Chapter Meeting Minutes

March 8^th, 2005

Members Present-Robert Black, Ralph Blackman (Dean), John Clarke, Marianne Culver, Rev. Frances Holiday, Sharon Johnson, Pamela Lightcap, Ann Meuse, Cecilia Mowatt, Ronald Mui, Rev. Jerry Ness, Christopher Plotner and Elsa Vaintzettel (ex-officio).  

Absent- Tom Eley (ex-officio) (excused), Marcus Hall (excused) and Philip Mantle (excused).  

Also Present-Bruce Barber, Lyle Roebuck, Rev. Peter Siwek and Jeff Wilhelm.  

At 5:46 p.m. Bruce Barber read an opening prayer, “This is not my house” and the Dean invited prayers and intercessions from those in attendance. At 5:57 the food was blessed. The Chapter thanks John and Bonnie Clarke for providing supper.  

On motion made, seconded and carried, the minutes of the meeting held February 19^th were approved.  

Elsa Vaintzettel gave the treasurer’s report including a review of the balance sheet and the profit/loss report through the end of February, 2005. All missions are currently under budget except Cathedral Resources.

Dean’s Report. The Dean distributed a Tribune article on city government’s proposition to landmark some 200 Chicago places of worship. This is generally agreed not to be an idea in the best interest of Saint James-Bishop Persell’s letter to the Mayor was also circulated-and Chapter Members as well as congregants at large are encouraged to register their views with our Alderman. The dean has received a grant proposal from Lawrence Hall, which (in the absence of a functioning tithing committee) has been referred de facto to Chapter. The Chapter will read the proposal and vote on it at the April meeting.  

Details for a planned giving workshop continue. Pam Lightcap and Brian Dutkiewicz are in the process of putting something together. Ideas were voiced about how to best present the matter to the congregation. Questions of full-disclosure and giving opportunities to other financial planners were voiced. The Rev. Davis Fisher, who has worked on planned giving matters in the past, was suggested as a possible resource.  

Saint James’ fiftieth anniversary as the Cathedral will be celebrated May 14^th-15 with a dinner for 200 at The Omni and liturgical festivities, a lunch, and an afternoon concert on Pentecost Sunday. On motion made, seconded and carried, the Chapter agreed to use monies in the Paul Robert Fund to underwrite the cost of the dinner. The likely cost per person will be thirty-five dollars per person, which was generally agreed upon to be reasonable. Discussion was had on two other points: that the Chapter serve as a host group for the weekend and that local homeless people be somehow involved in the festivities.  

Redevelopment. The dean reviewed, with attendant discussion, the latest drawings from 4240 Architecture and discussed recent “fit” plans. The Dean then presented details about, and a request of funding for, a part-time position (see attached), “Redevelopment Coordinator/Communicator.” The Dean nominated Mr. Tom Patterson for the position. Following some dialogue about protocol, on motion made, seconded and carried, the position (see attached) was agreed to in principle. Following more discussion on motion made, seconded and carried, Chapter authorized the Dean to appoint Tom Patterson to the position commensurate with the terms as outlined.  

Other Business. There was not enough time left to address continuing business from February’s Chapter Retreat and the “Five Areas of Focus for 2005.” The Dean suggested that people connect within their missions between now and the April meeting and suggested that Chapter would revisit the five areas as a group next month. Some changes were made to the Vision Action Plan grid and staff connects were added.  

Following a prayer offered by Mr. Jeff Wilhelm, on motion made, seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted, 
L.T. Roebuck
for Pamela Lightcap, Chapter Secretary