There were 37 adult voting members present and one absentee vote. Therefore, there was a quorum.

The Church Advisory Board discussed the possibility of purchasing a bus for camp and other activities. Three buses were presented to the church to vote regarding spending $11,500 to buy a bus.

Two buses have bench seats but the bus presented as first choice is a 40-passenger, single-seat 1993 Thomas that has 58,000 miles and 3700 use hours on it. It was a Travel Activities bus for Virginia Tech and it’s equipped with a removable wheelchair lift and spaces for 2 wheelchairs.

Pastor Baines also mentioned that the Church has 5-6 people with CDL’s enabling them to drive the bus and then he opened the floor for questions.

Rick Stradley asked about the yearly expenses. Insurance is $575 a year and maintenance is $600.

Henry Rozanski asked if the bus is adequate for a camp bus? There were 55 campers last year and 16 were not from our church and this there will not be the sharing of expenses with the other church (of the 16).

Herb Atkinson asked if we’d had 2 buses 1 year. We did but the second bus was not full and the other church had a lot more children. We average about 32-35 campers.

Don asked if the bus would be used only for camp. The bus would be used for multiple activities.

Annette Baines commented that there are several trips where parents had to drive separately. A bus would provide a means for all to ride together.

Lisa asked if the bench buses seated more people. Yes but it is the Advisory Board’s opinion that this bus is a better buy with less mileage and maintenance, a little more comfort, and wheelchair ability.

Henry Rozanski advised that strict logs should be kept of the bus cost over time so we can look back and evaluate for future use and decisions.

Craig Wolfe asked about the difference in camp costs with and without a bus? There would be the cost of camp and maybe a little for gas.

Rick Stradley asked if there is a closer camp. There is but the cost is the same or more. We will continue to look and compare.

Henry Rozanski mentioned that the bus would not be parked at the church. It will be parked at the home of one of our members.

Seth Baker mentioned that, although the bus was not in the budget (which is why the meeting was necessary), the Advisory Board thinks it makes good financial sense for years to come and it’s a one-time cost.

Herb Atkins, treasurer for the Advisory Board, mentioned that, over 5 years, the cost of the initial buy would be covered.

Pastor Baines mentioned that the bus owners are Christians, although he does not know them personally. The asking cost was $16,500 but was dropped to $11,500. The owners did not take the $10,000 we initially offered.

The Pastor outlined ways the bus could be paid for. The Church would pay up front and receive a $1000 gift if the vote to buy is ‘yes’. The Pastor said that Pastor Alan agrees that the children would do some fundraising to get a sense of ownership.

The monies would come from the Undesignated Cash Account in the General Funds.

A trip is planned, by Pastor Alan, to go see the bus tomorrow, February 5, 2009, and, if the bus not as were are expecting, there will be no purchase.

A vote was conducted:

In favor - 35

Opposed - 0

Pastor Baines asked that we pray for continued direction and the meeting was adjourned.