Minutes of the Vestry Meeting

Absent:  Vince Howard

Guest:  Robert Townes, Vice President of Sinclair, Townes & Co.

The meeting was called to order at 6:20 pm.

Father Robert introduced Robert Townes, Vice President of Sinclair, Townes and Company in Atlanta.  He serves on the Vestry of St. Bede’s parish in Atlanta and is a graduate of the Candler School of Theology at Emory.  Mr. Townes distributed a proposal for a capital campaign for Emmanuel.  The two major components of the proposal are:

1. Conduct a feasibility study.  (Donors need to have a sense of ownership.)  The study would take about four months.

2. Conduct a capital campaign if this is indicated by the feasibility study.   (This would include leadership recruitment training and incorporation of theological concepts.)  The campaign should take about eight months in the current economy.

A goal will be recommended based on the feasibility study with a “conservative stretch.”  There will be a two-part contract – feasibility study, then campaign – with the firm offering both structure and spirit.

Commission and Committee Reports:

Finance Commission:

Nancy reminded the Vestry that the July statement was distributed to their boxes.  She passed out and commented on instructions for planning the budget requests for 2009.  The requests need to be submitted by September 5.  A draft budget will be available by the September 24 Vestry meeting.  The working budget will be approved in November 2008.

Stewardship:

Gillian highlighted her report previously sent to the Vestry and presented the master calendar for the Wine and Cheese Neighborhood Gatherings for stewardship.  She reminded the Vestry that they were asked to make their pledges for 2009 that night and she passed out pledge cards.

Resources:

Phillip reported the progress on the recycling efforts.  By the September 24 Vestry meeting, recycling bins should be in place around the campus.  He pointed out that the “Emmanuel Goes Green” campaign includes more than recycling.

Junior Warden’s Report:

Katherine reminded the Vestry that they are providing the lunch for the Habitat work team on September 6.

She reported that the Vestry Nominating Committee (VNC) has had two meetings.  The committee sees their mandate as more than a nomination process, but as a call to Vestry service.  They will be receiving recommendations until mid-September.  Naomi commented that Katherine needs to hear from returning Vestry members about whether they want to continue with their current commission or make a change.  It would be helpful to the VNC to have some idea of specific talent needs for the upcoming Vestry.  Father Robert added that the first priority is leadership potential.  The assignment of duties to Vestry members will be those that can fill the needs.

Senior Warden’s Report:

Naomi reported that the ground lease for the cottage for the Athens Land Trust is to be signed on August 28.  The same legal model will be tweaked for the lease of the other cottage to CASA.  Some of the details of the lease include:

• It is a 99 year ground lease for the land.
• The deed is a gift deed for the building, but Emmanuel will retain ownership of the land.
• The agreement goes into effect September 1, 2008.
• Athens Land Trust will take responsibility for the cottage (upkeep, utilities, taxes, rehabilitation of the building).
• If Athens Land Trust vacates the building, Emmanuel will have the option to buy it back at a price based on rehab costs and appraisals made after the rehab and at the time of the sale.
• Emmanuel will have sign-off authority on the rehab plans.

Rector’s Report:

Father Robert welcomed Father Edwin who then thanked everyone for the warm welcome and hospitality from Emmanuel.

Father Robert reported that things are going well for Emmanuel – church-wise, community-wise, and staff-wise.

Action Items:

Motion:  Naomi moved that the Vestry approve the hiring of the Sinclair, Townes firm to conduct a feasibility study for a capital campaign for Emmanuel.

The motion was seconded and passed by all fourteen present (one was absent).

Motion:  Anne moved to accept Naomi’s suggestion that the September 7 Vestry Forum be a presentation about the hiring of the consulting firm for the feasibility study.

The motion was seconded and passed.

Motion:  Nancy moved that the cost of the consultant fees be borrowed from the reserves and then paid back from the receipts of the campaign.

The motion was seconded and passed.

Motion:  Betsy moved to approve the request from Anne for an adjustment to the 2008 budget to cover the costs for the Health Ministry start-up ($675) and the Stephen Ministry supplies ($660) for a total of $1335 (line item 650225, Pastoral Care).

The motion was passed unanimously.

Motion:  Naomi moved to approve the contract for the lease and gift deed in the form described in the discussion, considering all three points together:

1. The lease and gift deed may be signed by the senior warden.
2. The Vestry is authorized to enter into these agreements.
3. The senior warden is authorized to agree to any minor changes presented at the signing without returning to the Vestry for approval.

The motion was approved by all present with the exception of one abstention.

Good of the Order:

Katherine read the poem, “The Lanyard” by Billy Collins, for the devotional.

Robin reported that the booklet on the Crosses of Emmanuel has been reprinted.  Copies will be in each Vestry member’s box.  Plans will be made to provide copies to parishioners who want them.

Betsy thanked Katherine and Naomi for all their work in serving the Vestry and the parish.

Matthew commented that he was encouraged by four good weeks of work in planning for Christian Formation.

Several members expressed their excitement about the future of Emmanuel.

Erwin announced that new information packets about Emmanuel are available in the narthex and that a Newcomer’s packet will be ready very soon.

Father Robert commented that a new logo for Emmanuel is being created with suggestions of the Vestry worked into the design for final approval.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.

Next Meeting:  September 24, 2008, 7:00 pm.

                           Devotion: Betsy Turner

Submitted by Lee Albright, Clerk of the Vestry

Approved:  Gillian Ball, John Ballard, John Becker, Anne Brightwell, Katherine Byrne, Phillip Cofer, Bill Connerat, Erwin Greene, Matthew Hicks, Robin Krause, Nancy McDuff, Naomi Norman, Betsy Turner