Metropolitan Community Churches

Board of Administration

 

 

Conference Call

Friday 13 January 2006

 

Present

 

Rev Jeff Miner (Chair)

Marsha Warren (Treasurer and Vice-Chair)

Stephen Harte (Secretary)

John Vespa

 

 

In Attendance

 

Rev Dr Cindi Love (Executive Director)

Rev Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator

Connie Meadows, Assistant to the Moderator

 

1.1        Prayers

 

Rev Elder Nancy Wilson opened in prayer.

 

1.2        Approval of Minutes

 

The Board approved the minutes of the Conference Call of 9 December 2005 and instructed they be circulated.

 

1.3        E mail Motions

 

The Board noted the two motions (annexed) which were passed by e mail on 16 and 30 December 2005.

 

2.         New BOA Members

 

The Chair reported that the Board of Elders had appointed Marvin Bagwell (MCC New York), Barb Crabtree (Christ Covenant MCC) and Julie Krueger (Pikes Peak MCC) to serve on the Board of Administration effective 1 February 2006.  The Chair and Executive Director (with perhaps the Moderator or Vice Moderator) will arrange telephone orientation for the new members and they will participate in our February call.

 

3.         Business Matters

 

3.1        Housing Allowance Motion – Rev Sharon Bezner

 

Whereas, Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code permits a minister of the gospel to exclude from gross income (in computing federal income taxes) a church-designated allowance paid to him or her as part of his or her compensation to the extend used for actual expenses in owning or renting a home; and

Whereas, the following list of personnel are compensated by the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches exclusively for services as ministers of the gospel and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches; and

Whereas, the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches does not provide parsonages to the following ministers; therefore it is hereby

Resolved, that the total compensation paid in 2006 to the following ministers shall include housing allowances as indicated pursuant to section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code; and it is further

Resolved that the designation of the following housing allowance shall apply to the calendar year 2006 from 13 January 2006 and all future years unless otherwise provided.

Rev Sharon Bezner        $20,000

 

3.2        Bank Accounts Australia / New Zealand

 

Rev Elder Debbie Martin is investigating steps that require to be taken to regularise our position in these countries.  The Board authorised Stephen Harte and Rev Debbie Martin to take such steps as may be necessary to establish denominational bank accounts in those countries and, as successor to the former Australia and Aotearoa-New Zealand District to transfer any sums belonging to the former District in either jurisdiction to any such new accounts.

 

3.3        Staff Matters

 

The Board entered executive session to discuss certain staff matters.  On completion of the discussions the Board left executive session and agreed to authorise Rev Jeff Miner to document the agreed conforming change to the Severance Agreement with Rev Elder Troy Perry.

 

3.4        Canadian Corporate Entity

 

The Board authorised John Vespa, Rev Elder Diane Fisher and Rev Paul Fairley to take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that our tax and accountancy position in Canada is regular.

 

3.5        Refinancing

 

            The Executive Director will investigate refinancing and report back to the Board.

 

3.6        UK account

 

Stephen Harte will discuss with Rev Elder Eggleston possible procedures for operation of the UK account and report back to the Board with proposals.

 

3.7        Florida Property

 

The Board agreed to waive the need for a financial appraisal of the Florida Property.  However, a professional inspection will take place.  The Secretary will arrange for certified copies of the relevant resolutions.

 

4.         Easter Appeal

 

            The Moderator reported that the Elders have agreed to propose to the Board of Administration that the 2006 Easter appeal should be directed towards the denomination’s work in Eastern Europe.  The denomination is to move to two appeals per year – Easter and Fellowship Sunday –  for which we would ask Church’s support.  The Board agreed to support this proposal.

 

5.         Board Process

 

            The Board discussed development of its processes.

 

6          Closing Prayers

 

Rev Dr Cindi Love closed in prayer.

 

 

Metropolitan Community Churches

Board of Administration

 

 

E mail Vote

Friday 16 December 2005

 

Whereas a generous supporter of MCC has offered to finance the full purchase price of a small office condo to house our Moderator, Nancy Wilson, and whereas that supporter has offered terms that are below market (7% fixed-rate, no points, 30 year amortization), and whereas the cost of purchased office space will be considerably less than if we lease, even while allowing MCC to accumulate equity in a valuable piece of real estate, NOW THEREFORE, the Board of Administration authorizes the Executive Director to do all things reasonable and necessary to negotiate and close the purchase of the office condo located at 3293 Fruitville Road, Unit 105, Sarasota, Florida, or a similar office condo in the same metropolitan area, subject to the following limitations: 

1-The final property selected for acquisition shall meet with the approval of the Executive Director as a wise investment. 

2-The purchase price, closing costs, and any necessary renovations shall all be rolled into the mortgage loan and the principal amount of the loan shall not exceed $350,000.

 3-Prior to closing, there shall be a professional inspection that indicates no significant problems with the condo and an appraisal that supports the full loan amount.

 4-The contract to purchase the property selected, and all other documents necessary to consummate the transaction, may be executed by the Executive Director and by the Treasurer of the BOA (or any BOA member who is a U.S. citizen). The legal documents necessary to consummate the transaction shall be reviewed by legal counsel and meet with the approval of the Executive Director.

In Favour:

 

Rev Jeff Miner

Marsha Warren

Stephen Harte

John Vespa

Judy Dale

Metropolitan Community Churches

Board of Administration

 

 

E mail Vote

Friday 30 December 2005

Whereas, Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code permits a minister of the gospel to exclude from gross income (in computing federal income taxes) a church-designated allowance paid to him or her as part of his or her compensation to the extend used for actual expenses in owning or renting a home; and

Whereas, the following list of personnel are compensated by the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches exclusively for services as ministers of the gospel and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches; and

Whereas, the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches does not provide parsonages to the following ministers; therefore it is hereby

Resolved, that the total compensation paid in 2006 to the following ministers shall include housing allowances as indicated pursuant to section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code; and it is further

Resolved that the designation of the following housing allowance shall apply to the calendar year 2006 from 1 January 2006 and all future years unless otherwise provided.

Rev Jim Birkitt   $17,624

 

In favour:

 

Rev Jeff Miner

Marsha Warren

Stephen Harte

Judy Dale