GeneralAssemblyMinutes - Nativity of the Theotokos

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES – APRIL 06, 2008

1. Father John opened the meeting with a prayer, and then opened the floor for Chairperson nominations. A motion to nominate Bill Winkler was made by Harry Yiasemides; seconded by Skip Bromaghim. Steve Giannopoulos made a motion to close the nominations; seconded by John Manolis. All voted in favor.

2. Mitzi Saffos read the minutes from the October 28, 2007 General Assembly. Mr. Winkler asked if there were any questions or corrections. None were noted. A motion to accept the minutes as read was made by John Manolis; seconded by Carrie Swann. All voted in favor.

3. Nick Pappas opened a discussion on the general assembly minutes stating that per the Uniform Parish Regulations, minutes need to be completed, approved, and mailed out within 15 days. Pending further discussion on this matter, Fr. John asked if the current general assembly minutes could be completed for Council review by the end of April. In lieu of mailing the minutes, the minutes will be posted on the Nativity website and copies made available in the Narthex. (OPEN)

4. Maxine Calamos gave the financial report, stating that the audit of the books is complete and everything is in order. A discussion followed regarding coordinating and scheduling of Audit meetings. Sandy Winkler stated that more advance notice is needed and suggested that the audit committee coordinate with the treasurer and set the date for the audit. A motion was made by Skip Bromaghim to allow the audit committee to govern themselves with regard to audit meetings; seconded by John Manolis. The motion passed. (CLOSED)

5. Additional discussion followed on Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP). A motion was made by Nick Pappas that we should use the accounting procedures for GAAP as a guide; seconded by Harry Yiasemides. The motion passed unanimously. (CLOSED)

6. Maxine Calamos reviewed the income and expense balance sheets. Bill Winkler questioned why the current tax assessment was used for the value of the land versus what was actually paid. Sandy Winkler said that either figure could be used, depending on who the financial statement is prepared for. Maria Yiasemides asked for an explanation of what happened to the original $40K in the Icon fund. Maxine indicated that she could provide all the details at a later date. Discussion followed with Steve Giannopoulos and John Manolis providing additional details on how the funds were spent. A motion was made by Harry Yiasemides to include additional details on the financial reports; seconded by Nick Pappas. The motion passed unanimously. (OPEN)

7. Discussion followed on the need to replace funds used from the mortgage reserve fund. The original amount of the mortgage reserve fund was also questioned. A motion was made by Steve Giannopoulos to replenish the mortgage reserve fund to where it was before withdrawals were made (est. $37K), and that the Parish Council must receive approval at a General Assembly before any additional funds can be used; seconded by Jim Nikitakis. The motion passed unanimously. (OPEN)

8. There was additional discussion on some of the income estimates. Sandy Winkler said good faith estimates are acceptable in financial statements. A motion was made by Steve Giannopoulos to accept the 2008 budget as presented; seconded by Sandy Winkler. The motion passed unanimously. (CLOSED)

9. A discussion followed regarding the priest fund and how money would be raised. Mitzi Saffos asked the status of the $5K pledge for the priest fund previously made. Steve Giannopoulos provided clarification regarding the fund being restricted for a full time priest’s salary only, and recommended that a full year salary be raised before a full time priest is hired. Discussion followed on the amount needed for a full time priest’s salary for the Fredericksburg area. (OPEN)

10. Steve Giannopoulos provided status on committees and committee chairpersons, which included the following: Michael Euripedes will head the stewardship committee, Bill Winkler will consider heading the full time priest committee, Sandy Winkler will head the finance committee, Nick Pappas and Bill Kaltsounis will serve on the by-laws committee, and Steve Noonen will head the communications committee. Steve Giannopoulos also commended Steve Noonen for the work he has done on the website. Discussion followed on combining some of the committees, the process for accepting recommendations from committees, and overlapping responsibilities between committees. Father John said that he hoped that more parishioners would get involved by serving on committees, and discussed the need for a youth ministry committee. Danny Kartoudi volunteered to be chairperson for the youth ministry committee. Harry Yiasemides volunteered to help with the priest fund.

11. Old Business: None noted.

12. New Business: Fr. John talked about the need to raise money through stewardship versus fund raising. He recommended that all should work towards tithing, saying that we would never be in need if we pay God first. Fr. John also discussed the issue of absentee ballots, indicating that the bylaws committee will review and make recommendation with regard to absentee ballots. Discussion followed on: the number of assemblies to have per year; posting meeting minutes on the website in addition to having copies in the narthex; opening committee meetings to all parishioners, and posting dates for committee meetings on the website and in the church bulletin; and not scheduling major events on the same day as a general assembly. Father John requested that the minutes from today’s general assembly be available by the end of April for distribution. (OPEN)

A motion to adjourn the general assembly was made by Steve Giannopoulos; seconded by Nick Pappas. The motion passed unanimously.

                 //SIGNED//
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                Fr. John Stefero                                                                  Date

//SIGNED//
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Elizabeth Skinner, President

//SIGNED//
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Mitzi Saffos, Secretary