TRAVERSE CITY ORTHODOX MISSION CHURCH
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
3010 Hastings Street
Monday, September 10, 2007
Call of Order:
Acting President, Karen Kain called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.
Members Present:
John Batsakis, Dwight Demitz, Mike Dennos, Karen Kain, Doug Partlo, Bob Underwood, and
Judy Weston.
Opening Prayer:
Father Iakovos let the assembled in the opening prayer.
Approval of the Minutes:
A motion by Dwight Demitz, seconded by Doug Partlo to accept the minutes as published.
Motion passed unanimously.
Phone Line:
Doug Partlo gave a status report of getting our phone line installed. The line we currently have
through Hagerty Insurance is still functioning. It is the line that we have used for many years in
all of our advertising and publications. We have put a message on it to call Father’s line. We are
hoping to continue to use the Hagerty line until the first of the year at which time we would
switch everything over to our own line with a listing in the 2008 phone books. We will remain in
a holding pattern.
Building Update:
Doug Partlo will contact the Hastings Street building owner to try to secure a copy of the lease
papers and give them to our attorney, Mike Long. Father Iakovos reported that Ray Ealy priced
the lumber and supplies from Brown Lumber for the building the iconostasis. It will run in the
neighborhood of $800.00. A motion by Doug Partlo, seconded by Karen Kain to approve
$800.00 to be spent by Ray Ealy or Randy Kain to build the iconostasis. Motion passed
unanimously. Discussion followed about taking this money out of our Building Fund as it would
fall under the category of capital improvements.
Grounds Maintenance:
Mr. Partlo reported that a family has stepped forward and offered to clean the building on a
weekly basis as part of their stewardship obligation. The Council felt this was a very good idea.
Doug also reported that he will be periodically asking for all who can to come and do a very
thorough cleaning (windows, carpets, etc.)
RFP Report:
Father Iakovos reported that he has been doing some investigating with our local banks about
getting a better return on our money. He presented two reports: one from Traverse City State
Bank and the other from National City Bank. The quote from National City was by far better for
us as they would pay 5.15% on all of our monies deposited except the amount in the checking
account. We will have to decide how to ‘label’ our accounts and set aside categories for
accounting purposes. Perhaps even have separate accounts. A motion by Bob Underwood,
seconded by Doug Partlo to move our money from Huntington Bank to National City to be our
depository of record. Motion passed unanimously.
General Assembly:
Discussion was held on the General Assembly held September 9. It was
felt that it was very well accepted and the bylaws were passed by the assembled with very little
discussion. Stephanie Long and Martha Ealy did a splendid jobs. Stephanie for chairing the
meeting and Martha with the preparation and presentation of the bylaws.
Taste of Greece:
Mr. Underwood gave the Council the final report on the Taste of Greece. Our net profit was
$5,907.00. All on the dinner committees were satisfied with this result.
Stewardship:
Roger Dunlap has offered to chair the stewardship committee for the 2008 year. A motion by
Doug Partlo, seconded by Bob Underwood to accept this offer. Motion passed unanimously.
Change of Meeting Days:
Karen Kain reported that Father is obligated to attend meetings at the Metropolis on Tuesdays
and it would make it very difficult for him to drive from Detroit to Traverse City to be included
in our meetings. A motion by John Batsakis, seconded by Doug Partlo to change our meeting
day to either the second Monday or Wednesday of the month. Our council members will be
polled by email as to which day of the week would be best. Motion passed unanimously.
Monthly Budget Report:
Karen Kain presented the latest reports from A.L. Mitchell & Associates. Discussion followed
on how to lower the current charges from this firm to keep our books. We have changed our
depository of record and now it will be more cost effective. Discussion followed on moving the
stewardship books out of this office and be handled by one of our parishioners and as it is very
time consuming thus saving us money in man hour charges. This person would be appointed by
the Parish Council. We will continue to investigate other avenues as well to allow us to save
money.
Council Secretary:
Judy Weston reported that Mr. Chuck Bethea has resigned from the Parish Council. He cited his
commitments to his evening patients as the Parish Council has had to schedule more meetings
per month. The Council accepts his resignation and thanks him for all of his hard work.
Closing Prayer:
Father Iakovos let the assembled in the closing prayer and the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Judith Weston
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