Vestry Meeting Minutes for December
St. James’ Episcopal Church

(To be approved at next meeting)

December 19, 2007, 4:45 pm

Present: Senior Warden Don Omundson, Treasurer Kevin Crosson, Jane Acord, David Vanselow, Kay Wayman, the Rev. Edie Bird, the Rev. John Burton, the Rev. Betsy Porter, and Clerk Susan Walter.

Call to order - Don Omundson called the meeting to order at 4:45 pm.

Approval of November minutes – David Vanselow moved to accept the November minutes as written; the motion was seconded and all voted aye.

Approval of Treasurer's Reports – After review of the monthly reports, David Vanselow moved to accept the treasurer's reports; the motion was seconded and all voted aye.

Old Business:
1. Organ Update: We received a dated and signed itemized completion schedule from our organ builder after the last Vestry meeting.  Don reported that phase 1 has been completed on schedule.

2. Update on Silver Tea – Kay reported that the Silver Tea, held December 6, was very successful and ECW was able to present a check for $2930 to Carroll County Habitat for Humanity.

3. Updated 2008 Budget – Kevin went over changes in our anticipated operating income and expenses for our 2008 budget.  The budget shows a –$12,647 deficit that can be offset, if needed, by designated priest salary surplus fund and education fund carryover.  This would then leave a -$2,317 deficit.  The vestry voted to accept the changes.
New Business
1. Two outreach fund requests from Laura Shoffner were considered.  The request for $1000 for the Dick Johnston Camp was deferred until 2008.  The request for $100 for EMIN (Episcopal Mental Illness Network) was approved with Kay making the motion and all voting aye.

2. Christmas offering: Edie suggested we consider designating the Christmas offering to Catherine Freeman's pre-school class and also to a family that needs help. Kevin moved we designate 2/3 of the offering to the pre-school class and 1/3 to the needy family.  The motion was seconded and all voted aye.

3a: Ushers: David Vanselow volunteered to head up the group of Ushers.  He plans to recruit, train, and develop a list of usher duties along with the help of Office Administrator, Susan Walter.

3b. Money Counting: New money counting procedures were presented.  Copies are attached to the official minutes.  Discussion: Currently, counters are required to fill out a 3-page form.  With the new procedures, counters simply count and record cash and check totals on a short form, noting any designated cash.  After counting, they will place the money in a safe locked place.  The office administrator will then record the offering and prepare the deposit.  Following diocesan guidelines for better internal controls, and to allow counters to finish their task quickly, there will be 2 unrelated people counting the money.  One of those individuals will be a vestry member on a rotating basis.
  • Morning counters – includes offering from the 8 am service, the 10 am service, and any money that arrived after the previous week's evening offering was counted.
  • Evening counters - includes the 5 pm service and possibly, offerings from Peachtree.
David Vanselow moved to approve the new procedure and implement it this Sunday.  The motion was seconded and all voted aye.

4. Disposal of old organ console.  David, Kevin, and Don agreed to remove the console from the end of the driveway.

5. Candidates for Vestry 2008.  Edie suggested the names of Mary Springer and Billy Pugh as Vestry candidates for 2008.  Both are willing to fill the open positions.

6. There will be a short meeting January 16 at 4:30 pm to cover anything that needs covering prior to the annual meeting on January 20.

7. Vestry approved the following year-end bonuses for employees and clergy: The Rev. Edie Bird, $500; Office Administrator Susan Walter, $200; Organist Carroll Heath, $150, Sexton Sharon Bryant, $50; Child care Celeste Raphael, $25; The Rev. Betsy Porter, $200; and the Rev. John Burton, $200.
Next meeting date and time: Wednesday, January 16, at 4:30 pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 pm.

Submitted by Susan Walter

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