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| 725 Pine St. Winnetka, Illinois 60093 847-441-3400 |
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Councilors present: Kimberly Brya, Debbie Cogan, Steve Dyer, Georgie Geraghty, Susan Gillette, Betsy Holden, Steve Huels, Jack Jadel, Bob Linn, Gina Logan, Peggy McNamara, Brek Peterson, Jodie Stewart and Sarah Woodburn. Pastors present: Joseph Shank, and Jenny Gleichauf. Others present: David Blake, John Blix, Sam Fifer and Jane Huels.
Gathering and Opening Prayer Before the beginning of the business portion of the Council meeting, Council members and pastors gathered in Little Chapel for worship and prayer at 7:00 p.m. Business Steve Dyer, Chair, called the business portion of the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. dispensing with the approval of the minutes and the Treasurer’s report at the time. He then welcomed David Blake and John Blix, Canvass Chairs, who were present to give an update on the WCC 2008 Loyalty Pledge Drive. To date we are behind both the 2008 goal and last year’s total. A report of the major campaign activities completed as well as other planned additional activities was circulated. A discussion followed regarding the whole issues of canvass – what works, what doesn’t etc. The chair and Council thanked David and John for their dedication and hard work as Canvass Chairs. Sam Fifer and Jane Huels gave the report of the Search Committee, reviewing the original charge of the committee in 2005, the committee’s process including number of candidates considered, end result and why that occurred and recommendations. The original charge to the Search Committee was to look for a Senior Associate Pastor whose primary responsibilities would be in the areas of care and calling and outreach. A job description was completed with and ad being placed in the Christian Century. The ad was also circulated via networking. A two round process followed whereby respondents were rated and ranked. There were 29 candidates, from varied backgrounds, in the first round. The ad was redone with a more specific description of the position and 32 candidates responded the second time. Six candidates were brought in for further consideration. In the end, though, there just was not a match. Why didn’t we find a candidate? In analyzing the issue, the committee felt that being an unaffiliated community church works against WCC in finding a pastor. Clergy are reluctant to leave their denominational affiliation and go to a nondenominational church. Recommendations for the future include redoing the job description since we are no longer need to be looking for a Senior Associate Pastor. Associate Pastor Jenny Gleichauf has been at WCC for two years and is now functioning at the middle staff level, thus a junior level Associate Pastor can be considered. Another Interim Associate Pastor can be considered as well as a review of the current staffing model. Sam concluded his remarks by saying that the committee is putting together a binder of their work and that both the committee and candidates alike learned from the search process. Senior Pastor Joseph Shank reported that he is in the process of engaging an Acting Associate Pastor to work 20-25 hours a week on an interim basis. Steve Dyer and Council members expressed their heartfelt thanks to Sam and Jane and all other members of the Search Committee for their work over the past two years. An announcement of the committee’s findings will be made from the pulpit. An article will also be placed in the Messenger. Kimberly Brya, Treasurer, called attention to the Variance Report noting that the market was up. She also reminded, again, to make sure all committee expenses get in on time. Work sheets for members of the Budget Committee were passed out. Kimberly will set up a meeting schedule and let committee members know what it is. In April the Music Committee is planning a program to dedication the new organ. They would like to be able to sign a contract with the organist they have chosen to play at this special program soon but in order to do so the committee is in need of funding for the event. In discussing the funding issue, Council felt that a portion of the funding should come from the budget of the Music Committee. Thus, Steve Huels, Worship Councilor, moved, seconded by Jodie Stewart, that the Music Committee first ascertain if one-half of the needed funds for the April dedication of the organ be procured from this year’s budget of the Music Committee. Motion passed with one abstention. Gina Logan tendered her resignation from Council due to a promotion and increased responsibilities at Northwestern University. Council thanked her for her service and wished her well in her new endeavor. After a closing prayer, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Peggy McNamara, Clerk
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