Chapter Meeting Minutes

March 14, 2006

Present
Jessica Abell, Robert D. Black (Junior Warden), The Very Rev. Ralph T. Blackman (Dean), Debra K. Bullock, Tom Eley (ex-officio), Marcus Hall, Frances E. Horn, Sharon Johnson, Richard H. Kelley, Phillip Mantel, Christopher Plotner and Elsa Vaintzettel (ex-officio)

Absent
The Rev. Dr. Robert B. Clark (excused), Marianne Culver (excused), The Rev. Frances M. Holliday (excused), The Rev. Sunny Lopez (Deacon), The Rev. Jackie Lynn (Deacon), The Rev. Judi Mason (Deacon), Cecilia Mowatt (excused), Ronald Mui (excused), and The Rt. Rev. William Persell (Bishop) 

Also Present
Bruce J. Barber, II (Director of Cathedral Music), The Rev. Peter C. Siwek (Vicar), and Debra Henderson.

The meeting was called to order at 5:50 p.m. by Ralph Blackman.  A moment was taken to hear from those who wished to share news or prayer requests with the group.  The group read Bishop Warner’s Values of Servant Leadership, as an exercise of centering.

Dean Blackman offered a prayer and blessing over the meal provided by Richard Kelley.

Minutes of Previous Meeting
Copies of the minutes for the January 10, 2006 meeting were distributed with two changes approved at the meeting on February 11, 2006. 

Copies of the minutes for the February 11, 2006 meeting were distributed.  Correction was made to add Frances Horn’s name to the list of those in attendance.

On motion made and seconded, the minutes were approved. 

Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Vaintzettel presented the Profit & Loss Statement for the period ending February 28, 2006: Year-to-date, Income exceeds Expense by $1,197.

Expenses are running under projections.  Pledge Income received year-to-date is $53,311, which is above the $51,667 budget for Income expected through February 28, 2006.

The Treasurer noted that 12 new/revised Pledges were received as a result of a call at the Annual Meeting for additional giving, which brings commitments to $327,854 for 2006. 

Vaintzettel put forth a proposal that Chapter consider revising the 2006 budget in consideration of the additional Pledges.  After discussion, the item was tabled, and will be revisited following the close of the June 2006 accounting period.

Vaintzettel made a request that the Chapel Flower Fund and the Permanent Flower Fund be combined, as reflected on the Cathedral’s Balance Sheet.

On motion made by Robert Black, seconded Jessica Abell and carried, combining of the two Flower Funds was approved.

On motion made by Robert Black, seconded Phillip Mantle and carried, the Treasurer’s Report as presented was approved.

By-laws Committee Report
John Bross, chair, presented a summary of the Committee’s work conducted at two meetings held in 2005.  After brief discussion, Dean Blackman invited members of Chapter to consider the contents of the report and asked them to be fully prepared to revisit the topic at the Chapter meeting scheduled for May 9, 2006.

Wardens’ Report
Junior Warden Black reported that the Dean and Wardens had received a recommendation from the Staffing Needs Task Force to move forward with the recommendation from Executive Service Corps of Chicago to create full-time Business Manager, part-time Administrative Assistant and part-time Communications Assistant staff positions, modified as follows:  

1) Combine the recommended two part-time positions of Administrative Assistant and Communications Assistant into one full-time position as Administrative Assistant; annual salary not to exceed $35,000. 

2) Create a new, full-time position of Business Manager; annual salary not to exceed $60,000. 

Job descriptions for both positions, prepared by the Staffing Needs Task Force, Wardens and Dean, were distributed for review.

On motion made by Marcus Hall, seconded Jessica Abell and carried, authorization was given to accept the recommendation of the Staffing Needs Task Force as presented.

On motion made by Marcus Hall, seconded Phillip Mantle and carried, funding for the gap between the previous Director of Communications’ salary and the new Business Manager’s salary (<$60,000 annually) was authorized.

Black presented the 2006 Chapter Road Map.  The Map focuses Chapter on working to enhance the impact of St. James’ ministry in three interconnected areas: Worhsip, Hospitality and Outreach; recognizing that all three principles are aspects of evangelism and actions must serve all three principles.

Black asked that each member of Chapter self-assign themselves as a Chapter Connect to one (or more) of the six Missions as a first step toward Action on the Road Map. 

Members of Chapter should be prepared to make reports on meetings held within each Mission at the May 9, 2006 Chapter Meeting.

Future Action items include identifying/electing Ministry Leaders and Mission Chairs; developing a Ministry Manual; creating and empowering a Hospitality Ministry and updating the Vision Action Plan to reflect our experience.

Dean’s Report 
There will be no Chapter Meeting in April.  The Dean asked that each member use the month of April to work with Mission areas, so Chapter can move forward with Action items in May.  

Sharon Johnson agreed to sponsor the meal for the May 9, 2006 meeting.

The Dean briefed Chapter about the on-going activities of the Redevelopment Project.  Dean Blackman asked each member to take an active role in discernment about the Project by having five conversations with members of the community, asking:

1) What is the community’s passion about the Redevelopment Project?
2) What are the real ministry needs?
3) Is there a preference for investing any funds received from the Project by St. James in lieu of making the proposed architectural/interior changes?
4) What excites people about the Project?
5) What, if any, are their fears about moving forward?  

The meeting was adjourned with a prayer offered by Ralph Blackman at 8:43 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,

Richard H. Kelley
Secretary