Budget Development Process
Joe Ferrell, Finance Committee Chair

One of the principal duties of the vestry is to adopt an annual budget that allocates financial resources among the many ministries of our parish. This year, the vestry will again follow a budget development process that provides for broad participation in identifying funding needs and setting priorities for the coming year.

Organizations and individuals seeking funding in 2003 are invited to submit budget requests no later than October 18. Requests should be directed to Debby Kulik, interim parish administrator. The finance committee will assign each request to one of five budget subcommittees where they will be evaluated. The subcommittees are:
- outreach;
- Christian formation;
- worship and pastoral care;
- administration and infrastructure; and
- salaries and benefits.

The subcommittees will work within overall guidelines for maximum expenditures in their respective areas developed by the finance committee in consultation with the co-chairs of the Every Member Canvass. The process will cover not only expenditures to be made from the annual operating budget but disbursements from endowment and other special funds as well.

The October 20 vestry forum to be held in the Chapel between services will focus on the parish’s budget priorities. At the regular vestry meeting on November 14, the vestry will begin to develop budget priorities for the coming year and will instruct the subcommittees accordingly. The subcommittees will make their reports to the vestry at its December 19 meeting. In early January, the finance committee will evaluate the results to date of the canvass; and at its January budget retreat, the vestry will agree on the revenue side of the budget. The expenditure side of the budget will be finalized at the regular vestry meeting on January 16.

The Vestry intends for this process to afford an opportunity for everyone who wants it to have a voice in how we allocate our financial resources. Please take advantage of it!