President ’ s Report
“ Commit your work to the Lord , and your plans will be established .” ( Proverbs 16:3 )
As winter transitions into spring , I am reminded of the transitions Trinity will see over the next few months and years as we embark on building projects and new and expanded ministries . God ’ s presence is with us as we embark on these plans just as he is present in the new growth in nature . Following is an update of some of the exciting projects happening at Trinity :
Capital Campaign Update – The Gifted to Grow , Given to Share capital campaign projects group consisting of Gary Schwartz , Kent Garvin , Steve Dugger , Lynne Pearson and myself have been meeting with the goal to establish project priorities and plans . Projects have been selected from those listed in the campaign prospectus approved by the congregation and will be phased over the next three years based on available funds . For projects planned in 2016 the committee has considered funds already received plus projected to be received by year end .
See below for a summary of campaign related plans : Funds availability - Approximately $ 232,000 of the total campaign pledges of $ 729,338 have been received through the end of March , 2016 . Based on pledge commitments we anticipate receipts totaling approximately $ 400,000 by year end 2016 . Subtracting expenses already funded including campaign expenses , furnace replacement and committed benevolence there is approximately $ 165,000 currently available from funds received through March , 2016 and we anticipate approximately $ 316,000 available for projects by year end . Benevolence – Trinity committed throughout the campaign to tithe based on contributions . Our plan is to set aside 10 % of received funds annually for distribution the following year . From 2015 contributions of $ 187,250 there is $ 18,725 in benevolence funds available for distribution in 2016 . The distribution of benevolence funds will be managed by the Social and Eco Justice ministry with oversight and approval from finance and council . Automated doors for ADA compliance – The first priority for facility improvements is the addition of handicapped accessible automated doors at the main front and west entrances . We are currently in the process of getting contractor bids and should be ready to contract this work within the next 30 to 60 days . Restroom remodels – Men ’ s and women ’ s restroom remodels including ADA compliance are also priorities for facility improvement . The masonry block construction limits what can be done with the restroom remodeling so we are also looking into the possibility of adding a separate ADA / Family restroom . We are in the process of getting bids on the restrooms and will be reviewing our options in the near future . Endowment – After the above projects are funded , our next priority is to establish the endowment fund . It has been decided that the endowment will be invested through the ELCA Endowment Pooled Trust under the fiduciary responsibility of the Trinity Trust Fund committee . Once established with the minimum investment of $ 25,000 , the endowment will be available for Trinity ’ s members to build through estate gifts . Mortgage – Based on projected donations , our final priority for 2016 is paying off the mortgage prior to the end of the year . This would free up more than $ 30,000 a year for other program funding in 2017 and beyond . Kitchen remodel – We are starting to plan for the kitchen remodel projected for 2017 . This is most complex of the approved projects and will require time to get input , identify needs , make plans and get contractor bids . Lynne Pearson has agreed to lead this process and will be assembling a task force committee to work through the details of the kitchen plans . If anyone is interested in being part of this group please contact Lynne . Other projects – The committee will meet regularly and set project priorities over the term of the campaign . Projects will be phased as funds become available .
Solar Panel Project Update – The investment group financing the solar panel project has been providing updates to council . They are in the process of receiving bids and choosing a contractor for the project . They anticipate having the panels installed sometime this summer . As approved by the congregation , Trinity will enter into a power purchase agreement with the group to purchase the power generated by the system . These projects will help us fulfill Trinity ’ s mission and vision in our church , the community and the world .
Thanks be to God !
In God ’ s Grace , Dave Karst Council President
2