BIG CANOE CHAPEL ANNUAL COMMITTEES S REPORT

Transcription

1 BIG CANOE CHAPEL ANNUAL COMMITTEES S REPORT ACTIVITY COMMITTEE The Activities Committee organized, provided food and beverages and hosted the following events beginning July, 2011: Brunch at The Terraces following the morning worship service on Sunday, July 3. The annual POA Employee Appreciation Luncheon on August 18, The Chapel Choir Christmas Reception on Sunday, December 11, The food was catered by Cindy Parks and Madeline's. Madeline's also did the floral arrangement for the table. Thank You Reception for Dan and Joyce Whittaker during Stand-Around on Sunday, December 18, The Moravian Love Feast during the worship service on Sunday, December 25, The love feast buns were ordered from Dewey's Bakery in Winston-Salem, NC. The Welcome Reception for Len and Marilynn Walker during Stand-Around on Sunday, January 15, Memorial Service Receptions: James Popp Jack Robyn Bob Battle Carl Heidbreder Sybil Underwood Virginia Wheeler (Judy Lacey's mother) The Activity Committee is in the process of setting- up a Mealtrain program for our congregation to use in order to provide meals for Chapel members during illness; after deaths or to assist individuals as they recover from surgery. BENEVOLENCE COMMITTEE Vision Statement The purpose of the Benevolence Committee is to support charitable and faith-based organizations as well as individuals in need in Dawson and Pickens Counties. If resources allow, support will be considered for similar organizations in surrounding counties. Assistance will be in the form of either one time or scheduled financial support based on the Committee s review of recipient needs. Organizational Support Abba House Boys and Girls Clubs of North Georgia Cherokee Family Violence Center Appalachian Children s Center CARES Collaboration for Resiliency in Children

2 Dawson County Family Connection Georgia Mountain Hospice Habitat For Humanity Joy House North Georgia Pregnancy Center St. Vincent DePaul, Pickens Dawson Senior Center Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center Hope House NOA Prevent Child Abuse St. Vincent DePaul, Dawson The above 18 organizations received a total of $210,325 from Big Canoe Chapel during All organizations were audited during 2011 and, with one exception, will continue to receive Chapel support up to the next audit during summer/fall of Collaboration for Resiliency in Children has been removed from the Chapel s list of supported agencies for lack of full disclosure and follow-up during the last audit. One Time Grants Pickens Family Connection Good Shepherd Clinic of Dawson County Action Ministries Transitional Housing, Pickens Pickens Ferst Foundation Good Shepherd Ranch Bobby Bradley Relief Fund The above organizations received a total in one time grants of $22,500 during 4 th Quarter Ferst Foundation, Good Shepherd Clinic, and Good Shepherd Ranch have been included in planned quarterly support for Total Quarterly and One Time Grants during 2011 were $232,825. Emergency Aid During 2011 A total of $ was disbursed to benefit 29 people in Dawson and Pickens Counties. All payments were made directly to vendors, primarily for propane, electricity, and rent. Because of a lack of funds early in 2011, only 8 people were helped January through July. As the budget was increased late in the year, more people were helped. We continue to rely heavily on the Saint Vincent DePaul organizations in both Pickens and Dawson with their Intake Processes, their extensive data base, and their historical files to avoid duplication and fraudulent requests, and to stretch funds in the most effective ways. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION The Christian Education mission is to creatively teach, proclaim and demonstrate the love of God to all children, youth and adults for their continued Spiritual development. Children and Youth on Sunday SUMMER Sunday School in 2012 for 3 year olds 5 th graders Children s Time in the 10:30 AM worship service with Rev. Len Walker Nursery for babies 0-3 years Youth Sunday School Dr. Lloyd Larsen s Breakfast Club. Youth Ministry Seek a full-time youth person. Adult Sunday Schools 1. Seekers Class. The Bible and the New International Quarterly used. Led by David Owen and Chuck Gordon. Yearly retreat and 4 th Sunday stand around.

3 2. Grace Walk Class. Led by Randy Case. Primarily discussion; centered on in-depth study of the Bible. Mission projects & yearly retreat with Seekers & stand around. 3. Fellowship Class. Members rotate facilitator duties for the lessons. Studies include books by Christian authors and publications focusing on contemporary Christian issues. Mothers Morning Out Staffed by Cathy Cowart and Toni Hicks and using HORIZONS, a Christian curriculum which couples Bible Stories and verses in with academic learning for six toddlers. Seek upgrading of rooms with new paint and flooring. Wonderful Wednesdays Thanks to Jud and Lassie Dye for dinner management and volunteer recruiting, and to caterers, John & Cyndi Lupi. Looking at some new menu ideas, seating possibilities & publicity ideas for Fall April 25 th is the last spring dinner, and sponsored by The Men s Fellowship. Movie: Courageous to be shown after dinner. Fall classes beginning September 12th: Bible Study with Len Walker on various topics. Dancing in the Spirit led by Lamar Helms and Living the Questions led by Harry Gilmer. Thanks to our teachers in the Fall and Spring: Dr. Dan Whitaker, Nancy Cowart, Dr. Laurence McCullough, Cathy Scott, David Owen, Harry Gilmer, Randy Case, Rev. Lamar Helms, Joy Summers and Rev. Len Walker. Vacation Bible School Summer EGYPT! Joseph s Journey-Prison to Palace! 128 children; 54 teachers & helpers. Special thanks to J.C. and Cathy Smith. Summer PANDAMANIA! Where God is Wild About You! Registrations going well may have 150 children this year! June th. Shirts ordered ready to go! Wildlife show on the 1 st day. Miscellaneous Information & Programs 1. Thank you Breakfasts: Held in June 2011, Jan. 2012, and upcoming in June This allows for an enrichment opportunity, a bonding and sharing time for our teachers. Thanks to speakers: David Howe, Chuck Gordon and to food preps by Peg Ewing, Lois Carter and Jayne Greene. My office contains a variety of excellent resources for our teachers. 2. Friend Day Program: To be held on April 29 th. The bulletin on Sunday the 22 nd will contain an invitation you can give to your friend. Thanks to Christian Ed Committee members, Jeff Dodson and Randy case for this idea. 3. Summer Day Camp: To be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in Last year s attendance averaged daily. Seek new Day Camp Director.

4 4. Sunday School Attendance Records: Have weekly records of all classes since March 2009, should anyone ever like to see them. ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE A calendar of quarterly meetings was established with meetings in the months of July, October, January and April. Minutes of these meetings are posted on the Chapel website, bigcanoechapel.org, under the tab Information, Endowment Fund. At the start of this term at the July 2011 meeting, a two-year review of the Committee activities was discussed with specific goals established for the year: - Manage and build the Endowment Fund. Review quarterly the portfolio performance with Longview Financial Advisors, the Fund Investment Advisory Firm. - Improve the Chapel worship services Internet Broadcast project, with correction, testing and successful re-launching. - Develop and finalize Restricted Account accounting statement format and annual account distribution policies. - Develop, discuss and select ideas on the Endowment Fund future projects. - Promote, educate and communicate the benefits of the Endowment Fund to the Chapel membership. - Endowment Fund Portfolio Performance A regular part of each Committee quarterly meeting agenda is the Endowment Fund portfolio performance report presented, in person, by the Fund s investment advisor, Jeff Cedarholm, CFP of Longview Financial Advisors, LLC. For the period since July 31, 2011 to March 31, 2012 (three quarters), the quarterly returns were <6.50%>, 2.47% and 5.00% respectively with the three-quarter return of 1.10%. Since inception, January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012, the total return was 5.59% on an annualized basis with an investment dollar gain of $31,315 after all management fees. The Investment Policy Statement (IPS) constructed by the Endowment Fund Committee as an investment guideline for the Financial Advisor is currently at a moderate to low risk level. The asset allocation generally runs about 50% in cash and bonds with the balance 50% in stocks other growth investments. Chapel Internet Broadcast Project At the start of the term year, this Endowment-sponsored and underwritten project was experiencing technical difficulties and had stopped streaming (broadcasting) the Sunday Chapel worship services over the Internet. The needed corrections were beyond the ability of the Chapel audio/video volunteer staff to correct and the Committee authorized the payment for a local firm to make corrections. In November, CTG, Comprehensive Technical Group, analyzed and made technical adjustments to the internet-streaming equipment and other related wiring problems on the control board in the Chapel audio/video room. These fixes along with a separate purchase of additional microphones in the altar and choir areas enabled the re-launch to be successfully done on November 13, Since that time, the Chapel audio/video staff has made tweets and other adjustments to improve the audio levels and the focus challenges when there is a bright sun light behind the choir from the outside. We continue to search for a solution to this focus problem. Restricted Account Statement Format

5 Preliminary format designs were discussed. Further discussion will be conducted with the estimated final design to be implemented for the calendar year, Endowment Fund Future Projects Rev. Dan Whitaker, the interim Senior Chaplin, volunteered to head a subcommittee that would recruit Chapel members and discuss and propose a list of suitable Endowment Fund projects to the full committee for consideration. His efforts were prematurely concluded as a permanent Senior Chaplin, Rev. Len Walker, accepted the position early in Future action toward this goal will be planned. Promote the Endowment Fund The promotion and education of the benefits of the Endowment Fund program was predicated on completion of the three prior items. Since their completion is now estimated to be later this year and under a new administration, a date for the promotion will be part of the plans of the Committee. FINANCE COMMITTEE In October, the Finance committee set a preliminary budget for 2012 and submitted it to the Board of Trustees. Following the Stewardship Campaign in November of 2011 the committee created a complete budget for 2012 and submitted it to the Board for approval. The budget was accepted with no changes in January of In February of 2012, the committee completed the investment package and turned over $300,000 to the Financial Advisor who had been approved by the Board of Trustees. On April 15, 2012, the Finance Committee will make a short report to the congregation recapping the Chapel s financial position through the first quarter of LIBRARY COMMITTEE The Library Committee continues to meet once a month, discussing various items for purchase. We are concentrating on selecting unique books as we are now receiving many donations from Big Canoe people for many of our popular authors. We also are purchasing more movies in DVD form---new and replacing popular VHS movies to DVD. One of our big concerns continues to be space! We need to expand but have not as yet figured out how to do so. MEMBERSHIP/VISITATION COMMITTEE This year the Membership/Visitation Committee has piloted and implemented a "greeter" program to welcome members and visitors to our Chapel services. A New Member luncheon event was held in January honoring 4 new member families along with our new senior pastor and spouse. The new "Welcome" baskets were distributed at this event along with a chapel orientation by committee chairs. The Committee implemented a new map project bulletin board which helps us locate where new members and chapel prospects live. Positive results have already been seen using the new member's "connecting" through this initiative. New members have been recognized through updating new member photos on the chapel entry bulletin board display. New name tags have been provided to our visitors as well as our new members so our chapel community can more easily recognize these individuals in our chapel services and stand around program.

6 MISSION COMMITTEE Big Canoe Chapel Mission Committee has chosen the following Missions to support in 2012: Agape Flights Amigos for Christ Eagle Ranch Camp Sunshine The Craddock Center No Longer Bound Music Mission Kiev Luke Project Penfield Christian Home Atlanta Mission The Navigators In-Step Samaritan s Purse The Mission Committee s approved budget for 2012 to date has been $71,000. The Mission Committee is presently getting the information together for a Mission Trip/International. Three different Missions are being evaluated. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Significant contributions and/or changes: Personnel Manual was completed and approved by the Board of Trustees on August 21, Chapel Staff Job Descriptions were completed and approved by the Board of Trustees on February 19, [A special thanks to Paul Ray, who spent many hours on this very large project!] During the year, vacancies occurred for the positions of Maintenance Supervisor, Administrative Assistant - Finance and Administrative Assistant - Services & Events. The Personnel Committee worked with the Property Committee in developing a plan for the replacement of the Maintenance Supervisor. As of now, Mike Johnson and Melba Slayton, both part-time workers, are working with Justin Jordan. The committee recruited, evaluated and recommended to the Board of Trustees the hiring of Mary Donna Rodden as Administrative Assistant and Leigh Young as Administrative Assistant for Finance, for the Chapel office. The Committee assisted the staff in obtaining a Worker s Compensation physician. SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE One hundred twenty-nine students submitted applications. Of these, 101 students will receive scholarships utilizing funds set aside by the Chapel ($57,000), a donation from the Women's Guild

7 ($10,000) and an anonymous donation in the amount of $1,500. Successful students and their parents attended a scholarship recognition service in the Chapel followed by a reception the Broyles Center. STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE The Committee began meeting in October 2011 and adopted the theme, Blessed to Be a Blessing for this campaign. A letter was sent to each member of the Chapel announcing the Campaign one week prior to the kickoff on 30 October During the four Sundays of the campaign the committee provided articles for the left side of the Worship Bulletin and Dr. Whitaker included a stewardship focus in his sermons. All articles and letters were also posted to the Chapel website. On November 6 th Margaret Anderson shared her personal testimony during both morning worship services. A key feature of this year s campaign was our focus on prayer. Beginning on 1 November Chapel members received a prayer bulletin each morning, highlighting a different aspect of Christian Stewardship. Saturday, 19 November, was designated as a Day of Prayer for our Chapel ministries and involved approximately 100 people over a 12 hour prayer vigil. Our prayer and publicity activities were coordinated with the Mission Conference Committee to develop some continuity between these two important focus times. The campaign concluded on Commitment Sunday, 20 November with the Count Your Blessings dinner following morning worship. THE TERRACES COMMITTEE The new Terraces committee began working on the 2012 concert series in Dec It was decided that we would host fewer concerts than last season and continue to have a variety of musical genres represented. The six concerts in 2012 will include popular tribute bands, songs from Broadway musicals, a patriotic concert (depending on availability of the Armed Forces bands), country, and well-known local talent. Concerts will begin in April and end in August. Last year s hard working committee planned to expand the Terraces physical setting by adding a cover for the performers and their equipment. The final estimates exceeded funding capabilities at this time, although the need for such an addition still exists. It is our hope one day to be able to provide this asset for the performers and concert attendees