Minutes of the Annual Meeting

January 28, 2007

The annual meeting was called to order with prayer at 12:20 by the Rev. John A. Wingert, Interim Rector. A quorum was then declared. The minutes of 2006 were approved. Fr. John announced the appointment of the tellers.

The nominations for officers were as follows: Senior Warden, Gary Creaser, Junior Warden, Jeff Perry, Clerk, Cassy Palmer, and Treasurer, Don Lewis. The nominations for officers were accepted. Nominations were closed; a motion to instruct the church to cast a unanimous ballot for the slots of vestry officers was approved. Nominations for vestry were listed and then the floor was opened for further nominations. Elizabeth Patches was nominated and gave a short biography. Nominations were approved and closed. A ballot was taken. Jim Blanchette, John Pickering and Elizabeth Patches were elected to serve on the vestry.

After some discussion concerning the procedure to select delegates and alternates for the 2007 Diocesan Convention, it was decided that the church should open up the floor to nominations. Seventeen persons were nominated. After this was done the church was instructed to vote for six of those nominated to serve as delegates. Those with the six highest votes would serve as delegates and those six with the next highest votes would serve as alternates. Jim Blanchette, Gary Creaser, Nancy Dymond, E.J. Hikel, Lee Ann Mallonee, and Ann Wilbanks were elected to serve as delegates. Sterling Dymond, Carolyn Leick, Evelyn Lutz, Cassy Palmer, Elizabeth Patches, and Heather Souweine were elected as alternates. Steve Brakey, Kim Chadbourne, Ken Huhn, Paula Sprague, and Paige Stevens may be asked to step in if someone drops out.

Robin Brook presented the Senior Warden’s Report. Robin officially resigned from her duties and was given a round of applause for all of her hard work and service to the church.

Jeff Perry presented the Junior Warden’s Report. The capital campaign is finished, but there are a few projects yet to do. These include heating, repairing damage to the undercroft, and still working on energy savings.

Don Lewis presented the Treasurer’s Report. The annual budget for 2006 was $316,817, the budget for 2007 is $376,000. Increases are due to new rector expenses, discernment committee expenses, and the mortgage to pay for building work. The church remained under budget for 2006 due to the fact that there is no paid Christian Education Director, and so far the Discernment Committee has spent little money. Don highlighted the restricted funds that the church has for building expenses, the fort endowment to send someone to camp, and the capital campaign fund. Reduced costs for 2007 include payment to the Diocese, which is down approximately $10,000. Don says that he will be carefully looking at items in the budget to make sure that the church is only including items in the assessment to the Diocese that are necessary. Don asked that anyone giving stock should send the church a note letting them know who the stock is from so that it can be tracked properly. He informed the parish that Ken Huhn headed a committee to review our investments and take a more aggressive stance on managing our money. They wrote an investment policy, solicited proposals, and selected UBS; now all of our investments are in one place. Over the next year there will be further clean-up of funds. Ken will stand as Assistant Treasurer and will run for Treasurer next year. This will help to make for a smooth transition at that post. Ann Wilbanks asked what office expenses are going down, and Don replied that the church bought office equipment that was previously rented.

Bruce Mallonee gave the Steering Committee Report. He said that the committee is in the highly confidential phase, doing telephone interviews, and hopes to have a candidate by spring. There were questions regarding where the candidates were from, ages, and number under serious consideration. Bruce replied that the candidates are from all over and their ages range from 30’s to early 60’s. There were twenty-nine original candidates, ten have been telephoned, and the committee will visit three to five.

Under Old Business, Fr. John said that the church needs to make substantial updates to the by-laws, but this should wait until the new rector is in place.

As far as New Business, Ann Holland requested that the church continue in the future the custom of having the annual report available one week ahead of time to allow the parish to be able to read and consider all information. Improvements will continue to be made to the sound system. Pat Totman said that volunteers are needed to serve at the soup kitchen once a month. Acolytes and alter guild persons are needed as well. Karen Keim said that the Kings Daughter’s Home needs two women to serve on their board. Steve Brakey said that more people are needed to make calls to advertisers and media for special events. Lew Phillips said that the church needs to improve communication and this will in turn help volunteers increase.

Robin Brook wished to thank those who helped to renovate the tower. She displayed a plaque made using the old slate pieces that will be given to those who helped in the renovation.

The Annual Meeting closed at 1:30 with prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Cassandra Palmer, clerk