At its December meeting, the Vestry

1) adopted the 2007 pay plan;

2) approved the recommendation of the Social Ministry Committee for disbursement from Discretionary Outreach funds in the amount of $1000 to Student Action with Farmworkers; and

3) discussed the possibility of a change in the by-laws governing Vestry elections.

Following a bag supper, the Vestry met in executive session in the parish library for a discussion of the 2007 working pay plan. Vestry members present were Jim Crow (Sr. Warden), Steve Lackey (Jr. Warden), Chris Bowes, Mary Schoenfeld, Terry Eason, Chip Hill, Melody Savage, Clare Baum, Gail Cloud, Larry Logan, and Sandra McClaskey. Also present was Nancy Kelly (Clerk).

Mr. Crow presided and began the discussion by asking Mr. Hill to provide an overview of the 2007 working budget issues.

Mr. Hill said that a balanced budget will require pledges of $1,387,000. There is currently a shortfall of $85,000-90,000. The Finance Committee has proposed that the non-recurring contribution to the Episcopal Church of the Advocate be funded in 2007 from the Memorials Fund.

Three issues are of significance in the increase in personnel costs in the 2007 budget. In addition to the recommended salary increases of 3.30% for both clergy and lay staff, there is a recommendation to increase the position of Parish Administrator to full-time and to increase the hours for the Youth Assistant position.

It was the consensus of the Vestry that the position of Parish Administrator should be budgeted for full-time, but that would not necessarily be binding on how to advertise the position. It was agreed that cutting the position in the interests of balancing the budget would not be a wise move when there is uncertainty about how the actual hiring process might evolve.

It was moved by Mr. Lackey, seconded by Mr. Hill, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry adopt the working 2007 pay plan.

The executive session concluded at 7:00 p.m., and the Vestry moved to the more formal part of the agenda.

The December meeting of the Vestry was held in the parish library on Thursday, December 14, 2006. Vestry members present were Jim Crow (Sr. Warden), Steve Lackey (Jr. Warden), Chris Bowes, Mary Schoenfeld, Terry Eason, Chip Hill, Melody Savage, Clare Baum, Gail Cloud, Larry Logan, and Sandra McClaskey. Also present were Stephen Elkins-Williams (Rector), Gabe Lamazares (Diocesan Intern), Barbara Hastings (Parish Administrator), Reid Conrad (Treasurer), and Nancy Kelly (Clerk).

The Rector presided and opened the business meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Bible Study

Mrs. Schoenfeld led the Bible study for the evening, beginning with a prayer. The Gospel reading appointed for the day was Luke 22: 1-13. Mrs. Schoenfeld concluded the Bible study with a prayer.

Selection of Timekeeper

Ms Savage volunteered to serve as timekeeper.

PARISH CONCERNS

Mr. Crow asked that a review of the report of the Parking Committee be placed on the agenda soon.

There were no corrections to the minutes of the focus session of November 16.

The following correction was made to the minutes of the Vestry meeting of November 16:

p. 6, second paragraph under Hospitality Committee, omit second sentence.

It was moved by Mrs. McClaskey, seconded by Mr. Eason, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the minutes of the focus session of November 16 and approve the minutes of the Vestry meeting of November 16 as amended.

All items are to remain on the addendum, pending completion.

The following item was placed on the Consent Agenda (attached):

- recommendation of the Social Ministry Committee for disbursement from Discretionary Outreach funds in the amount of $1000 to Student Action with Farmworkers (SMC tracking form attached)

It was moved by Mr. Logan, seconded by Ms Cloud, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the Consent Agenda.

Mr. Elkins-Williams reported that the rented space for Diocesan House is under contract to buy.

Bishop Gary Gloster retires officially on December 31. Bishop Curry is hoping to call an assistant Bishop from another diocese. If this does not happen as planned, there will be a search for a suffragan bishop.

Senior Warden/Junior Warden
The combined report of the Sr. Warden and the Jr. Warden is attached.

Referring to item 1 of the report, the issue of the process of election of Vestry members, Mr. Elkins-Williams said that the current practice is based on the idea that parishioners should be active enough in the parish to learn about the nominees in order to vote for four candidates for Vestry. He added that the parish has grown in complexity and that perhaps it is time to make a change.

Mr. Lackey asked if this wouldn’t require a change in the by-laws of the parish, to which Mr. Elkins-Williams replied that it would. Anyone can propose a change in the by-laws at the Annual Meeting. He will ask Chancellor Bill Daniell about the process and its timing. Mr. Lackey added that it would be unwise to create the perception that a change is desired in anticipation of a capital campaign.

Mr. Eason said that he is not completely convinced that there’s not some merit to requiring parishioners to vote for three or four candidates, rather than saying that parishioners can vote for up to four candidates.

Mr. Elkins-Williams suggested that Vestry members engage in conversation with parishioners about this matter before the January meeting.

Referring to item 2 of the report, Mr. Elkins-Williams said that those who attended the revised presentation of the Parish Dialogue Committee were very impressed by the improvements made to the original presentation. Parish meetings will commence in January, and a feasibility study report is expected in February.

Parish Administrator
The Parish Administrator’s report is attached.

Mrs. Hastings called attention to the updated report on annual giving on the back of her report.

Referring to the luncheon for volunteers, Mrs. Hastings emphasized that the administrative volunteers provide the equivalent of two full-time positions, this in addition to another full-time equivalent volunteer position provided by Vivian and Barney Varner.

Mrs. Hastings expanded on her report on nursery workers, saying that their salaries are in the $9-10 per hour range. She asked the Personnel Committee to review this.

The following focus sessions were determined:
January – 2007 budget
February – Parking Committee
March – Capital Giving Committee / Whitney Jones
April - Master Plan Committee
May- University Ministry Advisory Committee

Treasurer
Attached are the Treasurer’s Narrative Report for November 2006 and the draft Combined Balance Sheet as of November 30, 2006.

Mr. Conrad reported that the budget is on track with last year, but there are no guarantees.

Mr. Conrad reported that the canvass has picked up, although there is still a need to secure more pledging units in order to meet the budget goal.

Finance Committee
The report of the Finance Committee is attached. Attached also is the 2007 Budget Worksheet.

Mr. Hill asked for confirmation of the discussion of the executive session, that the Vestry wishes that the Finance Committee consider across-the-board cuts as it works to balance the budget. He also raised again the issue of using the Memorials Fund as a source for the COTA budget item.

Mr. Crow said that it seems premature to be considering cuts when the parish has money in the bank. Mr. Conrad replied that we already are using income from investments as a source of revenue and that it isn’t appropriate to draw down on parish assets for general operating expenses. Mr. Elkins-Williams added that much of the $85,000-90,000 shortfall this year is a result of an attempt at no fund transfers, which have been budgeted in the past to balance the budget, but which often have not actually been spent.

Mr. Eason, referring to the proposal to use the Memorials Fund as a source of funding for the COTA budget item, asked how long has it taken the Memorials Fund to accumulate. He questioned spending it all in one year.

Mr. Elkins-Williams asked if this budget reflects the 6% increase in health insurance. Mrs. Hastings replied that Barney Varner included the latest figures from the diocese. Mr. Conrad will re-confirm that the figures are correct.

Buildings and Grounds Committee
The report of the Buildings and Grounds Committee is attached.

The renovations to the dining room have been completed.

The quote for the repair to the Kleuker organ is outdated and must be re-submitted, so it will be presented to the Vestry in January.

Mr. Elkins-Williams said that he is preparing a written response to the issue of closing the chapel balcony. He said that it is helpful to have the balcony available as an option on certain occasions. Ms Baum said that the proposal to close it officially was in an effort to address liability issues.

Personnel Committee
Mrs. Bowes said that the committee continues to study the job description of the Facilities Manager position.

The job description for the position of Development Director is in process.

University Ministry Advisory Council

The report of the University Ministry Advisory Council is attached.

Ms Savage reported that the UMAC is the successor of the University Ministry Committee. There has been a significant change in the structure and role of the committee since Tammy Lee assumed the position of Associate for Parish Ministry.

Global Missions Committee

The report of the Global Missions Committee is attached.

Ann Henley arrived at the meeting in time to give her report. She brought with her samples of the calendar and postcards from last spring’s mission trip to Honduras. These will be on sale in the coming weeks, and profits will help to fund the 2007 mission trip to Honduras, which will take place May 21-29. Brochures about this trip will be available in the pews and in the tract rack. She also asked about the possibility of a visit to our parish by Father Monzón, the Rector of San Patricio.

In February we will be hosting visitors from South Africa.

Hospitality Committee

The report of the Hospitality Committee is attached.

Announcements

All Vestry members are welcome at the January 9 meeting of the Finance Committee, at which the committee will prepare a balanced budget to present to the Vestry at the January 18 meeting.

The Rector offered a prayer and the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy F. Kelly
Clerk of the Vestry

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

(Attachments are available in the library for review.)

Buildings and Grounds Committee – Check with Hartman-Cox before proceeding to replace maple trees.

Buildings and Grounds Committee – Follow up on the issue of having available at each service someone trained to troubleshoot problems with sound system.

Mr. Elkins-Williams and Personnel Committee - Study issues relating to job description for development director.

Mr. Elkins-Williams - Ask Bill Daniell about by-laws issues.

Mr. Conrad - Re-confirm that health insurance increase figures are correct.

Personnel Committee - Review salary level of nursery workers.