Vestry
Meeting Minutes for November
St. James’ Episcopal Church
(Preliminary -- to be approved at December
meeting)
Present:
Senior Warden Don Omundson, Junior Warden Bob Rennels, Treasurer Kevin
Crosson, Suzanne Tourtelot, David Vanselow, Kay Wayman, the Rev. Edie
Bird, the Rev. John Burton, and Clerk Susan Walter.
The meeting was opened with special prayer for Jane Acord and her daughter Leah.
Call to order - Don Omundson called the meeting to order at 4:35 pm.
Approval of October minutes –
Kevin Crosson moved to accept the October minutes as written: the
motion was seconded and all voted aye.
Approval of Treasurer's
Reports – After review of the monthly reports, Suzanne Tourtelot moved
to accept the treasurer’s reports; the motion was seconded and all
voted aye.
Old Business:
- Business by email for Vestry records:
a. October
28: Georgette Garner requested a $400 grant for warm clothing for
children in Catherine Freeman’s ABC class. The MDG committee
approved the grant. Vestry members Jane Acord, Kevin Crosson, Bob
Rennels, Suzanne Tourtelot, and Kay Wayman approved by email vote.
b.
November 4: Time for action on the organ. Edie asked permission
of Vestry to consult a lawyer to see what our options are for getting
the organ project finished. She also requested no
side-conversations with Joshua Peden, the organ builder. Vestry
members Jane Acord, Kevin Crosson, Bob Rennels, Suzanne Tourtelot, and
Kay Wayman voted aye by email.
- Update on organ project
Edie shared
a copy of the letter sent to organ builder Joshua Peden on November 9
by attorney William A. Hill. This letter asks for a written,
dated and signed itemized completion schedule, an itemized list of all
materials purchased, and a letter committing to a meeting with Rev.
Edie, Josh, and our attorney to go over the completion schedule.
A copy of this letter is attached to the minutes. Rev. Edie
remains hopeful that Josh will come and talk it out but if necessary,
Kevin Crosson moved that Rev. Edie be authorized to begin litigation if
the terms of the letter are not fulfilled. The motion was
seconded and all voted aye.
New Business
2008 Budget
- Vicar compensation
package for 2008 – Rev. Edie recently attended the clergy conference
where the Bishop discussed clergy compensation. In obedience to the
Bishop, we should comply with the minimum standards set. After
Edie left the meeting, the vestry reviewed the proposed benefit
package; Kevin moved to accept the benefit package at the full time
rate with the adjustments shown in the preliminary budget for
Professional expense and Travel reimbursement. The motion was
seconded and all voted aye.
- 2008 Budget: Kevin
led a discussion on the rest of the preliminary budget, focusing on
expected operating income and operating expense for 2008. The
bottom line shows an approximate $10,330 deficit.
- Diocesan
assessment for 2008: The Bishop has asked churches to commit to a 10%
tithe this year, based on 10% of the 2008 expected income plus any
committed funds to various listed projects. Vestry voted to
follow these guidelines giving 10% of our anticipated income plus the
$500 already committed to Camp Mitchell. The final number for the
anticipated income will be decided next month after time has passed for
more pledges to come in.
Next meeting date and time: Wednesday, December 19th, 4:45 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 pm.
Submitted by Susan Walter
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