Sunday School for all ages, 10:00 a.m.
CHECK OUR BULLETINS FOR DETAILS ON THE ABOVE ACTIVITIES.
RVMC Annual General Meeting 2012
Part 1 – January 22, 2012
50 participants in attendance
Pieter opened the meeting with prayer.
Pieter explained how the Associate Pastor role has allowed him to spend more time in study and preparation as well as in community and broader church involvements
i) Approval of Financial Statement for 2011
A motion to accept the Statement made by David Driedger and seconded by Rachel Burkholder. Approved. This was followed by a time of Questions and Answers lead by Bob Harder including questions on the following:
* Clarification on 2011 deficit relative to the chair reserve set-aside
* Suggestion for further breakdown of salaries including car allowance
* Suggestion for further breakdown of general offerings in terms of number of givers, patterns of giving, consideration of dollar value of in-kind contributions
* Clarification that $100 allowance provided to all guest speakers
* 20% of congregation gives 80% of budget
ii) Budget Scenarios for 2012
Bob presented the 3 different scenarios, explaining that they would be re-visited on February 5th to make decisions for ministry planning for 2012. Bob requested that any questions not asked at this meeting be sent in advance so that he could be prepared with a response.
Part 2 – February 5, 2012
i) Minutes of the January 30, 2011 meeting were approved on a motion by Nancy Burkholder, seconded by Tom Farrar. There was no business arising and the motion of acceptance was approved.
The introduction of new the new slate of officers was read by Paul W. Reesor.
Rouge Valley Mennonite Church Minutes for AGM – February 5, 2012
Pastor Pieter opened the meeting at 1:05 with prayer and invited Paul W. Reesor, Bob Harder and Hugh Laurence (Facilitator) to the platform.
Paul opened the meeting by asking for approval of the January 30, 2011 AGM meeting. Moved By Nancy, seconded by Tom; carried. There was no discussion arising from the minutes.
Paul thanked retiring Ministry members and welcomed new members to their respective Ministries.
Hugh Laurence asked for topics for discussions in addition to the ones already proposed.
Peace Garden
– An update on the proposed Peace Garden was presented. (see attached brochure) Rouge Park is providing: 1. Landscape Architect at no cost, 2. resourcing and placement of rocks for the footprint of the garden. 3. $5,000 grant.
Discussion centered on four aspects;
I. Have we thought through the implications, good and bad, of what being located in a national park will mean for us as a congregation.
A. Some people identified concerns around partnering with the Rouge Park specifically and government in principle. Others expressed that the Park is here regardless and that it is important to build a positive relationship and the Peace Garden/Interpretation kiosk is seen as a positive venture.
2. Some concerns were expressed that park infrastructure, such as parking, trail, or peace garden itself, would increase the risk of vandalism to church property and attract questionable activity to the area. There was disagreement as to whether the church really was at a higher risk of vandalism. If vandalism happens, who is responsible for cleaning it up?
3. Concerns regarding responsibility for long-term maintenance of the Peace Garden were raised. Is this RVMC or Rouge Park responsibility?
4. Issues of liability were raised.
Consultative process with the congregation was flagged as insufficient. Passed at previous AGM, but no further information until recently. Pieter explained the Park wasn’t prepared to give details, due to uncertainties, regarding how, where, and when. Things began to take shape in November, 2012. Ministry Council was where information was processed. Some people were concerned that this was a done deal already. Pieter assured them that it was not.
Confusion over talking points regarding budget and the perception of some that RVMC would cut staff in order to fund the peace garden. Questions concerning the trustworthiness of the Park’s offers were raised by some.
Pieter asked “what might be God calling us to do here regarding this”
Action: Ministry Council was asked to provide clarity regarding above concerns and bring the matter forward another time.
Microwave Tower – Paul W. Reesor asked for direction on the proposal to build a microwave tower on church property by a new company. Previously, the erection of a tower was approved by the congregation but that company withdrew their proposal. Discussion evolved around the presence of the tower affecting the community vs. the opportunity for income. As the proponent required a decision in February a vote was taken with 7 in favour and 12 opposed. Paul would inform the company that we would not proceed with an agreement to erect a tower.
Trial worship services-
Beginning on January 8th to February 19th, a trial run was being conducted utilizing the teaching series “Money Sanity Solutions”. Worship is 10:00-10:45, coffee, 10:45-11:00, discussion groups 11:00-11:45/12:00. Sermon and discussion groups related. Groups would be intergenerational, from ages 12 on through. Younger groups in age specific classes. Thoughts were presented on both the merits and weaknesses of the current system. Reason for this trial was to encourage greater participation, for this topic specifically, but also to see if this format would work well for future consideration. Ministry Council will collect feedback and review.
Cleaning – Lys Laurence raised the issue of building cleaners. She suggested that the checklist is not being followed and the cleanliness of the buildings is not up to standards. Tom Farrar, Trustee is to meet with the cleaners and discuss deficiencies.
Budget – Bob Harder responded to questions about the proposed budget. After much discussion there was a consensus that:
• costs were being well managed
• facilities would incur more expense as they age
• a permanent reserve fund for maintenance/replacement costs should be established
• a committee be formed to explore alternate fund raising proposals to present to the congregation in March such as ‘gift cards’
Motion made by Morely Lymburner, “that Ministry Council be empowered to create a replacement reserve fund by the end of the year.” Seconded and carried.
Motion made by Michael Brisbane, To task Ministry Council to seek out and evaluate alternate fund raising proposals to present to the congregation in March.” Seconded and carried.
By a unanimous consensus, Bob was directed to rework the budget based on a 6% increase in giving by the congregation.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. on a motion made by Murray Nash.
Submitted by Tom, Scribe.