Randy Lowe, chair of the Flower & Gardens Ministry, reported on the ministry’s various activities and distributed a diagram that explained their goals  One of the special activities is to take the Sunday altar flowers to the ill or homebound.  Randy asked Chapter for other community outreach ideas such as a Flower Festival that would be open to the neighborhood. The Flower & Gardens Ministry is hosting several clean up days and planting days this spring and early summer.

Robert Black presented the budget for the June 3^rd celebration and gave an overview of the welcoming committee’s plans.  Jessica Abell submitted the synthesis of Provost Transition ideas from various groups and people.

Fran Horn, co-chair of the Redevelopment Proceeds Discernment Task Force,  reported that the committee had met to discuss the use of proceeds from the real estate deal for 65 E. Huron. The committee recognized that it is likely that all the proceeds will be used to remodel the undercroft and West end and provide for future maintenance of the Cathedral.  However, outreach ministries are important to the community and we must find a way to expand those as well. They suggested that outreach is not so much a matter of funding as it is mobilizing the community into action.

The Canyon Ranch Building sales office is now open (Suite 2105 in the John Hancock Building) and January 15^th, 2008  is the closing date for the 99-year lease of the Diocese’s land at 65 E. Huron.  The time for decision is upon us.  In order for us to move our offices into our remodeled space in the undercroft after Christmas, construction must begin by August 2007.  Several Canyon Ranch condominium units have already been contracted for and the outlook seems very good. Tom Patterson passed around a rendering of how the stained glass windows on the south end of the Narthex could be suspended from the ceiling of the Guild Hall.

Susan Lyons, Treasurer of Rush Hour Concerts at St. James Cathedral, presented a request for and adjusted Rush Hour budget and announced that fundraising has exceeded the Chapter’s goal.  Questions about starting a reserve were asked. The Rush Hour board has discussed this but they are still in an initial phase of ‘testing’ the fundraising capacity of Rush Hour.  The Board will discuss this in the future. Chapter will discuss and vote on the new budget request in June.

Decision

On motion made and seconded, the April minutes were approved with 3 abstentions.

Treasurer Elsa Vaintzettel presented the financial reports.

On motion made by Richard Kelley and seconded by Sharon Johnson, the financials were unanimously received.

Dean Niedenthal, director of the Summer in the City ministry, presented a revised SITC budget of about $20,000. He made a brief presentation about past years’ expenses and fundraising potential.  In 2006, Summer in the City raised over $20,000.  Chapter suggested several ideas for fundraising activities such as asking for city/other deanery parish sponsorship.  A ‘Sponsor-a-kid’ program seems feasible; partnering with other denominations is also possible.

On a motion made by Cathe McInerney and seconded by Fran Horn, the 2007 Summer in the City budget was passed unanimously.

Robert Black presented a budget for the June 3 Provost welcoming celebration. About half of the approximately $10,000 budget will be covered by existing ministry budgets. The June 3 committee requested additional approximate funds of $5,000.

On motion made by John McNeil Anderson and seconded by Debra Bullock, the budget request was passed unanimously.

The meetings was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. on motion made and seconded and unanimous approval.

Respectfully submitted by
Jessica Abell, Acting Secretary