MINUTES OF DECEMBER 20, 2007 MISSION CIRCLE BOARD

Attendees:

Tom Theisen, Dale Burchby, Vreni Crimmons, Pete Godefroy, Laura Wagner, Pauline Marsh, Jan Nelte, Leo O’Loughlin, Sheila Burke, Ken Daniszewski

Meeting opened at 7:00 pm with a prayer by Dale.

Meeting minutes of November 17, 2007 Board Meeting were approved.

The report on bank accounts was provided by Tom as the Treasurer was unable to attend (Note: ‘4313 account needs to be reduced by $5000 for outstanding check).

The Nativity Set was sold on line for $1500.

The Knights of Columbus will provide MC with $550 for the purchase of Epiphany blankets.

Tom is planning on sending out letters soon to donors who have previously donated >$1,000. Lucie will give a report at the next Board meeting on the results of the fund-raising letters that were recently distributed. It is believed that $3-4K has been raised already.

It was agreed that the Christmas bonus amounts should be decided by the sisters. A motion passed that MC will contribute $2,000 for bonuses to be distributed at their sole discretion.

Casa Eudes generated $1304 in gross revenues last month. It was noted that there is more and more competition in the immediate area as other vendors are setting up along the street.

The current Epiphany costs for food and blankets were $6,081 and $2,400, respectively.

A general observation was made that MC may be more independent of the church’s finances due to the church’s own financial concerns.

Pauline and Vreni gave a report on the Casa Eudes Christmas party, which was deemed a success. Two vans full of SJ Youth Ministry attended the event and approximately 40 Casa Eudes girls were present. Evidently the four oldest girls there did not receive presents, although Vreni will check the validity of this. MC will draft a letter to SJ Youth Ministry thanking them for their participation. Pauline and Vreni will check with SJ Youth Ministry regarding their possible interest in participating again next year. Also, in order to ease the strain on party planners, it may be easier to split parents’ responsibilities between food and gifts next year.

Don has been sick and was unable to attend to provide an update on the van situation, we should learn more in January. It is believed that MC can get the brown van into Mexico and transfer it to the sisters, although this will require 3^rd party assistance. The suburban was been draining funds, with $2-3,000 spent on repairs recently.

It was agreed that the recent newsletter looked very good and the next one will be issued in February. Jan is looking for people to thank in the newsletter, such as volunteers at all the different events. Jan is targeting getting two people to take pictures at each colonia to document t the Epiphany event.

If anyone knows of notebook computers that could be donated, the seminarians would be happy to receive them.

Volunteers (TOM – didn’t catch what this was in regards to) are returning on January 9^th. Dale will draft a thank you letter and Tom shall sign.

The 5K run for St. Vincent de Paul was a fun and notably early event. Kim, her husband and two children, and Tom all attended.

There was no update on the Senior Outreach program. The emergency outreach effort has primarily consisted of short term financial assistance.

Food donations to Catholic Charities and Tijuana: This has consisted of two van trips per month, although lately we have experienced trouble getting the food to the respective groups.

Vocation Training Center: There was nothing new to report. Tom suggested we do a bottoms-up analysis of our mission for this program and that the girls at Casa Eudes should be queried regarding their desires for the program. Ken and Maggie will report again in January.

Epiphany planning: Soccer balls have been purchased. MC is still collecting toys and toiletries that will continue to come in over the next two weeks. Christina is sending out a notice for another event to separate all the gifts. The wrapping party is scheduled for Jan. 5. Gene will be coordinating travel this time. Vreni has been tracking where all the donations go and is storing the data in a 3 ring binder for future use. Laura provided a detailed statement regarding all the food purchased and related expenses.

Meeting closed with a prayer by Tom.

Note: The January MC board meeting will be at 7:00 pm on January 16.