The meeting was called to order at 12:04pm

Approval of Minutes: Lisa provided minutes from Board Meeting on December 2024. Hellen motioned to approve, seconded by Jeff. Minutes approved (unanimous).

Marketing:

• Braeden says we probably need a new camera for marketing • We have a 4,000 dollar donation for marketing • We could do 3,000 for Church Fuel and 1000 dollars for a new camera • Church Fuel helps get the Google Ad Grant • Church Fuel has templates for ads • 3,000 per year —we can cancel at the end of the year • Alternatively, we could devote 250 dollars a month to Facebook ad money, if we want to do it all ourselves this would be for Meta ads across the board • Board votes to move forward with Church Fuel

• Jeff says Joanna has volunteered to help with social media • Braeden says we used to have a social meeting person and the problem was Braeden would have to have a meeting with her to tell her what to post. In the past, this just created extra steps. • We asked for a volunteer photographer last week, and that would help • One photographer or multiple photographers could help us take photos, which would help create content • Helen says we should back off the term “professional.” We just want someone with an interest in taking photos • Jeff suggests the congregation takes selfies and checks into Mission Gathering on Facebook • Helen likes this idea and names it Selfie-Sunday • Maybe we could try it in February • Jeff asks how we can do fun-looking slides for announcements • Braden suggests using Cambra • Helen wants to identify active and inactive members • Braeden says 120 are on Planning Center and there are 600 people who receive our newsletter • Helen suggests we reach out to people who haven’t come in a while

Transition into Vista La Mesa church:

• This is the other Disciples of Christ church in town • Helane attends our church and also Vista La Mesa • Vista La Mesa has been having internal discussions about closing • They are likely going to close within a year to a year and a half • They have thought about giving the building to the city, to a local food pantry, or to another Disciples of Christ church, i.e. us • If this happened, we would probably absorb their 20 congregants • Last Braeden knew, they were entertaining a hybrid of these solutions, giving us the sanctuary, and keeping the rest for a food pantry • Braeden wants to move forward with this and start having more formal talks with their pastor, Rebecca • This church is in La Mesa, in a neighborhood called Vista La Mesa • Helen would like to go and see it • Helen is open to having a conversation • Helen says it sounds like they are not as progressive as us • Braeden says they are moving towards being more affirming • If we do move forward with this, we would need to have lots of conversations with the regional denomination heads • Church mergers have the potential to go really well, or really poorly • If 20 people from the old church stay, there will be a good-sized community that says “but this is how we used to do things” • If this plan moves forward, Braeden suggests he preach there every 6 weeks so that the congregation gets used to him • Jeff asks if we would still be the board or would we use their board, or absorb their board • Braeden says most of the board members are tired and thinks that they will bow out • Braeden will talk to Rebecca and tell her that we are open to sharing the space with a food pantry • Having a food pantry on sight goes with ministries we already have, and with the disaster relief ministry Helen is trying to get started

Bylaws:

• Jeff will send out a revised version of Bylaws for us to approve • Braeden will send out job responsibilities (board member jobs) to board

Scared Grounds:

• Helen says the sign up sheet is working well • She reminds people in-person before their week

MG Kids:

• Braeden and Lisa are looking for a new curriculum • Lisa will bring in more volunteers when things feel more standardized • Lisa with try to set up a meeting with volunteers in February

Fundraisers ideas:

Jeff: • Community talent show • We can put up postcards in restaurants • Entry fee, and prizes for winners • Will try-out beforehand, and acts has to be appropriate • Walk-a-thon or run-a-thon • We can get company sponsors

Braeden • Comedy night • Needs to be clean comedy • Ticketed event • The comedian will get a cut (usually 2%) and we get the rest • A comedian typically costs 5,000 dollars

Helen • Paint and Sip Night

Lisa • Bake sale • Rummage sale or yard sale • Could get rid of some of our clutter and make a little money • Trivia Night (entrance fee for each team) • Braden suggests different themes, like a Harry Potter Trivia Night • Drag Bruch (cover charge) • Movie Night (entrance fee, like 5 dollars) • Raffle • Craft Fair or Makers Market • Bunco • Game Night (entrance fee) • Scavenger Hunt (entrance fee per car) • Cook Off (entrance fee, prize for winner) • Recipe Book • Collect recipes from congregants and make into a book • Sell book for like 15 dollars

• Goal is to have a fundraiser event once a month • Braden suggests we create a calendar next board meeting • It would be good if every fundraiser also works as a community event

Renovations:

• Jeff wants to remove some walls • Want to get approval from landlord to move forward with it • Wants to better utilize the things we have and get rid of extra stuff in the spring

 Next Board Meeting: Tuesday, February 11th, 6:00pm.

 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 Minutes prepared by Lisa Reynolds.