The audit committee met
The financial records were in excellent order and the committee had access to everything it needed.
As suggested at the last audit the date has occurred earlier this year, before the congregational meeting when the year's financial reports are reviewed.
Previous year's audit reports were reviewed, along with the 2005 Good Shepherd Financial Report and the ELCA guidelines.
ELCA guidelines suggest reviewing individual member's records and the financial secretary's posting. Three weeks were selected and the activity was properly recorded.
The number of tellers each week continues to be a concern. This will be given some attention soon with a goal of having two tellers each week.
It was noted that the Land has been restated to reflect the actual purchase price.
The utility contracts were reviewed. In the past there was concern that no on was certain what is covered with Aquila Service Guard, Custom Alarm, etc. In discussing this that is no longer a concern. It is good practice to review these and other contracts on a regular basis.
The long distance phone charges were reviewed. At this time the plan costs $6.99 per month and $0.05 per minute.
It was noted that sales tax was paid eight times in six months of miscellaneous payments. The Good Shepherd account at Sams Club had sales tax charged several times, this should be checked into.
It is suggested that the Certificate of Authority for signers of all bank accounts, including the Youth account, be reviewed and documented annually even if there are no changes.
Pastor's Discretionary account was not reviewed this year. The Interim Pastor has discontinued use of this account. When a new Pastor is hired it will be decided if this account should be continued or not. If this account is discontinued at that time it is suggested that the congregation be informed as some members give to this routinely.
The Youth account was reviewed. The timeliness and documentation have improved. There are still some items lacking supporting documents.
As has been suggested previously with a growing congregation and corresponding financial responsibilities a professional audit should be considered.
A final report of the Organ fund should be available next year for review by the audit committee.
The council president informed the audit committee that the
property insurance had been increased in 2006 to 90% of the value of the
building.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Livingston
Duane Grosz
Trent Fluegel
CHURCH IN SOCIETY
Next Meeting
1. IHN: In Jan. we had 3 families-more or less. All went well at our location. Our next host week will be April 2-9.
2.
GIVING TREE: A representative from
3. RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE: A big thanks to Paul and Betty for delivering the items bought to the house this week.
4. GLOBAL OUTREACH: Betty will have a solar oven on display during the month of March- idea that donation will help to but at least one oven. We will also have a food drive for Channel One along with the oven display.
5. CALL COMMITTEE: A copy of the profile is in office for anyone to take a read and return. Otherwise no new updates.
6. CHANGE FOR CHANGE: This month goes to Family Services.
7. Channel One food drive during March
8. Immediate Need: The church was notified of a mother in need of rides to the clinic for treatment and babysitting for children. Betty will call and check on this need.
Respectfully Submitted By: Val Jorgensen
Fellowship Committee
Next Meeting Date: March 1st
General Agenda Items (discussion points, action items,
follow-up items, etc.)
Recap of Past Events What went well; what can we
improve on
Game Night: A total flop 3 families showed up, not sure why. We did the same thing we did last year and it was a big hit
Family Retreat at GEV: Awesome! A great time was had by all. 4 families from GSLC were there are 4 other families met previously at family camp. We had no snow so we brought more games and crafts. We left our deposit down for the same weekend next year.
Upcoming Events- What do we need to plan??
Ethnic Potluck: Cancelled due to the Congregational meeting and potluck the week before.
Sledding at Ironwood Springs: Paul will call if we ever get any snow. Michelle suggested tubing at Steeple Chase. She is planning on going in the next couple weeks and will let us know how it was as well as the cost etc.
Lent Soup Suppers: Has been put in the Happynings. Janis will make up a sign-up sheet to put in the narthex. Check with Becky Fluegel as to how many pots of soup we had each week. Janis will call people from the time and talent sheet to fill in spots not taken.
2006 Calendar: Work on at next meeting Lori Gartner happened to join us at the end of our meeting and suggested a chili contest. Possibilities?
Items to Publicize: Soup Suppers
Agenda Items Requiring Assistance from Council
None
Status Report on GSLC Visioning Implementation Plan (use
this space to share with council current status, accomplishments, new
developments, or outstanding issues relevant to the goals your committee is
tasked with as one of the champions)
N/A
Does your committee need assistance from the
Date submitted:
Finance Committee Meeting Report
Meeting Date: 2.13.2006
Present: Michele Saack, Molly Schmidt, Joleen Mainz, Pastor Tom Hanson and Jen Woodford
General Agenda Items:
1. Review January Financial Statement Unfortunately the downward trend in congregational giving has continued. Our January expenses were $42,205 and our January income was $34,808 meaning we had a net loss of $7,396 in January 2006.
2. Review GSC Overall Financial Outlook - Our reserve surplus is gone we ended 2005 with about a $21,000 deficit. The $7,400 January 2006 deficit has taken what was left of the excess money that had been in the GSC budget (due in part to interest that was earned from Designated Funds). The expense side of the budget is fairly lean there is not one program area that we feel we can cut or temporarily stop in order to provide enough budget relief. That means that we need to find more revenue. As an emergency measure, we will need to borrow money from ourselves from designated funds. Pastor Tom advised us to let the congregation know about the situation during the Annual Meeting that will be held on Sunday, 2/19 but that we do not need to put the issue of borrowing money from ourselves to a vote.
3. How to message this issue to the Congregation Pastor Tom counseled the committee to take the issue of our continuing budget shortfalls directly to the Congregation. We know that people will not necessarily like having to talk about money especially during Worship but Pastor Tom indicated that we need to take that step. We will first inform the Congregation during the Annual Meeting. Depending on the response we will decide how to move forward with presenting this message to the rest of the Congregation.
Agenda Items Requiring Assistance from Council:
Next Meeting Date and Time:
3.13.06,
Date Submitted:
Council Liaison: Jen Woodford
Worship Committee Report
Present: George
Price, Mary Jones, Cynthia McLaren, Pastor Tom Hanson, Bruce Larson,
Vicky Mulvihill
Next
Meeting:
Date:
General Agenda Items
1) Easter Services Palm Sunday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday will all be intinction. Three ushers will be needed for both Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Also on Palm Sunday, the youth will be doing the readings.
2)
Wednesday Lent Services
Will be a radio-drama presentation of the readings. Services will be held at
3) Piano Bench New piano bench has been ordered from Hamilton Music. Awaiting a call of when available for pickup. Money in Howard Mainzs memorial fund will cover the cost.
4) Chalices The chalice maker did fire new chalices; however, they dripped worse than the ones we have. Mary brought examples of different spouts to try. Pastor Tom will contact the potter that belongs to his family church and ask him to contact our chalice maker; possibly come up with solution as to what needs to be done to reduce or stop dripping.
5) White Wine at Intinction Discussed and agreed to discontinue use of white grape juice during intinction, due to very little usage. Therefore, the need for split chalices is a non-issue.
6) Offering Discussed current process of the offering remaining on credence table until after service is completed. Tellers voiced concerns regarding the inability to count the money until service completed, which was a delay up to 45 minutes longer for them at the church. Also, some offerings were not counted and left remaining on credence table. Worship Committee agreed to have ushers take offering up for blessing and to then take back and deposit in Sacristy box.
7) Easter Lilies and Palms Four cases of Easter Lilies have been ordered from Sams Club and will be picked up April 12th by George. Pastor Tom will follow up with Mike on ordering palms for Palm Sunday.
8)
Champagne Flutes - additional champagne
flutes (200) will be purchased for future use.
9)
Communion Wine & Bread
Worship Committee discussed disposal of remaining wine and bread. It was decided to dig a drywell outside (by
the air conditioner) this spring, or when weather allows, to
pour the remaining wine into after each service. Remaining bread should be taken home and used
or given to the birds, as the bread and wine represent the true body and blood
of Jesus Christ. (This will be in effect
when the drywell is built.)
Agenda Items Needing
Assistance from Council
1) None at this time
Council Liaison: George Price
Date Submitted: