PPP Loan Forgiveness Vote

**Online voting link will be posted March 15, 2021**

LETTER REGARDING PPP LOAN VOTE //

February 22, 2021

Dear FBC family:

The Stewardship Committee of First Baptist Church is grateful for your faithful giving. Because of your generosity, First Baptist continues to live its mission and offers meaningful support to our ministry partners. We are writing to announce a special called business meeting at noon on Sunday, March 14, in the FBC sanctuary and via Zoom. Our COVID-19 safety protocols will be observed by those participating in-person. For information on participating via Zoom, visit fbcjc.org/zoom.

The motion coming from the Stewardship Committee to the congregation for a vote is: Shall officers of First Baptist Church Jefferson City, Missouri be authorized to apply for forgiveness of the Paycheck Protection Program loan, which was applied for and subsequently received on April 22, 2020?

Background: In April 2020, FBC’s Stewardship Committee, Personnel Committee, Pastoral Staff, Deacon Officers, and Leadership Team members unanimously voted to pursue Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Due to state and county restrictions on group gatherings in April 2020, the church voted via paper ballot, online ballot, and email ballot and did not hold an in-person business meeting. The motion passed by a vote of 342 yes and 29 no.

Next Steps: The above motion will be presented for discussion at the March 14, 2021, special called business meeting. Following discussion, the meeting will go into recess. On Monday, March 15, a ballot will be mailed to the congregation. Church members may then vote once in one of the following ways by Wednesday, April 7, 2021.

  • Return the ballot to the church office via U.S. mail or in person, or
  • Email your vote to mary@fbcjc.org, or
  • Vote online here. (link coming March 15)

The meeting and voting process described above is intended to provide for congregational discussion in a live business meeting while also allowing the same broad access to voting available to the congregation in our first PPP vote in April 2020. Voting outside of a live business meeting is not a practice we envision for future church business. This voting method will be utilized in this circumstance to honor our regular church business process and the unusual circumstances of our first PPP vote in April 2020, which resulted in a high rate of voting participation.

Further information about the Paycheck Protection Program and the funds received by our church are included here via links – FAQ about FBC & PPP Loan and PPP and Faith-Based Organizations from the Small Business Administration. As always, you may contact us if you have questions.

Sincerely,

Matt Barton, Stewardship Committee Chair

Stephen Mathis, Personnel Committee Chair

Stan Farmer, Treasurer