Annual Meeting Minutes from February 4, 2024, Church Year 2023

Pastor Scott Meier opened with a prayer. Meeting was called to order by President Allison McBride at 10:20 a.m.

Everyone was asked to review the church year 2022 minutes from the February 5th, 2023 Annual Meeting and the additional Special Annual Meeting minutes, also, reviewing the church year 2022 that was on March 23rd, 2023. Motion to approve the 2022 Annual minutes and the Special Annual minutes was made by Renae Gebers and seconded by Mike Bruen. The motion was approved to pass the minutes and special minutes regarding the church year 2022. All ayes, motion carried.

The Pastor’s report had no questions or comments. Pastor Scott Meier addressed to the congregation that the concept of loneliness is a big factor that we all can try to address by reaching out to others and helping them to not feel so lonely, helping lead them down the path to arriving to a bigger solution to help these individuals’ struggles; and that solution is God. By helping others who are struggling or especially lonely during these times, being there to help them achieve their solutions, encourages individuals to have the strength and faith to look to God to help them with their loneliness or other struggles. Motion to approve the Pastor’s report was made by Sandy Fletcher and seconded by Ellen Harvey. All ayes, motion carried.

The President’s report had no questions or comments. Allison McBride conveyed to the congregation that when reflecting on this moment and this past year, we are all very thankful for the great people we have in our congregation who have helped in so many ways. She also added that through struggles, we are given the opportunities for growth in God. Motion to approve the President’s report was made by Renae Gebers and seconded by Brian Larson. All ayes, motion carried.

Jim Vinsand, Sr. reviewed the Treasurer’s report. He explained the difference between the reports/pages and explained that we have a General Fund (checking account), a Memorial Account (money market), a Youth Account/League (checking account), a Savings Account (“Ambassadors for Christ”), a Stifel Baird Bond Mutual Fund, a Stifel Vanguard Mutual Fund, along with General Fund CD’s and Investments, Memorial Fund CD’s and Investments, and, also, a Youth League CD. Many things get applied to the Memorial Account and then transferred to the General Fund in order to properly account where things come in and go out. He explained that the General Fund and its CD’s increased. Investments stayed the same. In the last year the church’s CD’s have gone up $3,000. The LPL account is almost back up to its original amount. The Youth checkbook increased by a little over $500, and their CD investment rate also increased to 5.2% in order to build up investments for the Youth. The church’s total assets, liabilities and net assets increased over the year from $345,521.95 in 2022 to $479,410.69 at the end of 2023. Moving on to the cash basis on revenues and expenses, compared to 2022’s report our total contributions and offerings increased from $168,936.77 in 2022 to $207,769.12 at the end of 2023 (a huge increase in income). The church’s total general fund expenses, also, thankfully, decreased from 2022 to 2023. The total general fund expenses in 2022 were at $208,553.64, and in 2023 the total general fund expenses decreased to $204,282.09, meaning for the year 2023 our income in offerings and total contributions was greater than our total general fund expenses by $3,487.03. Compared to last year’s increase/decrease in General Fund Net Assets, in 2022 the church’s expenses were more than the total contributions and offerings, leaving the church’s assets for revenues and expenses at a decrease of $39,616.87. Concerning Other Income including: revenue & fundraising, investment income, memorials, and youth income, there was a significant increase in the overall total compared to last year’s. The total Other Income compared to 2022 increased by over $100,00.0. Total Other Income combined for 2022 was at $70,151.48, and for 2023 the total Other Income totaled $172,015.31. Again, Other Income includes: revenue & fundraising, investment income, memorials, and youth income. Concerning fundraising specifically, 10% of the 2023 Norwegian Supper proceeds were used for assisting 6 families in need of financial help. Three families we helped with their water bills, and another 3 families were given $500 gift cards. The remaining income from the Norwegian Supper and, also, the Steak Fry went to undesignated memorial funds. Bower & Richman CPA firm has continued to help the church with monthly and weekly financial reports, payroll,

taxes, etc. High school graduates and returning college students were given their scholarships for those who applied in the amount of $350 each. BLC Bible Camp(s) scholarships were also processed and awarded for those who applied for that financial assistance. 12% of all the church’s offerings are still designated to go to the voted-on missions. Badger Lutheran Church continues with a more than adequate financial position. Jim Vinsand Sr. concluded by thanking everyone who has been so generous to donate to the church throughout the year(s) that has enabled the church to maintain a more than adequate financial position. There were no additional questions or comments. Motion to approve the Treasurer’s report was made by Kim Meier and seconded by Mike Bruen. All ayes, motion passed.

Commission Reports were reviewed and the congregation had no questions. Each Commissioner went through some of the highlights of their reports, allowing any congregation members to ask any questions or provide comments. Motion to approve the Business Commission report was made by Clark Flecther and seconded by Chrissy Larson. All ayes, motion passed. Motion to approve the Education Commission report was made by Brian Larson and seconded by Jim Vinsand Sr. All ayes, motion passed. Motion to approve the Missions Commission report was made by Renae Gebers and seconded by Chrissy Larson. All ayes, motion passed. Motion to approve the Membership & Outreach Commission was made by Jason Nichols and seconded by Scott Fosseen. All ayes, motion passed. Motion to approve the Properties Commission report was made by Brian Larson and seconded by Ellen Harvey. All ayes, motion passed. Motion to approve the Worship, Music & Arts Commission was made by Jim Vinsand Sr. and seconded by Mike Bruen. All ayes, motion passed. Motion to approve the Youth Commission report was made by Sandy Fletcher and seconded by Renae Gebers. All ayes, motion passed.

Election of Commissioners/Commission:

Nominating Commission: Allison McBride, Mike Bruen, Rick Pederson, & Don Vinsand were all voted in as new Members, all on their first term. Youth Commission: Brent & Chrissy Larson were voted in with Chrissy starting her 2nd term and Brent starting his 1st term. Worship, Music & Arts Commission: Lois Sampson was voted in on her 2nd term. Properties Commission: Mike Bruen was voted in on his 1st term as Properties Commissioner, Steve Johanson was voted in on his 3rd term, and new Member Matt Hewett was voted in on his 1st term. Missions Commission: Scott Fosseen was voted in for his 2nd term. Membership & Outreach Commission had no new Members to vote on. Education Commission: Amanda Condon was voted in on her 1st term, and Rachel Pederson was voted in on her 3rd term. Mutual Ministry Commission: new Members Rachel Pederson, Mike McBride, Jim Vinsand Sr., and Clark Fletcher were all voted in on their 1st term. Business Management Commission: Rick Pederson was voted in on his 2nd term. Ballots were passed out and all nominations were approved.

Election of Missions:

The Ballot was explained to vote for 5 missions to receive equal distribution of 12% giving (3 local missions and 2 global missions). Ballots were passed out, and the results were as followed: Local Missions- Bible Camp(s): 22 votes, AFES: 14 votes, and The Lord’s Cupboard: 14 votes. Global Missions- Feed My Starving Children: 25 votes, Tom Stamman/IMI: 18 votes.

Budget for 2024:

There were no questions about the Proposed 2024 Budget. Motion to approve the 2024 Budget was made by Mike McBride and seconded by Sara Hellvig. 1 nay, the rest of the congregation attending the meeting, ayes. Motion passed.

Old Business:

None

New Business:

None  

Adjournment:

Motion to adjourn made by Scott Fosseen and seconded by Jason Nichols. All ayes, motion carried. Meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Submitted by Brook Hjelmeland, BLC Secretary