Metropolitan Community Churches
Board of Administration
Conference Call December 7, 2007
Present:
Rev Jeff
Miner (Chair)
Julie
Krueger (Secretary)
Barb
Crabtree
Marvin Bagwell
Absent:
John Vespa
In Attendance:
Rev Dr
Cindi Love, Executive Director
Rev. Elder Darlene Garner, Vice Moderator
1. Opening Prayers and sharing
2. Minutes
of previous meeting
The minutes of the last several Board meetings will be circulated for approval prior to the next Board meeting.
3. Segmentation
Working Group Update
The Executive Director, Connie Meadows, and Barb
Crabtree met in Atlanta in November to analyze 2007 church data and segment the
MCC churches for the purpose of more accurately resourcing churches that are
similarly situated. Their analysis was
shared with the Board.
The concept of segmentation was introduced in
March of 2005 as a tool for: a) evaluating local church growth, b) assessing
and prioritizing the resources required to foster further growth, and c)
measuring the success of MCC resources applied to support local churches. A task force comprised of Rev. Dr. Cindi
Love, Connie Meadows, and Barb Crabtree was appointed to analyze the data and
provide input to the Board, Elders and Leadership team.
ACTION ITEM: This information will be presented
to the Leadership Team during their next meeting to discuss next steps, and
then the Board and Elders will further discuss resourcing strategies for the
segments.
Jeff commented that one of the reasons that this
project is moving relatively slowly is the fact that there is no good written
definition of what segmentation is, and how it would be implemented.
ACTION ITEM:
The Executive Director agreed to provide a page summary on the
definition and purpose of segmentation. She
also agreed to discuss this with the Moderator and determine next steps and who
else should be involved on the Segmentation Task Force.
4. Fund
Development and Accounting Personnel Update
The Executive Director provided an update on the
search for both a fund development director and an accountant. Six people have applied for the fund
development position. Four interviews
have been scheduled, and 1 interview has yet to be scheduled. One applicant is not qualified. The Executive Director anticipates filling
this position by the end of January.
There are currently no applicants for the
accounting manager position. The
Executive Director has spoken with several associations, universities, etc. in
regards to the shortage of accountants due to the large demand for auditors for
Sarbanes Oxley, etc.
ACTION ITEM: The Board authorized the Executive
Director to expand the search statewide (
5. Financial
Update
The Executive Director briefed the Board on
the most recent financial statements.
The cash flow situation has improved slightly due to an increase in October and
November tithes. Travel will continue to
be restricted through first quarter 2008.
It is too soon to tell the impact of the 13 percent tithe change that
becomes effective
The Investment Subcommittee met on November 22,
and it was decided that the current portfolio of stocks and bonds continues to
meet MCC’s long-term investment strategy and that no change is required.
The audit that
started in April is still continuing.
The Executive Director will have a call on Monday, December 10 to speak
with the audit firm to set a completion date of
6. Review
of Child/Youth Protection Policy
Rev. Elder Darlene
Garner drafted and circulated an MCC Child Protection Policy. The Board approved the policy pending review
from legal council.
ACTION ITEM: The Executive Director to submit the policy
to legal council for review.
7. Board
Member on Inactive Status
The following was circulated by Jeff Miner via email on Tuesday, November 27, the Board voted on the matter via email Wednesday, November 28, and it was communicated to Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson and the Elders by Jeff Miner on Thursday, November 29:
Whereas, MCC Bylaw
V.D.3.a. requires members of the Board of
Administration (BOA) to be “members in good standing” of a local MCC;
Whereas, the Executive
Committee of Mr. Harte’s local church, Holy Trinity MCC,
Whereas, the joint
Bylaws Committee of the BOA and the Board of Elders (BOE) has ruled that, if
the action of the Executive Committee conformed to lawful procedures, Mr. Harte
has ceased to meet the Bylaw requirements for serving on the BOA; and
Whereas, Mr. Harte
alleges that the action of the Executive Committee did not conform to lawful
procedures and that he intends to challenge this action in a local court of law
if necessary;
Now therefore, in the absence
of additional information regarding the dispute between Mr. Harte and Holy
Trinity MCC and the applicable laws of
The foregoing resolution was promptly circulated to the BOE and all parties to the complaint. Thereafter, the BOE advised the BOA that, in its opinion, Mr. Harte was no longer eligible to serve on the BOA (due to loss of his local church membership) and, thus, his appointment by the BOE has expired.
The BOA discussed
whether or not a public statement should be issued by it regarding the
foregoing. It was decided that, since
the actions of the BOA are made public through BOA meeting minutes, publication
of the minutes serves as our public statement.
Rev. Elder Darlene
Garner stated that in 2008, the Bylaw Committee will further consider the
process the Bylaws specify for matters like this and determine if they need to
be adjusted.
The Board wishes to
thank Stephen Harte for his long-standing service to the Board of
Administration. Mr. Harte served on the
Board from its inception during reorganization.
He was a faithful Board member who thought deeply and worked diligently
and passionately. We consider him a dear
friend and are sad that his service on the Board has ended in this manner.
8. Executive Director Performance Review
Jeff indicated that
he had not yet been able to review the draft that was submitted by Julie after
our October performance review meeting.
He said he would do so soon, then circulate the
draft to the Board for approval.
9. Housing Allowance
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 extent 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
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 2008 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 2008 and all future years unless otherwise provided.
Rev. Elder Darlene Garner $18,000.00
Rev. James N. Birkitt Jr $18,598.00
All other 2007 allowances remain the same in 2008
10. 2008 Meeting Schedule
March 7-9 and the
end of July are the tentative dates for the next face-to-face meeting with the
Board and Elders.
ACTION ITEM: Jeff will ask Connie to email the exact
dates/schedule for the 2008 meetings.
11. Agenda Items for December Meeting
The next Board
meeting will be held
12. Meeting Adjourned
The meeting was
closed in prayer and adjourned.