Vestry Minutes - December, 2019

Minutes of December 16, 2019 Vestry Meeting

Present: Charlie de Kay, Tim Patenode, Cynthia Doucet, Monique Austin, Susan Cherco, Connie Conley, Kristin Jacobsen, Bob Purse, Ann Searles, Dave Turner, Dustin Vincent (treasurer), Jennie Woodring (clerk)

Absent: Corky Siegfriedt, Allison Zidek

The meeting began at 7:32 pm with Charlie leading a reflection.

The November vestry minutes were APPROVED with minor corrections

APPROVED – Revised proposal of St. Matthew’s Trust III

Document as revised since the November meeting was presented and approved; the proposal will be sent out to the congregation in advance of the January 19 all-parish finance review meeting

APPROVED – Finance Committee Audit Report, presented at the November meeting

APPROVED – Resolution for vestry to thank the audit team: Steve Carr, Don Churchill, Cynthia Doucet, Jeff Haden, Henry Latimer, Chris Motogawa, Dustin Vincent, Rick Worden, Allison Zidek

Budget and Pledges for 2020

The budget as presented at the November vestry meeting (with minor adjustments) will be presented to the congregation on January 19, with final vestry approval to be sought at the January 20 regular vestry meeting.

A list of potential pledgers who haven’t yet made a pledge for 2020 was distributed. Along with Charlie, Steve Steiber, and Tim, other vestry members offered to call specific people on the list.

Choir

Discussion at previous vestry meetings explored the possibility of giving the eight paid choir members a per-call raise (total of 600 calls/yr). It was decided to weigh the results of the Mutual Ministry Review and evaluation of cottage meetings before making a commitment. 

APPROVED As a gesture of goodwill, vestry approved a $100 bonus for each paid member, to be given with a card signed by the vestry on Christmas Eve. An additional $100 per person was committed by a donation from a member of the vestry.

Vestry personal funds will also be used to provide a modest Starbucks card for unpaid choir members.

Mutual Ministry Review – Susan

A handout was sent via email prior to the meeting. Rector, wardens, and vestry will each choose two to three goals to pursue during the course of the coming year.

It was noted that more clarity is needed regarding goals with our partnership with St. Andrew’s Pentecost.

Charlie will send an announcement to the congregation acknowledging that the MMR was conducted.

Vestry Retreat

Charlie suggested that the vestry meet twice during the coming year in place of the traditional weekend vestry planning meeting and retreat.

A Saturday at St. Matthew’s early in the year for the purpose of onboarding new vestry members and setting goals

An overnight in fall, as a spiritual retreat

Vestry agreed to this proposal; Charlie will send out an inquiry to vestry members to set dates.

Officers and Vestry for 2020

Charlie distributed a tentative list of 2020 officers and vestry, with some spots still to be filled. Conversations to fill spots are ongoing.

Tim Patenode offered to be a nominee for Trustee.

Cottage Meetings - Tim

A short summary report (previously emailed to vestry) will be distributed to the congregation, with modifications to the document as discussed during this meeting.

Fifty-plus pages of notes from the cottage meetings have been distilled and categorized. An open meeting will be held sometime after the annual meeting to further discuss how to move forward with the information that came out of the cottage meetings.

Annual Meeting - planning

The annual meeting will be after the 10:30 service on January 26.

Vestry members should send bios and a photo, and ministry leaders should send information about their ministries, to Julie Hinz by January 16 for inclusion in the annual meeting handout.

The possibility of a photo booth was discussed; Charlie will explore options.

Rector’s report – Charlie

The bishop will visit St. Matthew’s on Sunday, May 3, at which time Confirm Not Conform participants will, if they desire, be confirmed. The possibility of Terri Morrissey’s ordination as deacon at that time is also being explored.

Personnel – Monique

Interviews with candidates for a part-time (20 hrs/wk) handyman are ongoing. The personnel committee would like input from Building and Grounds members about the (two) primary candidates.

Executive Session – a brief executive session was held.

The meeting concluded at 9:29.

Next meeting will be January 20, 2019.

Submitted by Jennie Woodring