St. Stanislaus Parish

Finance Council Meeting Minutes

February 24, 2009 – 4:00 pm

Council Members Present: Fr. Allen Jakubowski, Rita Borski, Bill Boylan, Jackson Case, John Clifford, Dave Fletcher, Bob Hollar, Marg Ostrowski, Shirley Berger-SPACS Commission Rep and Beverly Wasieleski-Financial Secretary.

Council Members Excused: Bill Boston, Phyllis Lepak.

1. Opening Prayer: John Clifford

2. Minutes of Finance Council Meeting January 27, 2009 approved as presented.

3. Liaison Reports-Email Report to Council Members

a. Pastoral Council – Phyllis Lepak-No report

b. Staff – Dave Fletcher-No report

c. SPACS Commission – Shirley Berger

*SPACS officials will meet with “Business After Hours”. There will be a web cam hooked up to

two Pacelli students currently attending class in London who will be able to watch an actual class

originating from Pacelli High School.

*Current K-12 enrollment at SPACS is 1068. Early registration for 2009-2010 school year

is 450 which is consistent with past years.

*SPACS has requested a computer technology grant from Sentry Foundation. Goal set by Sentry

will have lap top computer for every high school student in four years.

*Reminders were sent to parents of students regarding past due tuition.

*Approval was given by Bishop to sell a lot in Amherst, which was donated to SPACS, and

appraised at $40,000.

*Revision to student handbooks that all extracurricular events will be cancelled if school is

cancelled that day.

*Reinforce goal that lay members of the SPACS Commission are advocates for Catholic schools

and not individual parishes.

*Conference call with Bishop, diocesan reps, Fr. Potaczek and Jim Dyer to discuss issue of limited

classroom space at St. Bron’s.

d. SPACS Finance – John Clifford

*Preliminary financial figures through January are close to budget for income and expense.

*SPACS budget for 2009-2010 was approved by Bishop. Tuition will increase 2%, salaries will

increase 1% and parish subsidies will remain at same level.

*The February 17 Strategic Plan Meeting was the best attended meeting of the 6 out of 7 held so

far. Parish subsidy currently 34% of total revenue, Jim Dyer wants to decrease to about 30% and

SPACS will take over expenses of maintaining school building in future plans.

4. Sub-Committee Reports –Email Report to Council Members

a. Financial Report/Budget – John Clifford

*Collections total $448,302 and are 1.2% ahead of the 33 Sundays of last year; we are 10%

behind the $492,000 we need to be on target for this year’s budget. Currently, behind in school

subsidy payment $18,000.

*YTD expenses of $528,233 are 4.5% ahead of budget; YTD revenues less $124,000 deposited

into the restricted St. Stan’s Endowment Trust, equal $444,151 is 10.3% behind budget.

*Year end projection shows a $61,000 deficit.

b. Building & Grounds – Bob Hollar

*Project completed on installing handicap accessible doors at the north entrance of church.

*Receiving bids for the school asbestos removal project.

*Contacted Focus on Energy about adding insulation in church antic, determined not cost

efficient, so at this time will not do project.

*Review landscaping bids. Recent bid from Plaski & Sons most favorable on pricing.

*Drainage problem to be corrected early spring in coordination with landscaping plans.

Eugene Kluck contracted for project, working with city engineer. Estimated cost $5,000.

c. Memorials – Bill Boston

*Final draft of memorial pamphlet handed out. Wish list now includes three main categories

to better track restricted memorials. After some discussion, decided on these revisions:

(1)Add general category; (2)Do not number categories; (3)Select less specific pictures.

*Memo received from St. Joseph Parish Endowment Trustees inviting all deanery parishes to

a proposed estate planning seminar. Reps from M&I Trust Co., (diocesan investment firm) and

Andy Gaertner, (diocesan Office of Stewardship) will lead session. The date will be Tuesday,

May 12, location and time to be determined. There is no cost other than the promotion.

*Promote contributions to St. Stan’s Endowment Trust. We have seen some growth this year,

would like to see this continue for the future.

d. Diocesan Annual Appeal – Bill Boylan

*Our target goal is $76,334. To date we are $3,556 under target in total pledged;

and $6,846 under target in total cash received. Participation is at 31%.

*Under current economic conditions, there will be no action on the appeal until after Lent/Easter.

e. Fundraising – Marg Ostrowski; Jackson Case

*Winter Carnival this year had profit estimated at $5,887 compared with $10,008 last year.

*Raffle had profit of $4,847 compared to 6,298 last year.

*Scrip is a program that comes from SPACS. At this time, parish will not take over, due to the

administrative expense of running program. Will promote awareness and sales through bulletin.

5. Major Topic for Discussion

a. Discuss Easter Letter

*Council members discussed first draft. In these economic hard times need to explain how we are

reducing costs wherever possible, challenging times for the church to provide programs and

assistance, and to ask for help if their financial situation allows them.

b. Power Point Presentation

*Members decided to have visual presentation after Easter to convey financial picture.

6. New Business

a. Newsletter Article-Deadline March 12

*Feature articles on Diocesan Annual Appeal and Electronic Giving. Could provide form in

bulletin quarterly as a reminder to sign up to this convenient way of giving.

b. Budget Projections

*Agreed to a 1% staff salary increase. Medical insurance copay to stay the same.

*Discussed other areas for future budget savings

7. Old Business

a. New Format of Finance Meeting

*Email liaison and sub-committee reports one week before scheduled meeting.

*Five minutes will be allowed for discussion, if needed, on each report.

*One major topic for discussion at each meeting.

8. Closing Prayer – John Clifford

NEXT MEETING DATE: March 24, 2009

PRAYER LEADER: Dave Fletcher