SONBEAM VIA
DE CRISTO
SECRETARIAT
May 23, 2005
First United Methodist Church –Pinellas Park
Members Present-
Paul Sabatier-Smith, Karen Emerson, Pastor Betts Huntley, Skip Young, Charlie
Tucker, Dave Marquart, Wayne and Nancy Baker, Billie and Chuck Ott, Chris
Klafs, Don and Nancy Kragh, Pastor Bill Sistar
Guests
Present -
Excused- Debbie Alexander, Carole Moskowitz, Chuck
Stewart, Betty Neighbarger, Wendy Kinka, Linda Price
Lay Director Paul Sabatier-Smith
called the meeting to order. Pastor Betts Huntley opened with prayer. Paul shared a meditation from “Our Daily
Bread” titled “Keeping the Organ Playing”.
The Scripture was from ICor 12:20-26.
The point was that we should not seek personal acknowledgement, but that
it takes all of us. Paul also shared
from “Dots and Donut Holes” how a group that was asked what they saw when shown
a piece of paper with a dot on it saw the dot, but missed the piece of paper. He also shared the poem about keeping your
eye upon the donut, and not upon the hole.
Don Kragh presented the minutes of
the May 7th meeting. They were approved
with minor changes. There was no
Treasurer’s report presented.
There was discussion about
maintaining a list of those who came to Serenade. A list hasn’t been maintained because some people indicated a
desire not to be identified individually.
After discussion, it was indicated that anyone who didn’t want to,
didn’t need to sign the list. It was
decided that we would get a book for this.
Chris Klafs (Purchasing) reported
that she had received checks and money for the past weekends, and that her
treasury was in the black.
There was no old business.
The main item of business for this
meeting is the ballot for Secretariat positions for the June 25th
Business Meeting. Paul indicated that
the Bylaws state that 15 days prior to the election, we must have written
acceptance to serve if elected from each candidate. That translates to a June 9th date. Also required is that they be active in
their church and reunion group and that they participate in Ultreyas and
weekend activities and have team experience.
It was indicated that Chuck Stewart and Barbara Fox would be
coming off one At Large position. .Paul
shared that Betty Neighbarger and Chuck Ott were elected to the other At Large
position last year, but that Betty indicated to him that she would prefer not
to continue, but would prefer to serve as general community.
Karen Emerson (Post VDC) reported for the Nominating
Committee. She expressed a concern that
some who might be willing to serve, while qualified, might not be well known by
the community. The group suggested that
perhaps a list of people with qualifications be sent out. She suggested a hardcopy on each table at
the Ultreya listing each candidate, their church, reunion group, along with any
special qualifications they might have.
She asked the Secretariat to help by contacting individuals we think
might be good Secretariat members, then contacting her. She suggested Candidates be listed
alphabetically. Paul suggested that we
be careful with the distribution of ballots – not just passing out a stack of
them – maybe give them out as people come in.
It was indicated that, since the meeting would be at Hope Lutheran, the
Sanctuary there has one entrance. This
would make it easy to monitor distribution of ballots. Dave Marquart and Billie Ott agreed to count
the votes. Karen presented a list of
candidates to date. Betts Huntley moved
that we approve the list so far. Chuck
Ott seconded. Dave Marquart (Assistant
Lay Director) suggested that, since we could approve the final list on June 25th,
that we don’t really need an interim approval.
After considering this, the motion and second were withdrawn.
Karen indicated that the new Bylaws
changed the Purchasing position from an appointed to an elected position, and
now limits the length someone can serve in this position. Chris Klafs has served longer than now
allowed. She is willing to continue and
has done a superb job. Pastor Bill
Sistar moved that we set aside the Bylaws requirement to allow Chris to run for
the Purchasing position for this election.
Charlie Tucker seconded. The
motion passed by more than the two thirds required to override the Bylaws. Dave Marquart indicated that this position needs a committee for the future,
allowing those in the community who are interested to serve, and gain
experience. Karen suggested that we
might want to have the community sign up to serve on committees.
A question was asked about
nominations from the floor at the election.
Paul said that the new Bylaws require a written statement of willingness
to serve at least 15 days before the election.
This would preclude nominations from the floor. It was indicated, though, that someone who
met the 15 day requirement could decide to run for a different position, even
if within 15 days of the election.
Paul said that he had sent out an email to the Secretariat
after receiving a request from upcoming Rectora Wendy Kinka and upcoming Rector
Wayne Baker to hold the Leaders Workshop on September 17th, the day
of the Ultreya in Lakeland. Paul shared
concerns that with team meetings it might make a very long day, and that
attendance in Lakeland might not be as good as the Pinellas area. Tom Simpson (Leaders) sent him an outline of
ideas for the Workshop that Paul will send out for comment. Areas Tom listed included 1) essentials, 2) adiaphorous
(non-essential) elements, and 3) Sonbeam elements. Tom also had suggested training on Secretariat positions, and how
roles on a team fit together. Paul
indicated that it might work out well to try to schedule the Leaders Workshop
before weekend meetings get started, perhaps late August.
Charlie Tucker said that he has been
working on the database. He said that
he, Ken Winsey, and Kathy Calabrese have been rebuilding it. Skip Young said that he has records for the
Men’s weekends. Charlie said that they
will use this to verify what they have.
The idea is to end up with an ACCESS database.
Dave Marquart expressed the concern
that we need to work toward getting a representative in each church to
communicate with Cursillistas in their church about what is going on.
Paul asked for prayer requests and
praises for our closing prayer. Several
Prayer requests and Praise reports were expressed. Pastor Sistar closed in prayer and included all the prayer requests
and praise reports.
Respectfully
submitted,
Don Kragh
Secretary