United Church of God, an International Association

Council of Elders Videoconference Report

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

A special meeting of the Council of Elders (Council) was conducted via video conference. The meeting was called to order at 5:05 p.m. Eastern and opened with prayer. Eleven of the twelve Council members, President Shabi, Peter Eddington, Barry Korthuis, Clint Porter, Larry Darden, the secretary and the reporter were present. Due to a schedule conflict, John Miller could not be present.

This special video meeting was scheduled by the president and the Council for the purpose of discussing the proposed logo from the media department and the possible purchase of a church hall for the Oshkosh, Wisconsin, congregation.

Chairman Martin opened the meeting by reviewing the agenda. He then proceeded with a few comments concerning the new Logo and the concern that has been stirred by its premature release to the public on Friday afternoon, January 6, 2023.

President Shabi then spoke about the situation concerning the logo from his perspective. He then shared a few of the comments and concerns that he received from elders and members from around the world. He expressed that this is something that needs to be addressed and not ignored. He also mentioned that this should not be a rushed decision, but for those involved, they must take the time to address and consider the feedback. Whatever is decided needs to be communicated to both the elders and membership and perhaps get the membership involved.

Mr. Eddington then explained how the Facebook post was not released intentionally, but accidentally. The media department has been creating many, many graphics since the logo’s approval by the Council in March of 2022, in order to prepare for the new logo’s implementation later this year. One of those graphics was mistakenly placed to update the UCGIA Facebook page. He added that the posting was most likely initiated because the entire department has been operating under the assumption that it was ready to use and could be released, based upon the March 2022 Council Resolution. He reassured the Council that this has not been held as a secret. It has already been a part of the following:

• Printed on notebooks and flashlights handed out at the 2022 GCE annual meeting.
• The new Home Office Weekly Update banner uses elements of the new logo in the masthead graphic.
• Slides used in ABC Acts presentation use elements of the new logo.

Mr. Eddington then explained the process behind the design and what has taken place with the development of the new Logo since the March 2022 Council meetings. He assured the Council and expressed that it needs to be communicated that the new logo is not replacing the UCGIA Seal. The Seal will remain and the new Logo is for the specific use within the digital and print footprint.

Chairman Martin then opened the floor for anyone to express their thoughts and or concerns about the new Logo and the response that has been expressed from both the eldership and membership.

After much discussion on the topic of the logo, it was determined that these concerns need to be addressed. The media department along with the administration will continue to work on the development of a logo and present options at the February Council meetings during open session.

Chairman Martin then moved that the next item on the agenda be discussed by the Council, the purchase of a church hall for the Oshkosh congregation.

Dan Dowd shared that the Oshkosh congregation has been struggling to find a permanent meeting hall since the COVID-19 pandemic. After much consideration with the local leadership involved, it has been determined that the purchasing of a hall is the best solution for the area. Mr. Dowd then presented a proposal to make an offer with contingencies toward the purchase of a building located in Oshkosh. He presented the Council with the specifics of the building and mentioned that its location is well situated for all the brethren, has plenty of space and is move in ready.

Chairman Martin reviewed the resolution drafted by Mr. Darden with the Council members in order to fill in the purchase amounts and for possible edits. The purchase amount and other edits were made.

The Secretary then presented the resolution to the Council for approval. The resolution was approved (10 votes for, John Miller not present, Dan Dowd abstained).

Resolution of the Council of Elders United Church of God, an International Association

(Authorization to Make Offer for Purchase of Building in Oshkosh, WI, for the Oshkosh Congregation)

Whereas, the President, the Treasurer and the Operation Manager of Ministerial and Member Services (“MMS”) have agreed, per the U.S. Policy for Local Church Buildings, that it is in the best interests of UCGIA and the local congregation in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to purchase a permanent meeting facility as soon as possible, and 

Whereas, an opportunity to possibly purchase a one story 4,100 sq. ft. building with a 3,000 sq. ft. unfinished basement, commercial building and the property upon which it sits (about 0.6 acres), located at 505 N. Westfield, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54956 (herein “Property”), with additional details as described in the document titled “Proposed Building Purchase” dated January 27, 2023, attached hereto and fully incorporated herein by this reference, has become available, and

Whereas, under the terms of the proposed purchase UCGIA would buy said Property under the following basic terms:

• Purchase price: $350,000 initial offer, but up to $375,000 (all cash by UCGIA)

• Following basic contingencies/ conditions: 

--Preliminary Title Report: Showing clear title & acceptable burdens;

--Obtaining or Confirming that Zoning Conforms to Religious Use;

--Environmental Site Assessment;

--General Property Condition Inspection & Estimated Cost for upgrades/repairs;

--Possible property meets and bounds survey (if not already of record);

--Cost of any Association or other ongoing fees for the Property;

--Council of Elders’ ratification of any formal written purchase agreement no later than fifteen (15) days after basic inspections are complete (if the Administration still favors a purchase).

• The Property to be deeded to, and held exclusively in the name of “United Church of God, an International Association, a California non-profit religious corporation”;

Now Therefore, It Is Hereby Resolved, that the Council of Elders approves negotiations towards the possible purchase of the above-described building located at 505 N. Westfield, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54956 (“Property”) for use as a meeting hall for the local Oshkosh, Wisconsin, congregation (or for such other uses as may hereafter be approved by MMS) under the terms specified above.

It Is Also Resolved that the UCGIA President (Rick Shabi) is authorized, with advice of legal counsel, to enter into a conditional purchase contract for the above-described Property for a purchase price not to exceed three hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars ($375,000) under the aforesaid basic contingencies, terms and conditions, or such other terms as the President shall deem prudent, together with authority to sign other documents, including escrow instructions, settlement statement, etc., as may be needed to acquire said Property, and to expend such additional funds (in addition to the purchase price) as may be necessary in order to close on said Property purchase.

At 6:50 p.m. the Council closed with prayer and adjourned.

-end-

Ryan Hall

[These are not the official minutes from the Council meeting. Elders can find those at the Home Office with the Council Secretary.]

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