United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report
July 21, 2010—Teleconference

Melvin Rhodes, chairman of the Council of Elders, opened the teleconference at just after 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time by calling upon Mike Blackwell for prayer. Those Council members in attendance were: Scott Ashley, Robert Berendt, Michael Blackwell, Aaron Dean, Bill Eddington, Jim Franks, Darris McNeely, Melvin Rhodes, Mario Seiglie, David Treybig and Robin Webber. David Baker was not on the teleconference due to travel in Asia.

Also present were Dennis Luker, as president; Larry Darden, as legal counsel; Jason Lovelady, as treasurer; and Gerald Seelig, as secretary.

Melvin Rhodes stated that the need existed to have the new treasurer and finance operation manager in place for the August Council meetings. He commented that he wanted to give the Council members about a week to make their decisions.

Dennis Luker mentioned that it was very important to have the new person in place by the August meeting. As well, he continued, the individual chosen needs proper time to notify his or her present employer.

The chairman also noted that Dave Baker wanted to be available to ballot for the treasurer, therefore the chairman called for a teleconference of the Council for 5 p.m. EDT on Thursday, July 29, 2010.

Jim Franks asked how the balloting for the selection of the treasurer can be done by secret ballot via teleconference. The secretary responded that each Council member will ballot via e-mail, the top of the ballot will be cut off and only the actual decision will be maintained in the minutes. The chairman asked if the results could be announced while the Council was on teleconference, and the secretary responded that it could be.

Dennis Luker also asked that the other operation managers be approved at this teleconference. Mike Blackwell said that his preference is to just choose the treasurer, then confirm the two other operation managers (Ministerial Services and Media and Communications Services) at the face-to-face Council meetings in August. Dennis Luker observed that both Victor Kubik and Peter Eddington are working as interim operation managers, but their salaries have not been adjusted to reflect those responsibilities and he would like to have their positions confirmed as soon as possible. The president asked, if this is delayed, that the selection of those two operation managers be on the first day of the August meetings.

Melvin Rhodes stated that it will be put on the first day’s agenda. Robin Webber commented that he preferred to deal with these personnel issues now before the August meetings since there are now only three scheduled days of face-to-face meetings. There is the need within this precious face-to-face time frame to deal with the larger issues impacting the Church, he observed.

Jason Lovelady asked what date the new individual will effectively become treasurer. He mentioned that his preference is for the effective date to be the first day of the August Council meetings.

Mario Seiglie agreed with Robin Webber. He said it is better to get approval of the other two operation managers out of the way now since it is basically a reconfirmation.

Jim Franks stated that he does not see how 11 days will make much difference and prefers to have it done at the beginning of the August Council meetings. Robert Berendt asked that the selection not take place until after 11 a.m. on the first day of the August meetings since, due to other obligations, he will not be able to be there for the first few hours of the first day.

Mike Blackwell asked if the person selected as treasurer will handle other duties that Jason Lovelady currently does regarding human resources.

Jason Lovelady responded that human resources had always been a part of the finance operation in United. He commented that it doesn’t necessarily have to be done by the treasurer, but human resources does take some specific training.

The meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m.

-end-

Gerald Seelig
Council Reporter

© 2010 United Church of God, an International Association