Attending: John Prouty (President); John Tissell (Vice-President); Jeff Wolf
(Recording Secretary); Harold Ulfers (Stewardship Committee Chair), Keith Olson
(Treasurer), Bud Olson.
Opening Meditation: John Tissell (Genesis 1:26-to end)
Prayer: For help with electrical work at Alaska Educational Center in
Soldatna.
Agenda Approved: John Prouty, President
Read/Approve last Meeting Minutes: Jeff Wolf to prepare 2002 retreat meeting
minutes for review at next meeting.
Financial Secretary Report: Reviewed/accepted year end report by Dick
Lundberg who was not present. Noted additional $200 received towards Kerm’s
memorial cabin fund.
Treasurer Report: Reviewed/accepted retreat financial report by outgoing
Treasurer John Prouty. Approved $60.16 be transferred from the General Funds to
cover retreat expenses.
Project Committee Report: Discussion led by John Tissell (Project Committee
Chair)
· Alaska Educational Center, Soldatna, AK (AEC)-
Currently sheet-rocking new shop. Construction of new dorms not financed yet.
· Alaska Churches- No major projects firmed up.
Will discuss with Dave Petersen and others to verify projects for next summer.
· Project Liaison Positions- Dave Petersen will
be liaison for Alaska bush projects. Tom Moline will discuss Cascades Camp
liaison position with others. Need local NPC church and Alaska (road system)
project coordinators.
· Cascades Camp Projects- Need several concrete
park benches constructed this winter or spring. CovMen needs to work with camp
to setup and advertise project.
· Bunk bed templates- John noted they are
needed at Warm Beach Camp until March, then transfer to his new garage loft
where picnic table templates are stored.
Stewardship Report: Discussion led by Harold Ulfers (Stewardship Committee
Chair)
· Harold will forward report of total pledges
received for Kerm’s memorial cabin fund to Jeff Mattson for posting on
website each month. He will work with Dick to verify reminders are sent to
those who pledged funds.
Retreat Evaluation (Open discussion):
Speaker- Publicity- Attendance was slightly up from last year. Distribute
retreat publicity package to churches during next NPC Annual Meeting. Mail
packages only to churches that do not attend meeting.
Registration- Consider charging a minimal $5 late fee to encourage early
registration but not discourage walk-in registrants. Get rates from camp in
writing so that there are no surprises. Suggest providing free registration to
pastors that get (5) men from their church to register with them.
Food/Housing- Revise rates to reflect actual costs for the "meals
only" and "RV" packages.
Speaker- Went well even though speaker had to leave early. Assign board
member for next retreat to work directly with speaker to coordinate
transportation, arrival/departure times and other details.
Worship- Went well. Remind next retreat worship leader to coordinate music
theme with speaker. Suggest worship leader to act as MC with announcements by
board member.
Fellowship- Generally went well. Continue to bring board games & pop
popcorn.
Prayer Time- Allow 45 minute break after Friday and Saturday night meetings
to allow restroom stop and fellowship time before starting prayer time.
Suggest preparing prayer "agenda" to maintain proper focus. Room 1
worked well.
Finances- Retreat expenses were essentially balanced with revenue.
Freetime- Generally went well although some men wanted longer time. Shorten
Saturday afternoon session to provide more freetime and not conflict with the
first horse trailride. Consider presenting optional Saturday teaching workshop
during freetime.
General meetings- Present history, vision, needs and board
positions/candidates for CovMen on Friday night (with business meeting on
Saturday night) to allow men time to think and pray before making commitments.
Missions Moments- Went well.
Other- Suggest adding more variety to Friday night meal as was done prior
to 1990’s with camp to continue providing main meal and have a church
provide additional goodies. Arrange for a backup speaker incase the chosen
speaker gets sick or is otherwise unable to speak at the retreat.
Next Year's Retreat:
Speaker- Jim Sundholm confirmed. He requested suggestions for a theme from
board.
Worship Team / MC- Summit View was asked at the retreat to be the worship
team. Need to get their answer then ask other churches.
Date- Donna Moline to notify John Prouty when 2003 retreat date is
verified.
Camp Board Report: John Prouty (Camp Board Liaison)
Train camp capital campaign to start with past supporters before going
conference-wide.
New Business:
Create Board Historian Position- Suggested offering position to Dick
Lundberg. Need to consolidate and caption photos and memorabilia of past into
"albums" and framed displays for use at future retreats.
Discussed potential 2003 retreat fundraising project to raise support for
Mark Swensen. (Mission Aviation Repair Center’s (MARC) pilot/mechanic
stationed in Soldatna, AK.)
Consider changing CovMen bylaws to allow Covenant church members and
regular attenders voting rights at the annual meetings rather than elected
church reps. only.
Need to update CovMen website.
