United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report
Feb. 25, 2010—Cincinnati, Ohio

The Council of Elders met in executive session in the morning beginning at 8 a.m. After lunch, Chairman Roy Holladay called the meeting to order at approximately 2:20 p.m. by calling on Robin Webber for prayer. All of the members of the Council were present, as were a number of guests.

2010-2011 Strategic Plan and Operation Plan

Aaron Dean motioned, Robert Berendt seconded and the Council unanimously adopted the 2010-2011 Strategic Plan.

Aaron Dean motioned, William Eddington seconded and the Council, by a ballot of 11 for and one abstention (Scott Ashley), adopted the 2010-2011 Operation Plan.

2010-2011 Budget

The Council then discussed adjustments to the budget.

Melvin Rhodes stated that he would like to have the World News and Prophecy seminars reinstated since they were rated highly in the member survey discussed the previous day. Darris McNeely asked what the administration’s ideas were about this suggestion. Jim Franks said that the ABC Continuing Education seminars rated just as highly. He pointed out that the ABC Continuing Education seminars are still scheduled for the Winter Family Weekend. Darris McNeely said that the World News and Prophecy seminars were removed last year from the Winter Family Weekend, but that those would be very inexpensive to hold at the Winter Family Weekend as well. By show of hands, the Council decided to reinstate funding for the WNP seminars.

Robin Webber suggested that the remainder of available funds be used for The Good News and international subsidy for The Good News in Canada and Australia. Bill Eddington responded that The Good News circulation is currently 30,000 in Australia, but with the current budget it will have to be cut back to 10,000, which will have a significant impact on the work in Australia. Scott Ashley said that since booklets provide more of the spiritual “meat,” he prefers to see more funds restored to booklets rather than to the U.S. Good News print run.

Jim Franks said there are other things that can be considered, such as adding back funding for the two-day conferences.

By show of hands, the Council then decided to restore $44,000 toward the international Good News printing and $100,000 toward the printing of booklets.

Jason Lovelady said that the Council also needs to address the issue of the home office remodeling plan, since part of that will be in this current budget year and the balance in the next budget year.

Victor Kubik motioned, Aaron Dean seconded to commence with the first stage of the remodel in this current fiscal year and the Council of Elders unanimously approved the motion.

Aaron Dean motioned, Darris McNeely seconded and the Council of Elders, by a ballot of 10 for and two against (Scott Ashley and Robin Webber), adopted the 2010-2011 budget as edited.

International Reports

Bill Eddington distributed a report titled “United Church of God, an International Association, International Reports December 2009.” The first page of the report is a statistical summary of all the international areas: number of congregations, members, average attendance, Holy Day attendance, salaried elders, non-salaried elders, Good News circulation, World News and Prophecy circulation, Vertical Thought circulation, Bible Study Course enrollees and Bible Study Course graduates. Each report has separate sections with information on indigenous and subsidy income, most-requested literature, advertising initiatives, etc. Bill Eddington mentioned there are certain important comments from each area about their specific needs, or what is working for them, that the Council would not know about if these reports were not received.

Council Communication

Robert Berendt addressed an issue he is very concerned about, that of individuals contacting the Council but never receiving a response back. Chairman Holladay stated that this was previously delegated to the Media and Communications Committee. Bill Eddington mentioned that at times answers were given, but the Council was not informed of what the response was. He stated that the Council had previously directed that all answers be submitted back through the secretary with each member of the Council receiving a copy of that response. Scott Ashley said that he would like to see the correspondence directed to the committee that would be responsible for the issue addressed—doctrine, etc. Roy Holladay commented that he would still like it to go to one area and then have the correspondence directed to the proper individual to address the question or issue.

Darris McNeely said that, since he has been on the Council, he has always at least acknowledged the receipt of the correspondence. He commented that the Media and Communications Committee can take this on, but the entire Council needs to take responsibility for answering the questions that come to the Council.

Robin Webber said that he had responded to certain people, but he made it clear his was a personal response and that he is not speaking on behalf of the Council.

Roy Holladay said it is important to acknowledge the receipt of the correspondence, then have it directed to the Media and Communications Committee for forwarding to a member of the Council to answer or respond. The suggested response would be returned to the Media and Communications Committee for further edits. Mr. Holladay said that it is important that the response be copied to all the Council members.

Roy Holladay placed the responsibility of correspondence with the Media and Communications Committee.

Jason Lovelady stated that over the past two or three years, there has been a letter from the chairman and president accompanying the Strategic Plan, Operation Plan and budget. He asked if the Council wanted to approve those letters. Chairman Holladay responded that the letters can be circulated first among all the members of the Council for their review.

Chairman Holladay adjourned the meeting at 3:30 p.m. with prayer by Darris McNeely.

-end-
Gerald Seelig
Council Reporter

© 2010 United Church of God, an International Association