REGULAR Meeting of the Vestry

Of Old Donation Episcopal Church

July 19, 2007 at 7:00 PM

 

 

 

Attendees:

Fr. Bob Randall, Rev. Elizabeth Felicetti, Jim Pernini, Nancy Ries, Don Wilson, Lowell Davis, Pete Owens, Mike McGraw, Mike Garriott, Jack Barry, Gene Allender, and Chris Sims

Absent:

John Sherman, Len Smith, Laura Buckius, Martha Gentry

 

----- Agenda -----

 

Opening Prayer

Elizabeth Felicetti

 

Check In

All

 

Meditation and Prayers for Each Other and Parish

Mike Garriott

 

Use of Alfriends House and Other Issues

John Hutchinson, visitor

 

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

All

 

Treasurer’s Report

Lowell Davis

 

Rector’s Report

Fr. Bob

 

Assignments for Upcoming Month

Jim Pernini

 

Long Range Planning

John Sherman

 

Old Business

Jim Pernini

 

New Business

Jim Pernini

 

Vestry Actions and Commission Updates

Jim Pernini

 

Closing Prayer                                                                   Fr. Bob

 

 

 

REGULAR Meeting of the Vestry

Of Old Donation Episcopal Church

July 19, 2006 at 7:00 PM

 

 

 

 

The meeting was called to order and the Opening Prayer offered at 7:00 p.m. by the Rev. Elizabeth Felicetti.

 

 

 

 

 

---------- Agenda Topics ----------

 

 

 

Use of Alfriends House and Other Issues

John Hutchinson, visitor

 

 

 

 

Discussion:

 

 

 

·         After check in, the floor was opened up at 7:30 p.m. to the church property neighbor, John Hutchinson, at his request.  Topics addressed by Mr. Hutchinson included:

Ø       Mr. Hutchinson’s goals to be reasonable and have a reasonable response from the church to his concerns expressed here and in a previous letter to the members of the Vestry and Fr. Bob;

Ø       Mr. Hutchinson’s concerns about the increased use of Alfriend’s House for 12-step groups which have grown, with particular focus on a recent meeting where there were approximately 60-70 people in attendance with approximately 30 cars parked up and down both sides of the residential street in front of Alfriend’s House, on his property and behind the church;

Ø       Mr. Hutchinson’s concerns about the Narcotics Anonymous meetings held on Tuesday nights, his concerns about “those type of people” being brought to the neighborhood by ODEC, their ability to become familiar with his property through the use of ODEC’s facilities and his fear of them returning with that knowledge to commit crimes on his property;

Ø       Mr. Hutchinson’s similar concerns over AA meetings being held in Alfriend’s House and his desire to see them back in the Tucker Hall building and not out in the neighborhood;

Ø       Mr. Hutchinson’s concerns about the lack of respect by the attendees of the 12-step groups to his property line, property and garbage receptacles;

Ø       Mr. Hutchinson’s concerns about having to confront those in the 12-step groups who park on his property, use his garbage receptacles, etc.;

Ø       Mr. Hutchinson’s concerns about the noise generated by the 12-step groups;

Ø       Mr. Hutchinson’s distress over the use of Alfriend’s House by large groups when he has observed the larger parish hall occupied by a small group (the Bridge group) at the same time as the large groups are occupying Alfriend’s House;

Ø       Mr. Hutchinson’s repeated irritation over the noise produced by the A/C unit behind Tucker Hall and his request that additional insulation be installed to muffle the sound;

Ø       Mr. Hutchinson expressed his frustration at the situation and his desire to be good neighbors. 

·         After Mr. Hutchinson’s departure at 7:46 p.m., discussion ensued about the need to address the issues brought up by Mr. Hutchinson and how to go about doing that.  Fr. Bob advised that the 12-step groups have grown and that he will look at the space requirements and availability of space so that perhaps some groups can be moved around to be more appropriately accommodating and get them back in the building.  It was noted that the church hosts 11 groups per week and only two are held at Alfriend’s House.

·         Fr. Bob to contact all of the groups hosted at ODEC to reiterate property use, location of trash receptacles, parking, noise, etc.

·         Jack suggested an insulating box be purchased to muffle as much of the sound as possible on the A/C unit and that when each item is addressed, we should advise Mr. Hutchinson of same so that he knows it’s done.  Mike McGraw advised that he has already asked Len Smith to look into the A/C insulation matter.

·         Mike Garriott suggested that the issues that can be are addressed immediately and not tabled for another month at a Vestry meeting.  All agreed.

 

 

 

Conclusions:

 

 

 

·         Fr. Bob to look into the space for the Tuesday and Thursday night 12-step groups and possible rearranging of times and places;

·         Fr. Bob to contact groups hosted at ODEC to inform them of property issues, noise, parking and trash receptacle use.

·         Len Smith to look into and follow up on the insulation for the A/C unit behind Tucker Hall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasurer’s Report

Lowell Davis

 

 

 

 

Discussion:

 

 

 

·         See handouts for regular Finance and the Endowment Fund.  First half of year reports done and reviewed verbally by Lowell.

·         Lowell states there is still an alarming lag in pledge payments.  Gentle reminder letters will be going out to parishioners regarding same.

·         Income still exceeds disbursements, thus no real budget issues at this time.

·         The Endowment Fund is doing well.  Market is good.

·         Report from the Chair of the Audit Committee discussed.  Lowell advised that the Committee approved changing auditors from Cherry Bekaert to Kavanaugh & Nelson, a company started by two Price Waterhouse partners who stayed in the area when Price Waterhouse left.  He advises that they specialize in non-profit organizations and that their proposal for services and their fee quote were impressive.  They quoted $5,000-$6,000.  Our budget was $8,500.  Cherry Bekaert had quoted $8,400.

·         Lowell advises that it is time for a rotation of the treasurer’s position and that Ned Kuhns had agreed to succeed Lowell.  Lowell proposed a September election, for a 3-year term.  The qualifications of Ned Kuhns were then discussed and the consensus was that he is an appropriate candidate for the position.

·         Nancy advised that she was about to throw away some old financial reports when she noticed that they had Fr. Bob’s VISA account number on them.  Thus, please do not just discard in the trash bin . . .SHRED!!!!

 

 

 

 

Conclusions:

 

 

 

·         Upon Motion duly made and seconded, the Treasurer’s Reports were approved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rector’s Report

Fr. Bob

None

 

 

 

Discussion:

 

 

 

·         It was noted that Bob had been back in town less than 2 hours before the Vestry meeting after having been gone for 30 days.  Thanks be to God for his safe return and attendance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vestry Assignments

 

Jim Pernini

 

 

 

 

Discussion:

 

 

 

·         August Meditation – Mike McGraw

·         August Collection Assignments – 8:00 – Mike McGraw/ 10:30 and the Gathering  – Jack Barry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Range Planning Update

John Sherman

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old Business

Jim Pernini

 

 

 

 

Discussion: 

 

 

 

·         The Day of Worship with Eastern Shore Chapel has been confirmed for September 16, 2007.  Location to be announced.  The early services will be held as scheduled, with the later services merging with Eastern Shore Chapel.

·         John Hutchinson letter – see above.

·         Purchase of the John Hutchinson property.  It was announced that an appraisal has been done on the property and that we are awaiting the report from the appraiser.  Nothing further can be done until we find out the appraised value.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Business

Jim Pernini

 

 

 

Discussion:

 

 

·         The next Chimes will announce that nominations for Council Delegates are being taken and should be submitted to Fr. Bob in writing.  Council dates are February 1, 2, and 3, 2008.  We will elect 4 representatives and 2 alternates who will serve for one full year.  The Vestry will elect our representatives at the next meeting.  Nominations are open to all confirmed members of the parish who are 16 and older.

·         Ann Tansey is leaving and her last day with ODEC will be August 10th L.  Fr. Bob mentioned that he is receiving emails from interested parties to fill her position.

 

 

Senior Warden’s Report

Jim Pernini

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

People’s Warden’s Report/Congregational Care

Mike McGraw

 

 

 

·         Sharon Kelman is resigning as the Congregational Care Committee Chairman.  Mike requested that Fr. Bob meet with him and Sharon about this matter.

 

 

Evangelism/New Member Report

Pete Owens

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outreach Report

Jack Barry

 

 

 

·         Mission of the Holy Spirit will have Vacation Bible School and ODEC is requested to provide a meal on August 8th.  Jack states that the same menu will be served as was served at Camp Wakonda.