ST. PETER'S VESTRY MEETING

Tuesday, April 8^th, 2008     7:00 pm

Vestry Members Present:  Dan Donoghue, Sherryl Parks, Sue Anderson, Debbie Monark, Molly Stone, Pam Laidlaw, Terry Gooding, Gary Rice, Bill Roberts, Pete Iverson

New Member Present:  Greg Carlson

Absent:  James Acosta,  Sean McShefferty

Also Present:  Father Frank Hegedus, Mother Beverly Dexter, Trudy and Joe Ardizzone, Ron Monark, Dave Clemons, Anne Page.

• 1. OPENING DEVOTIONS: Father Frank opened with a reading from the Bible and prayer.
• 2. MINUTES of Tuesday, March 11^th were accepted as written.
• 3. FINANCIAL REPORT:
• A. Ron Monark went over the March Report and the Summary he had prepared for the Vestry. Ron stated that the Revenue mix is cause for concern, Easter Offerings were less than half of last year and Lent Offerings two thirds of last year's total and below what was budgeted. In Pledges from the Prior Year, there was a stop payment of a check for $2k and the Current Year Pledges were short by $3.4k even with five Sundays. Fortunately these shortfalls were offset by two gifts of $10k and $5k. Expenses were over forecast but under budget. Admin is even this year to date, but expenses are coming with the Audit and Search. Property was under this month but is over by $8,400 this year to date, due mostly to the termite problems. May and June could be the beginning of the summer doldrums and we may need to use reserves to meet expenses as early as June. Ron said that more details would be provided at the Quarterly Review. Ron informed the Vestry that he is in the process of outsourcing the payroll and has discovered that payroll exemptions may not have been correctly assessed. This will require making changes and collecting monies owed. It was moved and seconded and carried to approve the March Finance Report.
• B. Ron requested that he be made a signatory on the bank account as Ron Turner has now retired. It was moved and seconded and carried that Ron Monark, Treasurer be authorized as a signatory on St. Peter's checking account in addition to the Rev. Lark Diaz, Associate Rector, The Rev. Bob Nelson, Parish Administrator and Anne Page, Parish Secretary.
• C. Retirement of Ron Turner: Dan suggested Vestry members should spread the word about Ron Turner's Retirement Party planned for April 20^th. He asked the Vestry to sign the plaque with a photograph of the church which will be presented to Ron and Joy.
• 4. OLD BUSINESS:

•A.    Call Committee:  Dave Clemons reported that the Committee is on schedule and making good progress.  The parish profile should be ready for the approval of the Vestry by the May meeting.  Any Vestry members wanting to review the profile should contact Father Frank or Deacon Bob.  A forum will be held, after the Vestry has approved the profile, to update the parish.  Once the parish profile and position profile are posted, the committee will then begin the process of reviewing candidates.  There may be as many as 20-40 candidates to check.  After narrowing down the field, there will be personal interviews visiting the candidates, then eventually candidates will be invited to Del Mar and meet the Vestry.  The plan is for the interview process to take place in summer to late fall, with hopefully a recommendation by Thanksgiving and a new rector starting in the New Year.  Dave thanked everyone involved in updating the website which will be seen by prospective candidates.

•B.     Web page status: The website is gradually being improved as members of staff become more familiar with the site. Photographs and sermons are now being added.  Members of staff met this week to delegate areas of responsibility for the website and make decisions on where improvements can be made.

•C.    Personnel Manual:  The manual is being reviewed and will be available for the next Vestry meeting.  The finished document will be approved by the Vestry and then formally adopted.

•D.    Five Year Plan: Dan stressed again the need for completion, as soon as possible, of this plan.  He showed examples of what we are trying to achieve with the plan.  When your plan is ready send it to Adele in an electronic form.

•E.     Vestry Offsite:  Most of the dates originally being considered for the Vestry retreat have already been taken so it was decided to pick a Saturday and use the whole day for the retreat.  August 23^rd was suggested as a possible Saturday.

•F.     Newcomer Program Status:  After signing in the guest book, newcomers are called or emailed by Father Frank; two weeks later Mother Lark contacts those who are local with an invitation to an informational meeting at church and luncheon at the Laidlaw's home.  The luncheons have been very successful in encouraging newcomers to feel welcomed into our church. 

•G.    Ministry Reports:

• 1. Cross-ministry coordination items: The Children and Young Families Ministry will have a family service project forum in the Parish Hall on April 27^th. The Stewardship Ministry will present to share with parents some fun outdoors projects at Camp Stevens. The Youth are selling Bishops Blend Coffee as a fund raising activity during the month of April.

•2.      Stewardship:  Hand written notes have been sent to all givers of record.  There was some discussion about where we go from here and what the goals should be for the next six months.  It was suggested to arrange another budget and stewardship talk with the parish on a Sunday at the beginning of May and for a visual aid to be displayed on the patio and included in the Spirit and Times showing the parish how we are doing with our budget and where we need to go in the future.  The idea of considering an advertising page in the Spirit and Times was discussed as a way to help with the printing and postage expenses.  The Stewardship Committee is to look this.

                  3.   Other Old Business:

•a.      Father Frank informed the Vestry that the Bishop is not opposed to outside weddings and will let the clergy use their own judgment in this matter.  Father Frank and Mother Lark will proceed considering weddings on a case by case basis.  There is the benefit of exposing outside people to our church who may later become members.  Mother Lark is currently taking all the weddings and marriage counseling.  Deacon Bob is to call neighboring churches to find out about local charges for weddings.

•b.      Father Frank stated that Raymond, the homeless man who has been helping with the Thrift Shop and working with Paul and who both report that he is a good worker, is still living on the property.  He has been moved from the upper classroom to the Thrift Shop.  Joe and Paul are investigating his getting a GED and medical benefits.

•5.      NEW BUSINESS

• 1. Quarterly financial offsite: All Vestry members are encouraged to attend the meeting on Saturday, April 19^th at 9:00 am.
• 2. Safeguarding God's Children: Dan stressed the importance of all Vestry, Clergy and Staff members being certified. The certification booklet can be downloaded and is clear and easy to follow. Signed certification forms are to be given to Sherryl.
• 3. Other New Business: Trudy reported that there is a Diocesan Education Day here at St. Peter's on Saturday, May 3^rd and on April 20^th our Sunday School Teachers will be demonstrating Godly Play to the parish of St. David's. The Presiding Bishop admired the banner carried by St. Peter's youth during her recent visit to San Diego.
• 6. VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS or CONCERNS
• 7. VESTRY PRAYER REQUESTS
• 8. CLOSING PRAYER: Trudy led the closing prayer.

The Meeting adjourned at 8: 40 pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Anne Page,

 Secretary.

Dates to Remember:

• April 18 News letter Deadline for May
• April 19 First quarter financial review (Vestry, Clergy, Staff)
• April 19 Children and Young Families Ministry Family Service Project
• April 20 Ron Turner Retirement Party between 9:00 and 11:00 services
• April 20 Camp Steven's Day
• April 27 Children and Young Families Ministry Family Service Project Forum
• May 3 Diocesan Education Day held at St. Peter's
• May 4 Evensong
• June 1 U2 Eucharist
• June 8 Youth Sunday
• June 14 Diocesan Godly Play Training Day at St. Peter's