St. Peter's By The Sea

Vestry Notes - May 2008

• The Congregational Development Questionnaire as requested by the Diocese will utilize the recently completed Self Study profile to satisfy most answers. BCI (Background Checks) for all parishioners identified in responsible and operational positions, such as Vestry and staff require this check also as part of another Diocesan requirement. Presently this activity is a work in progress.
• Safe Church Training has been completed. The Diocese requires all staff and volunteers who interface with our Youth or volunteers who are involved in operating and governing our Church affairs to complete (6) hours of comprehensive study and subsequent certification.
• Weekly attendance is trending down as well as pledge receipts, creating a deficit situation. The Vestry is considering fund raising activities to fill in some of the monetary gap. In addition we have in place a program for volunteers to perform some activities that we presently pay outside vendors, such as mowing and landscape work.
• The Sunday School program will have an important additional focus for the 08-09 fiscal year as it is anticipated that the J2A Youth Program will be in full swing. The J2A Committee members traveled to St. Luke’s in East Greenwich to review their successful J2A model program and take away from their experiences to initially assist us in our start up process.
• The Habitat for Humanity Faithbuild project is nearing completion and rapidly coming to an end. Diane Nobles has successfully coordinated this effort as to fulfilling St. Peter’s commitment to the signed group agreement of South County Churches.
• A “green” Church. We are looking at ways to improve our recycling of paper items, etc. to improve our “green” status. In concert with this effort is the Energy Savings Plan that was conducted by the Rise Co. Lighting bulb changeover to CFL types will be the major modification implemented by this program. In addition to a reduction in our electric bill, some of the initial cost will be subsidized by National Grid.
• Committees have been established to communicate to parishioners and facilitate the operation of the Church. One or more Vestry members have been assigned to each committee to serve as liaison or in some cases as Chairperson. Parishioners will be asked to also volunteer to provide and supplement the needed expertise for the Committee to function efficiently. The Committees and Vestry appointments are as follows:
  
  • Youth (Patti Risica & Barbara Bergen)
  • Finance (Leo Carroll, Beth DiPanni, Ann Rheault, Gerry Reynolds, Rob Kerr)
  • Liturgy (Anne Todd & Gerry Reynolds)
  • Outreach (Randy Wilson & present Chair Diane Nobles)
  • Parish Life (Ruth Toolan & present Pastoral Care Chair Hillary Transue)
  • Property (Leo Carroll, Ann Rheault, & present Chair John DiPanni and parishioners Steve Lague, Linda O’Neill)
  • Stewardship (Leo Carroll, Beth DiPanni, Ann Rheault, Gerry Reynolds & a parishioner Chair to be identified for the 2009 Stewardship Program)
  • Welcoming (Beth DiPanni, Patti Risica)
• The Search Committee for a new Rector has begun their quest in earnest in a meeting with Diocesan staff member, Betsy Fornal on May 8 The final slate of members are as follows:
  
  • Bob Bergen
  • Lou Clark
  • David Crocker
  • Christy Durant
  • Sue Raesner
  • Jo Rakauskas
  • Ann Rheault
  • Ruth Toolan

Posted on: Thu, 15 May 2008 10:29 am
Category: Vestry Meeting Minutes

February 2008 - Vestry Notes

• New vestry candidates for 2008 were identified by the nominating committee headed up by Becky Johnson. Other members were Dick Vincent, Dorothy Latham, and Andrea Wilson. The candidates were presented and elected at the February Annual Meeting. This committee utilized an additional tool of nomination cards in the pews to further open the availability of candidates. Get to know your Vestry members and never hesitate to ask them on any question concerning the operation of St. Peter’s. The new Vestry members are Barbara Bergen and Rob Kerr for 3-year terms, Anne Todd for 2 years and Ruth Toolan and Randy Wilson for one year. Continuing members are Leo Carroll, Sr. Warden; Beth DiPanni, Jr. Warden; Ann Rheault, Treasurer; Gerry Reynolds, Clerk and Patti Risica, member at large. Rev. Richard Shippee provides our spiritual direction.
• Thinking about candidates and the fact that the Self Study committee (special thanks to Beth DiPanni and her committee members) has essentially finished the task of writing a well documented profile, it is now critical to identify parishioners willing to serve and allow a significant time commitment to interrupt their life style and identify a new Rector through the calling process. Everyone in the Parish should seriously consider this mission as it is crucial for St. Peter’s future.
• The Vestry would also like everyone to review and take a close look at the 2008 annual budget as was presented by Ann Rheault, treasurer. It is anticipated that a tough economic year is in store for both our parishioners and St. Peter’s. The Vestry has looked at ways to reduce landscape costs as well as reducing some of our brass band services. We also have been very fortunate to have several parishioners step up and offer to cover some or all of our utility expenses. Another expense that we are sure to incur but is hard to specify is the travel and interview expenses associated with the calling of the new Rector.
• After experiencing many conflicting dates, the Vestry decided to reschedule our service with Congregation Beth David to the fall. We will now concentrate our efforts to obtain St. Peters’ full participation at their service in their synagogue on May 23.
• A special trip to the newly decorated conference room (old Rector’s office) is well worth taking. Jeanne Carroll was responsible for coordinating this task. She utilized the services of McKay’s Furniture and their decorating representative. A job well done. Take a good look. Also a couple of parishioners were especially helpful in that they made major donations for this room and will be recognized later in an appropriate manner.
• A Diocesan approved Youth program is being proposed by Jill Fallon, one of our Sunday school teachers. This program is called J2A (Journey to Adult). Informational sessions will be scheduled. The Vestry is enthusiastic about implementing this program.
• A very large note of thanks to some parishioners who have fulfilled major Vestry responsibilities.
  a. Wheaton Vaughn has served on the Vestry for (4) years and as Stewardship Chair for (3) years. A very tough assignment that was performed very well.
  b. Fred Morrison served as Jr. Warden for (3) years and we can point to the completion of Ruffino hall as an example of his fine effort.
  c. Jeanne Carroll provided much support in Vestry matters, but many times she was also behind the scenes in kitchen, clean up and organizing our social events.
  d. Gerry Giacobbi stepped in and completed an unexpired term of office. His past experience as Sr. Warden proved invaluable for this Vestry
  e. Allison Toupin served (2) years and her input and was always appreciated.

Posted on: Fri, 15 Feb 2008 1:13 pm
Category: Vestry Meeting Minutes

November 2007 - Vestry Notes

• Keep your eye on the new conference room (Rector’s old office). Jeanne Carroll is heading up a committee to refurbish this room into a first class conference area. Funds of $10,000 were donated by a parishioner to accomplish this activity.
• The enhanced welcoming process (Radical Welcoming) is ready to be initiated with 12-15 parishioners completing the course meetings and volunteering to put this activity into practice.
• The Self-Study Committee has gathered the required data and is now in the process of formally writing it down for approval at the January Vestry meeting. Once approved and presented to the congregation, this data profile will then be disseminated to many Episcopalian sources and will be a major source of information that will be used by prospective rectors.
• The Vestry is still the process of considering the URI proposal to archive St. Peter’s documents.
• The Food Pantry is now open Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon.
• Background checks (BCI) for all staff, Vestry, and volunteers in sensitive responsibilities are ready to be initiated.
• A policy on weddings that was primarily developed by our Sr. Warden has been approved by the Vestry. It is intended to provide guidance as per Diocesan rules and designed to not overburden the Church staff, but at the same time continuing the previous frequency of ceremonies conducted at St. Peter’s. Significant income and new parishioners are a direct benefit of this policy.
• Our overall financial condition for 2008 and beyond will require some serious consideration by the Vestry to insure that the Church minimizes any ongoing deficits. As everyone is aware, we have added Ruffino Hall to our inventory of facilities and as such will require additional utilities and maintenance. Inflation and Search Committee costs as well as some individual grants that have been used up will require us to make up these financial gaps. Annual pledges, individual grants and Capital fund pledge are major items on the income side of our budget.
• Becky Johnson has once again graciously accepted the responsibility as Chairperson of the Vestry nominating committee. This is a perfect opportunity for parishioners to consider serving on this important mission. In conjunction with this, nomination cards were placed in the pews in order to facilitate increasing the number of eligible parishioners for consideration at our 2008 Annual meeting.

Posted on: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 1:12 pm
Category: Vestry Meeting Minutes

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