Council of Elders Videoconference Report

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Chairman Robin Webber called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. (EDT) and asked vice-chairman Scott Ashley to give the opening prayer.

President’s Report—Victor Kubik

After just two weeks as president, Victor Kubik reported that he has spent a great deal of time talking with many people to capture the scope and detail of the job. He said that ABC is in its final week leading up to graduation. He also updated the Council on the fact that the legal case in Zambia is finally closing. He said that future planning will take place after his fact gathering.

The Council entered executive session for more than hour to discuss several issues.

Populating of Council Committees—General Discussion

Open session reconvened as the Council members selected the committees on which they desired to serve.

A discussion ensued from comments by John Elliott and Rex Sexton expressing concern that we need to be cautious about having Council members serve on, and/or chair committees in areas in which they work as employees. The concern was to provide better oversight without any conflicting interest. Mark Mickelson said that he thought it would actually be good for Council members to serve on committees in areas in which they were employed, but not to serve as chairmen of such committees. Robin Webber pointed out that at this time the Council has not made any form of ruling and that might be a subject for another discussion. Media and Communication Services operation manager Peter Eddington reminded all present that any given committee is subordinate to the entire Council itself when it comes to creating policy or giving directives. Darris McNeely commented that he has in fact been in such a position as chairman of the Media Committee and had personally decided prior to this Council meeting to continue to serve on the committee but not as chairman. The Council members finished their discussion about the committees they preferred.

Secretary Gerald Seelig read the updated committee service list. The Council then balloted unanimously to ratify the list as thus compiled. The men on each committee will communicate among themselves within a week via e-mail to select a chairman who will then appoint one committee member as secretary. Those results will be published as soon as the committees make their decisions.

Health Insurance Plan—Aaron Dean and Chris Rowland

Aaron Dean reviewed the health insurance bids that Human Resources director Chris Rowland obtained from four different companies. The two most competitive bids came from Cigna and Custom Design Benefits (CDB), which is centered in Ohio. Both companies’ policies cover an aggregate stop-loss at similar expected cost and maximum cost figures, however CDB’s fixed costs are over $150,000 less than the other.

Mr. Sexton asked about the ratings of both companies and which PPO (preferred-provider organization) the employees would use. Mr. Dean answered that CDB uses various PPOs that depend on the location of employees—which would particularly apply to the field ministry. Roc Corbett asked how a change would affect employee premiums. Mr. Rowland explained that the Church itself determines employee premiums. The health insurance plans provided by both companies are basically the same as our current offerings.

Mr. Sexton asked if the company chosen will provide an account executive for our employees. Mr. Rowland explained the CDB will have an account person in Cincinnati who we can call. Should we choose CDB she (the account executive) will be available to meet with the home office employees and consult by telephone with those in the field.

Church legal counsel Larry Darden asked how we found CDB. Mr. Dean explained that with financial team member Rick Shabi’s advice, he had contacted the broker, Benefits Network Insurance, last fall and noted that they have considerable experience in self-insured institutions like UCG.

Mr. Seelig read the resolution proposed by Mr. Rowland and Mr. Dean recommending that the Council choose the health insurance proposal CDB has offered and to appoint Benefits Network Insurance as our employee benefits broker-of-record. Mr. McNeely moved for the Council to ballot on the resolution and John Elliott seconded.  Discussion was asked for, but all the Council members seemed satisfied that they understood the proposal. The resolution passed unanimously.

Time Sensitive Amendment Request Regarding Bylaw 12.2.2.1 Amendment Schedule—Roc Corbett

Mr. Corbett read the proposal to make official the amendment schedule for the amendment of Bylaw 12.2.2.1 to be mailed to the GCE on May 23. He then moved that the Council ballot to make it so, and Mr. McNeely seconded. Having read the proposal details e-mailed earlier by Mr. Corbett, there was no further discussion. The proposal passed unanimously. This action was simply part of the Council’s annual routine to pass an amendment schedule.

Final Comments—Robin Webber

The Council members were encouraged to get their travel arrangements completed for the face-to-face August meeting commencing on the ninth of that month. Chairman Robin Webber encouraged the Council members to arrive in Cincinnati on that Friday so they could speak in nearby congregations and be ready for their annual, working retreat on Sunday before committee meetings on Monday and the beginning of the Council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 13. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. with a closing prayer by Don Ward.

-end-

Randy Stiver

Council Reporter

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