Present
Jessica Abell, Robert D. Black (Junior Warden), Marianne Culver (Senior Warden), Frances E. Horn, Richard H. Kelley, Philip Mantle, Ronald Mui, Christopher Plotner and Elsa Vaintzettel.

Absent
The Rev. Debra K. Bullock (excused), Marcus Hall (excused), The Rev. Frances M. Holliday, Sharon Johnson (excused), The Rev. Sunny Lopez (Deacon), The Rev. Jackie Lynn (Deacon [excused]), The Rev. Judi Mason (Deacon), Cecelia Mowatt (excused) and The Rt. Rev. William Persell (Bishop).

Also Present
Bruce J. Barber, II (Director of Cathedral Music), Tom Patterson (Acting Business Manager) and The Rev. Peter C. Siwek (Vicar).

Formation

• The meeting was called to order at 5:47 p.m. by Marianne Culver.  The Rev. Siwek offered a prayer and blessing over the meal provided by Robert Black.
• A few moments were taken to share personal updates and prayer requests.   

Information

• Robert Black updated Chapter on efforts to form Communications and Tithing/Stewardship Ministries.  Chapter will hold a Telephone Calling Event on Tuesday, 19 December to contact community members – ensuring they received our 2007 Stewarship mailers.  Black noted that no names or additional ideas had been received on the Tithing/Stewardship plans since Chapter’s November meeting.
• George Culver, chair of the investment committee, presented an updated Redevelopment Expense/Revenue Analysis reflecting activity through 10 December.
• Black informed Chapter that the Cathedral has been approached by those connected with the Keiskamma Altarpiece about the possibility of the Cathedral entering into a Tour Agreement, where the Cathedral would act as an agent in facilitating the display of the Altarpiece in a number of churches in North America.  The proposed agreement will be studied by the Executive Committee and brought to Chapter for discussion and decision at the January meeting.
• Robert Black presented a Nominating Committee report.  Marianne Culver and Robert Black have agreed to stand for re-election to their posts as Wardens for 2007.  Since Black will be seeking re-election, he will not continue serving on the Nominating Committee.  Richard Gage has agreed to serve as chair of the Nominating Committee and Chuck Hamilton has also volunteered to be on the committee. Jessica Abell volunteered to to serve as a member of Chapter.  Robert Black said he would ask another non-Chapter Cathedral member to serve to comply with the by-laws requirement that three of the members of the Nominating Committee not be members of Chapter. Peter Siwek said that he would put a notice in News & Events and the weekly E-newsletter that nominations are now open.  

Discussion

• Max Drake, Susan Lyons and Deborah Sobol, members of Rush Hour Concerts at St. James Cathedral board, joined the meeting to present their 2007 budget of approximately $133,000, which is a 94% increase over the 2006 approved budget and a 70% increase over the 2006 actual.  A Question and Answer session and discussion followed, in which Chapter members asked for additional information, specifically: explanation of the employment status of the three director positions, any requirements and restrictions imposed by the Community Trust SmART Grant, and specific targets and benchmarks that would be followed in case the anticipated revenue were not reached. The three Rush Hour board members departed and Chapter vetted the budget as presented.  The Chapter consensus was that it would be prepared to approve a budget of  ~$100,000  Marianne Culver said she would contact the Rush Hour board to request a revised budget of ~$100,000 and answers to the specific questions. Chapter will take action on budget approve during the January 2007 meeting.
• Elsa Vaintzettel presented a draft of the 2007 Cathedral Church of St. James Budget.  Members of Chapter were asked to review and be prepared to approve a budget at the January meeting.
• Tom Patterson submitted a summary of recent developments in the Redevelopment of 65 East Huron.  Related Midwest (LR Development’s new name) has asked for a three-month extension on the project, which would move any announcement from the end of January to late April.  

Decision

• Elsa Vaintzettel submitted a resolution designating a portion of The Rev. Peter Siwek’s compensation in 2007 as a housing allowance.
  
  On a motion made by Robert Black, seconded by Jessica Abell and carried, Chapter authorized the designation of $13,200 as a housing allowance for Peter Siwek as follows:
  
  WHEREAS, The Reverend Peter Siwek is compensated by St. James Cathedral exclusively for services as a minister of the Gospel; and
  
  WHEREAS, as additional compensation of The Reverend Peter Siwek for services that he renders to the church in the exercise of his ministry, St. James Cathedral also desires to pay The Reverend Peter Siwek for expenses that he incurs for housing; therefore, it is hereby
  
  RESOLVED, that the annual compensation paid to The Reverend Peter Siwek for calendar year 2007 shall include $13,200, which is hereby designated to be a housing allowance pursuant to Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code; and it is further
  
  RESOLVED, that the designation of $13,200 as a housing allowance shall apply to calendar year 2007 and all future years unless otherwise provided by this Chapter.

• Discussion on the 2007 Budget highlighted current work underway for routine cleaning of the Cathedral’s gutters.
  
  On motion by Jessica Abell, seconded by Philip Mantle and carried, the expense for routine gutter cleaning is authorized for payment in fiscal year 2006, not to exceed $9,000.
   
• Tom Patterson briefed Chapter members on a request for authorization of an expenditure (SJPPMA [$7,923.00]) from Project Management Advisors for owner’s representative services.
  
  On motion made by Jessica Abell, seconded Fran Horn and carried, the expense for Project Management Advisors was approved as outlined above.
   
• Copies of the Minutes for the 14 November 2006 meeting were distributed.
  
  On motion made by Jessica Abell, seconded by Fran Horn and carried, the minutes for the 14 November 2006 meeting were approved.
   
• Treasurer Vaintzettel presented the Profit & Loss Statement for the period ending 30 November Year-to-date. Expense exceeds Income by $20,833. Vaintzettel submitted the current Balance Sheet and Pledge Analysis as of 30 November 2006.  A month-by-month detail of pledge deposits from 1 January 2004 to current was provided.
  
  On motion made by Richard Kelley, seconded by Fran Horn and carried, the Treasurer’s Report as presented was received and approved.
  
•  Bruce Barber asked that Chapter approve Rush Hour Concerts at St. James Cathedral’s Board of Directors for 2007, as presented at the 14 November 2006 meeting.  Those individuals are Mason Drake, Susan Lyons, Elsa Vaintzettel, Anstiss Krueck and Bruce Barber (ex-officio).
  
  On motion made by Jessica Abell, seconded by Chris Plotner and carried, the Board as presented was approved.
  
• Peter Siwek asked that we consider Tyrone Fowlkes’ request for financial assistance toward his Discernment as outlined in his memo to Siwek, which was provided to Chapter at the 14 November 2006 meeting.
  
  On motion made by Jessica Abell, seconded by Richard Kelley and carried, $671 was approved for this purpose.
  
•  Remembering Tom Eley.
  
  On motion made by Chris Plotner, seconded by Jessica Abell and carried, Chapter remembered our friend Tom Eley: rejoicing in his lifetime of achievements and dedicated service God and the community of St. James.

Other

• Marcus Hall will provide the meal for the next Chapter meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Richard H. Kelley
Secretary