Minutes

Sister Parish

6 December 2006

Present:

Clarence and Avis Von Eschen, Don Hall, Jenny Linane, Mindy Ahlmer Olmstead, Michael Brannigan, Katharine Málaga and Ross Starkson

Agenda:

Candle Sale (19 Nov)

Possible Second Candle Sale/ Fundraising

Current Balance

Joint Delegation with Fargo

Communication

Retreat

Book Discussion

Candle/Card Sale:

We earned approximately $3,200.00 at our Candle Sale. We were organized and had adequate volunteers. We are not sure why the candles and cards are not selling well. We decided it might be a combination of factors, including the need for new and different products. We also had to compete with ticket sales for the Concert Series.

Possible Second Candle Sale/Fundraising:

We will ask permission from the Parish Council for a second sale. We will try to schedule it when Claire and Ashley give their homily. We also discussed looking into other fundraising ideas: silent auctions, a guest speaker and dance, or individual sponsors for delegates.

Balance:

We do not have our current bank balance. Mindy will report on that for the Jan 2007 meeting.

Joint Delegation with Fargo and Tierra Nueva Uno:

We do not have enough time this year to plan a joint delegation with Fargo. We can continue to consider that in the future.

Communication:

Three Pen Pal letters were sent down to Tierra Nueva Dos with Alejandro in November. We have not received any replies back yet.

Ashley has been in contact with youth from Tierra Nueva Dos via satellite phone.

Tim Getten-Leone has made phone calls to Bernardo and Miriam on a regular basis.

Katharine wrote a summary of the minutes from last month and sent them to the Sister Parish staff, Marlen Felipe, Bernardo Batres, and Fr. Juan Pablo Kesengo. She will also draft a generic Christmas letter to Tierra Nueva Dos.

Retreat:

A Sister Parish retreat for the SJA committee is planned for Jan 20, 2007. We will meet from 9 am to 1 pm. The topic will be Bill's Three Rs.

Book Discussion:

We will discuss dates with Tim who will lead the group in discussing Melville's "Through a Glass Darkly".

2007 Delegation:

We will discuss possible dates at the next meeting.

Sister Parish Donations:

No donations have been received from the group, so far.

Gift for Mindy:

Mindy was presented with a gift certificate to a restaurant. Her years of service to Sister Parish are greatly appreciated!