Chapter Meeting Minutes
September 14^th, 2004

Members Present-Ralph Blackman, John Bross, John Clarke, Marianne Culver, Pamela Lightcap, Philip Mantle, Ann Meuse, Cecilia Mowatt, Jerry Ness, Christopher Plotner, Anne Tuohy, Elsa Vaintzettel (ex officio).

Absent (excused)- Robert Black, Tom Eley (ex officio), Doug Lyons.

Also Present-Bruce Barber, Duncan Moore.

A supper was provided for by Philip Mantle and preceded the meeting.

Meeting began at 5:46 with opening prayer

On motion made, seconded and carried, the minutes of the meeting held July 13^th were approved.

Elsa Vaintzettel gave the Treasurer’s report including a review of the balance sheet and expense and income statements through July 2004.  

The question raised at the July Chapter meeting regarding the status of various funds (e.g., Cathedral Arts & Music) was brought up.  Elsa agreed to report back on this matter at the October Chapter meeting.

Chris Plotner offered an update on Structure & Governance.  The Missions are currently being highlighted over a 6-week period, with the culmination in a Ministry Fair on October 24, 2004.  There will also be a Parish Retreat at the DeKoven Center on October 15, 16 and 17.

The Dean and Cecilia Mowatt reported on Building Management and Redevelopment.  The redevelopment is on track and the building will be going to market in the Spring of 2005, with the build-out beginning in April to July 2006.  There was a brief discussion around the need to plan for what the community will do during the build-out years.

The Dean reported that we need to discuss the offer that the Bishop & Trustees are presenting to us regarding Title to the Cathedral.  We need to explore what getting the Cathedral’s Title could mean to us as a community, as well as the Canonical and legal issues.  What is the current situation?  What would the benefits be?  What would the drawbacks be?  Property management issues will need to be addressed regardless of Title.  A brief discussion ensued regarding the contractual agreements from 50 years ago when St. James became the Cathedral. 

The Dean indicated that we will have more information following the September Bishop & Trustee’s meeting.  Chapter requested additional information to be provided at the October Chapter meeting.  The Dean will provide:

·        Written anecdotal report from the Bishop & Trustees meeting in June on the relationship between St. James and the Diocese.

·        Report on conversations had with the two representatives of what exactly is on the table as the offer

·        Financial breakdown showing the contributions from St. James to the Diocese in relation to building management - to highlight our various expenses with the Diocese as well as the cost to maintain the space.

Some direction will have to be decided by December 2004.  The need to also explore other options with the Rectory and the new building space we will be buying back was briefly discussed and tabled for a later time.  The Building Management and Redevelopment will be the majority of the October Chapter meeting.

Ann Meuse presented a Website Development Recommendation for the Communications sub-Committee.  A brief discussion ensued regarding specific needs for the website as well as the ChurchSites’ presentation on September 3, 2004.  Chapter requested that the committee have recommendations for volunteers to serve as Web Stewards, so not to overtax current administrative staff.

On motion made, seconded and carried, the $2,500 request for the development of the new St. James Cathedral website was approved. 

Chris Plotner offered a brief update on the bookstore project.  The focus groups have been completed and a report will be provided to Chapter prior to the October Chapter meeting. 

Dean’s Report.   The south garden will not be dug up; the downside of this is that we will not be able to explore the rainfall issue into the Counseling Center.  The Dean rearticulated the need for a hospitality committee.  Chapter should attempt to discern who might be good leaders in this arena.  On the Sunday celebrating Congregational Nurture & Growth, we will highlight Hospitality.

Rush Hour Concert Series did very well this year.  The new concert series will be starting this fall.  The Dean requested that we change the budget line item from “Rush Hour” to “Rush Hour and Cathedral Concert Series.”  Brief discussion ensued.

On motion made, seconded and carried, the budget line item name change from “Rush Hour” to “Rush Hour and Cathedral Concert Series” was approved. 

The Dean identified the need for Diocesan and Cathedral members of the Chapter (Diocesan:  2 Clergy - 2 year and 3 year term; 2 Laity - 3 year and 1 year).  He requested that Chapter members attempt to identify potential Diocesan candidates.

The Nominating Committee was established for Cathedral Chapter Members:  John Bross, Ann Meuse, Anne Tuohy and Doug Lyons.

Several other items of business were discussed in-brief. Might Chapter consider meeting on a different night? This would facilitate seeing a more complete financial picture.  The Chapter seemed to have settled on the 4^th Tuesday of the month as a potential date.  The October meeting will take place as scheduled and we will revisit the scheduling of meetings at that time.

Cecilia Mowatt offered to provide food for the October meeting.

Meeting was adjourned, with a prayer from the Dean, at 7:36 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela Lightcap, Chapter Secretary