Emmanuel Church Vestry Minutes, September 27, 2006

Present: Penny McLanahan, Dave Woodruff, Amrey Harden, Betsy Turner, Lee Albright, John Ballard, Mo Mandy Brady, Brian Tison, Gillian Ball, Tom Odom, Robin Krause, Wren Howard, Robin Bewley, Father Robert, Butch Bush, Katherine Byrne

Absent: Allison Clements Guest: Lee Gaby

Father Robert opened the meeting at 7 PM.

Penny led the devotional stressing a theme from Agnes Sandford's book The Healing Light: "What you get you must pass on." She gave each member of the vestry a copy of the book.

Robin B. called for any additions to the agenda. Lee A. asked that an item appointing a nominating committee for vestry candidates be added.

Robin said that she had received only 3 vestry reports electronically and stated that members cannot have an action item on the agenda unless a commission chair has submitted a report electronically.

She announced that the parish directory is "close to being finished."

PUMP Committee Report: Lee Gaby

Lee Gaby from the PUMP committee distributed the paper developed by Jim Warnes and Naomi Norman “Regarding Emmanuel’s Appeal to the County Commission” and reported the following:

• The appeal for permission to relocate the cottages has been filed with County Commission after the Historic Preservation Commission turned down Emmanuel's original request. The appeal should be heard in about 60 days— somewhere between November 11-18.

• PUMP suggests three ways to approach the issue:

1. 10 teams of two parishioners each contact the 10 commissioners urging them to vote in favor of the relocation.

2. Mount a "Vote for Emmanuel" campaign via phone calls and e-mails.

3. Contact "informal influencers" i.e. planning professionals, former commissioners, etc.

• Duncan Krause will make contacts with newspapers and other media.

Lee G. invited vestry members to communicate with him about additional ideas.

Father Robert noted that #16 in the paper (repairing the roof of the Cobb House) had not been discussed by the vestry.

He asked if anyone had pointed out the law which exempts churches from statutes governing historic districts. This should be written into the appeal to the ACCC. He also reported that Amy Kissane of the Historic Preservation Commission believes that Emmanuel had not proved that the church cannot use the cottages.

Lee A. said that the appeal to Historic Commission was different from the one that is being presented to the County Commission.

Nominating Committee for Vestry: Lee A.

Lee wanted suggestions for names of parishioners who could serve on the nominating committee which will choose candidates for the 2007 vestry. Robin B. said the list of vestry nominees can be included in both the November and December Tower if those names are submitted in time.

Senior Warden's Report: Robin B.

Robin noted the following dates:

Parish Forum, Sunday, October 8---Outreach Committee

Vestry cooks: November 1

Hoedown: November 5

Jazz brunch for Young Adults in Church's Mission Trip: November 12

Parish Day of Recollection: December 2

Forum: December 3—Vestry Candidates

Annual Meeting: December 10

Next IHN Week: December 10

Rector's Report

Father Robert is "delighted with the Men of Emmanuel organization. They are able to keep their own identity even while they are working for the total good of the parish."

He reminded vestry members to get their pledges in. They should make themselves credible to the parish by having 100% participation.

He led a discussion about property issues.

• The parish has not broached the subject of the future of the Cobb House.

• The Community Connection and Legal Aid Society use parish- owned spaces next to the Thrift House and in the music building. Perhaps the spaces that are occupied by outside agencies can be better used for church matters. He noted that, for example, a church in Rome GA has combined Montessori and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd programs for students aged 3-12; this program that could possibly be implemented at Emmanuel if there is space for it. Also, there is no space where the entire community can congregate.

Fr. Robert said that "we need to be ready to do something when the decision about the cottage relocation comes down from the County Commission.”

David asked what vision Fr. Robert has for the cottages and the Cobb House, the only Emmanuel properties in the Historic District. Fr. Robert said that one of the cottages could be used for IHN and Emmanuel could be assisted in its renovation by other IHN participating congregations.

Fr. Robert said that the revenues from the possible sale of the Cobb House would give Emmanuel the resources to "do something with the cottages."

David asked if there is a possibility of selling all three properties.

Fr. Robert said, "We're being forced into a position that we shouldn't be forced into." (Not being allowed to use our property as we see fit.)

John suggested that the cottages could serve as a youth house or an

administration building.

Butch noted that the Cobb house may be an accident waiting to happen; it would probably be easy to sell.

Robert wanted to get a sense of how the vestry feels about selling the Cobb House.

Robin K. said that the Cobb House is one of the few places in Athens that serves the 12-step program. Fr. Robert said that the parish probably could find an alternative site for the participants.

After some discussion, which included the importance of preserving the House, the vestry decided to look into selling it.

Betsy made a motion to have Tommy Burke make an appraisal not to exceed $1500. David seconded. Passed unanimously. Amrey will contact Tommy Burke.

Fr. Robert said that "we need some sense of what the parishioners want. If we are denied the relocation petition, do we need to go further and sue in court?”

He asked the vestry how they felt about pursuing legal options. Betsy, Gillian, Tom, Robin K., Wren and Lee do not want to go on with the process. Butch suggested checking with Jim Warnes and looking into binding arbitration before a judge. Katherine and Penny would like to look into binding arbitration but not a suit.

Action Items:

Choice of Audit Firm

Amrey said that Oliver Holmes did the audit last year. The Diocese has recommended Jordan and Jordan who will charge $9360.00 with $4650.00 in cash, the rest in kind to do the audit. There will be $1100 and an in kind charge for the Day School audit. The Finance Committee voted to employ Jordan and Jordan. The vestry voted to go with J. and J.

Fr. Robert announced that the church has changed some practices in order to have more internal control of finances; there will be less chance of questions. There should be an annual audit.

Assistant Rector’s Salary

Mo Mandy’s salary was $45,000.00 when she was associate rector 2 years ago. The Finance Committee recommended that she be given a 5% increase for each of the last two years; this would amount to $4140.00 per month through December 2006 (end of current fiscal year)

Approved by the vestry.

Good of the Order

The Blue Ridge Outdoor Center for Schools is held at Camp Mikell.

Penny showed the new parish refrigerator magnets which will be sent out to parishioners.

Brian thanked the senior warden for all she has done.

Lee thanked Betsy for taking over the vestry forum.

Katherine said that she will be taking Allison wig shopping.

Fr. Robert closed the meeting with a prayer at 9:10.

Submitted by Clairelis Baxter, clerk of the vestry

October 6, 2006

Minutes approved October , 2006 by Betsy Turner, Lee Albright, Amrey Hardin, Robin Bewley, John Ballard, Katherine Byrne, Penny McClanahan, Gillian Ball, Wren Howard, Robin Krause, Brian Tison, David Woodruff, Butch Bush