July 18 , 2024 | Deacon Meeting Minutes

Attendance:  John Genskow, Mark Oldenberg, Bruce Winkler, Gail Graese, Chuck Falch, Del Polzin, Adam Urberg, Denny Denk, Aaron Libner and Erika Zank

Absent:  James Martin

Ex Officio:  Mark Schulz and David Forke,

Recording Secretary:  Sue Gumz

Guest:  Tonya Ida

John Genskow called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm.

1.         Opening Devotion and prayer: Chuck shared “Special Abilities” from 1 Cor. 12:1-11.

2.         Deacon Orientation (John) “board orientation” ppt.

·       Commitments that we’ve all signed up for

o   Lead by Example:  Peace connection – lead a connection group or be a host.

o   Engage in Meetings:  No dumb questions

o   Notify Chair if not able to attend a meeting

o   Lead/participate in ad hoc teams

o   Lead a devotion at a board meeting

·       Roles of Board and staff

·       Financial stewardship

·       Personnel

·       Board Officers

o   Chair (John), chair-elect (Mark O), treasurer (Gail)

·       Standing Teams 

o   Personnel (vacant)

o   Policy (Bruce)

o    OPS and Building (Chuck)

·       Ad hoc teams

o   Finance (Gail)

o   Technology (James)

o   Missions (vacant)

3.         Deacon Introductions

4.         Deacon Terms (Bruce)

·       Process

·       Term Adjustment to 1 year – Chuck Falch, Del Polzin

·       Term Adjustment to 2 years – Erika Zank

Follow-up Items

5.         Youth and Children’s/Family Call Committees (David)

Children’s/Family Ministry – The person with whom we called, declined.  There are 2 candidates that we are looking at in this next round.

Director of Youth Ministry – Allie will be stepping down on or before Dec. 1.  A call committee of 6 people has been established.  The team has 6 potential candidates who would like to hear more.

Both positions are open to hiring people who are not DCE’s.

6.        Pastor Call Committee (Mark O.)

Pastor Ethan Luhman is coming July 26-28 for a visit.  He and his family are currently from San Antonio, TX.  Pastor Luhman and family will arrive on Thursday night. Times to meet with Pastor Luhman are set for deacons, staff and call committee. Pastor Luhman will also be at the Deacons gathering on Sunday afternoon, July 28. If we choose to call him, this is for the Lead pastor-elect position. 

7.         Consent agenda

Chuck Falch made a motion to approve the pastoral report and the June meeting minutes. Seconded by Gail.  Motion passed.

8.         Financial report for June (Gail & Tonya)

Mark Oldenberg made a motion to approve the June financials with a review for the September reports.  Adam Urberg seconded.  Motion passed.

9.         New Items

·       Committee Chair – Personnel: Denny Denk (Chair).

o   Team includes Tonya Ida (staff), Vince Maro, Mary Taggatz, and Aaron Libner (new)

·       Committee Chair - Missions:  Pastor David (staff), Erika Zank (chair)

·       Meeting minute approval process

o   Currently, minutes wait until the next in person meeting and therefore, gets delayed by 1-2 months.

o   Proposal:  Recording secretary takes minutes, minutes go out the next day to the deacons, they get 1 week to approve the minutes.

o   Denny made a motion for the deacons to give email approval for board minutes. Gail seconded.

o   Discussion:  Doodle will be used.  The first person to approve the minutes is the mover and the second person to approve is the seconder.

o   Motion approved.

·       Congregational minutes

o   proposal we change the constitution and by-laws so the board of deacons can approve them at the next deacon meeting unless there is a simpler way to do this. After much discussion about the process involved in changing the constitution and by-laws, it was agreed that we would just write DRAFT on the minutes and get them approved at the next annual meeting.

·       Community Building Items

o   Think about things we can do to have joint activities for both sides.

o   Peace Connection 2024-25

10.   Training

·       Peace constitution and bylaws (Bruce)

o   Went through the layout of the constitution and bylaws via PowerPoint presentation.

·       Board of Deacons Policies - tabled to September Meeting

·       Board of Deacons Information Technology and contact information – tabled to September Meeting

11.   Additional Comments:

Request for an Executive Session discussion

The Board went into an Executive Session to clarify transition process for a called Pastor Elect.

The Board returned from closed session. Denny Denk made a motion to adjourn.  Seconded by Adam Urberg.  Meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Gumz