July
2003 Vestry Report
In the parish
survey questionnaires submitted last November and December,
one of the most frequently-mentioned areas of concern was parish
committee work. Parishioners complained of too many committees,
overlapping functions (most frequently cited, ushers and greeters),
poor communications, a scarcity of volunteers, a feeling that
their volunteer work was not appreciated, and burnout. Some
said the amount of volunteer work expected was as much as their
full-time paid job. Others said that committee work was overwhelming
and never-ending: the more they did, the more they were asked
to do.
Therefore,
one of the four agenda items addressed during the all-day
Vestry Planning Conference held on May 3 rd was committee
structure. (Also addressed were parish governance, community/hospitality,
and congregational development.)
A
survey of parish committees revealed that at least 20 people
were wearing numerous hats as members of some 3, 4, and even
5 committees. It was also noted that some of these people
had been wearing some of their hats for a very long time (e.g.,
the mistress of ceremonies and some committee chairs).
Our
mission was to decide how to more effectively utilize St.
John’s small-number base of parishioner-volunteers to serve
more effectively in those functions which are vital and essential
to parish life. And how to avoid overwork, overlapping functions,
and burnout.
To
this end, the Vestry decided to discontinue the following
Standing Committees: Property, Ministries, Communications,
and Newcomers. Property would become a Vestrt committee and
meet as needed. Ministries could be convened as an ad hoc
committee whenever a candidate seeking parish sponsorship
for holy orders was presented to us by the Rector. Communications
functions would be shared by the parish administration (Rector
and Parish Administrator) and the Vestry. Newcomers functions,
greeting at the 11:00 a.m. Eucharist and hosting newcomers
teas, would be merged with that of the Ushers (since greeting
has always been one of the primary functions of Ushers) and
new hospitality groups. Members of the Newcomers Committee,
who have served so faithfully and so well in this ministry,
have been invited to become Ushers and/or part of new hospitality
groups under formation.
Some
changes have already been made: Margot Shields
stepped down as Mistress of Ceremonies after “too many years
to count.” Andrew Jones , formerly chair
of the Communications Committee, was installed as Master of
Ceremonies during the 11:00 a.m. Eucharist on June 22 nd .
Marsanne Eyre , formerly chair of the Ministries
Committee, was named Head Sacristan, to be formally installed
after Labor Day. Marsanne expects to spend most of the summer
in the Berkshires with her sister Marion, who recently suffered
a bad ankle break.
Plans
for hospitality are still being formulated. A more fulsome
report of the subject, as well as on the Parish Survey and
Vestry Planning Conference, will be made in the next issue
of The Messenger.
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