MINN-KOTA MCC RELIEF SALE, Inc.
GENERAL SALE MEETING MINUTES

April 21, 2007; 1:00 p.m.
Lincoln Hills Bible Church, Sioux Falls, SD

Opening: Edie Tschetter lead devotions from John. She discussed how we should try not to complain about things but attempt to be positive.

Secretary’s report: Loretta read the minutes from November 2006. A motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded and passed.

Treasurer’s report: Anita reviewed the treasurer’s report. We are a bit behind on our budget for 2007. We still need $13,682.38 towards our budget of $26,050.00.  Pete reported that we are one of just a few sales that raise the budget money prior to the sale. Some of the fund-raisers that used to be held are no longer being done. Church reps were encouraged to bring attention to the need for the fund-raisers. A motion to approve the treasurer’s report was made, seconded and passed.

Feature quilt: Other relief sales have received donations for the “Share Your Heart” quilt but have not been able to sell the quilt. We have the privilege of first getting cash bids for the quilt and then actually selling the quilt since it came from our area. The proceeds from the sale will go MCC’s Global Family Program.  Edie described five projects from the Global Family Program that we can choose from:

  1. Africa, Nigeria—Almanah Rescue Mission—widows and orphans
  2. Asia, Bangladesh—Orphanages and Schools
  3. Europe, Ukraine—House of Hope Orphanage
  4. Latin America, Jamaica—The Committee for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill
  5. Middle East, Jordan—Holy Land Institute for the Deaf

  It was voted to send the money from the sale of the “Share Your Heart” quilt to the House of Hope Orphanage in Ukraine.

Workshop: Pete shared information from the Relief Sale Biennial Workshop that was held April 12 & 13 in Hutchinson, KS that he, Lynette and Loretta attended. There were 21 sales from the US and Canada represented. It was a celebration of community, food and fun. Pete and Lynette presented an excellent reading that highlighted many events of the workshop. Pete emphasized that we need to communicate the purpose of the sale. He also stated that volunteers are the backbone of the sale.

Peace Candle: This year there is one special candleholder available for each sale. The title of the candle is All the Children of the World. It is made of 5 different colored woods (red, black, brown, yellow and white) representing different races of humans. It will be handled the same way as the feature quilt. Cash bids first and then the actual sale of the candle. This would be an excellent addition for a church sanctuary or chapel.

Youth Activities: Encourage young people to help at the sale. There will be a place for teens to hang out.

Feature quilt: We have a feature quilt this year titled “Share Your Heart”. In future years we may or may not have a feature quilt. If there is a “quilt with a story” please let a board member know and we will use it as a feature quilt.

Advertising: Rodney Unruh asked church representatives to please pick up brochures for your churches. The Mennonite name will be dropped from some areas of the advertising so that people will not think that the festival is only for Mennonites or that the money goes only to Mennonites     

      The donation forms have been redesigned and the same form is used for both the quilt and woodwork items. The donation forms need to be turned in by June 20.

Penny power: Chris Eisenbeis has materials to pick up for penny power. Last year penny power raised a total of $551,648, which represents a 31% increase. The Minn-Kota sale raised $6,586.49, a 66% increase. One church had someone offer to match funds raised for penny power up to $1,000. Maybe other churches could try this matching idea.

Kitchen time savers: There are five cookie mix recipes and four bread machine mix recipes available to take home today. They can be made up to a month in advance. Frozen entrees will be at the sale again this year.

Auction: The quilt and woodworking coordinators will decide if an item will be placed on the auction or put in the craft booth to sell. The auction will alternate ½ hour for quilts and then ½ hour for woodworking.

Candy: Bags with recipes are available to take home to make items for the candy booth. There will be boxes available so candy gift boxes can be assembled. How far ahead can the candy be made? Angela Van Diepen is in charge of the candy booth and should be contacted with questions.

Ink jet and cell phone recycling: MCC has prepaid/preaddressed envelopes available for recycling cell phones and ink jet cartridges. Anyone can order the supplies for recycling from the MCC website. MCC made $5,000 this year from the recycling project.

Floor plan: Changing from two auctions to one this year will change our floor plan a lot. Look over the floor plan and write any concerns/changes directly on the plan. Jon will finalize the floor plan after this meeting. The auction will be where the woodworking auction has been previously. The stage will need to be larger. Theme baskets will have a new area this year and will be sold on silent auction.

Food court: The floor plan will not change in the food line area. People will be able to use their buyer’s number in the food line this year. When using a buyer’s number, the end total may be paid by check, cash or credit card.

MCC DVD: Edie showed on 11 minute DVD produced by MCC called “Celebrating God’s Love”. The DVD showed some of the places where the money our sale raises is being used.

Theme: The board has discussed having a theme for the sale each year. If you have any comments about this please let the board know.

Peter closed the meeting by asking people to build enthusiasm for the sale and please pass it on to others! Pete led in prayer and we adjourned at 2:40 p.m.

Next meeting: November 10, 2007; Good Shepherd Church, Sioux Falls, S.D.
                        Snow date: November 17, 2007

Loretta Krahn, recording secretary

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