2018 October Stewards Minutes

SEEKERS CHURCH

Stewards Minutes

October 14, 2018

Present:

Stewards: Marjory Bankson (angel), Peter Bankson, Kevin Barwick, Ken Burton (moderator), Joan Dodge (angel), Elizabeth Gelfeld, Judy Lantz (recorder), Dave Lloyd, Brenda Seat, Keith Seat, Deborah Sokolove, Glen Yakushiji, Michele Frome, Sandra Miller (worship), Trish Nemore, Margreta Silverstone, Jacqie Wallen.  (Who was the other angel?)

Absent: Cynthia Dahlin

Visitors: Pat Conover, Katie Fisher, John Morris, Doug Dodge, Larry Rawlings, Richard Yobst

Housekeeping: Stewards will meet on Sunday, November 4, at 5:30 pm at Seekers.

Moderator: Deborah                        Worship: Joan

Recorder: Marjory                            Angels: Jacqie & Elizabeth

Christmas Eve coordinator: Elizabeth

Thanksgiving dinner coordinator: interested?  Call SLT.

Agenda:

This meeting’s worship was led by Sandra.  She read from the book Scarcity by Sendhil Mullainathan & Eldar Shafir.

Takoma Park Street Festival: Doug & Larry

The festival was very successful.  Will Ramsey was given kudos for wonderful attention to details.  Outreach Mission Group spearheaded the planning and setup.  There were several changes this year:

  • Water was offered instead of lemonade.
  • Marjory demonstrated her potter’s wheel which was well received by one and all. There were inquiries if Seekers teaches pottery classes.
  • Time slots were for 1 hour instead of 2 hours
  • Seekers were encouraged to visit, enjoy each other and especially have fun.

Next year:

  • Sandra made the suggestion that our table placement could be different to allow more space to show the breadth of our community experience. She thought there was a good showing of support for that idea.
  • Plain paper and fewer crayons (coloring books not so popular)
  • Consider using other Seeker talents i.e. musical.

Time & Space Mission Group: Katie

A request was brought to Stewards to approve a 20% increase in Seekers’ rental room rates.  The rates have not been increased in 10 years.  Costs have escalated for running the building. The rates will still be below other venues.  The request was approved by consensus.

FOG – 2018 Budget 3/4 year update: Marjory

All categories were reviewed to discern whether on target with expenses.  Mission groups are asked to submit their 2019 monetary requests before the November meeting.  Also submit any expenses not yet reimbursed by then as well.  The 2019 budget will be reviewed in November and considered for approval at the December 2 Stewards meeting.  A copy of the financial report is attached to these minutes.

Steward’s Commitment Review

Kevin Barwick will not recommit as a Steward but will recommit as a member for the coming year.  The remaining Stewards will recommit.

Development Proposal:

A developer contacted Seekers several weeks ago seeking our approval for them to access our parking lot while they develop two properties adjacent to Seekers towards the Metro.  They propose green development of housing of 5 stories with 50 units  behind the existing historical storefronts.  There is no parking planned for the tenants.  The access requested would be granted for 15 months of construction and ongoing deliveries to the new efficiencies, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments.

David and Peter initially met with them to learn the developer has entered into a limited Study Period contract with a refundable deposit.  Since then a Seeker’s Negotiating team formed to include Keith, Peter, Katie Fisher and Doug Dodge.

Keith presented this information and led the discussion to consider the pros and cons of allowing access to the Seekers parking lot.  After many ideas were weighed and considered, we ultimately decided not to allow any access.  There was consensus to do that in a non-threatening way.

Dave is the liaison between the Negotiating Team and SLT going forward.

During the conversation, it was suggested that Seekers might buy the hostel’s back yard to expand Seeker’s parking and possibly buy the hostel property ourselves.  This was left undeveloped for the time being.

Two Stewards shared: Marjory & Michele

Soul Talk concluded our meeting.

Submitted October 17, 2018 by Judy Lantz