St. Stanislaus Parish

Finance Council Meeting Minutes

September 23, 2008 – 4:00 pm

 

Council Members Present:  Fr. Allen Jakubowski, Rita Borski, Bill Boston, Bill Boylan, Jackson Case, John Clifford, Dave Fletcher, Bob Hollar, Phyllis Lepak, Marg Ostrowski 

 

Guests:  Shirley Berger, SPACS Commission Representative;  Fr. Dennis Lynch

 

 1.  Opening Prayer:  Rita Borski

      a.  Introduction of new member, John Clifford, whose responsibilities will be in charge of Budget

           Sub-Committee and SPACS Finance Committee Rep.

      b.  Fr. Dennis Lynch informed the Council about the need to have a Human Resources Board to help

           Fr. Al in setting policy in filling positions, job descriptions, hiring/firing etc.  In the past these 

           issues were handled with Finance, do we continue this practice or set up a separate committee?                    

 2.  Minutes of Finance Council Meeting August 12, 2008 approved as presented.

 3.  Financial Reports

      a.  Bev pointed out the balance in the Capital Campaign Savings being used to fund expenses for

           asbestos project.  A portion will be returned when SPACS reimburses their share which is under

           Accounts Receivable – PIF Expense.

      b. Weekly Giving – through the 12th week of this fiscal year collections were $144,048 compared

           to $140,756.  This shows we are $3,292 or 2.33% ahead compared to last year’s giving.

 4.  Liaison Reports

      a.  Pastoral Council – Phyllis Lepak

          *Six to seven week series of liturgies on the theme of stewardship.  Emphasis on Diocesan Appeal

            and educating about weekly giving.

          *Council participated in an in-service program, “Colors”.

          *Ministry in-service planned for Oct 19th.

          *Activities being planned to focus on the life of St. Paul.

      b.  SPACS Commission – Shirley Berger

          *Commission Meeting on Sept 4, update on enrollment showed decrease from previous year, due to

             fewer children in area, this is also a problem in public schools.

          *Large donation to Pacelli for hi-tech computer room, excellent recruiting tool.

          *Discussion on strategy to collect outstanding tuition debt from past and present families.

      c.  Staff – Dave Fletcher

          *Staff position will need to be filled for cleaning church restrooms and mopping entrance floors and

            hallways, end of October.

          *During summer, locks re-keyed in rectory, church, and school.  Several problem areas in school

            need addressing with new procedures established.

          *Treasure weekend-Fr. Dennis Stanchik will have all Masses.

 

 5.  Sub-Committee Reports - Rita presented the Council with a handout regarding, “Order of Business at

      Finance Council Meetings”.  One of the issues discussed was the possibility of a separate Parish  

      Human Resources Board.  Fr. Al informed members that he contacted Grace Hendel to head up

      this board with Gene LaRose and Mary Kolodziej.  It was decided only financial decisions would

      be approved by the Finance Council when needed.

      a.  Building & Grounds – Bob Hollar

          *Asbestos project on first floor of school completely done.  Should we continue to remove asbestos

            in basement level next summer with SPACS agreeing to pay one half of total cost?  Fr. Al

            strongly encouraged Council to approve work.  Approval given to obtain estimates on project.

          *Every 5-6 years, lights bulbs are replaced in church hanging lights.  This fall will switch from

            incandescent bulbs to fluorescent, where possible, for a cost savings of $300 per light.  Change

            will provide improved lighting with savings on energy usage.  Focus on Energy rebates are also

            available.

          *Will obtain bids and remove trees in front of rectory this fall.  Follow-up with landscaping plan.

            Questions to consider are what long range plans for vacant lot are?, Do we move shrine and use

            restricted Memorial for this?  Open up discussion to both Councils for ideas.

       b.  Memorials – Bill Boston

           *Reminders in bulletin and newsletter about memorials.  Get information out that SPACS

             no longer takes 50%, and that all money was returned to parish.               

            *List suggestions and projects that could be funded through memorials.

        c.  Diocesan Annual Appeal – Bill Boylan

            *Using a successful strategy from Capital Campaign, Bill wants to make personal phone calls

             to top twenty givers and ask for a little more support this year. 

            *Will pick weekend to stand up before parish to talk about Appeal.

            *Wants to have pledges done before Christmas shopping.

        d.  Stewardship

            *Rita informed members about a Stewardship Manual that was provided to the parish from

              the diocese at the start of our Capital Campaign.  It states, “The stewardship committee

              should never exist under the direction of the finance committee.  If a movement towards

              total stewardship in the parish is to take hold, it must be spiritually based.”  It continues

              with how to select stewardship members and a possible timeline to follow.  After some

              discussion it was decided to forward manual to Bob Rogers, Pastoral Council Chairman,

              to review.  The previous Finance Council also felt that stewardship education should be a

              part of the Pastoral Council leadership.  Will allow some time for Pastoral to look over

              and review and bring suggestions back to Finance where they need help.

            *Rita suggested changing sub-committee heading to Fundraising, asking Marg, who is

              co-chairing this year’s Fall Fest, to head this up with possible help from Jackson.

         e.  Budget – John Clifford

             *Our newest member will take charge of the Budget Sub-Committee and also be the

               SPACS Finance Committee Rep to attend meetings with Fr. Al.

 6.  Old Business

      a.  Members can obtain Finance Guideline booklet through diocesan website.

      b.  Members agreed with better communication to parish.

      c.  Marg gave update on Fall Fest plans.  Mass with polka music at 10:30 A.M., Pacelli;

           chicken dinner serving 11:00-2:00 P.M.; letters will be mailed next week with Fall Fest

           flyer, raffle tickets, and two club cards; raffle drawing at 2:00 P.M. will conclude event.

 7.  New Business

      a. Newsletter Article: Next newsletter will go out mid-November.  Each sub-committee  

         should prepare a report on their area, email to Dave for publication.

 8.  Fr. Al’s Remarks

      a.  Fr. Al planning to resume full-time schedule October 1st.

      b.  Thank you to Council members for their support and getting off to a good start with

           setting up the sub-committees to address finance duties.

 9.  Determine Highlights for Publication

      a.  Rita gave handout on possible format to report meeting highlights in bulletin.

          Council’s direction is for more open communication to parish.

10.  Closing Prayer – Rita Borski

 

 

 

NEXT MEETING DATE:  OCTOBER 28, 2008 – 4:00P.M.

 

Prayer Leader:  Bill Boston