Annual Congregational Meeting​

January 31 at 11:00 am via Zoom Video Conferencing

The meeting link and call-in information will be posted closer to the meeting date.

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The business of the meeting:  The annual congregational meeting is held to review reports, approve a budget, elect leaders, discuss other business, and discuss our ministry during the past year and our shared future.  An agenda will be included in the annual report (see below).  Our constitution dictates a quorum of 18 voting members in attendance (10% of eligible voting members). 

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Meeting format:  Because of the pandemic, our council has chosen to hold this meeting via Zoom Video Conferencing to allow the greatest number of members to participate.  We understand that this will be challenging to some members, but believe it will be less of an impediment for a greater number of attendees than an in-person gathering.  We are committed to making it possible for every member to participate to the fullest extent possible (see explanation below).  The meeting link and call-in information will be posted closer to the meeting date.

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Meeting Logistics:  Zoom will allow us to have direct, real-time conversation that gives every voting member a voice, as required by law as an incorporated organization in the state of Missouri.  Zoom also allows us to conduct anonymous voting via the polling feature.  Accommodations will be made to allow multiple members in a household sharing a single login to each vote.  Our congregation constitution does prohibit proxy voting, so members must join the meeting to vote. 

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If you have never used Zoom before or are unable to connect via Zoom: 

• If an option for you, we will provide you 1-on-1 technical assistance getting started with Zoom.  We will also hold a trial meeting Saturday, January 30 at 10:00 for those new to makes sure they are able to get connected, work out the kinks, and learn how Zoom works. 

• If Zoom is not an option even with support, you will have the option to use a call-in phone number to connect to the meeting via a standard phone.  Although you will not be able to see other members, you will be able to hear and contribute to the conversation.  You will also be able to vote, but unfortunately you won't be able to do it anonymously. 

• If neither of these options work, we have other options we can explore. 

• Please contact the church office at 816-781-7991​ or cathy@hosannalutheranchurch.org if you would like assistance with any of these options.  

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Annual Report  

The annual report will be available beginning Tuesday, January 26.  A digital copy will be distributed to the Happenings e-mail list and via this website.  A printed copy can be provided to you by request to the church office (816-781-7991 or cathy@hosannalutheranchurch.org). Please submit reports and business items for the annual meeting by January 13 to the church office via e-mail. 

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Budget Caucus Meeting  

A budget caucus will be held on Saturday, January 30 at 11:00am via Zoom.  We will discuss the financial state of the congregation and the proposed budget for 2021 in finer detail.  These topics will also be discussed at the annual meeting, but this opportunity provides more time for in-depth study and explanation that will allow Sunday's meeting to proceed more quickly.  The meeting link and call-in information will be posted closer to the meeting date.

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Questions?  Concerns?  Please contact the church office at 816-781-7991​ or cathy@hosannalutheranchurch.org.

A FEW NOTES BEFORE CONNECTING . . .

• You may need to enable your video and microphone.

• When you connect, you will be placed in a "waiting room."  This is a security feature to ensure only participants can join our meeting.  Once in the waiting room, wait to be admitted to our meeting.

• Use your real name (at least your first name) when signing on so we know how to address each other, and so that Pastor Mike knows who he is admitting to the meeting.  If two people are sharing a device, please list both names.  You can change your name by clicking on the "Participants" button. 

• We communicate online as we do in person, with respect for one another and speaking as Jesus would have spoken. 

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TIPS, TRICKS, AND TROUBLESHOOTING:

• The software often remembers your preferences, but you may need to follow Step 2 (below) to reconnect your audio and video every time. 

• Sometimes the bar with the buttons disappears.  To bring it up again, tap the screen (or your mouse) to make it reappear.

• The audio tends to work better if you have a headset or earbuds with a microphone, such as the one that comes with smartphones. 

• Once you've joined and said "Hi," we encourage you to mute your microphone by tapping the mic button so we don't pick up a lot of feedback and distracting noises from lots of people.  

• By default, the person who is speaking (or making the most noise) will automatically move to the big video in the center.  To see everyone at once, click the gallery button with little squares in it near the upper right corner.

• You can see a list of the participants by clicking the participants button at the bottom of the screen.

• You can change your displayed name by clicking the participants button, which will pop up a list of participants and the option to rename yourself.

• Text chat will be disabled to allow everyone to focus during the meeting.