NATIONAL CONFERENCE ANNUAL MEETING
The 2010 Annual Meeting of the National Conference was conducted by teleconference on March 7. The majority of Conference members were on-line for the meeting and all participated in the balloting.
The Director of Operations gave an address entitled “Going Forward Even in Tough Times” using Exodus 14 to show how, when God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, they had a great deal of adversity but were still able to go forward and cross the Red Sea.
He rehearsed how the World Tomorrow was first broadcast in 1933 during the depression. While the cost may seem small to us, the $2.50 rate per week was a great deal for a small group of people to come up with during tough economic times. A portion of that amount was pledged by the brethren, but in the end, they had to go forward in faith trusting God to provide the rest – which He did, through the depths of the Great Depression.
During our current recessionary times we are confident that God will open doors to preach the Gospel even more widely. The Israelites saw the great work that the Lord did for them. The work that God did through Mr. Armstrong reached many. As we plan for growth we must utilize the principle practiced by George Mueller: “pray and the money will come.” We must beseech our Heavenly Father to grant the income needed at this time and to bless the outgo – so that what He provides is used to good effect.
David Palmer and Dennis Horlick gave an update on our media efforts. The United States is in the process of improving the Beyond Today television program which likely is great news for us.
Anthony Wasilkoff gave an update for Ministerial Services. Average Sabbath and Holy Day attendance has increased at a steady rate since UCG began in Canada. He mentioned that the National Office has a copy of the Pastor’s Manual which will be “Canadianized” over the next few months. The target for distribution is next December when we hope to have a ministerial conference. He then read some encouraging excerpts from letters written recently by appreciative subscribers.
The Treasurer’s address was given by Edwin van Pelt. He reviewed some statistics noting several records set during 2009 and then read the results of last year’s auditor’s report.
The Chairman’s Address was entitled, “Keep The Big Picture In Mind”. He talked about two participants of the Winter Olympics who inspired him. One was, Joannie Rochette, who won a bronze medal after performing during the grief-stricken days following her mother’s death. The other was Petra Majdic from Slovenia who had fallen during a warm-up and ended up competing with five broken ribs and a punctured lung. Petra kept going because she wanted to honor the people who sent her there. These two Olympic heroes did not get focused on their own personal problems but kept the big picture in mind – to represent their countries and to follow their own dreams.
Mr. Salomaa referred to Ezekiel:24:15-18 and asked participants to imagine what it would be like to have a spouse die and then be told to continue working, not showing any grief. He said that the lesson seems to be that, in spite of traumas we go through, we need to keep the big picture in mind. It is easy to become cloistered in a local congregation and get overly focused on petty issues, but we need to keep the big picture in mind.
The secretary read the ballot results. The 2009 National Conference Minutes, Audit Report and appointment for the auditors for 2010 were approved. A Budget Resolution, the Strategic Plan, Operations Plan and Budget were approved. A Proposed Amendment for Bylaw 8.6.2 was approved. Three council members were selected to a three-year term starting April 1, 2010. They are: Garry Lucas, Rainer Salomaa and Ellsworth Stanley.
At the end of the meeting, conference members were given time to ask questions and make comments.
Shortly after the National Conference meeting concluded, the National Council met briefly, also by teleconference, and approved a procedure for selecting a chairman. The ballot results were announced by the secretary via e-mail the next day. Rainer Salomaa had been selected for another three year term to be chairman.
Linda Wasilkoff
National Council Secretary
