Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Parish Council Minutes February 16, 2016

Call to Order: Meeting called by President Sydney Langford at 7PM.

Father Paul Christy led in prayer. Members present: Fr. Paul Christy, Joanna Biliouris, Jim Elliason, Steve Flaherty, Connie Kledaras, Anna Kouba, Sydney Langford, Bob Lyford, Harry Nicholos, Pavlos Pavrides, Jim Riley, Mary Wehbie, Mary Winstead. Members Absent: Greg Delage, Maria Hicks, Costa Panagos

Treasurer’s Report: Bob Lyford Bob Redistributed December 15th statement with the following changes. Accounts payable: Bill received on Jan 16, 2106 for festival venue for $35,083. Festival account net profit adjusted. Revenue was $290,120.13. Expense was $251,909.17. Profit was $38,129.96. Schwab Brokerage Account: Two parishioners donated stock in December for stewardship and building fund. Stewardship increased by $2700. Candles: $3200 check for candles voided due to no money being owed. Net ordinary income: Due to the changes the net income for 2016 is adjusted to ($13497). January 16 Financials presented. Profit and loss budget vs. actual and balance sheet reviewed.

Discussion followed regarding ways that the Parish Council can offer support to Jason as the Festival grows.  Evaluate expenditures that have reduced the profitability of festival. With fewer expenditures and increased revenues festival could become more profitable.  The festival chair is accountable to parish council. Festival does not have at this time have a working budget. Fiscal restraint is needed to reduce expenditures. The last few years have been difficult due to large capital expenditures.  Data is available from square machines to determine the quantity of each item sold. Cost of items could be determined using this data.  Concern expressed regarding the date change and fatigue factor.  PC would like to offer support to assist with budgeting, purchasing, financials, unit pricing, etc.  Recommendation/ideas expressed: identifying individuals in the food business who understands food costs, ordering, etc., reinvigorate marketing by evaluate advertising and consider options such as lamppost banners downtown, a billboard, online vs. newspaper visiting neighboring churches and personally invite congregations; contacting Habitat to see if they advertise in their communications. forming a committee to include interested members.  Of note admission tickets included 2100 prepaid church tickets, 2400 Internet printed tickets, and 1600 newspaper clipped tickets.

January Financials: P/l Stewardship January $54000. Several pledges paid in full at the first of year. This income will fall off significantly as the year moves. Amalia Kythas assumed role as accountant. The current financial documents present actual numbers, budgeted amount, and percentage difference. Parish council would find it helpful to have monthly and year to date data presented. Bob will add this the information. Operations overhead of $552 is for merchant fees. Credit card fees are assessed for individuals who pay online in December. Credit card process fees. Bank account can debit without fee. Money market interest and paragon accounts have interest credited to their accounts. Money from 25th anniversary dinner has been transferred to capital account. Special events fund was a check correction. President’s Comments: Sydney requested agenda items for general assembly. She anticipated questions about the postponement of the kitchen renovation project.

Per Archdiocese mandate, housing allowance and salary need to be on separate line items but combined when considering compensation. Annual raise to Fr. Paul Christy was based only on salary alone. Compensations $70, 325 plus $48,000 housing allowance. Budget to be adjusted to reflect 5% raise from combined line items. Correction noted.

Motion to accept adjustment to compensation on budget as reported by Harry Nicholos. Second by Joanna Biliouris. Motion carried.

Ministries update: St Anthony presented activities for the first part of the year. Primary expenses are for vans. Toula Capetanos is to be commended for her efforts.

Choir is seeking alternatives for when Elia is not available. Money was allocated to supplement salaries for Risa Poniros and Dena Byer. They were to be reimbursed.

Cinema international: A group attends movies, not only international, once per month during the day.

Bookstore: Tamara Costa would like to have a permanent location for the bookstore. Prosfora: Tamara Costa invites Prosforo makers. She keeps a schedule, but people sometimes do not always follow it. 35+ group has been inactive. Several would like to reactivate.

Pascha Celebration: Discussion about Pascha celebration continued.

General assembly is March 13, 2016. Please try to attend. Agenda includes treasurer report, festival update, stewardship update, maintenance requirements, and Clergy Laity Choir Conference.

Father’s comments: Father inquires how much money is allocated to invite Lenten lecture speakers. His budget is $1500. Philoptochos also has line item to support this endeavor. He reports that church closing has not been thorough and asked members to be conscientious. There has been much church activity including a Funeral on Thursday, OCF retreat, marriage counseling seminar, Lent with extra services, and many more activities.

Old business: Mary Winstead researched how memorial funds have been used in the past. She referenced September 2010 Parish Council which directed Memorial Funds to Liturgical and Sacramental items. Current parish council will continue this practice. Discussion continued regarding church neighbor using church parking lot for personal use.

Approval of Minutes: Minutes sent electronically in advance of the meeting. Amendments presented to the council. Motion to accept the minutes as amended by Harry Nicholos. Second by Joanna Biliouris. Motion carried.

Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Connie Kledaras at 8:30PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mary Wehbie