been adjusted and through controlled spending we should end the year with a balanced budget.

Turning to old business, the Executive Committee discussed the capital appeal, the success of which is essential given our current financial limitations. The appeal is still in its “quiet phase,” with staff, church leadership and potential major donors being solicited. So far, the appeal seems to be going well. The Nominations Committee reported that a ballot of seven individuals has been prepared for elections at the annual meeting. A draft of the annual meeting agenda was circulated and approved for presentation to the Council at their November meeting.

In new business, the Executive Committee discussed a proposal to shrink the size of the Council in order to allow it to function more like the Executive Committee, and, in particular, to allow the Council to work more effectively with the ministry teams. The proposal will be discussed at upcoming Council meetings. There was a general discussion about the importance of emphasizing the central role of the ministry teams in church leadership and of providing them more timely information, particularly budget information, so that they can function more independently.