July 2005 Meeting Minutes

Our host was St.James UMC in Bellvue. Present were Gary Spivey,Dave Mendyk, Scott Herring, Randy Fleming, Dennis Edwards, Willis Lucht, Scott Avery, Charlie

Walcutt, Bill Stambaugh. Late arrivals were Terry Abram, Ted Black, Rev. Karl Lent, and Jerry Farber.

President Bill S. shared; New Business cards, an E.M.S. invitation, and copies of our Fontanelle Retreat registration.

Annual Conference last June saw a 100 Club Fun Auction which climaxed with the auction of Dinner for 8 with the Bishop. Two of the winners shared that Bishop Anne can cook ! Good food and good Fellowship were shared.

A report was given by Willy L. about the Bishop's Scouting Dinner. Larry Coppock, our Executive Scouter for the U.M.Men's General Commission, spoke of the U.M.C.'s leading role in Scouting. About 75 attended. Bishop Anne said; Be more than a Landlord to Scout Troops ! Committ to have Sunday School for Youth and be the Teachers ! Note ; Remember the Good Samaritan Award. Let's give some out.

Scott A. requested feedback for his Computer 101 Class for the Retreat. He will have hand-outs. There will be a message forum for the 100 and 1000 Club.

The Omaha Disrict Office will begin a web-site which will have a link to our U.M.M. O. Dist, web-site. The Ne. Conf. web-site and our U.M.M. page were discussed.

Randy F. asked Kathryn Witte about seting up on-line donations. When first doing set-up, the Conf. cheaped out for a $ 2700 web-site over a $ 5000 web-site which would allow for on-line donations. Randy said those who give on-line give 50% more. Scott said, each transaction costs 5% and security is an issue. Both agreed that if enough folks ask for up-dated systems, they will be.

Gary S. is looking for the Hymnal on CD to use at Camp. Rev. Karl said he would ask Memphis U.M.C. .

Randy F. passed out forms for donaton items to bring excitement to next Annual Conference's 100 Club Fun Auction.

Scott A. felt that 1000 Club Recognitions were too generous and may not fit our group's priority Mission. He made a motion that all future Memorials be limited to $25 per occurence. Motion was seconded.

Discussion ; The District Treasury has been supported by Willy ! We need support from Dist. Charters. Should we keep a seperate Memorial Fund ? New groups don't have cash. In our history we asked for seed money and 6-8 Churches gave.

Our focus should be on new groups. Many good causes may come looking for a donation. We should be visiting Churches in our District to form groups.

a 2005 review ; $250 Muscular Dystrophy, $ 200 Meals for Millions, $100 Fun Auction,$ 200 100 Club for 2 Memorials, $ 120 PET, Personal Energy Transporter, $100 to Wesley House.

Our purpose ? Bill S. Should we do Mission work or Organize or a balance of the two ? People join an active outfit. We need Youth. Jerry F. said organize first, then do mission, and money and time will come in. Gretna's Men gave $65 last year to our Dist. Treasury. Our District recieves no cash from E.M.S. so should there be a Dist. charter fee ?

In our history there was a Start-up Rally that had 3 Months of planning. If we did this again would we choose an Omaha Dist. Retreat or a 2 hour Rally ? Most agreed for the Rally.

Bill S. learned that we will have to network with each other to create our own list of speakers to offer Men's groups for local programming.

Dave M. will contact O.Dist. to include How to Start a U.M.M. Charter in next January's Know Your Job Workshop.

Should we add our Mission Statement to our web-site ? It is available through the link to the General Commission on U.M.M. web-site.

Dennis E. shared our purpose statement from a program book. It's theme was the Centrality of Christ.

Our United Methodist Discipline requires each local charge to have a Men's group.

Randy F. spoke at a Men's Breakfast at St. Paul, Benson, and asked for a 100 club donation. They gave a $100 and committed to give for nine more years so they could join the $1000 Club !

St. Paul's, Papillion, is already up to $600 and Charlie W. felt they would also be $1000 Club members. Gretna will ask Randy F. to speak. He said Education is a part of Leadership, so ask for this cause.

Jerry F. invited all to Ashland for a Souper Bowl Chili Party. The Men are sponsors to give half for local Youth and half to start a Charter of United Methodist Men. He spoke of a Men's Banner that greets you at the front door and community outreach.

The Society of St. Andrew sent us a Recognition for our contribution to Meals for Millions.

Bill S. said, a new Memorial will be established for U.M.Men who died in the past year at our Camp Fontenelle Retreat. Our O. Dist. Charter will be draped and on Friday night at 7pm, Dennis E. and Dave M. will pray. Please e-mail name and Church to sirwilliam@cox.net

The next meeting of our Omaha District U.M.Men will be hosted by St. Paul's in Papillion on Thursday, April 20, at 7pm.

Gary S. shared devotions from Max Lucado. Jesus was a King with a manger throne.