October 2003
Vestry Report

BY-LAW REVISIONS

As promised, the Vestry has recently undertaken several by-law revisions. The four new or revised provisions are as follows:

Article XII. Conflicts of Interest [new]

Provides that no purchase of goods or services be made from or through any business where a member of this parish is associated, and that no parishioner be hired henceforth by St. John’s as either an employee or independent contractor. Exceptions to this policy require advance Vestry approval, a compelling reason for the exception, and a showing that the exception is in the parish’s best interest.

[Note: Exceptions will be made, and should be made, but they will be done on the record and with full disclosure. The use of the word henceforth “grandfathers” in those few parishioners who would be adversely affected by this enactment.]

Article IX Order of Procedure at Vestry Meetings [amended]

Adds “Wardens’ Report” as an agenda item.

Article IV, Section 4, Nominating Committee [amended]

Adds the churchwarden not up for re-election as ex-officio member (as is the rector). Requires the Nominating Committee to convene 12 weeks before the Annual Parish Meeting (from the previous 6 weeks). Requires the Nominating Committee to report the list of nominees to the Vestry at its December meeting. Provides that the committee report the list of nominees to the congregation 4 weeks before the Annual Parish Meeting (from the previous 2 weeks).

Article II, Section 2.1 Vestry Term Limits [new]

Requires churchwardens to step down for a period of one year after serving three full two-year terms as warden. Requires vestrymembers to do the same after serving two full three-year terms as vestrymember. [Effective January 25, 2003]

[Note: Many, if not most, Episcopal churches have similar term-limit provisions.] ?

NEW CHAIRS BOUGHT

This past summer we solicited donations for the purchase of six additional padded library chairs to be used for the Open Door AIDS & Christian Spirituality Workshops and other small-group meetings, as well as for Sunday coffee hours.

The response was heartwarming. Even though we found that the price of the chairs was higher than expected, we were able to order not six but eight new chairs, thanks to donations received from numerous parishioners.One generous donor included a note with his check, specifying that if there was money left over it should be put to good use. We did just that, donating the balance left after the purchase of the chairs to the Open Door Discretionary Fund. [Father Cross was very grateful for the opportunity to help some needy program participants!]

The new chairs arrived in mid September. They debuted at the reception for Bishop Sisk, and were much appreciated by the people attending the September 27th Open Door workshop. Thank you for your generosity! ?