SSJC-WR COMMITTEE MEETING - Minutes September 29, 2018 Prince of Peace Abbey, 650 Benet Hill Rd. Oceanside, CA 92058
Present: Fr. George Morelli, Fr. James Bankston, Diane Alves, Jim Trageser, Mark Hartman, Pastor Paul Bieber, Bob Greenwell, Anthony Porrello, Sally Provencio, Ken Trabold
The meeting opened at approximately 11:00. Opening prayer was given by Fr. James Bankston.
Chairman’s Report: Fr. James Bankston turned the meeting over to Fr. George Morelli who said (based on feedback, he received) we need to reorganize (& simplify) because the former operation of the society and its By-Laws were too cumbersome, labor intensive, and difficult. We had to find a place to meet and find a speaker every two months. We also had to publish a (costly) newsletter on a tight deadline with the printer.
Fr. George proposed a committee modeled after KPBS with supporting members, donor members, and volunteer committee members. Anyone can volunteer. Our decisions will be made by the committee which will be based in the San Diego area because most of us live here. We will have outreach elsewhere in the Western Region. Those of us present at a meeting are the decision making committee. We decided that we needed a secretary and a treasurer (Diane and Bob have agreed). Then we need a leader. Fr. George is again willing to be in charge (Chairman or President) under the committee format. We also need an assistant Chair-President. During the meeting, Fr. Bankston agreed to that role. (These officers were voted on affirmatively by unanimous consensus, by the Committee).
Through Jack Figel of the national organization, Fr. George learned that Loyola Marymount would like to partner with us on a yearly event. The committee could consider to either join with Loyola or have our own yearly event at St. Paul’s Irvine (Greek Orthodox) or both.
We decided to appoint trusted people (probably 3) to prescreen postings for the website or the newsletter. If someone finds something they want published they will refer it to one of those people (suggestions: Fr. Dennis Mikulanis, Fr. George, Fr. James Bankston). Fr. George mentioned that he receives a newsletter from Peter Andersen, a Roman Catholic in Seattle, about Orthodox/Catholic relations. This newsletter is a good source of information about interchurch relationships.
Secretary’s report: Diane Alves reported that she does the posting on the website. She also mentioned a problem with emails addressed to president@lightoftheeast.org etc. We don’t know where these emails are being forwarded (except for secretary@lightoftheeast.org which Diane is receiving). At the time of the meeting, Diane didn’t have the username and password to the site where the forwarding information can be changed, and neither did Fr. Schroedel, our current web host. After the meeting, and before these minutes were written up, those log in credentials were provided by Fr. Hans Jacobse, the designer of our website.
Treasurer’s Report: Bob Greenwell provided our bank balance:
Beginning bank balance as of September 29, 2018 $ 1,757.00
We might not need dues. Supporting members could make donations. Eliminating the printing of the newsletter would save money with our reorganization because the newsletter will be completely online. Most of our previous expense was for printing and distribution of the newsletter. Our future yearly Conference could either be jointly with Loyola Marymount University or with St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine. Fr. Steve, Pastor of St. Paul’s, is good at organizing a conference such that the speaker’s expenses are covered by the price of admission.
Light of the East Newsletter: Jim Trageser said he still has the templates for the online version of the newsletter, and he can produce an online newsletter in two weeks. Our online reinstatement of the newsletter should take place in late November. The only possible obstacle will be if Jim doesn’t receive the committee chairman’s report and other articles for posting on time. For this first online newsletter, the editor’s topic will be our reorganization of SSJC-WR. Jim mentioned that we should change our website to WordPress which is easy to post. Diane said our website already is a WordPress website. Jim said he can host the website, probably for free. Mark Hartman also can host the website, so this issue is still to be determined. The website team will be Jim, Marc, Diane, and Fr. James Bankston.
OLD BUSINESS: We had to decide whether to reorganize SSJC-WR or cancel our chapter of the Society of St. John Chrysostom. We decided to reorganize.
NEW BUSINESS: We intend to hold another committee meeting in two weeks, probably at Msgr. Dennis’ parish, St. Raphael. The main subject of the meeting will be revising the BY-LAWS (which are on the website). Reviewing the By-Laws is our homework before the next meeting.
Some other topics discussed: Getting St. Katherine’s University (Orthodox) involved, (&/or/both) St. John Paul II University (Roman Catholic). There was talk about finding articles related to how Eastern Churches view the Roman Catholic clergy sexual abuse issue. Some clarification on the Oriental Orthodox Churches was made.
Diane talked to visitor, Anthony Porello who said he could take over the You-Tube videos which were formerly made by Victor Vallejo who recently moved to Spain.
Motion to Adjourn: Bob Greenwell, Second: Jim Trageser, The meeting ended around noon, with a closing prayer, by Fr. James Bankston.
Respectfully submitted by Secretary, Diane Alves