Junior Warden
Mr. Eason had already reported on the Space Use Study Committee

Parish Administrator
The Parish Administrator's report is attached. Also attached is a note from Mary Lycan, on behalf of the women who participated in the first North Carolina Women's Choral Festival on February 9, thanking the Chapel of the Cross for use of the buildings.

Treasurer
Attached is the Treasurer's Report for February 2002.

Mr. Holland said that February was a better month than January, but there is still a deficit. He explained that the property and liability insurance payment in February was for additional coverage. He noted that pledge income is behind previous years.

Mr. Vaden asked if the budget is in trouble. Mr. Holland replied that January and February are traditionally tight months for the budget.

Mr. Ferrell asked if ACS has the capacity to accrue pledges. Mrs. Hastings replied that she believes that it does not. Mr. Holland added that this would be an accounting nightmare. Mrs. Schütz said that it might be interesting for the Vestry to know how much of the pledge total is quarterly or yearly. Mrs. Hastings said that all pledges are reported on a yearly basis and that parishioners don't commit to a particular payment schedule. The request for weekly or monthly envelopes is the only indication of how parishioners might be expected to pay their pledges.

Mr. Wright said that the committee is in the process of drafting a job description for the Facilities Manager position.

Mr. Ferrell asked if there has yet been any discussion of the search for a vicar for the new mission. Mr. Wright replied that the Personnel Committee does not plan to write the job description for this position.

Mr. Eason said that in addition to making some upgrades to existing space, there needs to be some rearrangement of space.

The committee agreed on two significant assumptions: parking should not be reduced to create additional space for building additions, and, with the exception of programs with a residential component (such as the Johnson Intern Program), facilities should not be located off-site.

Mr. Eason then asked the Vestry for feedback, and asked if there should perhaps be an additional charge to the committee.

Mr. Eason was asked if the space needs of the parish will change if we start a mission, to which he replied that we need to be open to growth.

Mrs. Schütz asked about the possibility of renting space at the Morehead or elsewhere for occasional large fellowship events. Mr. Eason said that this could be done perhaps one or two times per year. Ms Lee said that large funeral receptions and the Shrove Tuesday dinner, among other events, are problematic. Mr. Ferrell agreed that more fellowship space seems to be a major need, saying that we are the "prisoner of incremental program needs."

Mr. Eason said that there's a sense of the buildings that the Chapel of the Cross should have and that we shouldn't take intermediate steps that would interfere with long-range building plans. In order to avoid this pitfall, we need to engage in strategic planning.

Mr. Ferrell said that when the Child Care Center was begun, the buildings were under-utilized, and he asked to what extent we are committed to the Child Care Center at the expense of the space needs of the parish. Mr. Elkins-Williams stated that the playground does not exist just because of the Child Care Center; it is used by the church school classes and Junior Choir as well.

Mrs. Rizzo asked what should be the next step. Mr. Eason replied that there's more that the committee can do without hiring outside professional help. We need to be looking at space needs for the next fifteen years or so. He suggested that the charge to the committee needs to be clarified. Mrs. Schütz asked Mr. Eason to bring a recommendation to the Vestry.

Mr. Dobelstein observed that the work of the committee seems to be more focused on long-range planning than in the initial report. Mr. Eason said that he tried to keep a low profile on the committee. The committee began its work by considering more immediate issues rather than long-range needs. Ms Lee added that much of the focus on long-range needs was a result of experiences with the limitations of the dining room.

Mr. Dobelstein asked about the economics of doing what needs to be done to increase fellowship space. Do we do a major improvement, or do we make do with minor changes? Mr. Wright expressed the opinion that we should look at the bigger picture. Mr. Elkins-Williams said that we need to have a long-range plan for the ministry of the parish, to which Ms Lee added that long-range planning should relate to buildings and program. Mr. Vaden suggested that this would be a good topic of discussion for the May retreat.

Ms Sauter said that we need another set of data: Given X amount of space, what is the optimum use of this space?

Mr. Elkins-Williams expressed interest in the big picture and suggested that the parish not hire a professional until we have a better idea of the long-range plan.

The Vestry agreed to schedule more discussion of space use issues at the April meeting and again at the Vestry retreat in May.

Request for Second Canvass Asking
Paul Carew, chair of the recent Every Member Canvass, has proposed that the Vestry consider a second canvass asking. Many parishioners have expressed concern about the lack of a Christian Education Director. It would be advantageous to have this position in place in the 2002 budget when the time comes to fund it fully in the 2003 budget. There had been fourteen applications for the position, and if a second asking is approved, Mr. Nelson would reconstitute the search committee.

Mr. Dobelstein expressed the opinion that an additional asking shouldn't be tied to a particular need, but rather to the fact that the budget didn't meet the needs of the parish. He feels that this would set a bad precedent and would undermine the budget process. He expressed concern that it would be divisive, because there were other budgetary request not met.

Ms Sauter disagreed with Mr. Dobelstein, stating that this year we don't have a Christian Education Director as the direct result of lack of pledges. Mr. Eason added that the 2002 budget was balanced because the position of Christian Education Director was, by happenstance, vacant. Mrs. Rizzo added that the parish recognizes the importance of Christian Education. Mr. Holland noted that the budget was balanced by cuts in all areas, although the Christian Education position was a major item. Ms Lee added that Christian Education has already been stated to the parish, at the Annual Meeting, as a priority.

Mr. Wright observed that if we have a successful second asking, we are expecting parishioners to keep pledges at this level next year.

Mr. Ferrell moved to request a second asking, but it was not seconded at this time.

Mrs. Schütz expressed concern about what message the failure of a second asking would communicate. She asked for a sense of the Vestry as to whether the needed funds can be raised.

Mr. Vaden asked if a second asking would be undertaken by the past canvass chairs. Mr. Elkins-Williams replied that Mr. Carew is willing to undertake an additional asking. He said that a letter would be sent to all of those who have pledged in the past but did not pledge this year. A different letter would be sent to parishioners who have already made a pledge, asking them to consider increasing their pledge. Announcements would also be made from the pulpit and in Cross Roads. The second asking is not looking for one-time gifts, but rather additional or increased pledges.

Ms Tompkins asked that the Vestry keep in mind that those who have pledged this year have already increased their pledges over last year.

Mr. Elkins-Williams suggested that if the goal is not reached, perhaps a 30 hr. per week position could be funded, beginning September 1.

Mrs. Schütz suggested a quiet campaign to test the waters before launching a second asking. Mr. Elkins-Williams said that a little of this has already been done, with favorable response.

It was moved by Mr. Ferrell, seconded by Mr. Wright, and passed wth nine (9) in favor and one (1) opposed, that the Vestry authorize the Rector and the wardens and the chairs of the Every Member Canvass to launch a supplementary canvass to support the reinstatement of the position of Christian Education Director.

Mr. Eason asked if the committee could go ahead and determine which of the original candidates for the position are still available. Mr. Nelson said that this will be done.

Mr. Wright suggested that a draft of the letters to parishioners be reviewed by some Vestry members before mailing.

Orange County Mission
Attached are a memo from Mr. Ferrell, a draft budget for the proposed Orange County Mission, and an enabling resolution for Orange County Missioner.

Mr. Ferrell led the discussion of the draft budget. He stated that revenues show only what has already been committed to the project. An additional $5000 from St. Stephens and $13,500 from the Diocese should be added to the revenues shown in year 1. He said that year 3 of the proposal should be funded in part by pledges and contributions, as independent worship services would begin at that time.

Mr. Ferrell also commented on the enabling proposal, which covers the areas of the motion, budget, and oversight.

Mr. Dobelstein asked if the Chapel of the Cross personnel procedures and policies would apply to the position of Orange County Missioner. Mr. Ferrell said that they would apply, unless there is something contradictory in the policy, in which case the policy would need to be amended. The Chapel of the Cross, as the legal employer, would be legally responsible.

Mrs. Schütz said that she recalled that the Chapel of the Cross had committed to a contribution to the mission of $33,000 for three years. Mr. Ferrell confirmed this and said that the total is the same and that the funds are already available.

Mr. Elkins-Williams reported on concerns at the recent meeting of rectors and wardens. The Church of the Holy Family felt that there wasn't enough sense of mission and suggested that 1/4 of the Orange County Missioner's time be spent in each parish and 1/4 in the community among the unchurched.

Mr. Dobelstein asked how it will be decided what kind of parish is established and where it will be located. Mr. Elkins-Williams said that decisions will be made by committee at first, and then, as the mission develops, there will be more input from parishioners.