Baptist Sunday School Committee September 17, 18, 2007 Texarkana, TX
Monday, September 17, 2007, 1:00 pm Chairman Keeling called the meeting to order and asked the Clerk to call the roll of the Committee. All members answered the roll with the exception of Bro. Sullens. Chairman Keeling shared a letter from Bro. Sullens submitting his resignation from the Committee. A motion and second carried to recognize Bro. Sullens’ letter of resignation. Chairman Keeling led the Committee in a time of sharing blessings and prayer requests. Bro. Allen Hagood brought devotional thoughts from Luke 5:4 encouraging us to “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught.” Bro. Hagood led in prayer. The Committee shared a time of informal discussion with Bro. Sewell and Bro. Clements. A motion and second was made for the Business Manager to share with the Committee information that was provided to the missions office concerning the cost of printing. The motion carried. Bro. Sewell was recognized to share the information. A motion and second was made to adjourn. The Committee stood for prayer led by Bro. David Butimore.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 9:00 am Chairman Keeling called the meeting to order and asked the Clerk to call the roll of the Committee. Every member of the Committee was present. Chairman Keeling asked Bro. Ray Meigs to bring devotional thoughts. Bro. Meigs shared from the book of Philippians; his text being Philippians 3:1 and led in prayer. The Committee was dismissed to meet with the employees and to honor long time employees; Sisters Gail Oswald and Euline Plunkett each with 25 years of service to the Baptist Sunday School Committee and the churches of the American Baptist Association. Following the break a motion and second carried to seat visiting brethren in counsel. Chairman Keeling recognized Bro. Charles Murphy, Mission Committee Chairman, to speak to the Committee. Chairman Keeling recognized Bro. Wayne Sewell to give the report of the Business Manager. Bro. Sewell reported: · A new vehicle will be needed for the Editor-in-Chief in the spring. · Postage prices are posing some problems because of rising rates due to higher fuel costs. · New print on demand equipment is in place and working well. · Update on the new accounting software. The new software is producing more accurate information on the cost of literature and on each individual job in the production of literature. · Literature production is on schedule. The improvement in pre-press equipment has made an improvement in timely production of the literature. · Store/Mail order sales are down by 2% for the year. · Literature unit sales are up for the past two quarters. · Discovery sales are up by $7,900 over the previous year. · Vacation Bible School sales have been very good this year with an increase of thirty-two percent over the previous year. The decision to move forward the availability date of VBS was correct but also requires an expenditure of larger sums of money earlier in the year. · Action item: purchase of a new van for the Editor-in-Chief. The Chairman noted that a motion carried in the April 2007 meeting to purchase a new vehicle for the Editor-in-Chief. A motion and second was made to adopt the report of the Business Manager. The motion carried. Chairman Keeling called upon Bro. Larry Clements to give the report of the Editor-in-Chief. Bro. Clements reported on the following: · VBS 2007, Wild West Witness-Ridin’ in the Shadow of the Cross proved to be the most popular ever produced by the BSSC. VBS 2008, Good News Games – Winning with God’s Team has gone to press and VBS 2009, Passport to the Promised Land – Following the Steps of Jesus is in production. · Sunday School Curriculum unit sales are up two quarters in a row. Positive comments have been received on redesigned elementary Teacher’s Guide and Make and Take. · BTC curriculum has received appreciation and compliments on new materials but this has not translated into increased sales. · Fellowship Bible Study series now has nine books available. · Teen Discovery and Bible Clubs continue to be popular. A major revision is being considered and will use research and development funds to make needed modifications. · Spanish Sunday School Curriculum. This market continues to grow and now has a full compliment of Sunday School curriculum. · Bogard Press Books are planning a new book will be a twenty-six week study guide based on the Doctrinal Statement entitled What We Believe…and Why based on David Johnson’s BTC Adult study of our Doctrinal Statement during the Spring and Summer quarters. Several other books are under consideration for publication. · Jerusalem Priority Outreach Project is coming along well. The dedicated web site is www.thejerusalempriority.com. This will be an annual outreach project available to our churches. · Web Site improvements. Giant steps are needed in order to compete in the fields of online publicity and promotion of literature ministry in order to function effectively for Jesus Christ as good stewards. A motion and second was made to adopt the report of the Editor-in-Chief. The motion carried. A motion and second carried to adjourn for lunch. Prayer offered by Bro. Gene Tartar.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 1:00 pm Chairman Keeling called the meeting to order and recognized Bro. Steve Reeves to give the report of the Director of Publicity and Public Relations. Bro. Reeves and Bro. Shawn Blase gave a presentation of proposed changes to the web site. A motion and second was made to meet April 28, 29, 30, 2008 with the meeting beginning at 1:00 pm on Monday, April 28. The motion carried. A motion and second was made to adjourn. The motion carried. Closing prayer was offered by Bro. Butch Shipp.
Respectfully Submitted, M.D. Keeling, Chairman Mike Yoho Clerk
Minutes of the Baptist Sunday School Committee April 23, 24, 2007 April 23, 2007 - 1:00 pm Chairman Keeling called the meeting to order and asked the Clerk to call the roll. All members responded to the roll except Bro. James Sullens. Bro. Sullens was unable to attend the meeting due to a personal injury. A motion and second carried to accept the minutes from the September 2006 meeting as printed and distributed. Chairman Keeling led the Committee in a time of sharing blessings and prayer requests. Bro. Richard Merritt shared devotional thoughts from Philippians 2:1-2 on the subject of “Partners in the Spirit” and led in prayer. Chairman Keeling presented the agenda and no changes were noted. A motion and second carried to seat visiting brethren in counsel. The following subcommittees announced meetings during the afternoon: Curriculum Development, Equipment, Honorarium and Memorials, Salary Review, and Financial Planning and Goals. Report of the Equipment Subcommittee: The Print on Demand equipment is now five years old and service is difficult at times because of the availability of parts. The equipment has reached its full depreciation. The subcommittee recommends that new print on demand equipment be leased at the discretion of the Business Manager. The cost of the new equipment will be approximately the same as the current equipment. This equipment will be needed by early fall of this year. A motion and second was made to adopt the recommendation of the Equipment Subcommittee. The motion carried. The Committee observed a demonstration of the New Accounting System process. Report of the Curriculum Development Subcommittee: The Editorial department has worked to build depth with their workers and assignments. At least three employees can now perform key tasks. There is no new curriculum planned at this time but changes in children’s Sunday School Curriculum are in process. There are no specific recommendations at this time. Chairman Keeling adjourned the Committee until Tuesday morning.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007, 9:00 am Chairman Keeling called the meeting to order and noted that all Committee members were present with the exception of Bro. Sullens. Chairman Keeling called upon Bro. Neal Clark to bring devotional thoughts. Bro. Clark shared thoughts from John 14:1-6 and led in a time of prayer. Chairman Keeling called for the report of the Salary Review subcommittee. Report of the Salary Review Subcommittee: Recommend a raise of $100 per month (approximately 2%) for the Editor in Chief and the Business Manager. A motion and second was made to accept the recommendation of the Salary Review Subcommittee. A motion was made to amend the amount to $200. The amendment was seconded and carried. Following discussion the motion as amended carried. A motion and second was made to seat visiting brethren in counsel. The motion carried. Chairman Keeling announced a break to meet with the employees in the break room for fellowship and to thank them for their dedicated service. Following the break, the Committee met with Bro. Rick Lindsay of Grier, Reeves, and Lawley, to discuss the annual audit. A motion and second was made to approve the audit. Following discussion, the motion carried. A motion and second was made to commend the harmony of the Business Manager and the Editor in Chief and to inform the messengers. The motion carried. Chairman Keeling recognized Bro. Robert Ashcraft to give a report on the continuing promotion of the history book, Contending for the Faith. Bro. Ashcraft reported on continuing efforts to promote the book and noted that it is being well received among our brethren. A motion and second carried to adjourn until 1:00 pm. Bro Gene Tartar led the closing prayer. Tuesday, April 24, 2007, 1:00 pm Chairman Keeling called the meeting to order and asked Bro. Wayne Sewell to give the report of the Business Manager. Bro. Sewell reported
A motion and second was made to adopt the report of the Business Manager. Following discussion, the motion carried. A motion and second was made to ratify section 3-11 (page 21) of the employee handbook concerning the retirement plan for qualified employees. The motion carried. A motion and second was made to authorize Bro. Sewell and Bro. Clements to purchase a new van when necessary. The motion carried. Chairman Keeling called upon Bro. Larry Clements to give the report of the Editor in Chief. Bro. Clements reported: · Representing the printing ministry at like-minded Baptist meetings, state associations and the Mexico City association. · Editorial Department is realizing the benefit of computer to plate technology with increased accuracy and productivity. The target date for literature has been moved forward by two weeks. · Sunday School and BTC curriculum. Translation and production of Spanish High School curriculum will begin next quarter which will give a full complement of Sunday School curriculum in the Spanish language. · Beyond Basics curriculum still growing. · VBS is doing well. Production dates have been moved up and has allowed our VBS to compete with other VBS curriculum producers. VBS 2009 – Passport to the Promised Land – Following the Steps of Jesus is now in the hands of the writers. · Fellowship Bible Study is increasing in popularity, new title available in the fall, The Divine Design for Relationships by James Jones. · Teen Discovery and Bible Clubs sales and interest are on the increase. · Christian Education Bulletin has a new look, circ. 45,000 per quarter. · Public Relations - Brother Steve Reeves continues to do a great job. A motion and second was made to adopt the report of the Editor in Chief. Following discussion, the motion carried. A motion and second was made to raise the capitalization policy of property and equipment to $1,000. The motion carried. Chairman Keeling called upon Bro. Steve Reeves to give the report of the Director of Publicity and Public Relations. Bro. Reeves presented various examples of advertisements currently used to promote Baptist Sunday School Committee publications. A motion and second carried to adopt the report of the Director of Publicity and Public Relations. Chairman Keeling called for correspondence and any items of old business. There was none. Chairman Keeling recognized Bro. Bill Johnson to give a report from International Christian Publishers, a ministry of Calvary Baptist Church in Hamburg, AR. Bro. Johnson outlined the work the ICP has been doing in the area of publishing literature in other languages and expressed thanks to the Committee for allowing the translation of Sunday School literature. A motion and second was made to adjourn until the June messenger meeting in Tulsa, OK. The motion carried. Closing prayer was offered by Bro. David Butimore. Respectfully Submitted, MD Keeling, Chairman Mike Yoho, Clerk
Attachment 1 3-11. RETIREMENT PLAN After one (1) year of employment, all employees are eligible to participate in the Company's retirement plan. Plan participants may make pre-tax contributions to a retirement account currently handled by John Penn of American Funds. Breakdown of Retirement Benefits · Employer match is discretionary (100% up to 5% of employee's pay) · Employer match will be 100% vested. Year of service for vesting will be 1000 hours (equivalency method) · · Rollovers are allowed from other qualified plans, IRA's etc. · Catch-up contributions will be allowed, these contributions will be matched if they fall into the 5% limit. · Employees who work less than 20 hours are not eligible for this plan · Employees must be at least 21 years old and have at least one year of service with the Company to participate (this waived for employees hired as of the effective date of the plan) · · Entry dates are semi-annual on January 1 and July 1. · Hours of service for eligibility are determined by actual hours for hourly employees and equivalency for salaried employees. · Compensation will be W-2 compensation with no exclusions. Will calculate compensation from date of participation. · Employee deferrals are allowed up to the 402(g) limit. · No Roth or after-tax contributions are allowed. · No allocation conditions for match contribution. · QNECs and QMACs will not be made · ADP/ACP testing will use current year. · Normal retirement age is 65. Early retirement age will be 59 1/2. · Forfeitures will be used to offset match. · Distributions allowed from all money types at age 59 1/2. Rollovers can be withdrawn at any time. Distributions must be taken in a lump sum. · Auto cash-out for terminated employees with balance of $5,000 or less. · Loans are allowed. One loan outstanding per participant. Can be for general or residential use. Interest rate will be Prime+O%. Of course, feel free to speak to the Accountant/Payroll Supervisor if you have any further questions. Addendum: May 9, 2007 – Conference Call On May 9, 2007 a conference call was held with a majority of the members of the Baptist Sunday School Committee on line, Bro. Wayne Sewell, and Bro. Larry Clements. A motion and second was made to recommend to the Messengers a raise in the price of Sunday School and BTC literature of 5%. During the discussion it was noted that production costs have risen by approximately 4% in the past year. The motion carried. This will be presented as a separate action item during the messenger meeting of the American Baptist Association meeting in Tulsa, OK in June 2007. Respectfully Submitted, M.D. Keeling, Chairman Mike Yoho, Clerk
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