September 2019 Board meeting Minutes
September 21, 2019
Attendance: Linda Mitchem, Mitch Mitchem, Dan Sharpe, Anita Bitkowitz, Mel Dunn, Jeanette Swartout, Ben Smith, Dana O’Dell, Kathy Armstrong.
Meeting called to order at 2:10pm with prayer
Meeting Minutes:
Jeanette motioned to approve the minutes as written. Anita 2nd the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
President report:
If you accept to be on the board, you accept to be at the meetings. Being on phone or in person. We need to be able to have a quorum. Granted we didn't’ have any pressing subjects to discus. We need need a bigger commitment. After three meetings of not hearing from a person on the board they are automatically dropped and we really don’t want to loose members of the board.
Linda received a letter from Todd Shafer.
To the Northern Michigan Deco T.E.C. Board,
I am writing to you regarding the recent decision to remove skits from the next weekend. I am concerned with this decision, and feel it was a hasty one to make. I do respect the board’s decision and have great respect for Dana, but please, hear me out.
From Friday’s arrival through Sunday afternoon, these teens are in an intense environment. We are packing in a four-day DeColores weekend into a three-day TEC weekend. You have more down time on a Men’s or Women’s weekend. I see these teens having to absorb so much information in a short period of time. When Saturday Night comes around, you are letting them let their hair down at the Hoot and the skits.
Some of you may not like the skits. Some of you may think we go over the line at times. I respect that. However, I feel that the majority of our teens enjoy the skits. You could give guidelines to everyone as to what you can and cannot do. Frankly, I like to be made fun of. I feel we can do that in love.
I have spoken with other parents about this as well, some with autistic children. They feel that the skits are a good release of the intensity of the weekend. I will respect the board’s decision on this, however, this does not speak for the majority. Thank you for your time, and I will be on board with whatever decision is made.
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Todd Shafer
Dana brought up that we voted as a board just to have it done on this one particular weekend. She wants to do a game night in order for the teens/adults to let their hair down and still ultimately have fun but still have that release.
Jeanette personally thinks that a change for one weekend that might work..
Ben and Dan are willing if the teens are willing.
Spiritual Director report:
Jesus calls us to be the salt. Salt preserves us. He says this world is in a state of decay.. We are to slow the decay, to do our job as christians. If Salt looses its saltiness then we need to trample it. We need to concentrate on what christ wants us here for to be the salt and the light. If we can’t do that, then we have lost the ability to be a good chirstian. We need to watch ourselves.. We need to understand the joy of the lord is our strength. We need to force ourselves to understand the word of the lord is true. We should have nothing in this world to fear.
Treasurers report:
Not complete because of the Vanderbuilt church situation. She did issue a check for the kitchen cooks for the weekend.
Secretary/Historian/registration:
Inventory:
Mike Brief donated $50 for better shirts for the prayer warriors and Mitch and Linda donated and some new shirts have been ordered and made.
Jeanette was interested if Jim Brown was still learning to take over as a head Prayer warrior.
Also wanted to know if the shirts are returned to DecoTec after the weekend.
We still don’t have a trailer plate for the trailer.
Director Report:
Everything is going pretty well. Seems the Indian River kids might not be able to make it. We will figure out rides for teens. Got musicians, and spiritual directors.
Old Business:
New Business:
Kathy Armstrong would like to be back on the board.
Mel asked to have her son Joseph (JD) to attend the weekend.all agreed to have him attend.
Dana has asked Mitch and LInda to do the Marriage talk. The board agreed to this.
announcements/concerns:
Crossroads ministries. At the old bowling alley. Dan Sharpe will contact them about connecting us together.
Prayers for Melissa’s health and mindset.
Prayers for Mike Emerson with his health.
Ben Smith closed us in prayer.