February 7th, 2002

Members Present: Mary Eve Thomas, Jim Graves, Chuck MacDonald, Deb Meyer, Claude Paradis, Carol Berg O’Toole, Gene Gagnon, George Wertin, Peter Eichten.

1. Opening Prayer:
   Was led by Peter. There was brief check-in by all members
2. Mission Statement & Covenant: were not read.
3. Minutes from January meeting were approved.
   - there was one addition to the agenda: Cabaret Report by Jim.
4. Old Business:
   
   1. Policies: The Council reviewed the Safety and Protection policy. It was decided that it would be appropriate for the policy committee (Gene, Carol, Pete) to meet again to review this policy.
   2. Personnel Handbook: There was some discussion about the Handbook, primarily on how it should be distributed to the staff. It was decided that the Personnel Committee should decide how to distribute the Handbook. The Council highly recommended that some kind of training go along with the distribution of the Handbook. The Council unanimously approved this version of the Handbook. It can now go to the staff. It was noted that the Handbook needs to be reviewed every few years.
   3. Archdiocese Capital Campaign: We did 2 Sunday pledge card distributions, and we are now in the process of wrapping it up. We will be far short of the $950,000 goal.
   4. StaffDay Retreat: Claude, Mary, and Chuck each shared briefly their experience of the day. They felt it was very worthwhile, and they had many positive things to say about the staff, especially their commitment, and creativity. They were also impressed in the way the staff works together. They wish that somehow the rest of the parish could see what they saw that day.
   5. Successor Plan: Council members all received a copy of this plan that was drafted by Joan Riebel and George Moudry. This will be implemented as the time draws near.
   6. Visibility of the Council: Schedule was reviewed, and the Council decided to keep doing it through the year. There will be announcements in the bulletin about the Council members availability. Nametags are at the reception desk.
5. New Business:
   
   1. Focus Groups: The invitations to attend the focus groups that will discuss SJA finances has gone out to the 1000 top givers in the parish. Council members along with Finance and Stewardship members are being asked to serve as resource people at the focus group meetings. There will be three such meetings: Feb. 24, March 6, and March 10. The task of the Council members will be to listen, record, and serve as a resource in the small group part of the focus group sessions. Council members signed up for the sessions that they could attend
   2. Welcome Givers: Part of the discussion at the Staff Day was welcome givers, and at that meeting it was decided to keep welcome givers going. For some good exposure, Council members and staff will be the welcome givers for the next few months. It was also noted that Dorothy Kalinowski, who has scheduled the welcome givers for years is resigning from those duties. Nancy Becker and Anne Garvey, SJA parish secretaries, will now cover those duties. Some Council members signed up to be a welcome giver.
   3. Parish Handbooks: The Council looked at the present Parish Handbook and had some suggestions. This item will be discussed at the next meeting. It was also suggested that we discuss a Parish Directory at the next meeting.
   4. What’s it mean to be a Peace Church?: George has a concern that people do not really understand what peace and non-violence is really all about. He asked that as a Council we stand in solidarity to the non-violence as taught by Jesus and that is a part of our Christian heritage. Many of the staff attended an all day workshop on non-violence given by Bishop Thomas Gumbelton, and it was a valuable experience. SJA will be hosting “Every Church a Peace Church” conference April 19 and 20. We are also offering 2 classes in non-violence on April 2 and April 9. The Council supported George in this effort. Claude wants us to investigate seriously a “peace pole” that could be installed on the SJA campus as a symbol of our commitment to peace and non-violence. George will take the peace pole idea to the staff.
   5. Goal Setting: Peter reminded the Council that the goal forms need to be in by March 1. More forms were available. The goal setting process will begin next month.
   6. Liason Reports: Finance report: Dec. giving was good. We are right on target. Carol requested that the Council be sent the income/expense statement each month. Claude made a report on Isaiah, saying that the Martin Luther King Day rally in New Brighton was good. Deb is talking to her contacts. Chuck is still a bit concerned about the direction of the web site. Mary Eve has been active in Eco-Spirituality, Life-Long Learning, and the Retreat Team.
   7. Cabaret Report: Jim gave a brief report of a recent Cabaret meeting. The Cabaret Committee agreed that the leadership from their group along with the leadership of the Finance Committee and the Pastoral Council should meet annually to discuss where the money for the Cabaret goes.
6. Final Prayer: led by Peter.
   Meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Eichten