Present: Steve Harding, John Glover, Evelyn Franson, Peter Bauer, Kris Galasyn, Phyllis Marley, Carolyn Lambert, Heidi Flick

Guest: John Mc Duffie, Small Church Ministries Team

Absent: David Deas, Earl Simpson, Linda Smith, Herb Oliver

Welcome and Introductions

Minutes of the February Meeting
It was moved by John Glover and seconded by Phyllis Marley that the minutes of the February meeting stand approved as read with the following corrections: spelling Kris's name with a "K" rather than a "Ch" and adding Carolyn Lambert and Herb Oliver to the present list. Motion Carried

Small Church Mission Team Presentation
John McDuffie joined us to present the Small Church Mission Team budget. He provided a history of the team and why this is important to the Maine Conference. They are requesting $30,000 for the following things: On-going Parishes of Promise, facilitator stipends, a probable new Parish of Promise, a Parish Profile Inventory, assistance to churches, small church gathering and team expenses. Their dream budget is $36,000 which would be the Parish Profile Inventory expense for 4 Parishes of Promise, facilitator visits, consultant visits to plan teaching events in 5 PoP, teaching sessions in the on-going PoP, and grant money to assist pastors and lay leaders to attend the annual meeting or continuing education events.

Clergy Spouse Network
There was no report from this group. They have not submitted a budget at this time.

Conference Report (June Boutwell)
They are looking at the whole financial picture and OCWM giving. There is a concern around the New England Women's Leadership group. Until the Women of the Maine Conference disbanded, they dealt with the dues. There has been a request that the conference give $100 to the New England Women's Leadership so that the Maine Conference can remain a part of this. The $100 is to be submitted on an annual basis. Herb Oliver needs to contact Dot Grosset to determine where the dues need to go and then get in contact with Mark in order to pay it.

There was some discussion regarding paying the transportation for two young women to attend the Women's Mix in 06. Each conference is asked to send two young ladies to this event. The event will pay for all of the expenses except for the transportation, which they are asking the conference to cover. We will attempt to get bits of money from different parts of the budget including, but not limited to, YMAT, Women's line item budget, and Resourcing the Local Church Commission for Community Life - At the present time we would like $300 again to cover travel expenses.

Outdoor Ministries
Steve reported on the Outdoor Ministries Committee. The OMC is meeting today and will be discussing the budget which Steve will present at the April Commission for Community Life meeting

Rockcraft Committee
Phyllis reported on Rockcraft. They have not met since the last commission meeting. Earl also sent an email requesting that the commission keep $600 in our budget for Rockcraft. They want this money to do mass mailings for advertising what Rockcraft has to offer and for travel. There is no change from last year.

Support Staff Network
There was no report from this group. They have not submitted a budget at this time

YMAT Committee
Carolyn reported that the Mid-Winter retreat was successful. There were 71 youth and 12 adults. There were 4 mission projects that were done.

Sarah Bigney has requested money to attend an "Equal Exchange" Conference. She was given money out of the Young Adult budget. She will also be facilitating a play shop at the New England Regional Youth Event.

The New England Regional Youth Event is coming along well. We were reminded to take the dates back to our associations and encourage involvement.

Executive Committee Report
No report at this time.

Coordinating Council Report
The Search Committee has been selected and is beginning communication with Loren Cope, at the National Office. David proposed a 3 year plan on the marriage equality issue. There was some discussion around clergy background checks. There was also discussion around OCWM giving. There was discussion around the $25,000 Giving Winds contribution that the Maine Conference may be giving. If this goes through by May, 2006 it will be matched by HUD.

Old Business
All Old Business was discussed in various reports above.

New Business:
None at this time.

Next Meeting: April 1, 2006
Respectfully Submitted, Steve Harding