Vestry Update - September, 2023
Minutes from September, 2023 Vestry Meeting:
Meeting Rooms in need of a replacement for the OWL for video conference - any suggestions?
Vestry spent a lot of the meeting discussing the Five Year Plan, which they approved unanimously. Covering staffing, finances, building and grounds maintenance, and so on, the plan will be shared and as it is updated. As with the annual budget, Finance Committee has been conservative with revenue and generous with expenses. The question of current and future sustainability is foremost.
Current staffing has been affected by unusual circumstances, but Vestry has been apprised of both needs and funding. Both paid and volunteer job descriptions are more clearly defined than had been and long range plans meet the needs of the congregation, even as membership numbers of various age groups grow.
Some Capital Expenses are unforeseen, but due to the diligence of Todd Olberding (in his volunteer!! position) and many others, planned maintenance and needed repairs/replacements can be planned (and budgeted). Many spots in the property need care, and some major care, but more eyes are on each. Thanks also to Vinay Thottunkal for his engineering expertise.
Many of the financial matters depend on Pledge Revenue, and between the generosity of current pledgers and additional new members to the Cathedral, some yearly growth is forecasted. Vestry and Congregation will both be apprised more often of membership changes and overall visitation.
Vestry members are encouraged to continue to be available, communicative, and transparent - not just between Sunday services, but at all opportunities.
A major part shipped for the elevator, so work can begin again in early October. No guaranteed finish date yet, but the Dean is optimistic.
Roofers are developing a life expectancy and replacement plan - hoping for that back by end of September. Insurance Adjusters have looked at roofs to see what, if anything, is recent hail damage.
Scaffolding on the north side is due to some stone work needing repair. Safety first and then aesthetics will be addressed.
Cathedral is spending time with leaders of other downtown churches to build an open dialogue, especially about sheltering during extreme cold weather but in general to build relationships within the downtown community.
As always, please see Finance Committee report for specifics on both revenue and expenses, as well as current Endowment totals.
Respectfully Submitted, Samonia Byford, St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral Vestry Clerk
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