Pilgrim Fund Report, November 2010

This report MUST begin with a huge “Thank You” to the ad hoc committee appointed by the CSA Board of Trustees (consisting of Paul Poehlein, Liz Gottleib, and Molly Harrison), charged with “exploring options for fund raising” for the Pilgrim Fund. Their efforts resulted in the creation and dissemination of a letter to all CSA members, which was dated and sent out in early September 2010. This letter initiated an appeal for financial support with just the right “tone” and appropriate information. The result has already been most remarkable: since the end of the summer season in August, The Fund has received (to date)…and acknowledged (by personal letter):

• 59 undesignated cash gifts totaling $8,240.00

• 16 cash gifts designated in support of the Gibson Series totaling $2,705.00

• 8 cash gifts designated as specific memorials totaling $965.00

• 1 gift designated in support of the Children’s Music “sub-fund” for $3,800.00

These cash gifts total $ 15,710.00!

Of the total number of letters which were sent out, 60 have been returned to us, as “undeliverable”, in most cases because of “change of address issues” or “overseas addresses”. More contributions arrive each week!

Church “plate offerings” totaled $20,696.90 for the 10 week summer season (or an average of a little over $2000.00 each week. The generosity of our Assembly “family” is indeed most gratifying and humbling. As was said in our report from last November…continuing contributions in 2010 -2011 will assure the ability of the Pilgrim Fund to support the religious and educational activities of our Assembly. We would once again suggest the inclusion of the “envelope” in the Assembly News this year.

The Pilgrim Fund has sent out charitable contributions (of $500.00 each) to the seven (7) organizations recommended by the Spiritual Life Committee and authorized by the CSA Board of Trustees. We have also provided financial support for improvements in the Meeting House sound system and lighting (installed following the close of the summer season). Other expenditures are specified in the financial statement. As ever, we are in debt to Timothy T. Royle, CPA, for the preparation and maintenance of our Fund financial records.

The Pilgrim Fund trustees, with the assistance of Fred Lauerman (our CSA Board liason), are working on the development of an “investment policy” document, which will clearly spell out our procedures in this regard. A financial statement for the Pilgrim Fund fiscal year (ended September 30, 2010), including a statement of receipts, disbursements, and changes in fund balance, will, as usual, be submitted for publication in this year’s Assembly News.

With the assistance of Peter Buzzell, we are working on the creation of a more complete web page format for the Pilgrim Fund. More on this as progress is made.

We will once again be advising the “principle stake holders” of each of the “sub funds” of their financial status (as of the close of our fiscal year), within the Pilgrim Fund, as has been our practice each year in the recent past.

Once again, we appreciate the continuing support of the CSA Board of Trustees.

Pilgrim Fund Trustees

Bryant Dennison, John Harbeson, Eileen Rauschert, James Royle, and Clifford VanDyke