December 10, 2006

United Methodist Men- Board Meeting

Missouri River District, Nebraska

Present:

1.      Ron DeBord shared an opening prayer.

2.      Ron reviewed the November 2006 Board meeting notes and they were accepted by vote on a motion by Ron, second by Charlie.

3.      Ron, Gary, Dave and Craig shared some praise remarks regarding family illness, the formation of a new gospel quartet and a new job.

4.      Treasurer’s report.

1. Gary agreed to update the bank account signatures with new President and Secretary.
2. Randy suggested the District consider the Union Bank for future fund holdings due to their support of United Methodism in Nebraska. Gary will investigate and was given the go-ahead by a motion from Charlie, seconded by Scott and approved, to transition, if it makes financial sense.
3. Suggestion was made to solicit some level of funding from local congregations in the District. Further discussion resulted in the suggestion to develop a funding source strategy and also to develop and publish a District ‘use of funds’ policy or guidelines. This will be further pursued. Randy volunteered to investigate whether there might be some policies in use by other UMC organizations at the conference or district level that we could leverage. This will be ‘old business item to follow-up at upcoming meetings.
4. Gary will send in the 2007 Charter fee for the District, after Ron investigates the paperwork and procedure used last cycle by Bill Stambaugh.
5. Randy suggested that the District consider coming up with a structure of ‘giving levels’ or categories to help motivate contributors to UMMen. An example might be $100+ would be the ‘Kingdom’ level of donation, etc. This will be incorporated into the ‘funding / giving’ strategy / policy discussion.

5.      It was agreed that the District would provide a ‘speaker bureau’ service to the congregations in the District regarding UMMen topics, organization, testimonials, etc. Initially, Randy, Dave, Ron and Charlie will be available. This will be further developed as to topics for each person, etc. at upcoming meetings.

6.      It was agreed that we would begin using the ‘new’ District name as of now.

7.      Dave Mendyk graciously (!) volunteered to offer his newly acquired Hymnal on CD’s for use by the District. He also suggested to loan it out for a small fee of $10, for example, with the proceeds to be used by the District (or conference?) as a funding source. This group probably needs to include this with the development of the ‘funding source’ strategy and use policy at an upcoming Board meeting.

8.      Craig suggested this Board investigate how it can engage with, promote or support the conferences recently announced Discipleship Plan. Tabled for future consideration and discussion.

9.      Ron agreed to follow-up with Bill S. regarding end-of-year reports and documentation- what is appropriate, who to send to, etc. Ron will let the Board know what he ends up doing or will involve other Board members as needed.

10.  Craig reviewed the status of compiling a list of UMMen groups in the District. So far, an individual contact name, with either an e-mail or postal mail address has been confirmed for the existing congregations. There are 23 congregations that we do not have an e-mail for (either an contact person or the church itself). Post cards were sent to those 23. Several congregations identified a contact name even though they do not have a chartered UMMen group. The new, expanded Missouri River District listing will be researched during December and January. The list is still under development, but will be shared in versions as the remaining blanks are filled in.

11.  Ron reiterated his goal to begin contacting those congregations without a chartered UMMen group regarding the feasibility of either chartering, or at least forming some type of men’s group.

12.  Randy reviewed some updated information regarding the Nebraska UMMen Foundation and challenged this Board to become a 1000 club member. He offered an initial contribution of half the first years donation if the Board would commit. The Board did commit to support as best it could and Ron completed the first years donation, plus some additional. Craig agreed to fill out the application and submit the first years donation and form to the Foundation.

13.  Craig reported that Doug Kallesen, the conference communicator, will be turning in the UMMen submission for the upcoming Nebraska Messenger newspaper this coming week and would include any input from this Board. Nothing mentioned other than our next Board meeting date and Winter Rally. The Winter Rally information will be included per Doug K.

14.  Dave shared the latest publication of the conference Journal with the group. Craig will obtain a copy for use by the Board and secretary.

15.  Gary volunteered to look into developing a short ‘Who are we’ type powerpoint presentation for use by Board members and others to describe our District, examples of past projects, typical activities, our goals, etc. He’ll draw on some of the many pictures he has compiled over the years. As our new ‘vision’ is completed, that would be incorporated also.

16.  A request to get an update from Paul Bryan regarding the current status of Wesley House came forward. We’ll identify who will follow-up at an upcoming meeting.

17.  Ron shared some thoughts about how valuable some trend and demographic information would be for this Board. For example, it is estimated that about 1/3 of the congregations have a UMMen group of some type. This isn’t confirmed, but could be. Whatever the number is, a goal of improving that to, say, ½ within 5 years (or whatever) could be an action for the District Board to consider taking on. Ron volunteered to research what information might be available either from the conference (state level), District (maybe from the District Superintendent, Randy Sailors) or national UMM (maybe Dave Adams).

18.  Discussion about the value of a ‘new UMMen group start-up package’. Charlie expanded with the need the launch new groups at congregations without a UMMen group. This sounds like something this Board, or a sub-committee, will want to develop and make available.

19.  Winter Rally items:

1. Lots of great suggestions and discussion regarding the upcoming Winter Rally.
2. Craig will arrange for a computer projector and laptop, if needed.
3. The suggestion will be followed to incorporate an offering basket throughout the weekend, not just during the Sunday worship service.
4. The suggestion will be followed to incorporate the opportunity to send in an offering for the cause even if someone isn’t able to attend the Rally.
5. It was discussed and agreed that offerings received during the weekend will be split 3-ways: Camp Fontanelle, Nebraska 100/1000 Foundation and Upper Room Prayer Ministry.
6. Attendance costs are the same as 2006.
7. Session topics will be:

§ Session #1=  P.E.T. presentation by Dennis Edwards

§ Session #2=  Men’s Health by Dr. Dennis Vokaleck

§ Session #5=  Fireside Witnesses by Ron DeBord, El Siebert(?) & Scott Herring (Craig will contact El Siebert)

8. Gary recommended a video from the Resource Center to have available during the Winter Rally. He will research the specific one he has in mind and Craig will make the arrangements.
9. Craig will develop a short, half-page promotional flyer to be distributed.
10. Bill S. will transport the Ken Wright Memorial Flame unit.
11. Bill S. will be the Master of Ceremonies
12. Gary Spivey volunteered to be the Rally photographer
13. Both Gary and Ron will investigate alternate programs for the Saturday evening main program.
14. Dave will make arrangements for the remote Upper Room Prayer calling from 5pm to 10pm Saturday evening.

20.  Next Board meeting at Faith-Westwood UMC Thursday, January 11, 2007 at 7:00pm.

21.  Gary Spivey closed the meeting with a prayer.

Respectfully Submitted,

Craig Nordaker- Secretary

cnordaker@cox.net

402-453-6666