Board Meeting Minutes

Covenant Men Board Meeting
February 7, 2004 Cascades Camp and Conference Center

Meeting Time/Location: 10am-1:30pm/West Hills Covenant, Portland, OR

Attending: John Prouty (President); John Tissell (Vice-President); Jeff Wolf (Recording Secretary); Keith Olson (Treasurer); Harold Ulfers (Stewardship Committee Chair); and Bud Olson (Member at large).

Opening Meditation/Prayer: John Tissell (II Samuel 7:18-22) "Undeserved favor from God."

Agenda Approved: John Prouty discussed the agenda which was approved as presented.

Read/approve previous meeting minutes: Jeff Wolf read the minutes for the January 10, 2004 meeting which were approved as amended.

Jeff will forward board meeting minutes for 2002 to date, including retreat and NPC annual meeting minutes, to the NPC office so they can retain them in the NPC files.

Financial Secretary Report: John Prouty reviewed the emailed finance report which was approved. The $490 of contributions received for various funds through 2/3/04 will be held until more funds accumulate.

Treasurer Report:

Keith reviewed the Treasurer report which was approved as amended to include the "history to date" in the funds recap. The current net savings balance is $933.38 which includes an $859 deficit for the 2004 Missions project; $575.11 in general; $40 in MARC general; $40 in MARC Pilot; and $170 in the Village Ministries fund.

Project Committee Report:

2004 Missions Project- Harold presented the draft of the postcard reminder. It will be mailed to all 2003 retreat attendees to request that pledges be sent in by September for the Camp Gilead project. As of 2/3/04, we have received $1,608 in contributions versus $2,606 in pledges.
Alaska- John T. discussed potential projects as noted below. He will contact Alaska staff in March to verify needs and then publicize projects.

ACC- They need computer and phone work in September 2004.

AEC- John is waiting for a response.

Shatoolik Parsonage Remodel- Dave Peterson needs help now with taping, texture, counter tops and finish work.

Other Projects- Rodney Sawyer, Alaska Field Director, will notify John of any other projects.

Cascades- Jeff discussed pending projects as follows:

Park Benches- Jeff presented a draft article for publication in the conference news to setup a volunteer project to construct around a dozen concrete park benches. The work party dates will most likely be April 10, May 8 and June 12.

Bunk beds- Jeff discussed Tom’s request for (5) bunk beds for the new log cabin being completed around the March timeframe and (5) more for a second cabin planned to be completed in May/June. He noted that Alan at Cascades will verify how many parts are stored in the shop and obtain lumber as needed. We will cut lumber for a total of (10) beds on March 13 and plan to assemble (5) beds on April 10 unless the camp needs them sooner. We will plan to assemble the remaining (5) beds on May 8 or June 12 depending on when the new cabin is ready.

1917 Steam engine locomotive restoration project:

Jeff presented a draft article for publication in the conference news to setup a volunteer project for the locomotive restoration work. The project planning phase is scheduled to commence in May 2004 with the restoration to start in September. The work will need to be completed before the Train Camp opens in spring 2005.

Portable Barbeque Pit- The project is still on hold with a completion date in May 2005 in time for the 4^th of July camp salmon barbeque.

Camp Board Report: No report.

Old Business:

2004 Retreat Planning-

John P. presented the draft of the publicity package for the 2004 retreat. The NPC will distribute it at the annual meeting on May 1. John T. and Jeff will prepare a list of 2004 projects for the retreat flyer to be distributed at the annual meeting.
Revise CovMen Bylaws- John P. presented draft bylaws that were a combination of the existing bylaws and a template from a neighborhood association. The board reviewed and revised approximately 90% of the draft. The revisions will be completed at a future meeting. The revised bylaws will be presented for approval at the retreat annual meeting.

New Business:

2005 Missions Project- The board approved support of the Cascades capital campaign in 2005. There will also be an offering at the 2004 retreat for Alaska missions.

2004 Scholarship distribution- Scholarships will be granted for (3) full-time seminary students in the amount of $750 each. (John P. will obtain the recipient addresses and forward to Keith.) Keith will transfer $2,250 from Covenant Properties to checking to cover the costs. He will cash-in (2) variable rate certificates plus withdraw interest income.

2004 NPC Annual Meeting- The date is set for April 30 and May 1 in McMinnville, OR. John P. is waiting for a response from Pastor Mark Larson at the host church to verify whether they can host and/or assist with the Saturday morning CovMen breakfast at the church or a local restaurant. John P./Jeff will prepare a promotional flyer for the breakfast to be included with the annual meeting package to be mailed to attendees. John T. and Jeff will prepare a list of projects completed in 2003 for the report. John P. and John T. were appointed as NPC annual meeting delegates with Jeff Wolf as the alternate.

Next Meeting: At Cascades Camp and Conference Center, Yelm, WA on March 13, 2004 at 10am.

JP:jw