Meeting Time/Location: 10:00 am/ West Hills Covenant, Portland, OR

Present: John Prouty, Bud Olson, Keith Olson and John Tissell.

The meeting was opened with scripture from Philippians 2:12-18.

Prayer concerns included Covenant Men projects, the Board meeting, Covenant Men who are facing problems and concerns for those unable to attend.

Initial informal discussion included such items as the need for a historian and to encourage attendance at Board meeting by "members at large".

Minutes of the March 15, 2003 board meeting were reviewed and accepted.

Minutes of the May 17, 2003 board meeting were reviewed. They were accepted as amended to re-phrase the CovMen's responsibilities in preparing the July Family Camp salmon barbecue.

Reports: The treasurer's and financial secretaries reports were presented. It was voted to forward the donations received for MARC (Missionary Aviation Repair Center) and AEC (Amundsen Educational Center) to the respective organization. The MARC fund includes money designated for Village Ministries, MARC (general) and Mark Swensen (support).

The closing of the Smith-Barney account and conversion of the NCP variable certificate approved at the May 17 board meeting are still pending.

Fall retreat discussion: John Prouty has been in contact with Jim Sundholm,

Fall Retreat speaker regarding his preference for the worship team. Concern was expressed that the worship team from the Congolese church might be uncomfortable at a men's retreat since the team has women members. John Prouty has contacted the Irvington Covenant worship team, but has not received an answer.

Cascades Camp and Conference Center: John Tissell will be in contact with the camp regarding the completion of the latest log cabin. He will contact volunteers to assemble the needed bunk beds in the cabin when it is complete. On Sunday (for the salmon barbecue) several men need to be at the barbecue pit at about nine AM to start the fire and be certain that the grates have been cleaned.

Discussion of defining covenant men and their mission statement:

What is a Covenant Men Group?

A group of men in a local Covenant Church that meet together to support and encourage each other in their walk of faith, service to Christ and glorification of God.

Problems:

a. Men that do meet regularly don't think of themselves as Covenant Men.

b. The men meet informally without organization.

c. They are too busy.

d. They have no sense of purpose.

Mission Statement: To encourage men in our Conference to establish groups of men (intra/interchurch) to accomplish the purposes of Covenant Men.

Purposes:

a. Fall Retreat

b. Family Camp (salmon barbecue)

c. Men's breakfast at Conference Annual Meeting

d. Projects: Alaska, Cascades and Conference churches

e. Mission projects

f. Scholarships

g. Vision

h. Future

Can Covenant Men be reorganized to help accomplish these goals? The first step should be to amend the By-Laws to allow all those attending the Fall Retreat be considered as full voting delegates.

Next meeting: The next board meeting was tentatively set for 9:30 AM, Saturday, August 2, at Cascades Camp and Conference Center.