Covenant Men Board Meeting
October 21, 2000, 
Cascades Camp and Conference Center

Present:

Kerm Paulsen, JohnProuty , Harold Ulfers, Bud Olson, Tom Moline, Carl Hultquist and John Tissell

The meeting opened with Bud reading from Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Prayer was then offered by all present.

FALL RETREAT DISCUSSION: Good comments have been received, reports are even coming back from non attendees who have heard of the retreat.

The men interested in table games were unable to find any.  Next year we should verify in advance that they are available from the camp or provide them ourselves.  The organization of the business meeting was discussed with the conclusion that we should continue to combine it with the evening meeting to increase attendance.  We need to review the minutes before the next annual meeting to be certain that all items are included in the meeting.  Next year, we should have the information available by the Conference Annual Meeting.

Kerm has been in contact with Bud Palmberg's daughter and will contact Bud as soon as he returns to the area.  It is Kerm's understanding that we have a tentative commitment from Bud to speak at the 2001 retreat.

Copies of the tapes from the retreat will be sent to the four persons who paid but were unable to attend.

The open discussion which was held at the Annual meeting seeking direction for the future of Covenant Men was recapped.  Some points raised are as follows:

1. Should the men promote a "special interest” missionary or missionaries?
2. A list of available speakers for local (church) Covenant Men groups 
3. Need to do more to publicize the fund drive for the log cabin at Cascades being underwritten by Covenant Men.
4. A pilot is seeking financial support in order to serve at MARC (Missionary Aviation Repair Center at Soldotna, AK).
5. Sponsor a workshop for men interested in men's ministries.
6. Aids for family development.
7. Work at local churches. Interbay needs help to bring their "warehouse" up to fire code.  It was noted that major projects such as this require carefully developed plans and building permits.  We need to develop a list of men willing to volunteer and their skills.
8. Promote work days or projects at Cascades.
9. Can Covenant Men develop an web page? Also to distribute minutes and other announcements, e-mail addresses are needed.  Most e-mail addresses included on the registrations are not legible.

ALASKA: John Tissell has been in contact with Pastor Sawyer in Bethel regarding small jobs that need completion.  So far there are no firm dates for work this fall.  One major unfinished job is the chimney for the boiler.  This is not as simple as it sounds since the material on hand is too short and the chimney needs to be adequate for a water heater and eventually to handle the church boiler when it is relocated to the new building.

CONFERENCE PROJECTS: We haven't heard of any projects ready for our assistance in the Conference. The two known projects lack approved plans and building permits.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarships for the 2000-2001 school year will be paid in January 2001 (after the year 2000 interest is credited).  Kerm has asked the Conference for names of students at the seminary from the North Pacific Conference.

CASCADES CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTER: The log cabin fund was discussed.  It was decided to transfer the funds to the savings account in order to increase the amount of interest.  Currently there are some reserve funds in the account, but all interest earned will be added to the log cabin fund.  Kerm will check on the savings account to be certain that the names authorized to represent Covenant Men are current. The account was initially established by Ted Gullberg.

Tom Moline reported that the summer youth camps went well.  A carpenter has been added to staff, which will speed up the log cabin construction.  Progress on the train camp is slow but sure.  They are still searching for a locomotive at a reasonable price.  The "boxcar" bunk houses will be simple construction and it is anticipated that they will be constructed largely by volunteers.

Potential Covenant Men projects for 2001 include picnic tables and bunks.  The Camp will attempt to salvage additional old growth cedar for the picnic tables.  An alternative would be plastic lumber.

OTHER ITEMS: Minutes are currently being sent to several men who do not attend either board meetings or retreats.  Should we ask if they wish to continue to receive the minutes?  Should the minutes be distributed by e-mail?  If so we need correct (and above all legible) e-mail addresses.  John Tissell has a CovMen@aol.com under his AOL account.  He was forced to change the description of "Covenant Men" to a 14 year old to partially eliminate the pornographic incoming e-mail.  Very few persons sent e-mail to the site and it is not checked daily for mail.  Should Covenant Men have a web page?  If so who can develop it?  Does the Conference have a web page?  Kerm will check.

NEXT MEETING: The next board meeting will be 9:30 AM, November 11.2000 at West Hills in Portland. Ride pools will be organized.

John Tissell, Secretary