St. Boniface Episcopal Church: Vestry


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Vestry news May The Vestry met May 16, and opened with Betsie Danner summarizing present and future stewardship efforts, focusing on “member engagement.” 2014 Annual Appeal plans are beginning, and would be presented at the next meeting. John Hall and his “Rector’s Report” noted the plans for restructuring the Preschool are progressing as planned, and encouraged the vestry to continue their work on the Parish Vision Statement. Assistant Treasurer Kathie Hayes presented the April 2013 financials, noting the 40% total income collected thus far was on track for the year. Senior Warden Jim Palermo submitted changes to the Saint Boniface Endowment Policy, proposed by the Investment and Endowment Committees. Ratios in long-term investments would be changed to broaden the base. After many terms of service as the Saint Boniface Grants Committee chairperson, Becky Westbrook is stepping down and Ginger Pavloff is stepping in as interim chairperson. Vestry member Holley Schroeder was named vestry liaison to the Grants Committee, and the Committee will be conducting a survey of “parish outreach interest” over the summer. Junior Warden Carl Hye-Knudsen offered a recommended proposal to renovate the Church restrooms, and plans for the improvements are to occur over the summer. A proposal to reseal and reline the campus parking areas was accepted, and that work would also be completed by the Fall.
Vestry news March The vestry met March 18, and covered several agenda items. After opening the meeting with prayer, the Rector provided the latest Stewardship update, potential new website platform, and Holy Week services and participation. Potential plans for the Preschool were next discussed, as the school has been operating at a loss. The Preschool shall remain a ministry of Saint Boniface Church, and therefor will be supported in all facets of restructuring. The Treasurer next presented the 2012 Financial Report, and was accepted for audit. Signatories for financial accounts were established, as well as other authorizations set. Distribution of an undesignated bequest was approved to fund the Youth Ministries account. Added to new business was the formation of a By-Laws Ad Hoc Committee, volunteers who will assist the Rector with reviewing and rewriting our Parish By-Laws. Endowment Committee items with respect to our Outreach accounts and distribution were presented and accepted.
Vestry news February The vestry met on February 21, and John Hall led the Vestry through a number of Administrative Actions. The Vestry accepted the resignation of the Clerk and elected Lisa Wolf to be Clerk of the Vestry. Melba Hye-Knudsen, the outgoing clerk, will remain as Assistant Clerk through the end of the year. The Vestry elected Doug Francis, Henry Rhodes, Bruce Wilson and Tony Neubroch (alternate) as delegates to the Diocesan Convention to be held on October 18-19, and the Vestry elected Gary Buchmeier to be a voting member of the Endowment Committee. John asked for two volunteers to work as an understudy to the Junior Warden and the Treasurer to become familiar with the duties of these positions. Doug Francis volunteered to shadow the Junior Warden and Jon Gordon will shadow the Treasurer. John gave the Vestry a presentation on SWEEPS (Stewardship, Worship, Evangelism, Education, Pastoral Care and Service). John told the Vestry that everything the Church does should fit into one of these categories. John also stressed the importance of *Vision,* and has scheduled a Vestry Retreat for April 13^th to work on a revised vision (who we want to become). Finally, John took the Vestry on a “field trip” to the Youth Studio and asked the Vestry to observe first-hand the condition of this facility. He asked the Vestry to reflect on the reaction of a parent bringing their child to this facility for the first time. John suggested to the Vestry that this facility does not reflect that the Youth Program is a priority of the Church. John reported that the Church had received an undesignated bequest of just over $44,000. The vestry will evaluate how this money should be distributed and make a decision at a subsequent meeting.
vestry news January John Hall opened the vestry meeting on January 17 with prayers and distributed a document titled Prayers for a St. Boniface Gathering. These prayers will be said at all Church meetings. He appointed Jim Palermo to continue as Senior Warden and the Vestry elected Carl Hye-Knudsen as Junior Warden, Gary Buchmeier as Treasurer, Kathie Hayes as Assistant Treasurer, and Melba Hye-Knudsen as Clerk. The vestry reviewed the 2012 financials and the results of the 2013 Stewardship Campaign. The vestry determined that a refund of some of our 2012 apportionment to the Diocese should be applied to the 2013 apportionment. The vestry continued its discussion of vestry committee assignments and hopes to have at least three appointments made at the February meeting.
Vestry news December The vestry finished 2012 by meeting on December 20, 2012 and approved a 2013 Dream Budget of $957,512.97. The Senior Warden thanked the vestry for their work and dedication in 2012 and outlined his goals for the vestry in 2013.
Vestry news from October and November The Vestry had a busy fall and met three times during October and November. Proudly and with thanksgiving, they accepted the recommendation of the Search Committee and called The Rev. John C. N. Hall to be the next Rector of Saint Boniface Church. The signed contract with John was negotiated and accepted, and his first Sunday will be January 20. The vestry acknowledged that we will rely heavily on retired clergy until John reports in January and established a payment schedule for their services. The rates were set after consultation with the Diocese on appropriate rates for supply clergy. The vestry appointed members and officers to serve on the newly established Endowment Committee. The vestry moved an undesignated bequest from the estate of Earl Wise into the Staff Appreciation Fund to provide the staff with a year-end gift. The vestry approved the distribution of $17,500 in grants money, reviewed and approved the Financial Report through 2012, reviewed the Investments Report produced by Northern Trust Bank, and reviewed the operation of the preschool. In preparation for the annual meeting on December 16, 2012, the vestry prepared the slate of candidates for the Vestry Class of 2015. Unlike in previous years, the vestry will not take a holiday in December but will meet on December 20^th to finalize the 2013 budget.
Vestry News September The vestry met on September 20 and bid farewell to Dean Taylor. They expressed gratitude to Dean for his service as Interim Rector to the Parish and wished him much success in his new position at Grace Episcopal Church, Gainesville, GA. The vestry determined that the *Saint Boniface Episcopal Church Endowment Fund, Gifts and Bequests Policy, adopted August, 2012, superseded six existing bequest and investment policies; and modified and clarified the Reimbursement Policy on Facilities Use*. The vestry made a decision on the disposition of the Porter Bequest, received last year. Approximately half of the bequest or $600,000 will be placed in the newly established Endowment Fund, $340,000 will go into the Capital Reserve Fund, $10,000 will fund landscaping improvements, $50,000 will be set aside for the relocation of the new rector and the remaining amount (approximately $145,878) will be placed in the Vestry to Designate account. The vestry will use this money as necessary to cover budget shortfalls, service projects or other initiatives. The vestry reviewed the search progress. They also allocated money to cover the cost of the Hoe Down scheduled for November 17^th to celebrate the end of our Pony Express.