Trustees Meeting - July
The following is a brief synopsis of business discussed during the meeting held July 14, 2010. For more details please contact a Trustee.
Jan Jeffers offered to fill a vacant spot on Trustees. Although she is a paid staff member (financial secretary) there is apparently no prohibition for a paid employee being a Trustee. Jan is also not responsible for expenditures, only collections. Approved.
Manse garage roof was replaced and work paid for.
The church sign was discussed at length. A small yet vocal group from this church attended the village Zoning Board of Appeals meeting to protest having a sign placed on the village green. While the village code enforcement officer had determined the sign met all applicable laws and he had no problem with allowing the sign, the ZBA was asked to determine the interval of change for messages displayed. The protesters forced the ZBA to deny the sign but not based on any law. It was determined that several people who protested the sign admitted making a deliberate decision to not attending any meetings in which the sign was discussed. Even after a special Q&A meeting after regular Sunday service a couple weeks ago in which everyone had the opportunity to learn any detail about this sign, these few people continued in their opposition, and in our view made a very bad decision taking this issue public.
Questions were asked regarding money spent on the sign, and also discussion about the Board of Trustees as a decision making body including whether Trustees have any authority to make decisions regarding the business of the church. At this point Don L left the meeting. Discussion about talking to the congregation; Deacons suggested calling for a Council Meeting. It is important that Pastor Jim Ziobro be present.
New Business:
Jan Jeffers gave information about the Green Committee. It was formed in October 1977 and included some of our members, members from other churches on the green and members from the fire department. It was an Ad Hoc committee that reported to the Trustees. It was noted that this year's Blue Grass Festival observed people drinking beer from their coolers and this is a prohibited activity that might be controlled better if the Green Committee were once again active.
Homer Elementary Teacher's association asked for approval to show a movie to children on the green on August 20. Approval was granted as they need to send out information to families. The village cut out branches from a tree and want to cut it down to make it safe. Approval denied for now until further discussion.
Wesley House has been sold. The Methodist Church plans on selling items end of July. They need Russ and a Trustee to mark what are our items that we store there so they won't be sold.
Other business:
Andrew Leach resigned due to career promotion that he will now be traveling out of town most weeks and unable to properly and effectively work on church business.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Highlights from tonight's meeting:
1) The congregation will be invited to a meeting on June 24 for a presentation from a group interested in commissioning an internationally renowned artist to create a statue of Abraham Lincoln that would be permanently displayed on the Village Green. This is a unique opportunity that is intended to bring new visitors to Homer. Stay tuned for exciting details!
2) We are moving forward with the sign project for the Green. Details have been worked out for lighting and the sign permit and application has been made to the village. While estimates for completing the installation are still pending, including electrical, Don V plans on saving us some money by leading a small but dedicated group (probably Trustees) that will provide much of the labor for setting the pad. Look for a display about the new sign in the RFR.
3) The Land Committee wants to meet again. Last year we made some great progress working ahead of deadlines to review and present updated contracts before current leases expire. We also need to move forward with the Church on the Green to correct the deed that wrongly transferred land owned by the Homer Congregational Church.
4) Estimates for repairs to the Manse garage roof and driveway were reviewed. We voted to go ahead with the roof repair now as we have been putting this off for several years and the price came down from previous estimates. Work on the driveway was tabled for further discussion, and for an opportunity to meet with the neighbor who also shares the driveway.
Looking forward to Holiday In Homer in July. See you there!
1) The congregation will be invited to a meeting on June 24 for a presentation from a group interested in commissioning an internationally renowned artist to create a statue of Abraham Lincoln that would be permanently displayed on the Village Green. This is a unique opportunity that is intended to bring new visitors to Homer. Stay tuned for exciting details!
2) We are moving forward with the sign project for the Green. Details have been worked out for lighting and the sign permit and application has been made to the village. While estimates for completing the installation are still pending, including electrical, Don V plans on saving us some money by leading a small but dedicated group (probably Trustees) that will provide much of the labor for setting the pad. Look for a display about the new sign in the RFR.
3) The Land Committee wants to meet again. Last year we made some great progress working ahead of deadlines to review and present updated contracts before current leases expire. We also need to move forward with the Church on the Green to correct the deed that wrongly transferred land owned by the Homer Congregational Church.
4) Estimates for repairs to the Manse garage roof and driveway were reviewed. We voted to go ahead with the roof repair now as we have been putting this off for several years and the price came down from previous estimates. Work on the driveway was tabled for further discussion, and for an opportunity to meet with the neighbor who also shares the driveway.
Looking forward to Holiday In Homer in July. See you there!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
March meeting
The Trustees meet on the second Wednesday of each month. If you have any questions or needs that the Trustees should consider, you may leave a message with the church office or you may contact any Trustee directly.
During our March meeting, we learned that the Memorial Committee has approved partial funding for a new sign that we hope to purchase this spring and install on the Green along Main st. The board members believe that this new sign is necessary to attract new visitors to join us for worship on Sunday mornings and to promote the many activities of the Homer Congregational Church. Currently we are working with Homer Village zoning for approval of site plans and also collecting estimates for installation. Once we know the cost to install, the Trustees will be seeking additional funding through private donations and a special campaign to help complete this project. We are all very excited to have this opportunity to promote our church.
The board also approved a letter asking the congregation for help closing the budget gap so that we can meet our financial obligations for the year. This is because the pledges we receive do not add up to match the actual cost of running the church. Our costs include staffing, utilities, maintenance, and all missions - both local and global. Fortunately our shortage can be met if everyone who is capable can give an additional $7 a week or even $20 a month. Our "Bridge the Gap" campaign last year successfully met this challenge and we need your help to do it again. Thank you, everyone, for all your help keeping this great historic church alive!
Andrew Leach
During our March meeting, we learned that the Memorial Committee has approved partial funding for a new sign that we hope to purchase this spring and install on the Green along Main st. The board members believe that this new sign is necessary to attract new visitors to join us for worship on Sunday mornings and to promote the many activities of the Homer Congregational Church. Currently we are working with Homer Village zoning for approval of site plans and also collecting estimates for installation. Once we know the cost to install, the Trustees will be seeking additional funding through private donations and a special campaign to help complete this project. We are all very excited to have this opportunity to promote our church.
The board also approved a letter asking the congregation for help closing the budget gap so that we can meet our financial obligations for the year. This is because the pledges we receive do not add up to match the actual cost of running the church. Our costs include staffing, utilities, maintenance, and all missions - both local and global. Fortunately our shortage can be met if everyone who is capable can give an additional $7 a week or even $20 a month. Our "Bridge the Gap" campaign last year successfully met this challenge and we need your help to do it again. Thank you, everyone, for all your help keeping this great historic church alive!
Andrew Leach
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Trustee Meeting, Feb 10, 2010
The Board of Trustees for the First Religious Society of Homer, NY, has responsibility for all operations within the Homer Congregational Church, including staffing, building maintenance and other property, and financial health of both the FRS and the church.
Tonight we welcomed new board members Isabel Coon and Becky Jones.
The board voted to keep Don VanSlyke as Chair of Trustees. Judy Shultz will remain Treasurer. Andrew Leach will head up the Finance Committee.
There was much planning and discussion of upcoming events scheduled throughout the year. Details will be shared in the weekly church bulletins and monthly newsletters. Very soon you will begin seeing new content posted on our website http://homercc.org/. All active groups and committees will have their own blogs linked through this website. This will provide everyone with a fun and easy way to share news and events. Other links that will be added to our homepage will be utube.com (where you will find many new pictures of our members and group activities), and Facebook.com (which we hope many members will join in on-line fellowship).
Andrew Leach
Tonight we welcomed new board members Isabel Coon and Becky Jones.
The board voted to keep Don VanSlyke as Chair of Trustees. Judy Shultz will remain Treasurer. Andrew Leach will head up the Finance Committee.
There was much planning and discussion of upcoming events scheduled throughout the year. Details will be shared in the weekly church bulletins and monthly newsletters. Very soon you will begin seeing new content posted on our website http://homercc.org/. All active groups and committees will have their own blogs linked through this website. This will provide everyone with a fun and easy way to share news and events. Other links that will be added to our homepage will be utube.com (where you will find many new pictures of our members and group activities), and Facebook.com (which we hope many members will join in on-line fellowship).
Andrew Leach
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Next Meeting
Hi;
The next Trustee meeting is at 6:30 PM on February 10th in the Board Room.
See you there!
The website is: http://www.homercc.org.
Andrew and Don
The next Trustee meeting is at 6:30 PM on February 10th in the Board Room.
See you there!
The website is: http://www.homercc.org.
Andrew and Don
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