SPRC Report for June 2013 Meeting

The SPRC is working with Mark VonWald as he prepares to enter the United Methodist ministry.  This is a long-term process and does not anticipate a staff change in the foreseeable future.  Mark submitted to the SPRC on May 29 written replies to Wesley’s Questions for Examiners.  The SPRC discussed the replies with Mark at its June 5 meeting, and voted unanimously to accept his replies.  This SPRC approval will be reported to the Charge Conference when it next convenes.

 A cookout honoring the Trinity staff will take place on the afternoon of Saturday, June 22, at the home of Donna and Stu Lavallee.

Donna Lavallee will serve as Interim Chair of SPRC from September 2013 through January 2014 while the Chair is teaching overseas.

Finance Report for June 2013 Meeting

Through May General Fund giving is $133.2k vs. $150.7k in 2012 and expenses $143.0k vs. $146.6k last year.  The GF balance is $0.3k.   Giving will be analyzed after June month-end to see where we stand at mid-year.  Giving has been running about 10% below 2012 for several weeks.

The Finance Committee recommends the following asset capital purchase policy to the Church Council: any asset with a value of $250 or more and a life expectancy of a year or more be considered a capital purchase.  This was approved at our May meeting.

A letter to those who made a private pledge commitment will be sent out this week and the unopened pledge cards made available after the next several church services.

The issue of better investing the available cash in the Trinity checking account, the money market account and perhaps the Frontier Foundation endowment account was discussed.  A cash flow analysis will be pursued as a first step to see how much can be invested.

In view of the likely shortfall in giving vs. expenses at year-end and the consequent shortfall in apportionments funding, Pastor Baird has asked the Finance Committee to draw up a list of options for reducing spending in the 2014 budget so that apportionments can be fully paid.  Since more than 70% of church spending is tied to personnel expenses the choice of which reductions to be pursued will ultimately emerge from the Staff Parish Relations committee.  The FC will begin this process at our July meeting.

Additional Counters and Posters are needed in the 2^nd half of this year and 2014.

Respectfully submitted

Chris Hipp – Chair Finance Committe