AND MORE.. We welcome you to join the State Court! Be a voice for the membership of MN. Bring ideas as we look to the future.

Transcription

1 Catholic Order of Forester News! MINNESOTA Minutes of October 21, 2017 Meeting Court Report Update MN Year End Reports for o Update on Reports: Down to two courts with Missing Reports and/or Non-compliance Please help us reach 100% Compliance. Court Reports for Year Ending 2017 have been mailed by the High Court. o Please be sure to read this section in the minutes for deadlines and instructions. State Matching Fund Event for 2017 Raffle for Religious Vocations Awards o Funding Update You guys rock!!! 30 courts participated. Exceeded last year s profit. o Raffle winners announced Calendar of Events for 2018 (not entirely complete yet) - - we ll provide an update again later. Youth numbers reported for Summer State Events o Red Hawks Game - - Valley Fair - - Rolle Bolle - - County Fairs - - St Paul Saints Game Bowling Director announced Tuition Grant Application Due January 31 st 2018 (no exceptions) 2018 Minnesota $750 Scholarship Application Regional Conference locations and dates announced o Invitations will be ed to all court officers and mailed to court officers for which we do not have an account. If you are not a court officer, but are interested in attending please reach out to your court officer or cofmnjane@gmail.com o We are looking for pictures from your Court events (FGC Events and Matching Fund Events) to use at the 2020 State Convention. Send to SST or scan and to SST. AND MORE.. We welcome you to join the State Court! Be a voice for the membership of MN. Bring ideas as we look to the future. Contact Information: Catholic Order of Foresters MN rd Trail Brooklyn Park, MN cofmnjane@gmail.com

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3 MINNESOTA STATE COURT MEETING MINUTES October 21, 2017 The Minnesota State Court held their 481 st quarterly meeting on Oct 21, 2017 at the home of SCT Deb Christian in New Ulm. SCR Tammy Conn called the meeting to order at 9:20 AM. Opening prayer was led by SVCR Kevin Donnay, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call found present: SCR Tammy Conn, SVCR Kevin Donnay, SST Jane Murschel, SYD Angela Schwalbe, SCT Deb Christian, HCT s Rosalie Grams and Gene Hesse. Absent: SSD Fr. Tony Hesse. Guests included David and Linda Fuchs of Ct # 0633 Cold Spring, Tom Beranek of Ct # 0698 New Ulm. The minutes of the 480 th meeting was reviewed via and approved on a motion by SCT Kevin Donnay and a second by SCR Tammy Conn. APIF/MC The State Court Financial report was presented and reviewed. There being no questions it was approved on a motion by SVCR Kevin Donnay and a second by SCT Deb Christian. APIF/MC The Camp Fund Financial report was presented and reviewed. Father Tony s Report The report Losses Are Means to Our Ends provides insight in dealing with losses through the transition of change. In all reality, people do not mind change, it is the transition to getting there that is unsettling or experiencing the loss of something in the process. Instead of being disappointed and depressed by the losses, we can seek positive ways to deal with the loss. We can restore, replace, redesign and relinquish the situation (rethinking our purpose). Communications Letter received from Past SVCR Richard Schultz titled Long Term Usage of Camp Fund. The letter included the background of the Camp Fund and suggestions for protecting the assets if the Minnesota State were ever to disband. The letter was read in its entirety to those in attendance at the meeting. In summary, the Minnesota State Court has a sum of money from the sale of a campground that was developed and used by the Forester youth in the middle part of the twentieth century. The money is invested in an interest-bearing fund and is dedicated to the Forester youth in Minnesota; supporting the youth through scholarships, tuition grants, youth activities and instruction for the youth directors. The Minnesota State Court is solid and strong and there is no concern about a dissolution neither now nor the distant future, but we do need to make sure the history of the Camp Fund and the Annuity is always information shared with officers now and in the future and all the Minnesota membership, so we continue to protect this great asset. The board agreed it would be a best practice to review this once a year and to place this on the January agenda. A Review Committee was established and comprises of SCR Tammy Conn, SVCR Kevin Donnay and SYD Angela Schwalbe. High Court Trustee Report HCT Rosalie Grams talked about the website and that if your court or area of courts have enough interest the High Court will send someone out to train the web administrator on how to maintain their court s website. Rosalie also mentioned the new insurance product called Flexible Premium Life. Rosalie said for example someone may ask If I pay this much, how much does it give me. Agents are excited about the product and managers are anticipating extensive sales in this area. HCT Gene Hesse reinforced some of the same and also talked about Minnesota needing High Court Trustee representation for the next convention (2020). This will continue to be a discussion point. Rosalie and Gene will write up a brief description of HCT duties for us to highlight at our MN Regional Meetings and make available whenever possible through to convention year. Does the High Court interest you? Please contact the SST (contact info at end of document). MINNESOTA NEEDS REPRESENTATION!! Old Business Legion of Honor: none to report Merit Award: none to report

4 Fraternalist of the Year No applications were received in This recognition serves to honor an active member who has contributed a considerable amount of energy in volunteer services to church, community or people in need. This is an outstanding opportunity to display our fraternal philosophy being practiced by professional volunteers. Please take a look at your court s members listing and discern whether you have any members deserving of this recognition. Safe Environment Training All State and Local Court Officers, including Youth Directors, must complete the Virtus (or a diocesan equivalent) Safe Environment Training program and submit a COPY of the Certificate of Completion to COF High Court. Court Anniversaries in years: St Boniface Ct #0633, Cold Spring 02/17/1897; St Paul Ct #0639, Sleepy Eye 02/26/1897 St Ann Ct # 0639, Janesville 03/20/1897; St John Ct # 0698, New Ulm 06/20/1897 St Anthony Ct # 0743, Watkins 10/17/1897; St Thomas Ct # 0766, Springfield 12/23/1897 St Leo Ct # 0786, New Munich 12/29/1897 New Business Court Reports The Quarterly Subsidy Payment of $8, was deposited on 7/24/2017. No subsidies are paid for courts with Reports past due or non-compliance with Virtus Training. Per the High Court report, subsidies were not received for 3 courts. At the time of this writing, there is just 1 court with outstanding reports. The courts are: Ct # 0847 Tracy (One Officer); and Ct # Elrosa (Activities & Doc) Please complete the Activities and Documentation Report to the best of your ability. Please ensure the Home Office and the State Secretary receive all forms as indicated on the form. Keep a copy of all forms before mailing. **If your court did not have any activities to report for the year, then write zero (0) activ on the report, sign and send in. The Year-End Court Reports for YEAR 2017 have been mailed by the High Court. Officer Listing, Bond Application, and 990 Certification by December 31, Audit Statement, Bank Signatory Cards, Audit Report, Local Court Activities and Documentation Report and Community Service Form by March 1, Please ensure the Home Office and the State Secretary receive all forms as indicated on the form, prior to the due date. As a good practice, the local court should keep a copy of all forms before mailing. **If your court did not have any activities to report in 2017, then write zero (0) activities on the report, sign it and send in. Court Merger Requested: A merger was requested by Ct # 0332 Mary Mother Burnsville earlier in the year. SVCR Kevin Donnay contacted the officers of the court, mailed letters to all members of the court seeking new officers to no avail, and worked with the local agent in finding new officers to no avail. The merger was approved by a motion by SVCR Kevin Donnay and a second by SYD Angela Schwalbe. APIF/MC. State Matching Fund Event 2017 Drawing: The drawing for the 2017 State Matching Fund event was held. There were 724 tickets sold, an INCREASE of 111 tickets sold. That s awesome!!!! With 30 courts participating (last year we had 29 courts participating and in 2015 it was 24 courts) this is another huge success. You all came through for this event THANK YOU!!! There were 4 applicants for the award and each will receive a distribution of the award based on the program rules. Today s meeting attendees drew the winning tickets for the raffle. The 1 st place $100 was won by Ct # 1908 Elrosa, the 2 nd place $75 was won by Bernie DeCock - Ghent; the 3 rd place $50 was won by Christian Bach - Mankato; the 4 th place $50 was won by Ct # Canby; the 5 th place $50 was won by Ct # Elrosa; the 6 th place $50 was won by Dick Schmidt -

5 Stillwater. Congratulations and Thank You to everyone for supporting this matching fund event to assist members studying for religious life. If you have any ideas, suggestions or comments regarding the State Matching Fund event please send to me and I will bring to the January state quarterly meeting for discussion and decision on the 2018 Matching Fund Event Tuition Grant Checks/Certificates: Certificates and checks were distributed to those in attendance of the State Court Meeting and the rest were mailed in early November to the following: Ct # 0552 St Joseph, Mankato; Ct # 0588 Northstar, Red Lake Falls; Ct # 0639 Sleepy Eye; Ct # 0970 St Cyril, Heron Lake; Ct # 1054 Holy Trinity, Winsted; Ct # 1081 St Eloi, Ghent; Ct # 1321 St John, Chaska; Ct # 1560 Stanislaus-Kostka, Delano; Ct # 1774 St Peter, Canby; Ct # 1994 St Thomas, Lafayette Mini-Conferences in 2018 Every four years the MN State Court hosts mini-conferences (half-way between convention years) at varying locations throughout the state. This has been a long-standing practice for the MN State Court to bring local courts together and make it more convenient for a cluster of courts to attend by holding a conference in closer proximity to their home court. It is a way for members throughout the state to hear the same information and stay connected with the state court, local courts and with each other. Plus, it is in our Minnesota Bylaws. The one-day informational meetings are designed to share updates, review forms, programs, etc. Also, to discuss challenges courts/members are facing, talk about progress, goals and ideas for building a stronger, better future. - - SST Jane Murschel After looking at some data: geographical locations of our courts, budget and data obtained from prior mini-conferences the State Court has decided on offering a mini-conference in 4 locations for o Marshall January 20, 2018 o Champlin January 27, 2018 o Mankato February 10, 2018 o Melrose February 24, 2018 Invitations will be ed in December to all members of which I have an address on file. Invitations will be mailed in December to all Court Officers for which I do not have an address on file. State Youth Director Report Valley Fair/County Fairs: Polk County Fair in Fertile reported in with 32 youth members all from court # 0588 Thief River Falls. Stearns County Fair in Sauk Centre reported 15 youth all from Ct # 0055 Sauk Centre. Aitkin County Fair had 5 youth all from Ct # 0491 Maple Grove partaking in the fair festivities. Yellow Medicine County Fair in Canby had 25 youth from Ct # 1774 Canby participating. Valley Fair had 38 youth and 23 adults from 5 courts (#552 Mankato, #743 Watkins, #1321 Chaska, #1081 Ghent and #1774 Canby) enjoying a beautiful day at the fair, with a very brief rain shower later in the day. New this year was the addition of a catered meal. SYD Angela reported attendees were very pleased with the meal and they enjoyed eating together as a group. If you would like to add a county fair to the list for 2017, please contact SYD Angela Schwalbe The State Court will again subsidize $10, or the cost of the ticket if less, to each youth member attending an event. Valley Fair and the County Fairs are considered one State Event, therefore, youth will be reimbursed for only one event There was some discussion regarding some county fair coordinators receiving a per diem and others not. To be fair and consistent it was suggested to pay a $25.00 per diem for one coordinator per county fair effective To receive payment the coordinator must fully complete and send in the State Court Sponsored Activity Allowance Form YDS-11 (commonly referred to as green sheets) to the State Youth Director Angela Schwalbe. It was approved by a motion by SYD Angela Schwalbe and second by SVCR Kevin Donnay. APIF/MC.

6 Rolle Bolle Tournament: held Sunday, July 30 th in Ghent, MN sponsored by ST. ELOI CT and the MINNESOTA State Court. A delicious hot turkey sandwich meal kicked off the event with bolling starting at 6:00 p.m. There were 23 youth and adult members from 4 local courts and 17 non-members participating in the tournament with 10 people on the sidelines cheering on the teams. The winning team included: Terry Hennen, Kathy Gorecki, Dillon Bart, Jeremy Jensen - they were each awarded with a Team Trophy. Youth Trophy winners were: Champion Dillon Bart; 1 st Place Abby Hennen; 2 nd Place Brittney Seifert; 3 rd Place Katie Louwagie; and Honorable mention Morgan Hennen. SST Jane Murschel brought door prizes and $100 towards prize winnings on behalf of the State Court. Thank you to Brian and Darla Timmerman, Steve Hennen and Gary Crowley and many others that plan and organize this amazing event. Please plan to attend this fun family night in Details will be made available as soon as they are set. Saints Day at the Park: This year there were 6 youth all from Ct # 1321 Chaska and 20 + adults. St Paul Joint Boat Cruise August 17 th in Stillwater was well attended, the food was awesome and the socializing amongst courts from Stillwater, St Paul (St Matthew and St Bernards), Maple Grove, Cold Spring, Winsted, Chaska and any others I may have missed my apologies. Attendees got an up-close view of the St Croix River bridge that opened to traffic just a couple of weeks prior. The Minnesota Department of Transportation hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the bridge on Aug. 2 nd. Water Park Oct 1 st Seven Clans Casino Thief River Falls, was attended by 19 youth all from Ct # 0588 Red Lake Falls State $750 Scholarship Winners: Checks will be mailed to winners by December 1, State $750 Scholarship Application is DUE by December 31, Please send completed application to Angela Schwalbe, SYD County Rd 43, Chaska, MN 2018 Tuition Grant Application (for 2017 Quarterly Activities) is DUE January 31, 2018 (no exceptions) Bowling Director: Tom Beranek, CR of Ct # 0698 New Ulm has accepted the Bowling Director Position. We are excited to have Tom take on this role and we know he will do great and will enjoy the challenge. Tom has been a participant in the Adult Bowling Tournament for many years. Thank you, Tom! We are excited to work with you in this new endeavor. Feeding God s Children A year-round effort to better communities and help those in need through Fraternal Outreach. Courts are encouraged to plan and partake in these events year-round. An event can reflect specific needs of a court of the court s larger community. If you need help with ideas please for information. Additional Info: Next Meeting will be Saturday, January 13, 2018 Max s Grill in Olivia, MN. There being no further business at 11:36 PM SVCR Kevin Donnay made a motion, seconded by SYD Angela Schwalbe to adjourn the meeting. APIF/MC. Closed with the closing prayer. We thank SCT Deb Christian for opening her home to us for the meeting. The home baked goodies were delicious. After the meeting, many headed downtown New Ulm to check out the various sites. One place many meeting attendees ended up together at was Schell s Brewery for a tour. Later that evening, we joined members of local court #0698 New Ulm for their 120 th celebration. Starting with Mass at the Cathedral followed by a fabulous roast beef dinner and presentation. Respectfully Submitted, Jane Murschel, SST Mailing address: rd Trail Brooklyn Park, MN cofmnjane@gmail.com

7 Upcoming Meetings: January 13, 2018: April 14, 2018: July 14, 2018: Max s Grill in Olivia, MN at 9:00 AM Wabasso, MN (Church Social Hall) Cold Spring, MN SCR Tammy Conn 7/05/2017: County Fair Event Polk County 7/29/2017: Youth Event Northstar Ct # 0588 Trustee Report - - 3rd Quarter 2017 SVCR Kevin Donnay 9/11/2017: Local Court Meeting Ct # 0743 Watkins SST Jane Murschel 7/23/2017: Breakfast for a Cause McLeod Emergency Food Shelf Holy Trinity Ct # Winsted 7/30/2017: State Rolle Bolle Tournament Ghent, MN 8/13/2017: COF Float in Winsted Festival Parade 8/17/2017: St Paul Joint Boat Cruise Stillwater, MN 8/20/2017: Breakfast for a Cause Birthright of Hutchinson Holy Trinity Ct # Winsted 8/31/2017: Annual Picnic Holy Trinity Ct # 1054 Winsted SSD Fr Tony Hesse SYD Angela Schwalbe 8/17/2017: St Paul Joint Boat Cruise Stillwater, MN 8/20/2017: State Event St Paul Saints Game SCT Deb Christian 7/22/2017: Movie Day w/youth Ct # 0698 New Ulm 8/11/2017: Kids Day at the Brown County Fair - Ct # 0698 New Ulm 9/24/2017: St Mary s Fall Festival - Ct # 0698 New Ulm The State Court board members and guests attending the 481 st quarterly meeting in New Ulm brought groceries for a FGC event. One hundred and forty three (143) lbs of food was collected and donated to the New Ulm Food Shelf. Thank you!!!!!