The Midlands Churches of Christ

MINUTES OF THE TRUSTEES
MONDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2007

ATTENDEES: Scott Bryden, Marilyn Dean (chair), Jimmy Ogunshakin (from 8.10pm) and Andrew Torbet
IN ATTENDANCE: Andy & Tammy Fleming
APOLOGIES: none

The meeting began at 7.10pm and opened with a prayer.

  Topic Action
1. Approval of Previous Minutes  
  The Minutes from the meeting held on 18th October were agreed and duly signed by Marilyn Dean who acted as chair for that particular meeting.  
2. Matters Arising  
  The standard record-keeping and administrative procedures have not been consistently followed. Some financial paperwork is still missing despite repeated requests for it and TF and MD will approach the person concerned to ask for an explanation for the situation. This person no longer works with any of the financial matters of the MCoC. {wording changed on web version for confidentiality} TF/MD
3. Shepherds Items  
  UK wide Leadership Meeting will be held on Friday 11th to Saturday 12th January at Brentwood Holiday Inn. All the Trustees are invited to participate. Booking will be via the ICCM-events website.  
4. Finances  
  Monthly spreadsheet 2007 to November was presented.  
  A paper has been prepared to cover Subcommittee Accounts Procedure. This is to be circulated to the Board along with any appropriate profomas and considered at the next meeting. AT
  Budget items for 2008:
Non-Salary items (travel and phone allowance etc.) for the Flemings were approved.
 
  AF and TF left the room
In the light of AF taking a gradually diminishing role in the Middle East churches, it is agreed to raise the salaries of the Flemings with effect from January 2008. A letter noting certain revisions to their Contracts of Employment will be issued forthwith covering salary and minimum hours of working. It is also agreed that their next salary review will take place in December 2008 instead of July 2008.
AF and TF entered the room.
JO
  Other items submitted, not yet covered on the spreadsheet:  
  1. Dynamic Marriage Training in May 2008 - funds for 4 couples from Birmingham and 1 couple from Leicester to attend were approved. TF to keep us informed of the progress of her organising of the event. TF
  2. Representatives to International Conferences: provision for 2 couples to attend  
  3. Provision for guest speakers approved  
  4. Budget for the Birmingham 20th anniversary service on the weekend of 26th April approved. Event to be organised by the Shepherd group.  
  5. Teens/preteens budget for camps etc. as last year  
  6. Mileage reimbursement for MD approved, SB to forward a claim form and AT to check the HMRC website guidance. AT/SB
  7. The plea for financial help from Disciples Today was discussed and a subscription in 2008 is approved. AF will investigate the cost. AF
  8. Two Trustee Training Days - item deferred JO
  9. Date for next AGM - Friday 1st August - budget as last year  
  10. MCoC Congregational Retreat Venue, Who to organise it and who to supervise the cash collection - item deferred but it is likely a subcommittee will be set up to manage this.  
  11. Teaching day on personal financial management to be passed to the Shepherds  
  12. Website development - a small contribution to maintain this online is required  
  13. Trustees Insurance - professional indemnity - item deferred JO
5. Employment of Minister  
  Staff Handbook - item deferred JO
7. Benevolence  
  Discussion of what is known of the circumstances of DW's friend whom some church members had supported already. No further support was offered but some clarification was required. - TF to talk further to DW. TF
  Kenyan school project from Leicester - item deferred MD
7. Legal Matters  
  1. Data Protection Act: implications for phone list for the churches and/or various ministries or groups within the church JO to discuss informally with TF  
  2. Compliance sheet by the September meeting - item deferred JO
  3. Future implications of GAD: the lower amount, proving our worth to the community. (On our last minutes this item was proposed for the recent Joint Meeting) - item deferred  
  4. Prospect of converting (MCoC) to a Company Limited by Guarantee - item deferred  
  5. Prospect of setting up a UK Missions Fund (MCoC or other?) for supporting the small congregations - item deferred  
8. Any Other Business  
  None  

Marilyn Dean
For Church Secretary