Chapter Meeting Minutes

September 13, 2005

Chapter Members Present
The Very Rev. Ralph T. Blackman (Dean), Robert D. Black, Ann Meuse (Senior Warden), Marianne Culver (Junior Warden), Marcus Hall, Sharon Johnson, Pamela Lightcap, Cecilia Mowatt, Ronald Mui, The Rev. Jerry Ness, Christopher Plotner, Tom Eley (ex-officio), Elsa Vaintzettel (ex-officio)

Chapter Members Not Present
John Clarke (excused, Rev. Frances M. Holliday (excused), Sunny Lopez (Deacon), Jackie Lynn (Deacon), Philip Mantel (excused), Judi Mason (Deacon), The Rt. Rev. William Persell

Others Present
The Rev. Peter C. Siwek (Vicar), Bruce J. Barber, II, Debra Henderson

The Chapter Meeting opened at 5:50pm with prayer by The Rev. Peter C. Siwek.  A light supper was generously provided for by Pamela Lightcap.

Chalice Bearers
On motion made, seconded and carried, the Chalice Bearers list was approved for licensing.

Minutes
With corrections, on motion made, seconded and carried, the minutes of the meeting held June 21^st were approved.

Chapter Minutes:  June 26th Chapter Minutes.  Marcus Hall questioned the issue of Chapter Members that are not members of this parish, how are they addressed in this membership by proxy.    We are the only church that doesn’t have a vestry.  We are not penalizing anyone who did not respond by saying they were absent. Adoption of the June 26 Chapter Minutes.

Welcome and Introductions
Cecilia Mowatt suggested the Chapter Members introduce themselves to and welcome Debra Henderson, the Interim Cathedral Administrator to the meeting.

Financial Report
Elsa Vaintzettel gave the Treasurer’s Report, including a review of the balance sheet and the profit/loss report through the end of August, 2005.  The Cathedral will draw more from the endowment than had been planned to compensate for less income from pledges than had been budgeted.  The operating budget was reviewed and Elsa took some questions. On motion made, seconded and carried, the Treasurer’s Report was received by the Chapter. 

The Auditor’s Report was provided by Knutte & Associates, P.C. and received by the Chapter Members.  The Dean suggested that the members review the auditor’s report for questioning at the next Chapter Meeting and/or contact Elsa with your questions/concerns.  Elsa informed us that everything is being reported correctly.  Elsa was complimented on her diligent work.  The Chapter members suggested we double check incoming “Communication” expenses to make sure all expenses are paid in a timely manner. Members were asked to bring back the financial report for the next meeting. On motion made, seconded and carried, the Auditor’s Report was received by the Chapter.

Taking more money out of endowment; we’re okay because of expenses that are under budget.  We have a $2,000.00 loss; overall good financial reports, however we need to work on pledging.  Elsa also provided the “Pledge Analysis as of August 31, 2005.” 

Dean's Report
The Dean informed the Chapter Members of Bishop Trevor Mwamba, Bishop of Botswana as the guest speaker and will be preaching here at the Cathedral on Sunday, September 18^th.  His background is on issues of global poverty and is stated as a powerful speaker.  The Dean touched upon some high points from Bishop Mwamba’s biography. 

The Dean informed the membership about the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes’ conference, “Faith, Formation & Freedom”, 2/22-25/06, Alexandria, VA and passed out the bookmarker. 

The Dean also informed the Chapter Members of the Meeting of the Chicago North Deanery on Thursday, October 13^th at the Atonement Episcopal Church for a gathering of congregations for the purpose of helping The Rev. Canon Scott Hayashi to understand through informing him about your church, in other words, what’s exciting about your congregation/ministries.  Informing members that there is a new Canon to the Ordinary Scott Hayashi and hopes that all members get a chance to meet him.  

The Dean invited all to the 2005 Diocesan Convention, “Come and Grow”, 11/11-12/05 at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest in Arlington Heights, IL.  The three Delegates have been registered for the convention and Saturday lunch only.  He encouraged the members to register on-line.  Dean Blackman took a moment to thank the Chapter Members for their time and service.  Peter reminded us of who are our designated delegates (Cecilia Mowatt, Marcus Hall and Scott Bruner) and the alternate is Duncan Moore; with the other two alternates to be determined from the Annual Meeting Minutes.  After some discussion, it was agreed that the minutes of the annual meeting would be consulted to determine the identity of those elected delegates of the Cathedral.  Those individuals are asfollows: Delegatesto Diocesan Convention: Scott Bruner, Chris Plotner and Cecilia Mowatt.  Alternates to Diocesan Convention: Duncan Moore and Jeff Payne  

Nominations for the Diocese’s clergy or lay person was mentioned and the Dean encouraged members to run, but keep in mind the time commitment involved in accepting a position.  Judy York suggested about seven names and suggested candidates; the Dean will pass those names on to the Nominations Committee.  

Hurricane Katrina Relief 
The Bishop of Louisiana (Dean David Depontee) suggested that people contribute so that he could have a discretionary fund of a million dollars; he has no real discretionary fund; they are a really poor Diocese.  Although our Tithing Committee has not been functioning the way it should have been in the last few years, the Dean proposed that the Cathedral commit $11,500.00 ($5,000.00 to ERD, $4,000.00 to the Diocese of Louisiana and $1,000.00 to the affected Dioceses of Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana; and $1,000.00 to Cathedral to Cathedral in support of the Hurricane Katrina Relief effort to the said Dioceses.   On motion made, seconded and carried, the Cathedral commit to contributing a total $11,500.00 as stated to the ERD and the Dioceses of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.  

The Dean informed the Chapter members of the activities we are doing in addition to the $11,500.00 contribution to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund and that is the offering from the October 2^nd Pet Blessing (proceeds to support PAWS’ work in the affected region) and the third Sunday of October we’re designating the proceeds from the Orchestral Choir Concert (Mozart Choir Fest) to Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD).  

BUILDING ISSUES / OPPORTUNITIES
Redevelopment Update
Tom Patterson’s written report to Chapter was presented. He will attend the October 11th Chapter Meeting with more updates.

Cathedral Plans
The Dean mentioned that we have a model and “images” of the proposed redesign of the Chancel/Sanctuary area in the Cathedral.

Cathedral Counseling Center
Discussion on the proposed move of the CCC to their own space. Ann Meuse requested to see the Counseling Center’s Business Plan.  Are we going into a real estate partnership with CCC was questioned?  The sensitive issues should be kept confidential whether it’s in an e-mail, spoken to one another and/or discussed at the Chapter Meeting.  More will be presented to the Redevelopment Steering Committee and then to next Chapter. It was suggested that the formal proposal be received at the next Chapter meeting and, in order to facilitate the CCC timeline, we could take an email vote for approval two weeks later (after Chapter members had time to consider the issue more prayerfully). Action and process will be decided at the October meeting when the CCC proposal is received. 

Wardens' Report
Marianne Culver reported that the first meeting of the Constitutions and Bylaws Committee are meeting for the first time on September 20^th as an organizational meeting to take a look to see if recommended changes are needed.  Members of this committee are John Bross (chair), Marianne Culver, Scott Bruner, Richard Hoskins and the Dean.

Ann Meuse reported there has been one organizational meeting of the Chapter Staffing Needs Task Force. The next meeting is scheduled for September 21^st.  They are pursuing a recommendation by Robert Black to contact Executive Service Corp of Chicago that helps non-profits with organizational issues.  A meeting is scheduled with ESC on September 27. 

Stewardship/Budget
Pamela Lightcap will ask all Chapter members to submit their pledge cards at the October meeting before the at-large stewardship campaign begins.

Cathedral Music
Bruce Barber identified the error in his new 2005-206 music brochure and the announcement of the upcoming Music Series. The series looks exciting.

Next Meeting
Dean Blackman volunteered to provide for supper at the October 11 Chapter Meeting. 

Following a prayer offered by Rev. Peter Siwek, on motion made, seconded and carried.  The meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Debra Henderson for Pamela Lightcap, Chapter Secretary