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| This may be too modest for the WELS synod headquarters. |
Exploring options for the administration building | Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS):
A Synodical Council task force is exploring all options in addressing the recent setback in plans to relocate the synod's administration building.
Here is a brief review of the situation. Earlier this year, the synod reached an agreement with a developer to sell the current administration building on Mayfair Road in Milwaukee, Wis., for $2.82 million. The sale was to be finalized in January of 2012, but the developer had until Nov. 4 to perform “due diligence” in making arrangements for rezoning and financing. When the offer was accepted, the Synodical Council authorized the purchase of a newer building in Pewaukee, Wis., for $2.85 million. The building was a perfect fit for our office needs, and we received an exceptional price on the property. That purchase was finalized last summer and tentative plans were made to move to the new building in December.
At the end of the due diligence period, the developer who had agreed to purchase the current building withdrew from the purchase agreement after concluding his planned project for the site was not financially feasible. This resulted in the synod now owning two buildings.
A task force was appointed by the Synodical Council to explore all options available to remedy this situation. Those options include renewed efforts to work with the city and interested developers to sell the Mayfair Road building. In addition, the task force will also be considering the possible sale of the Pewaukee property.
Obviously, it is not desirable for the synod to be holding two properties. However, we do have reserves that allow us to hold the two properties for a time without using any mission offerings to pay for this. The task force will consider all options carefully in an effort to arrive at a recommended course of action that will best serve the needs of the synod in the long term. The full Synodical Council will make any final decision.
Vacant positions
Two important administrative positions are currently vacant. The process to fill the positions of Director of Human Resources and Director of Communications has begun. Updated position descriptions for both positions will be made available after a review by the Conference of Presidents in December.
The duties of both of these positions have been temporarily reassigned to other staff members. We are working to ensure that the services provided in both areas will continue without interruption. Please note that the WELS Connection segments for January through April 2012 are being completed this month and will soon be distributed to congregations.
Advent preparation
As we prepare our hearts and homes for the Advent of our King, we direct our thoughts and worship to the One who came as one of us to redeem fallen mankind, and to the One who will come again in the clouds with all power and glory as the King of kings and Lord of lords. God’s richest Advent blessings to you all!
Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
'via Blog this'
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GJ - Some remember when the synod staff consisted of Carl Mischke and his wife Gladys, working in a room or two at Northwestern Publishing House, at the bottom of the stairs.
That reduced the risk of a staffer being arrested by the police and the offices searched by the FBI - the most excitement at headquarters since the document shredding party for William Tabor.
Most of those staffers are useless. The magazine is waste of money. Slick Brenner called it The Ladies Home Companion, and that was before it really went downhill.
The Shrinkers love business models. Try this one - reduce the overhead by eliminating most of the staff. Reduce it even more by selling the two office buildings.
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| Perfect - Just enough room for needed staff. Everyone else - get a job. |
AC V has left a new comment on your post "Exploring options for the administration building ...":
When the offer was accepted, the Synodical Council authorized the purchase of a newer building
Accepting an offer buy your property is not the same as closing on the sale of your property, something a seller should do before buying another property.
SYNODICAL COUNCIL NENBERS (sic) - Check the original linked below!
Rev. Mark G. Schroeder, WELS president and chairman
Mr. Kurt L. Austad, Nebraska District
Mr. Warren Ehlke, Pacific Northwest District
Mr. Charles Fiedler, South Central District
Mr. Seth Hansen, Dakota‐Montana District
Mr. Philip Hempel, Michigan District
Rev. Philip C. Hirsch, chairman, Board for Ministerial Education
Mr. Paul Holzhueter, Minnesota District
Mr. Mark Massmann, South Atlantic District
Mr. David Metzger, North Atlantic District
Mr. James Moeller, teacher‐at‐large
Rev. Peter Naumann, Conference of Presidents
Rev. Joel Petermann, Conference of Presidents
Rev. David Rutschow, Conference of Presidents
Mr. Tom Schlittenhart, Arizona‐California District
Rev. Larry Schlomer, chairman, Board for World Mission
Rev. Jonathan Schroeder, pastor‐at=large
Mr. Timothy Snyder. Southeastern Wisconsin District
Mr. John Tappe , Western Wisconsin District
Rev. Earle Treptow , pastor‐at‐large
Rev. Charles Westra, Chairman, Board for Home Missions
Advisory:
Rev. Keith Free
Rev. Brian Gerlach
Rev. James Huebner
Rev. Daniel H. Koelpin
Rev. James D. Liggett
Mr. Todd J. Poppe
Rev. Paul Prange
Mr. Mel Schuler
Mr. Martin A. Spriggs
Rev. Joel R. Voss
http://www.wels.net/sites/wels/files/WELS%20Leadership_0.pdf
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/KeystoneKops.jpg
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Contingency contracts, for buying before selling the original property.
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| Contingency purchase? We don't need no stinking contingency contract! |
AC V has left a new comment on your post "Exploring options for the administration building ...":
"Here is a brief review of the situation...."
"the synod reached an agreement with a developer to sell the current administration building..."
Was this done at the synod convention? I missed that one.
"When the offer was accepted, the Synodical Council authorized the purchase of a newer building"
The SC "authorized." Was every member of the SC involved in the contract negotiations, did they see the paperwork, or did a representative(s) make a "trust me" recommendation?
"This resulted in the synod now owning two buildings....A task force was appointed by the Synodical Council to explore all options available to remedy this situation."
Was there not a "task force" in place to negotiate the sale of 2929 and purchase Pewaukee? If so, who were the members?
"The full Synodical Council will make any final decision."
Did not the full SC make the previous sell/buy decisions?
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GJ - They got a smokin' deal on Pewaukee Universalist Towers, so your questions are impertinent, immaterial, irrelevant, and just plain irritating.
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| "Brett, I warned you. WELS and ELCA and the Salvation Army work together. We won't stand for that kind of questioning." |
Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Exploring options for the administration building ...":
To add to the irritation: Where did the $8,000,000 go?! Where's the documentation detailing who allocated it, where, how and why?
The beatings will continue until offerings improve - or the WELS laity demand an accounting.
