Minutes Joy Vision Council February 11, 2025
Opening Prayer/Devotion
Hope Olson opened the meeting with a devotion and prayer.
Attendance:
Present: Corri Anderson, Tracy Banitt, Donna Boatman, David Burleigh, Christy Canfield, Joe Fewer, Jim Flatz, Pastor Melissa Hrdlicka, Hope Olson, Mark Olson, Kathy Sommer
Absent: Mandy Bernick
Welcome to New Joy Vision Council Member – Corri Anderson!
Approve last month’s minutes
Donna Boatman made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 2025 council meeting, and Hope Olson seconded the motion. All agreed and the minutes were approved by the council.
Treasurer’s Monthly Report
Financial Information
Treasurer’s Report January 2025
Current Month:
Revenue for the month………$23,153
Expenses for the month.…… $26,785
Deficit for the month………….$3,632
YTD:
Revenue YTD………..……..same as above
Expenses YTD………………same as above
Surplus YTD …………………same as above
Cash Position:
General Fund………………….$39,946
Designated Funds…………..$22,110
Restricted Funds…….……….$6,807
Total Cash………………….…….$67,963
Discussion:
- Jim Flatz pointed out that revenue for January 2025 is lower than both January 2024 and January 2023, which is not a good way to start out the year. Jim reported that the donor to the parking lot fund gave permission for Joy to use their donated funds as the council deems necessary, but for now, these funds remain in the Memorial fund.
- Clarifications regarding various expenditures and classification of funds were made to the satisfaction of council members who raised specific questions.
- Council members expressed their heartfelt thanks to Jim Flatz for his three years of service as Joy’s Treasurer! Jim shared that he is willing to help the next Treasurer in whatever way might be needed.
Agenda Discussion Items
Annual Meeting Wrap-up
Tim Booth was elected in absentia as Joy’s 2025 delegate to Luther Park Bible Camp, but since he served in this role last year, his desire is for another person to have this opportunity. Pastor Melissa spoke to Joan Northouse, who agreed to serve as Joy’s Luther Park delegate this year.
2025 Vision Council Officers
- President – Joe Fewer volunteered to serve as President of Joy Vision Council; Donna Boatman made a motion to close nominations, Tracy Banitt seconded the motion, and all approved.
- Vice President – Donna Boatman volunteered to serve as Vice President of Joy Vision Council; Tracy Banitt made a motion to close nominations, Kathy Sommer seconded the motion, and all approved.
- Treasurer – Mark Olson volunteered to serve as Treasurer of Joy Vision Council; Donna Boatman made a motion to close nominations, Tracy Banitt seconded the motion,and all approved.
- Secretary – Kathy Sommer agreed to continue serving as Joy Vision Council Secretary for 2025.
Building a Giving Team
- Tracy Banitt will reach out to members who may not have wanted to commit to being on the Vision Council but might be willing to serve Joy on a shorter-term basis, members of Joy who have past stewardship experience, and others who may be well-suited for this service.
- Tracy Banitt will request support from the synod with our Giving Team planning. Vision Council members who will be involved in the Giving Team: Donna Boatman, Tracy Banitt, and Joe Fewer.
Kathy Sommer requested that worship service attendance and Wednesday supper attendance data be included in Joy’s monthly Vision Council agenda for regular and ongoing review and discussion. Action Plan:
- Hope Olson will report Wednesday supper attendance to David Burleigh.
- David Burleigh will gather weekly worship attendance data.
- David will send out the above data to council members via email prior to each meeting.
Summer Movie Night – David Burleigh suggested Joy consider organizing a movie night, maybe for families; since Joy is required to pay an annual licensing fee for the movies and videos shown on our premises (during worship, youth events and educational programs), we might as well get as much use out of this as we can. The council was receptive to this idea, so David will bring it up again at a future meeting.
JWELCA Update – Kathy Sommer
- JWELCA approved their Constitution and Bylaws at their meeting today.
- Galentines event coming up on Feb. 22nd
- World Day of Prayer on Friday, March 7th
Pastor’s Report
- Pastor Melissa was accepted into a missional leadership program through the Siebert Foundation; she will be attending a retreat on Tuesday February 18th, then she will have monthly small group coaching sessions through 2025.
- Confirmation retreat is coming up on March 1st.
- Pastor Melissa is working with PACA in planning for Easter worship, and pastoral care and worship services at the Prescott Care Center
- JesusFit, an ‘out-of-the-box’ church organization in Eau Claire, loosely based in the Protestant tradition, is coming to River Falls on Saturday February 15th to share ideas for reaching out to unchurched people in the community, eg. ‘Yoga Church’, ‘Trail Church’, ‘Pizza Church’ and ‘Beer Church’; Pastor Melissa has helped with the planning for this event and has engaged several members of Joy to attend this ‘sampler’ event.
Youth Report
Christy Canfield reported that the Confirmation retreat is coming up on March 1st, and planning is underway for the Middle School mission trip, High School mission trip, and synod youth event.
Pastor Melissa closed the meeting with a prayer.
Respectfully submitted by Kathy Sommer, secretary.