United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report
April 14, 2010—Teleconference
Chairman Roy Holladay called the meeting to order just after 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time by calling on Victor Kubik for prayer. All Council members were present except David Baker and Melvin Rhodes. Also present was Larry Darden, United Church of God legal counsel.
Chairman Holladay addressed a request to be absent from the coming Annual Meeting of the General Conference of Elders for cause. The quorum of the Council of Elders unanimously approved the request.
Request to Delay the Remodel of the Home Office
Chairman Holladay stated that Jason Lovelady has requested a delay in obtaining a loan for remodeling the home office to make sure that the Church’s finances have stabilized. The treasurer said that the blueprints can be drawn up (at a cost of around $15,000) and bids sought for the remodel at this time, however. The chairman reported that the treasurer mentioned he should have a better idea about the finances by the May Council meetings. Replying to a question from Bill Eddington, Roy Holladay commented that the architect should have the drawings and the bids obtained by the end of June. With a vote of nine for and one abstention (Jim Franks), the Council members approved the request.
Transitional Operation Managers
The Council discussed the idea of transitional operation managers, but it was decided to take the discussion into executive session once all other agenda items were addressed.
Suggestion for Q&A Session Before the Balloting Takes Place at the GCE
Chairman Holladay addressed a request by Larry Darden, legal counsel, to consider having the question-and-answer session on Saturday night before the balloting takes place at the Annual Meeting of the General Conference of Elders. Roy Holladay said that the reason it has not been done in times past is that it could give the current Council members up for election a more favorable position. As well, those elders who are not physically present would be at a disadvantage because they would have already cast their absentee ballots.
All members of the Council present were not in favor of changing the order of the question-and-answer session at the upcoming annual meeting. Victor Kubik said that the Q&A sessions always seem to be contentious, and he is not necessarily in favor of having them at all. Jim Franks stated that he has not seen any good come from the question-and-answer sessions and would prefer not to have them at all.
Process for Selecting a New President
Roy Holladay discussed a previous procedure used for selecting the president. He recommended that the Roles and Rules Committee be assigned the task of proposing the steps for choosing a new president. He also asked the members of the Council when this process should be completed. Bill Eddington replied that he believes it will take a minimum of three months, but he would like to have a president chosen before the August meetings of the Council. Aaron Dean commented that the August meetings could be the time when the president is chosen.
Jim Franks said that it should be done by August, but does not want it to be a complicated procedure.
Chairman Holladay suggested that the members of the Council study what he presented and pass any thoughts to Bill Eddington as the chairman of the Roles and Rules Committee. Bob Berendt said that he would not want to delay on this any more than is necessary. Roy Holladay agreed, but said that there needs to be good thought put into the process as well.
Scott Ashley mentioned that there are interviews involved (in the process presented to the Council) and recommended that the August meetings be extended to accommodate those interviews.
Victor Kubik commented that in times past names put forward were those known by a lot of people, but we need to look outside of well-known names and truly find someone who is qualified. The Council needs to look into the qualifications of the individuals being considered. He would like to see the president respected from all sides and all groups. He does not want to see the president and the Council set up for another fall.
The rest of the meeting was held in executive session.
-end-
Gerald Seelig
Council Reporter
© 2010 United Church of God, an International Association