Hi Everyone -- we had a good meeting again last night. Thank you to all who attended and contributed to our discussions and planning. Here are my notes from the meeting:

ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS

Budget: Linda Kuhlman spoke to us about the budget: we are under budget for the year to date because we have been frugal on our spending for events. We are way under budget in curriculum and training. Currently there is $12K in our checking account for various summer trips that are yet to be paid.

Our financial/accounting system is being converted to the new Shelby Accounting system as part of the church wide conversion. Linda said we will not lose any of our current accounting records or capabilities vis. youth personal accounts.

Frank asked Linda to followup with Harvey about getting a youth credit card so we wouldn't have to extend ourselves for youth event purchases. Sometimes it's very costly and the reimbursement process is longer now with more checks and controls in administration.

National Day of Prayer: is Thursday, May 5th at 7:00 at the Coral Springs City Hall. We've invited a youth speaker [still confirming] and will publish the flier in the next two bulletins. D-Team Leaders are asked to remind their kids about this event at their meetings.

Summer Bible Studies: Frank would like to continue bible study into the summer for MS and HS and asked for volunteers to help do this as his schedule for the summer will take him out of town quite a bit. One of the suggestions is to use HS youth or graduate youth to teach with Frank. Julie Collins, Brian Nee, and Deon Peters, Austin Bierman were suggested.

Trip Funding - discussion about paying for adult chaperone's on youth trips. The objective is to keep the cost of the trips down for the kids. The old plan was to pay outright for two adults, have the kids absorb the cost for two more if needed, and beyond that ask others to pay the cost of the event. The group decided that it would be more fair to pay for two adults, have the kids absorb the cost of two more if needed, and the cost for anyone needed beyond that would be divided among all the adults. If the adults are doing the driving as they do for Workcamp -- only the cost of the event will be divided equally -- not the cost for the vans/transportation.

The costs for the youth pastor will be covered for every event. It was suggested that next year's budget will have a line item for staff youth trips to pay for the youth pastor's youth trip expenses.

Website - Frank introduced some changes to the youth website -- a way for the kids to submit pictures and articles to a webmaster site and have them published on the youth website. Angela is working on accomplishing that.

’06 Planning Weekend - is scheduled for the weekend of July 29 - 31st. We are asking Lea to book the Naples retreat site for us this year. Pray for no hurricanes!

Frank spoke about Student led D-Teams and bible studies as a goal for the coming year. The biblical model for discipleship is a Barnabas, Paul and Timothy relationship. In this model, our role as adults changes from teaching to nurturing -- from teaching and leading D-Teams and Bible studies to encouraging and guiding the students in teaching bible study and leading small groups. We have experienced this already in Confirmation classes and at the MS retreat where HS students have been very effective -- awesome -- small group leaders with other kids.

Old Business - Brief Updates on events since the last meeting: [were there enough of them?] Spring Fling - Confirmation Class - HS House Painting -MS Retreat - Battle of the Bands - Family Picnic Thank you to all who contributed so much to each of these events!

HS Retreat: Because of her positive experience with the MS retreat, Karen Binder strongly believes that we plan a HS retreat at Gold Coast for the High School students. [Awesome!]

NEW BUSINESS

Mission Opportunities: Liz Tracy is our Missions committee Liaison and she proposed several mission opportunities for the student's participation: Caring Companions would like to set up a visit to a nursing home this summer. Meals On Wheels needs people to fill gallon bags for pet food once a month. SOS Children's Village needs gravel spread and gardening done. If anyone needs service hours they can contact Steve Price at the Village 954-345-9003.

Frank mentioned that he would like to see the missional focus begun in March continue each month. Mike suggested a Mission Board in Robey with opportunities for the kids and D-Teams to participate in youth activities during the summer. Sue said the "Sign up Book" has been effective and kids have begun to recognized that as the place to sign up for events. A Mission Book was suggested.

Liz [by e-mail] said she had received the packets for the 30 Hour Famine for September -- we will plan this in our '06 Planning meetings in July.

Fall Harvest Festival Liaison - Shari Sopourn said the Fall Harvest Festival - previously a Sunday School event - is being expanded to include the whole church. Shari asked about participation of the youth in the event on October 1st. Karen Binder was asked to be the liaison -- get in touch with Shari and find out more information.

Marlins Day vs. Texas Rangers - Ray Callahan and Auto Trader has reserved tickets for a Father/Daughter/Son day at the ballpark for June 12th. We'll get this into the bulletin.

Revolve Tour Girls Retreat in Orlando: Karen Binder and Sue Fitzsimmons are planning this event for the weekend of September 24th.

CALENDAR OF CURRENT EVENTS

Cake Auction - Apr 23rd Stacey said all is in readiness.

MS HS Scavenger Hunt - postponed until August - date to be determined

Garage Sale Apr 29th - 30th Fund Raiser - Linda related need pickup truck and labor for heavy items. Mike Taylor's D-Team will give her a hand with this on Wednesday night.

MS Bowling Fri May 13th - Karen Binder and Lea are working on this.

Senior Sunday - May 22th Worship Committee and Seniors. Peter is short 1/2 of the pix needed to complete the montage. Pete will e-mail again -- asked Lea to call. Mike Talyor is organizing the luncheon and asked to Frank to quantify the students who will be at the luncheon.

Impact - June 5th -8th - Frank said we have 7 MS kids signed up. Need one female adult chaperon for the trip. Karen Binder considering it.

Work Camp - June 11-19 - Mike Taylor said we have 26 students and 6 adults going. We'll need three vans and another vehicle for luggage and other things. Mike offered to use his own vehicle to save $1200 in cost.

IMPACT and Work Camp Mandatory Meeting - for parents and students on Sunday, May 1st after worship for updates and information. Cards to be sent this week from admin and announcements in the bulletins.

Tee-Shirts - Jill Taylor volunteered to look into getting tee's for the youth for summer events and trips.

Quest Camp ’05 - July 10th - 15th applications beginning to come in.

WORSHIP CALENDAR

May 15th Confirmation Sunday / Luncheon May 22nd Senior Sunday - Sanctuary/Family Service 9:15 & 11:00 May 29th Roger Speaking in Robey - Family Sunday moved to the 22nd for Sr Sunday June 12 & 19th Speaking Opportunity - Frank at Impact and Workcamp: Fred LoPiccolo offered to take one of these dates.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 17th - 7:30 p.m.

I Love being your youth pastor!

Frank

"Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation, your might
to all who are to come." Psalm 71:18

"Prepare the Child for the Path ..."