St Demetrios Parish Assembly Minutes
November 8st, 2020
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Opening Items:
Father Gianulis opened with prayer.
Peter Johns moved that Daniel Agnew act as the Chairman for the meeting. Motion was seconded and approved.
Priest’s Report/Comments:
- Thank you for prayers for Presbytera Connie, who is recovering from surgery but doing well.
- Spirituals State of parish is “not good” due to Covid having negative effect on church life; non participation and reinforcing habits over long term.
- Consideration when we fully return from the pandemic:
○ Youth – need leadership
○ Church School – need director and teachers
○ Greek School – parent support
- Church attendance – we need to start participating now
- Changes in our NJ Metropolis – Fr. Constantine Morales appointed Chancellor
President’s Report/Comments
- Explanation of Bridge Loan from the “Patrons of St. Demetrios”.
- Idea of Day Care Startup business
- Many new maintenance expenses
- Largest new issue is the roof needing repair from being improperly installed
- Other building wish list items that need attention.
- 65,000 meals hosted through our facility by Meals on Wheels
- Backpay issue remains for Fr. Milton for several years
- Ilias Paparas has donated 20,000 shares of stock.
- We will be reapplying for Leadership 100 grant if eligible
- Church is open on Wednesdays at 6 – 7 p.m. for quiet reflection and prayer.
Treasurer’s Report:
- 2019 was a year of positive growth and improvements
- Stewardship by itself is not enough to cover what we need to operate the parish and pay the building and mortgage expenses
- Deficit of 10,000 per month to cover operating expenses
- Huge hit to Stewardship due to Coronavirus.
- Focus is on putting money towards things only when necessary
- 2020 Budget
○ Focus on how much we need to cover Expenses
○ Focus on trying to break even on operation expenses
○ Use of ancillary income from Festivals and Hellenic Center rentals to help with other items
- Discussion around getting kitchen back in full operational condition.
○ Bob will itemize summary of expenses to bring back to parish
- More details included in Treasurer’s Attachment
Mike Thomson moved to approve financials 2019-2020 YTD. Motion seconded and passed.
Mike Thomson moved to approve 2021 Budget. Motion seconded and passed.
Festival Report:
- Drive through Festival was great success
- Net of 20,000 from festival
- Plans for a pickup festival in December using same infrastructure
- Planning to advertise future festivals at current festivals
Stewardship Report:
- Discussion on Stewardship strategy
○ 2 baskets one to operate the parish and another for mortgage and maintenance
- Letter will be sent out on stewardship to entire parish.
- 100+ expected pledge cards based on membership units but only 25 returned pledge cards for 2020.
- Pledge cards help us plan for future as well as provide proof of income for Bank
- Review of what it means to be a member in good standing and what is expected.
- Discussions around getting pledge cards from the rest of parish.
Daniel Agnew asked for a motion to add members to the Stewardship Committee. Nick Vlahakis and Elli Williams volunteered. Motion was made, seconded and passed with no opposition.
Ammendments:
- Postponement of Parish Council elections by one-year Archdiocese Clergy Laity Congress ADDENDUM D: Daniel Agnew asked for a motion. Motion was made, seconded and passed with no opposition.
- Amendment to our local By-Laws to increase term limits from 2 consecutive terms to 3 consecutive terms: Daniel Agnew asked for the motion. Motion was made, seconded and passed with no opposition.
Board of Auditors:
Andrew Volochevski, Marianthi Johns and Mike Thompson volunteered to be on the Board of Auditors for 2020. Motion was made, seconded and passed with no opposition, subject to acceptance by Andrew Volochevski.
Good of the Parish (all other business):
- After a discussion on intake of stock donation, Nick Vlahakis offered his expertise in helping the Parish Council in handling the donation properly. His offer was accepted.
Motion was made to Adjourn. Father Gianulis closed in Prayer.
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Updated Church Needs List
The St. Demetrios "needs" list below is grouped by similar needs. The first goup, Council Action, are needs that require Council action, but individuals can volunteer to assist the Council with these needs. The second group, Maintenance, are single action items, recurring maintenance, and the funding of mainentance. In this group individuals can volunteer and or provide funding for these items to accomplish them. The third and final group, Volunteers, are generally single action items or funding and do not involve the Council or the maintenance program.
Please consider all of these categories and if you have an interest in volunteering or funding please see Tom Coghill or Michael Thompson. You can also sign up on the bulletin board outside of the narthex of the church. Just write your name and preferred contact method phone and or email to the right of the line(s) you are interested in and you will be contacted. Thank you for your consideration of these items which will benefit our Church, just another way to express your stewardship for St. Demetrios.
1. Council Action:
* 2021 Annual Budget
* Draft business plans for Church and Williamsburg Hellenic Center
* Establish a Capital Maintenance & Replacement Budget
* Establish a maintence committee:
* 2021 Stewardship Plan
* Form a committee to reduce our capital debt of $1,990,000
* Form an audit committee
* Create Greek Festival budget spreadsheet with account codes
* Computer equipment for office
* Renegotiate Cox phone and internet expenses
2. Capital Maintenance & Replacement Plan:
* Contribute to roof repair - replacement fund
* Contribute to HVAC replacement/repair fund
* Contribute to lawn maintenance equipment fund
* Contribute to kitchen range hood fire suppression system repair fund
* Make drywall repairs and paint as needed
* Clean black mold from ceilings in Sanctuary after roof leaks are repaired
* Contribute to termite - wasp control fund
* Change HVAC filters
* Apply sealant to balcony door threshold
* Remove and replace termite damaged baseboard in hallway between ballroom and kitchen doors
* Repair lights at street sign
* Parking lot repair - resurfacing fund
* Replacing interior light fixtures with LEDs
* Window replacement fund
* Repair or replace non-working exterior light fixtures
* Clean out gutters and repair leaks
3. Volunteers:
* Serve on the Parish Council
* Clean the Sanctuary and other areas of the building
* Lawn maintenance team
* Fill kitchen and restroom floor drain traps with water monthly
* Donate postage stamps
* Tighten loose lock cylinders on doors
* Bring non-perishable food items to church for Williamsburg Food Bank
* Contribute to replacement sound system fund
* Hellenic Center event set-up and take down
