SONBEAM VIA DE CRISTO

SECRETARIAT

February 28, 2005

Pasadena Presbyterian Church

Present – Paul Sabatier-Smith, Debbie Alexander, Karen Emerson, Pastor Bill Sistar, Skip Young, Charlie Tucker, Jean MacKenzie, Pastor Betts Huntley, Barbara Fox, Tom Simpson, Nancy Kragh, and visitor Reid Huntley (Pastor Betts’ brother).

Excused – Dave Marquart, Wayne and Nancy Baker, Chris Klafs, Don Kragh, Carol Moskowitz, and Wendy Kinka.

Lay Director Paul Sabatier-Smith called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Pastor Bill Sistar opened with prayer. Pastor Betts Huntley introduced his brother, who was his guest.

Paul shared a meditation from the John Maxwell Leadership Bible on the subject of communications, including: 1) how Adam failed to communicate with his wife and why; and 2) the fact that a study of Christian leaders found that all had “word gifts”. Paul stated that communication is essential to leadership and should be clear, concise, and on purpose.

Charlie Tucker asked Paul if he could send the Secretariat members a copy of the devotional.

Charlie asked for the dates of Weekends # 46. Jean MacKenzie stated she would check on this and e-mail everyone with the information.

The minutes of the January 22^nd meeting were approved as printed.

Jean presented the Treasurer’s report (attached), showing a balance of $977.46 in the General Fund and $7034.05 in the St. Stephen’s Donation Fund, for a total of $8,011.51. Pastor Bill Sistar moved acceptance of the report. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

A discussion of candidate fees ensued. Jean stated that she thinks there is some confusion regarding who is to pay these fees. There was discussion about the “Sad Rollo” having been eliminated, and Pastor Bill expressed that he feels the “Sad Rollo” should be reintroduced. Paul suggested that future financial reports provide an explanation of the “St. Stephen Fund”, including the fact that these funds are designated and cannot be used for weekend or general expenses.

**After much discussion of these issues, Charlie Tucker moved “that candidates not be responsible for the cost of their weekend but that the sponsors be encouraged to contribute to the fee if possible and that at the post weekend ultreya the babe chicks and the community be informed about how the weekends are funded.” Karen Emerson seconded the motion. Pastor Betts Huntley called for the question. The motion was passed unanimously.

**Pastor Bill Sistar moved that at every ultreya the method of funding be clearly explained to all people. Charlie Tucker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

It was stated that these motions passed by Secretariat will be published on the website and that Paul will also send a note out on the website regarding the current financial balance.

Karen suggested that sponsors seek help from their reunion groups and others in paying candidate fees.

Rectora Jean MacKenzie reported that she has about 60 on her team and that things are going well. There are 3 women candidates and 1 man candidate so far. Several people stated that they will have candidates.

Following a short break, Tom Simpson distributed two hand-outs on the Leaders Workshop: 1) The Workshop Leader’s Guide and 2) The Leaders Workshop Agenda. Tom stated that some workshops with be one-part and some will be two-part. The Head Cha/Asst. Head Cha and the Rector/Rectora workshops with be two-part. Karen stated that the Team Leader/Cha-Cha workshop should also be two-part. During lunch there will be table discussion about the meaning of palanca. Charlie offered to help lead the Set-up/Tear Down workshop.

Paul said that the NLS Annual Survey form has been received for us to complete, and he asked Pastor Betts for assistance in obtaining statistics through 2004. Debbie Alexander advised she would check the database to confirm total number of candidates and cursillistas.

Paul stated that we may need to have another Secretariat meeting before April 16^th in order to address a nominating committee and nominations. We need to keep track in the minutes of who is newly elected each year and publish this information.

The Local Palanca chairpersons have asked if palanca sheets can be placed on the website. Paul suggested that if we do that, there needs to be a way for them to respond (e.g. a “click on button” option). Debbie will develop or obtain palanca sheets, including prayer palanca sheets and post them on the web. She will discuss the response mode set-up with Mike Schreiner.

Paul stated that currently all communications are on the web. In addition, we have discussed sponsors’ responsibility to help get candidates involved. Currently VDC-1 and VDC-2 each have about 200 “identities” on their mailing list. Paul asked, “Why are we password protected?” He commented that most other VDC websites don’t use passwords. Some reasons given for a password have been to protect detailed information about the weekends, identities, etc. Paul suggested that we send out a calendar, ultreya information, etc. a few times a year. Discussion on communications ensued. Charlie offered to “verify” the data base. Debbie requested that any major changes be delayed until her term expires in June. Tom suggested that churches make copies of newsletters and make them available to the cursillistas in their congregations. Karen suggested sending information such as the calendar to churches with several or more cursillistas for distribution by a church representative.

Paul encouraged us to “think out of the box” on communications. He stated the issue will not be resolved in one discussion and will be continued at the next secretariat meeting.

Reid Huntley requested prayer for his mother-in-law, Helen Foster, who is 86 and in the hospital in Massachusetts with lung cancer.

Paul Sabatier-Smith gave a praise report regarding his recent surgery that everything went well and all results were negative.

Pastor Betts Huntley closed the meeting with prayer at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Kragh, Secretary