Bishop's Committee Approved Minutes

*** Scroll down for approved minutes in the months previous.

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes

January 10, 2012

Members present: George Anne Boyle, Vicar; Gretchen O’Connor, Vicar’s Warden; Mary Moore, People’s Warden; Anna Crickmer Pitts, Treasurer; Tim Madden, Andrea Weston-Smart, Michael Akin, Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti, Anita Headley, Larry Frodsham.

Recorder: Judy DeBuse

Mike opened the meeting with a prayer.

FORMATION/ORIENTATION

• Badges identifying B.C. members were blessed and distributed. For February agenda, goals for the coming year include

writing of formal policies and procedures, Will look online for models at other Episcopal church sites and asking St. Thomas for a copy of their manual. Policies & p. will need review on a regular schedule.

• A second goal is to expand and update our website so it is relevant to all the congregation. In Feb, content update should be submitted to Dave M. so he can train others to make those changes to the website.

• Also must revitalize the Communications Team, adding an external advisor.

Minutes

*** Moved, seconded and approved (MSA)

to accept the November and December minutes, both as amended.

INFORMATION

Mutual Ministry Process (Georgi)

• Need to get back to an annual MMR through a reestablished Personnel Committee.

Building Use (Georgi)

• Western Wash. Girl Scout leaders submitted their annual request for meeting space, granted without review since it was not a new request. We need a building use contract for regular users such as TOPS, Al-Anon, Holy Wisdom, German Ministry.

• A donation of $5 (negotiable) per person is suggested for external users to defray our expenses.

Library (Georgi)

• Cheryl and Anne, recently commissioned as our church librarians, are writing a collection development policy and preparing to move the library as soon as bookshelves are installed.

Did You Know (Gretchen)

• Will distribute and archive the results of the survey which asked what B.C. has found life affirming or life-draining this past year.

Calendar/Upcoming Events (Gretchen et al.)

• Jan. 15: Ministry reports due

• Jan. 29: Annual meeting

• Feb. 5: With the he February focus on stewardship around Pastoral Care, Georgi will recommission the Pastoral Care Committee.

• Feb. 14: Interfaith Advocacy Network Day at the Capitol; religious leaders will speak with legislators and attendees

• Feb. 15: Marriage Equality March, Vancouver to Oly.; marchers encouraged. United Churches is hosting a potluck for marchers; Mary & Larry will handle signup for potluck contributions.

• Feb. 21: Shrove Tuesday; the youth group will host the 5:30 pancake supper.

• Feb 22: Ash Wed.: 10 am Eucharist; 7 pm Imposition of ashes

Treasurer’s Report (Anna)

Two end of year handouts:

• (1) Stewardship Report, 31 December 2011

• (2) Proposed Budget for 2012, not fully funded, but additional donations are anticipated .

• Biggest shortfall ($20,000) is payment due the Diocese. Concerning the unpaid $25,000 assessment from 2010, we must keep the Diocese posted about changes in our financial situation.

• Discussed using budget discretionary funding for Kokua, which assists handicapped adults with rent support.

***MSA to accept the proposed budget for 2012 as presented, subject to ongoing review by B.C. throughout the year as needed.

DISCUSSION

Building Maintenance Advisory Team (Mike/Andrea)

• Working on developing membership.

DECISION

Keys—Exec. Recommendation (All)

Needed:

• New interior & exterior key systems & a new locksmith

• A room-by-room building use policy

• A key system which is ADA compliant.

Interior keys

• Need more info from users about their access needs and a list identifying those entitled to use each room. Once new keys are assigned, a list of keyholders will be made.

• The Sacristy is an issue with its many users, from the Altar Guild & Pastoral Care, to Holy Wisdom & the German Ministry.

• Anna will work on the use policy begun by Mary.

• Decision tabled until next month.

Next Meeting February 14

Add to the agenda: (1) Policies and procedures, (2)Website

Opening prayer: Chris

Closing prayer: Andrea

For the Good of the Order

• Andrea & Mike: ZooSnooze for kids scheduled; register by Jan. 20 (cancelled because of storm)

• Anna: Two resolutions for Vicar & Vicar’s Warden to sign: Lay benefits & Vicar’s housing allowance

• Larry: Lock boxes do have master keys

• Gretchen: Thanks to B.C. for a year of good work and great ideas. Members staying on, wear your B.C. badges so you can be seen!

Gretchen closed the meeting with a prayer.

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes

December 13, 2011

Members present:

Gretchen O’Connor, Vicar’s Warden;

Mary Moore, People’s Warden;

Anna Crickmer Pitts, Treasurer;

Tim Madden, Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti, Michael Akin, Andrea Weston-Smart, Anita Headley, Larry Frodsham

Absent: George Anne Boyle, Vicar

Recorder: Nancy Zabel

Anita opened the meeting with a prayer.

FORMATION/ORIENTATION

Gretchen led compline

Minutes

These were not sent out so the decision to approve them has been tabled until the January meeting.

INFORMATION

Keyless entry (Tom and Larry)

We need to look at our security system needs and then do the research.

We need a policy about who gets access and who will oversee the security and manage the access.

Tom Buckley, Anna Crickmer Pitts, Mike Akin, will research information needed to make an informed decision and report back to the BC at the next meeting with a recommendation.

Did You Know (Mary)

Leadership/Management – we are a governance board. Georgi is management as is the rest of the staff. BC sets policy. We don’t talk about how to do it but what we want to have done and what the results wil be. We spend too much time talking about how to do it. That’s not the job of the BC.

Calendar/Upcoming Events

Prayer service Wednesday December 14

Christmas Eve – Dec 24 5:30 & 10:30

Christmas Day – Dec. 25 8AM

Epiphany –January 6 5:30 Potluck - Includes Holy Wisdom

Annual Meeting – January 29 between services at 9AM

Treasurer’s Report (Anna)

End of the year report

Need mutual ministry finished and signed off ASAP.

Personnel committee needs to be restarted and make sure this gets on their calendar.

Current year looks good. A little ahead on giving and on target with spending. Proposed budget matches the projected income. Pledge cards are currently coming in. Anna created a column for additional money needed.
Big change is under “staff”. Difference is the benefits we should be paying to Susan Bloomfield. It includes health, retirement, and dental. We must comply by 2013. Discussion about our options for payment. Do we want to start paying? Do we want to pay for a dependent?

Anna would like to provide the budget to congregation next Sunday. Suggestion to change some of the wording to make it clearer.

Changing tables – bid for $1000 for 2 tables.
We need to have an audit since we have switched treasurers.

DISCUSSION

Building maintenance advisory council – council will research and recommend. Mike and Andrea will be recruiting members. 2 different committees; building maintenance and building planning.
Technical assistance – want to hire someone to see what we need so the people working here can do their jobs. Hire 1^st then negotiate the amount.

DECISION

Changing table – recommended by the executive board for $1000. Agreement was already made to spend up to a certain amount. Agree on decision to move forward with installation.
Move to start paying Susan Bloomfield benefits in 2012. Discussion followed.

***MSP one abstained

Move to offer to include Susan’s dependent if he is not already covered by another plan.

***Did not pass one abstained

Move to allow Anna to spend up to $8000 for technical assistance

***MSP

Next BC Meeting – January 10

Mike will do the opening prayer and

Gretchen the closing prayer

Good of the Order

Please don’t make color copies.

Andrea closed with a prayer.

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes

November 8, 2011

Absent: Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti

Recorder: Judy DeBuse

Mike opened the meeting with a prayer.

FORMATION/ORIENTATION

• Complete and bring the scale for evaluating the current BC group dynamic to the December meeting.

Minutes

*** Moved, seconded and approved (MSA)

to accept the October minutes as amended.

INFORMATION

Did You Know (Gretchen)

• Each B.C. member is asked to approach 2-3 people by January & request that they consider becoming B.C. members.

• A portion of all individually-purchased coffee receipts goes directly to St. B., so purchase is a form of stewardship.

Calendar/Upcoming Events (Gretchen et al.)

• Nov. 10: Choir fund-raising dinner and variety show

• Nov. 19, a.m.: Mens’ breakfast

• Nov. 19, p.m.: Community dinner & food bank (1 week early)

• Nov. 22: 7p.m.: Thanksgiving eve Eucharist with the German Ministry and the Holy Wisdom congregation followed by a reception

• Nov. 23, 3 p.m.: Thanksgiving dinner for St. B. and the community

• Dec. 4: St. Nickolas Day, with a special afternoon of fun and activities for children

Treasurer’s Report (Anna)

End of Year:

• The budget is still on target and may have $15,000 left over at year’s end.

• It is time to review/renew contracts.There is a meeting with, Shining Example custodial service Nov. 17 to update mutual expectations.

Proposed 2012 budget:

• New & suggested line items for Outreach: Community Event Hospitality; Seminaries (e.g. CDSP); and InterfaithWorks.

Mary M will ask other members of the Earth Ministries group for suggestions about a contribution to InterfaithWorks.

• We are looking at funding pension, disability and health insurance for lay employees who work 1000 hours a year or more.

• Bill Goodenough, property rep. to the Bd. of Directors, did a building assesssment for the Diocese.

Georgi will get a copy of the report.

• B.C. will ratify the proposed operating budget in December

* Received Church Windows training and would implement immediately if we could get the computers on the same system & software. Should be done professionally. Permission requested to list needs & send out 3 requests for bids.

DISCUSSION

(Georgi & Gretchen)

Year Round Stewardship

• To help clarify our celebration of

stewardship as practiced throughout the year, see the 5 p. handout of stewardship activities, resources and ministries, by month and by category. It will be updated for 2012 in about 10 months.

• A capital campaign is needed to increase directed giving for specific projects; those donations are not included in the operating budget.

• A committee for capital improvement will work on a deferred maintenance plan. The first step will be stating and prioritizing our needs. For this stage of the plan there will be no timeline and no suggested methods for funding..

• We will be installing bathroom changing tables and need signs with international symbols directing people to the nursery changing table. Larry will look into professional signage.

• Mary will work with Georgi to contact Joe McGuire, Diocesan Finance Committee, for a meeting with the Committee to discuss the possibility of changing the basis for determing our assessment from the complex Diocesan formula (not working for us) to a flat rate.

Annual Parish Meeting Jan 29

• Plans proceeding well; Georgi wants to add 2 new groups: Building Maintenance Advisory Council, and Building Planning and Capital Campaign Group.

• Andrea will help recruit new members.

Mutual Ministry Review

• MMR of Georgi’s work as a vicar and of the congregation overall is needed.

Book Collection Move

• Our collection is now being weeded in preparation for a move to provide better access. Suggestions for the new location are St. Hilda/St Patrick Room or the northwest wall of the parish hall. A donor has new contributions for the library.

Entrance System

• The card system doesn’t work in cold weather; new batteries didn’t help. A new card reader system would be inexpensive; a better system would be costly. Add to Anna’s dream list.

Next Meeting December 13

Opening prayer: Anita

Closing prayer: Andrea

Good of the Order:

• Georgi: Requests that the coffee teams include real cream as well as powdered variety; reimbursement is available.

• Larry: Holy Wisdom needs internal keys but we haven’t yet received the keys ordered several months ago. Georgi will ask Tom to work with the locksmith to complete the order.

Larry closed the meeting with a prayer.

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes

October 11, 2011

Members present: George Anne Boyle, Vicar; Gretchen O’Connor, Vicar’s Warden; Mary Moore, People’s Warden; Anna Crickmer Pitts, Treasurer; Tim Madden, Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti, Michael Akin, Anita Headley, Larry Frodsham

Absent: Andrea Weston-Smart

Recorder: Judy DeBuse.

Gretchen opened the meeting with a prayer.

FORMATION/ORIENTATION

Minutes

*** Moved, seconded and approved (MSA)

to accept the September minutes as amended.

INFORMATION

Did You Know (Gretchen)

• B.C. member recruitment: Georgi’s article, “What is B.C.?”, will appear in November Beneditions.

* Each member is asked to approach 2-3 people by January & request that they consider becoming B.C. members.

Calendar/Upcoming Events (Gretchen et al.)

• Oct. 16: Acolytes’ pizza lunch; also Paul Seabert & others will help with family military day at St. Martins

• Nov. 2: All Souls Day soup supper with Lance Oursley as speaker on stewardship

• Nov. 23: Thanksgiving eve service, 7:30pm, with St Marks, Holy Wisdom and the German ministry

Treasurer’s Report (Anna)

• We will probably have $15,000 left over at year end. Options for any left over funds are (1) to Diocese for assessment debt; (2 to savings; (3) Building upgrades.

• Anna suggests that those funds go to the emergency fund, considering that the heat pump, for example, is 30 yrs. old.

• Need changing tables now in both bathrooms; cost is about $5000.

• Will ask Tom to get 3 bids from a licensed contractor for the changing tables.

• Proposed 2012 budget, 1^st go-around:

To aid Anna in planning, Georgi will email all ministry heads asking that they get their 2012 budget requests in by November 1.

• Ministry reponses should include how much each ministry will need and how it will be spent.

• Look at the list of ministries attached to the Treaurer’s Report—Is it complete? Who is in charge of each miniistry and what services do they provide? Are there invisible ministries?

• Last page of report: Note the effect on our budget of the increasing Diocesan assessment. The Diocese has a complex formula; we feel that a flat rate of 10%-14% would be more equitable. To request review of the assessment rate Joan A. says talk to the D. Board of Assessment.

• To be more aware of services the Diocese provides for us we need to read the D. budget, attend D. events, & get writtten & spoken convention reports from the delegates. Congregational input to the D. is important.

DISCUSSION

Stewardship (Georgi & Anna)

• Lance O. suggests a monthly celebration of different ministries to show what we’re supporting.

Holy Wisdom (Georgi)

• The Community will celebrate their 4^th Sat. 5:30 pm mass at St. B. Georgi will notify Sacred Heart and then will announce it to St. B.

Building Maint. Advisory Council (Georgi)

• For November agenda.

Shining Example Custodial Firm (Georgi)

• G. will ask someone to talk to them about needed improvements.

Columbarium (Mary)

• The 42 tags are ready for the remembrance box.

Entrance System (Larry)

• Copier paper and office supplies are disappearing. We need to weigh the value of protecing from loss against losing the confidence of the congregation by installing a lock on the copier room. (Key system: $80 for minimal; $200 for individual codes/combinations.)

• Also, looking at the design & use of space, consider moving the library to the St. Monica room and making the library room the treasurer’s room with lock.

• Nov. agenda: Get input on the use of space—should we move books and/or lock copy room door or is there another solution?

Next meeting is November 8.

Opening prayer: Mike; Closing: Larry.

Good of the Order

• Georgi: Altar Guild has dwindled to 6.

She will take a turn for 2 weeks to give a hand, and has sent invitations to encourage individuals to consider joining the ministry. Community concerns: she will atttend a Lacey churches meeting to consider how to best coordinate resources for those in need in the community.

• Larry: Still need to get software to connect Church Windows with Church Office.

• Anna: Thinking of doing Thanksgivng Day dinner again. Would be our community this time so it wouldn’t have to be prepared in our certified kitchen; could be potluck.

Chris offered the closing prayer.

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes

September 13, 2011

Members present: George Anne Boyle, Vicar; Mary Moore, People’s Warden; Anna Crickmer Pitts, Treasurer; Tim Madden, Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti, Michael Akin, Andrea Weston-Smart, Anita Headley, Larry Frodsham

Absent: Gretchen O’Connor, Vicar’s Warden

Recorder: Nancy Zabel

Mary opened the meeting with a prayer.

FORMATION/ORIENTATION

Things done and left undone- discussion

Looking at the covenants and goals for the Bishop’s Committee.

Minutes

*** Moved, seconded and approved (MSA)

to accept the August minutes as amended.

INFORMATION

Did You Know (Mary & Georgi)

St. Benedict’s banner is finished. It was printed by Minuteman Press. They were great to work with. It will be used at events.
Military Day – 9 people helped. It opened up new community connections. We have been invited to the next event for enlisted person’s children. Event supports military families. We would provide free water for the day and get a free booth. It’s October 16^th. We want to provide a recycle bin for the bottles.

Calendar/Upcoming Events (Georgi)

• Sept. 18: Start-Up Sunday & Ministry Fair, also resignation day for those about to complete their ministries.

• September 25: Lector meeting with soup supper

October 2 – Harvest Sunday. Give generously from your gardens and pantry.
October 5 – 1st Wednesday program. Soup supper and our 1^st speaker is going to be the Canon for Stewardship, Lance Ousley. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get to know him.

• Oct. 9: Pet Blessing Day

DISCUSSION

Financial Update (Georgi & Anna)

Relocation of budget

Some line items have had some good donations so budgeted money has been moved to be used in other areas that need more funding.

***MSA to approve making changes by moving money around to make the financial statement more balanced

We have 1 month of operating expenses in the bank – about $22, 000.

Fundraiser information (Mary)

The choir will be putting on a talent show to raise money for their budget. Dinner and entertainment! November date to be announced soon.

Fundraising policy (Mary)

No discussion. Moved to decision part of the agenda.

Columbarium (Georgi)

Mary will take the list of names to Tags Trophy to have them make plaques to put into the wall of remembrance.

Conversation with Joan Anthony and Next Steps (Georgi)

Lance Ousley will come down to talk to us about Stewardship and the capital Campaign.

Bill Goodenough from the Diocesan Board of Directors for property issues will come down to do an assessment of our building.

BC recruitment (Mary)

2 people going off: Tim Madden and Gretchen O’Conner. They will begin asking people if they are interested in being part of the leadership. Everyone is encouraged to ask someone.

Interfaith Works (Georgi)

Direct service providers to the people of Thurston County. New program called Partners in Preventing Homelessness. They invite speakers to speak about issues affecting us all. It’s nonprofit and they invite churches to be members. Georgi would like us to be members by donation.

Discussion - have a table at the Ministry fair and ask for donations. Should be a budget item. Used to be called Associated Ministries.
CAST (Coping Strategies for Teens) (Georgi)

Jan Akin and Georgi are interested in this program that builds the self-esteem of kids at risk - suicide and mood management and making choices with drug and alcohol. Exceptional program - $1400. This is a program that is really needed in this area. There is interest in partnering with people in other programs (Rosie’s Place for example) 12 week program for the youth. Does this fit our mission? Could write for a scholarship?

Discussion – who is facilitating and concerns about the people who would be dealing with these kids. Would like to know more. How do they teach these skills and how would we partner? Success in schools -1^st time offering it to churches. Would like references for places this has worked.
Mental Health @ St. B (Chris)

Chris made an outline for the workshop she attended. How do we extend love and hospitality when we interact with people with life experiences different from our own? Recognizing and responding to people in crisis. Chris is offering to put together a tutorial. Is this something we are interested in?

Discussion- very important for our community dinner volunteers. Positive feedback. She will go ahead on the project.

DECISION

Fundraising Policy

MSA to accept the fundraising policy as amended.

Treasurer’s Report (Anna)

•Non pledging givers are far exceeding our expectations.

Pass through giving – in and out of the account. Outreach to the community is not assessed.

Directed giving – to a specific fund. We are assessed for that giving @17%. Giving to a dedicated fund should be above and beyond your pledge.

Question for Executive Team—Should our time be reflected in the budget?

Idea for stewardship – write on your pledge card the other organizations you support. We could make a list of all the programs we support to show our outreach to the community.

Next Meeting, Wednesday, October 5 – Lance Ousley

Next BC Meeting – October 11

Good of the Order

Chris will be a timekeeper for the meetings to help keep us on track.

Anita closed with a prayer.

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes

August 9, 2011

Absent: Larry Frodsham

Guest: Tom Buckley

Recorder: Judy DeBuse.

Tim opened the meeting with a prayer.

FORMATION/ORIENTATION

Minutes

*** Moved, seconded and approved (MSA)

to accept the July minutes as amended.

INFORMATION

Did You Know (Gretchen)

• The Microsoft operating system will undergo a needed upgrade for $39.

Calendar/Upcoming Events (Gretchen et al.)

• Aug. 20: Saints Supper

• Sept. 10: Military Family Day at Cabelas; volunteers are needed to help with events

• Sept. 11: Tri-Parish Picnic (later cancelled)

• Sept. 18: Start-Up Sunday & Ministry Fair, also resignation day for those about to complete their ministries.

• September 25: Lector meeting with soup supper

• Oct. 9: Pet Blessing Day; it will include the animals in church on leashes and in crates.

DISCUSSION

Financial Update (Georgi & Anna)

• The diocese recommended that we pay our assessment out of the money we had set aside for the gutters. The money donated for the gutters is still there and will be used for that. Accordingly the payment was made so we are current for this year.

• St. B now has a prior $25,202 assessment debt. The diocese offered a loan but we decided not to take this. We need to save for it and not make payments for it. The loan would have cost us 3% interest.

• An analysis of the assessment rate from 2006-present reveals that our current rate is based on 2008, our highest income year. It’s suggested that a lower, and flat rate (e.g., 10%) would be more workable and fair.

• Since the Diocese owns the building, we should ask the Board of Assessment for suggestions on our assessment, and how to finance maintenance needs such as gutters.

• To discuss with the St. B. Executive Committee: 1) Our audit (completed); 2) Our assessment, to help us develop a plan

for dealing with the assessment debt, to present to the Board of Assessment.

Fund-Raising Policy (Georgi)

• The proposed policy makes clear that any group must submit its request to B.C. before permission is given for a fundraiser. Georgi will inform B.C. of staff fundraising proposals.

• A vote on the policy, incorporating Mary’s changes, will be next month. To be determined: how best to communicate this new policy to the congegation.

Holy Wisdom E-mail (Georgi)

• Holy Wisdom may want to rent St. B. space Saturdays at 5pm in September. The B.C. hasn’t determined price ranges so Georgi unofficially sent them suggested ranges.

St. Benedicts Mug

• Georgi will discuss purchase of the mugs with Christine Whittaker/Newcomers Group in 2 weeks.

St. Benedicts Banner (Mary)

• Working on selecting the printer to have a banner made.

Spanish Classes (Gretchen)

• Two instructors who teach Spanish at St. Johns are willing to teach at St. B.

Will find out if there is interest.

Columbarium (Georgi)

• Someone is needed to work on the name signs.

Episcopal Retirement Communities (Gretchen)

• A diocesan representative is prepared to set up a table at coffee hour in Oct. to discuss retirement at spiritual home communities at St. Andrews Place, and Canterbury Manor & Day Care Center. Need an informal survey to see if there is interest.

DECISION

Parochial Report (All)

• The report of St. B. financial and statistical data is ready to submit to the national church.

Georgi will make it available to B.C.

•••MSA to accept the parochial report as compiled by Georgi and Anna.

Treasurer’s Report (Anna)

• Non-pledging givers are generous; the pledge and plate givers are a little behind.

• Will put Worship funding into Altar Supplies.

• Proposed modification to the budget has no effect on the bottom line

• Vote will be next month on whether to add $30 a month to our $452 cleaning bill to clean the choir area

••• MSA to close the small mutual fund accounts and put them into the savings and clergy-directed accounts.

Next Meeting, September 13

• Larry will open; Anita will close.

Gretchen will be away.

Good of the Order

• Mike: Year 39 of Camp Michael was wonderful; it was nearly full, and included 33 counselors-in-training.

• Tom: The part needed to fix the heat pump should be installed by next Sunday.

The issue with the organ may be resolved with the technical manual just found.

Mike closed with a prayer.

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes

July 12, 2011

Recorder: Judy DeBuse.

Gretchen opened the meeting with a prayer.

FORMATION/ORIENTATION

B.C. should reply and return the B.C. covenant sheet question, “How are we doing as a leadership team?”

Minutes

*** Moved, seconded and approved (MSA)

to accept the June minutes as recorded.

INFORMATION

Did You Know (Gretchen)

• The 5^th stained glass window is in production; funds are donated for the 6^th & 7^th.

• Parishioners are encouraged to purchase coffee through our special program. Good price ($28/2 lbs.), with $5/bag. going to the church. Four regular purchasers fund almost 6 months of church coffee.

Calendar/Upcoming Events (Gretchen et al.)

• July 16: Tacoma Rainiers baseball game

• July 17: Eucharist celebrating the St. Benedict patronal feast.

• July 24: Wine to water fundraiser: garden tour of the Wendell Barry organic sustainable community garden at the Walrod’s.

• August 20: Saints Supper

• September 11: Tri-parish picnic, l1:30 a.m. at Priest Point Park, organized by St. John’s. The Bishop will attend.

David James (Georgi)

• Official letter of deposition received.

DISCUSSION

Report on banner (Mary)

• Per Executive Committee decision, we will go ahead with the banner, to be ready for the military family parade Sept. 10.

• It will be approx. 6’x2’, grometted, 1-2 colors, with St. B. name and logo, $200 limit. Mary M. & Larry F. will decide on the final details.

Columbarium Project (Mary et al.)

• Funds are available for purchase of the list of names of those in the Columbarium. Tony has put up the case for the names.

• Georgi will ask for purchase of the names plate by September.

Policy on Policy (Georgi)

• To create a central file of up-to-date policies, Mary, Chris, Georgi & Gretchen will begin reviewing existing policy files (Georgi’s & office files & other sources). They will see that an electronic archive, with a review & retention policy, is established. May take 2-3 years.

Fund-Raising Policy (Georgi)

• Review the St. Benedict Fundraising Policy (Draft) for next month’s discussion. It does not apply to contracted staff, who vet their ideas in weekly staff meetings, thus do not need B.C. approval.

St. Benedicts Mug (Larry)

• Suggested that we provide newcomers with a ceramic St. B-logo mug (our cost: $5/ceramic; $7/travel for 72+ mugs).

• Could set up a coffee & mug display so parishioners could buy those items (mug for $8-10) as a fundraiser for newcomer mugs.

• Georgi will discuss this with Christine Whittaker/Newcomers Group; Georgi & Larrry will find people who could help sell.

Chair Loan

• Lacey Senior Services requests loan of 50-75 of our storage chairs Sat. Aug. 27. 3-7 p.m. for a community dinner. They will pick up & return, as they have in the past. Approved if they come when office staff is available.

Peoples Warden (Gretchen & Georgi)

• Mary Moore volunteered to fill the vacant position.

• In future the congregation will elect a Jr. Warden at the annual meeting.

Safety Policy Update (Chris)

• Working on a training curriculum.

DECISION

Gutters (Anna)

• Building work must go through Diocesan Fiscal Board & Bishop for approval. They could deny our request saying that the $20,000 for gutters should be paid toward our diocesan debt.

• Gretchen, Mary, Anna & Georgi will work on options for paying off our assessment & increasing our credit profile in anticipation of Diocesan yea or nay on our gutters.

• Until we get Diocesan approval gutters are on hold, so we will cancel any existing request for bid.

Treasurer’s Report (Anna)

• Mutual funds (5 accounts) should be for long-term needs; any funds needed this year belong in savings,which are quickly available.

• Leadership Committee meets Aug. 16; Anna will contact the ministries to discuss their anticipated needs for the 2012 budget.

• Some accounts have a balance higher than budgeted thanks to donations (e.g., community dinners; children & youth). Also utility bills are substantially lower than budgeted so those funds can go toward the diocesan debt.

• We will have $40,000 in checking so could pay $20,000 for gutters, keep $10,000 in operating & send $10,000 to the Diocese.

• She suggests writing a check to the Diocese now iat mid-year as a sign of good faith.

• Georgi will talk to Joan Anthony soon about review & approval of our spending plan.

• There will be an executive meeting discussion about when to move the treasurer’s report to the top of the agenda.

• Membership & calendar information in Church Windows should be shared by our 2 computers. Need to talk about cloud computing & security issues with Peter Jekel who did the original connectivity work. Georgi will talk to Dave & Julie about it. Mike A is working on the password file.

Good of the Order

• Georgi: Wants to work with someone on raising our profile in the community and participating as a congregation in more community activities, as we pressently do for Pride weekend. Could ask for support for our activities in Benedicitions “Celebrations”.

Mary closed the meeting with a prayer.

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes

June 14, 2011

Members present:

George Anne Boyle; Vicar,

Gretchen O’Connor; Vicar’s Warden,

Anna Crickmer Pitts; Treasurer

Tim Madden, Andrea Weston-Smart, Mike Akin, Mary Moore, Larry Frodsham, Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti, Anita Headley.

Members absent: Gary Grewell, Mary Riker

Recorder: Nancy Zabel

Gretchen opened the meeting with compline.

Larry/Gretchen opened with prayer

Minutes (Gretchen)

*** Moved, seconded and approved (MSA) to accept the May minutes as amended.

Correction: The budget is balanced. We are looking at whether to put Altar guild funds in a mutual fund or in our regular checking account.

INFORMATION

Parochial Report

We have not sent this in yet. The diocese knows and we are working on it. It’s not a big concern right now.

Minutes

BC approved minutes will be coming out on Georgi’s weekly email as well as on the website.

Events

Tri-parish picnic on September 11 at Priest Point Park. It will be organized by St. John’s
Tacoma Rainiers on July 16. Sign up by July 9th
Feast of St. Benedict is Sunday, July 17^th
Water to Wine fundraiser on July 24^th the community gardens at Dick and Rosemary Walrod’s home. We have raised $2527 so far!
Diocesan Council was here June 4^th. It was an interesting discussion about diocesan business. A PowerPoint about our Willapa Region was shown. Lunch was served.
Pride festival – 20^th anniversary. Tony made a quick sign for our booth. It was suggested that we have a banner made. We do have a large magnetic sign we have used for community dinners. Mary Moore agreed to look into getting information on the price of a banner.

St Andrews House

Open weekend March 16-18 for our Bishop’s Committee retreat. Would we like to share space with St. Stephens, Longview? Our cost would be less if we shared. We would eat together.

St Benedict’s mugs

Larry priced them at $5/mug. He will bring one for the next meeting

DISCUSSION

Liability insurance

Collie has the name of a person to call about outside groups using our building and the liability involved. Georgi will call soon.

Narthex

A cabinet -for supplies to tidy it up, remove tables and extra things, add a world map so people can pray for people around the world. The idea is to make it a more prayerful space for people to pray in.

People’s Warden

Currently someone is praying about this position.
Georgi has not been happy with the way the People’s Warden has been chosen in the past. The idea is to take every member’s name and put it in front of the congregation and let them choose. It is their People’s Warden. This is something we would do next year. This person needs to be the link between the congregation and the BC, Vicar, and Vicar’s Warden.

Draft Safety Policy - Chris

Learning to work with a variety of different people that come to St. Benedict’s. Do we need a program to train us to deal with people with mental health issues? Do we need a policy to help us know what to do? An in-house training for different groups that work with the public?
Discussion about concerns – it’s not the person’s issue but how we respond to them.
Safety guidelines for groups that meet here. Some guidelines were created by the community dinner start up committee.
Identify people who can deal with people with mental health issues or people in crisis. John Van Eenwyk says “how can I help you? I will find someone who can help.”
Chris will follow up on this idea and bring it to the leadership meeting in August.
This should be integrated into the employee handbook.

The Everything Calendar

Internal use calendar for the ministries of St. Benedict’s. If you want to have a meeting you need to fill out a room reservation request. Mike Flothe and Trisha Shaw will check for any room conflicts and reserve the room for you. This is a reservation piece, not a publicity piece. If you want to publicize, follow the guidelines for this.
Outside groups will need to go through the Bishop’s committee for approval. The executive committee can also make that decision if time is an issue.

DECISION

Gutters

The bids were not relevant to a commercial building. Anna is going back to look for new bids. Larry will make some calls tomorrow from the office. Jose Cruz will help by showing the bidders around the building.
Question asked about their clean up responsibility – a schedule of values.
Discussion about hiring to have the gutters cleaned professionally.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Everything is good. Anna has put up a new format in the Parish hall to inform people about the money we have.
$20,000 set aside for gutters
$2177 dedicated funding for Wine into Water program.
A little behind on the offerings but ahead on pledges.

Good of the Order

Mary Riker is moving to Bothell at the end of the month. We are sad to see her go.
Request to get the names of people who are in the columbarium listed. There is money set aside for this.
Saint Suppers starting up again Sat. August 20. We will have several host homes for adults only and some for families. The church could also be used for families.

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes

May 10, 2011

Members present: George Anne Boyle, Vicar; Anna Crickmer Pitts, Treasurer, Tim Madden, Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti, Larry Frodsham, Michael Akin, Andrea Weston-Smart, Mary Moore.

Members absent:, Gretchen O’Connor, Mary Riker, Gary Grewell, Anita Headley.

Guest: Tom Buckley.

Recorder: Judy DeBuse.

Georgi and all opened the meeting with the Compline service.

Minutes

*** Moved, seconded and approved (MSA)

to accept the April minutes as amended.

INFORMATION

Calendar/Upcoming Events

• June 2: Ascension Day dinner and service here with St. John’s

• June 4: Diocesan Council Meeting and lunch here

• June 11-12: Capital City Pride Celebration supported by St. B.; includes a Booth of Blessing at Sylvester Park and a blessing in the Sunday service for the marchers.

Building Use--Process (Larry)

• New form: Application for Use of Church Facilities updates & improves the old form.

• The application form for outside groups will include the building use policy.

• Georgi will contact Collie and/or our insurance agent to verify that we require proof of liability insurance for outside groups and to clarify whether or not, as hosts for the Peace University in September, we are considered the insurers.

Annual Retreat Followup (All)

• Given high marks; St. Andrews excelled for location and food; appreciated the prayers throughout; liked the Daily Office each day and the Sunday service outdoors.

• Suggestions: Distribute the agenda before the retreat; try to hold the retreat earlier in the year; consider attendance almost mandatory since it’s one of the most critical BC functions; when recruiting BC members, have them reserve the date.

DISCUSSION

Georgi’s Return to Work (Georgi)

• She is approved for disability pay until June 8; will likely be full time after her July vacation.

• Her intent is to be more involved in the local spiritual community, e.g., participating in green church in the city & in a TESC interfaith forum on the soul & afterlife.

Employee Handbook

• Rescheduled for June.

Insurance for Laity (Anna)

• In future, the Diocese will require insurance and retirement accounts for employees just over part time and will give the right to participate in those benefits to those under part time; affects Susan B, Jan A., Susan U., and her assistant.

• No numbers yet, but instead of a salary increase, we could work toward an assured pension contribution of 10%; would be more equitable compensation.

• The Personnel Commission goal is to review policies annually; Chris will look through the Diocesan health & pension plan for laity for input to Anna.

Email Policy (Gretchen)

• There is no current policy, but to discourage use of the church email address list from being used for private purposes we need a distribution list.

• Larry will work on getting a distribution list.

• Regarding policy forms in general, there is an electronic template; need all the policies in a standard format, centrally located, also in BC binders and on the website.

Buildings and Grounds (Tom B.)

• MSA that Tom get bids for gutters.

The bids will be discussed at the June meeting.

• Will notify the Diocese that our septic system was inspected and is working fine.

• Anna and Tom will create a map showing the location of fire extinguishers.

DECISION

Other Items (Georgi)

• People’s Warden decision is scheduled for June

• Personnel Commission consists now of 2 members; 4-5 would be better

• BC will work on proposing 3-4 additional members.

Medical Relief Fund (Georgi & All)

• Determined that we would not delay help requested by a parishioner for immediate assistance with a rent shortfall (because of medical-related need) by going though the lengthy process of withdrawal from our medical funds. In this case it was agreed that a request for congregational help would be more appropriate and timely.

Treasurer’s Report (Anna)

• General Funds Income/Expenses spreadsheet shows additional income but there are still some negative numbers for expenses. She anticpates that the budget will balance by year’s end. The budget is balanced. We are looking at whether to put Altar guild funds in a mutual fund or in our regular checking account.

• Need to look at whether we can afford to leave earnings from endowments in mutual funds and whether, according to the signed bequest governing the Beulah Mock endowment, we could legally move the earnings to savings. Not locating the contract here, Georgi will call the Diocese to see whether they have it on file.

• A fireproof file drawer is needed for important documents.

• Suggested that earnings from the 2 big funds, building and Alkins, remain in investment funds, but that small account earnings be moved to savings. While our money practices are safe/pass audit, the earnings are income that should be accounted for in the budget. Need to talk to Judy Provencal about past decisions on fund location.

• Anna can post a simplified graph version of the budget; and Larry will include a narrative version in Benedictions.

• Building improvement needs identified at the retreat should go into a recommended timeline for budget planners this fall.

Good of the Order

• Georgi: Gary has asked to be excused from B.C. for personal reasons.

• Tim: Graduation Sunday is June 5; Larry: will post a signup.

Mary M.: Planted our raised-bed garden with dahlias; suffered winter-loss of all our roses except one.

Georgi closed the meeting with a prayer.

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes

April 12, 2011

Members present:

George Anne Boyle; Vicar,

Gretchen O’Connor; Vicar’s Warden,

Anna Crickmer Pitts; Treasurer

Tim Madden, Larry Frodsham, Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti, Gary Grewell, Anita Headley.

Members absent: Mike Akin,

Mary Riker, Andrea Weston-Smart, Mary Moore

Recorder: Nancy Zabel

Chris opened the meeting with a prayer

Formation: John 20:1-18

What are we missing at St. Benedict’s or what are we holding on to?

Minutes (Gretchen)

*** Moved, seconded and approved (MSA) to accept the March minutes as amended.

INFORMATION

Calendar/Upcoming Events (Georgi)

· Wed. is the last in the Lenten series

· Sat is Men’s breakfast

· Holy week next week with various services during the day and evening

· Monday, May 2 – leadership meeting

Did you know? (Gretchen)

• Fundraising? Guidelines need to be

looked at and fine tuned

• Perception – many people have stepped

up to support this community

Celebrations –Benedictions article (Larry) It will be up and running in May

Building Use forms (Larry)

It’s in progress

Church Email (Larry)

A policy is being written about how it can be used.

DISCUSSION

Annual Retreat (Gretchen)

April 29-May 1 St. Andrews House on Hood Canal. Gretchen took a verbal confirmation from everyone at the meeting. All 13 are confirmed.

Ants in the Pantry (Tom)

Notes were put around the kitchen to let people know the ant situation was being worked on – signs worked and no one called this week.
Looking at bulbs to replace bulbs that need to be dimmed.
Septic system was inspected –passed
Anna reported we almost have enough money to replace the gutters, maybe next month

Georgi’s Corner

Visiting her family in Tennessee and she’ll be away beginning June 26 to July 1^st. BC happily approved.

DECISION

Employee Handbook

Revised in July 2010 amended to: approved April 12, 2011

Moved, seconded, and approved (MSA)

Delegate Terms (Gretchen & Nancy)

Alternates: One male and one female for 1 year. Then they will move up to be delegates

Delegates: 2 males and 2 females to serve for 2 years.

After 3 years the top 2 delegates will go off.

Currently for 2011 convention:

Collie & Martha Liska
Tom Buckley & Janice Chandler

Alt -John Pitts & Mary Michael Garlichs

Mike Akin is writing up the plan and we will keep it in several locations: minutes, office computer.

Gretchen O’Connor was also elected but is not needed this year. She removed her name.

Ace Fire & Security Systems

MSA to approve $1375 from building maintenance funds to pay for continued maintenance of the wet system fire sprinkler.

Treasurer’s Report

Balance $16,670

Water to Wine goes until convention in Oct.

Donations have been given for 2 more stained glass windows

Leadership and Parochial reports are due

Discussion about insurance for lay employees – saved for retreat

Idea to have a class from Dave Ramsey, a financial expert – Financial Peace University. Anna will write a grant to the Alkins Scholarship Fund for funding

Good of the Order

Gary and Gen went to New Orleans and helped out at St. Paul Church

Gretchen gave thank you’s to specific people for their work and dedication

Opportunities to serve in our church are endless, start something

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes

March 15, 2011

Members present: Gretchen O’Connor,Vicar’s Warden; Becky Scott, Deacon; Tim Madden, Larry Frodsham, Michael Akin,

Mary Riker, Andrea Weston-Smart, Anita Headley.

Members absent: George Anne Boyle, Mary Moore, Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti, Gary Grewell, Anna Crickmer Pitts.

Recorder: Judy DeBuse.

Becky opened the meeting with a prayer from the Compline service.

Minutes (Gretchen)

*** Moved, seconded and approved (MSA) to accept the February minutes as amended.

INFORMATION

New BC Members (Gretchen)

• BC member notesbooks have been distributed.

Calendar/Upcoming Events (Georgi)

• March 20 is food handlers permit class. At least one member of each coffee group should attend. Mary R. will call Sue about it.

Report from Vestry/BC Meeting (Gretchen et al.)

• Mike, Gretchen, Tim and Mary Moore attended. Discussion topics included: 1) Openness of the altar, a national trend (St B is completely open); 2) Legal information; 3) Mission vs. parish; 4) Use of church email for private purposes.

Did you know… (Gretchen)

• Originally intended for bulletin but is putting it into the BC minutes as a strategy to invite others to read the minutes.

For example, Did you know that the stained glass windows are financed entirely through donations? The 4^th stained glass window is donated in memory of Ann Elizabeth Liska and her 4 grandparents.

DISCUSSION

Supply Clergy for Easter: Panorama (Becky)

• St. B., which formerly had several supply clergy to assist with church holidays, now faces a shortage. One is needed for Panorama for Easter and Palm Sunday; are there funds budgeted?

• Becky will contact Anna about supply clergy funds.

Building Use – Process (Larry)

• The form used to request use of building facilities needs revision, especially to clarify date(s) needed. Also, approval for use should be an executive decision (e.g., Jan).

Celebrations – New Benedictions Article

(Larry)

• Will integrate information about both services, since the congregation tends to get information only from the service attended. Forms are available for the Celebrations box.

B.C. Retreat (Gretchen)

• The annual retreat will be on a weekend in May or June, from Friday evening to Sunday after service.

• Location possibilities include Camp Huston, Dumas Bay & St. Andrew’s House on Hood Canal.

• Mike A. will call St. Andrew’s about cost and available dates.

Leaks and Pantry Ants (Tim & Gretchen)

• Leak: Anna & Tom are working on the problem; may be condensation or a roof leak.

• Ants are a concern in the kitchen, and also the sacristy.

• Gretchen will call Tom to find out the process and cost of getting an exterior spray

to stop the ants at the source.

DECISION

Use of St. B email (All)

• Per Feb. 8 email, the proposed St. B. email policy would be to send non-church-related business to the Sr. or Jr. Warden for possible approval. The St. B. email list is private; not for personal or business use.

• This statement of email use must be added

to the church policy. Larry will make the addition/correction in the policy and email

it to B.C. for a decision in April.

Employee Handbook (All)

• Not all B.C. members have been able to

read the proposed updates to the Employee Handbook, and Chris isn’t present to answer questions, so the vote will be in April.

Treasurer’s Report

• Anna (not present) is working to reduce

the printed monthly report to a 1-page document. For the bank, she requests

approval of Ingrid Shoemaker as German ministry treasurer. (German ministry funds

are not in our budget, but since they meet here, the treasurer must be legally approved.)

*** MSA to approve Ingrid Shoemaker as German ministry treasurer.

• Will vote in April on the proposal to

approve $1375 from building maintenance funds to pay Ace Fire & Security Systems

for continued maintenance of the wet system fire sprinkler.

• Amazon refused the St. B. online Lenten book order, rejecting our credit card. Is it reloadable through the credit union? Add to the April agenda if needed.

Convention delegates

• A letter from Nancy Zabel informs BC that Wallapa Regional Ministry requests (a) $50 yearly to the regional ministry (pd.); (b) $150 per delegate and/or alternate for food, lodging & travel (a budget line item for 2 delegates).

• B.C. needs information about the identity & terms of past & present delegates. It will be a topic for future discussion.

* Nancy, Jan A. & Georgi will be able to get a list of names beginning with last year, possibly further back.

• Mike A. will develop a spreadsheet with delegate information.

Good of the Order

• Gretchen: Thanks to Becky for being here.

Martha Liska is taking a sabbatical from leadership of Sunday formation, so a replacement for her is needed.

Concerned about Andrew Shirota and his friends and family in Japan.

Proposes a timeline of our history for newcomers as a sign of inclusiveness

Requests that congregation honor clergy taking time off by not sending church-related email.

Remember the soup suppers; next B.C. meeting is April 12.

• Becky: The Bishop continues to send information about Japanese congregations and how they are affected by the disaster.

• Mike: Working on connectivity between St. B. computers using Church Windows software, and the office staff computers.

Becky closed the meeting with a prayer.

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes

February 8, 2011

Members present: George Anne Boyle, Vicar; Tim Madden, acting Vicar's Warden; Anna Crickmer Pitts,Treasurer; Larry Frodsham, Michael Akin, Andrea Weston-Smart, Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti, Anita Headley, Mary Riker, Gary Grewell.

Members absent: Gretchen O'Connor, Mary Moore.

Recorder: Judy DeBuse.

Gary opened the meeting with a prayer.

Formation/Orientation (Georgi)

From Beyond Business as Usual—3 wishes

for St. B.

Minutes (Tim)

*** Moved, seconded and approved (MSA)

to accept the Jamuary minutes as amended.

INFORMATION

Calendar/Upcoming Events (Georgi)

• Wednesday soup supper sign-ups out; lining up facilitators.

• For the March meeting all should bring calendars to schedule the BC retreat, probably in May.

• February 11, 9-10 am, John Van Eenwyck will talk about skills for working with those with mental health issues.

Leadershp Meeting Feb. 15 (Tim)

• Ministry heads will work on the program calendar; BC is encouraged to attend.

Meetings will probably be monthly.

Did you know… (Tim)

• Gretchen will continue to add the interest item to Benedictions.

DISCUSSION

Annual Meeting (Tim)

• The presentation of budget information months in advance resulted in fewer questions more effective use of meeting time.

New B. C. & Delegates (Tim)

• No update or information on delegates

Employee Handbook – March (Chris)

• Will be emailed; all need to read it.

• The site of the official electronic copy, for now, will be the office computer, with the backup located elsewhere.

Use of St. B. Email List (Tim)

• Suggested directive: Unless directly related to church business, email goes first to the Senior or Junior Warden.

• Vote will be in the March meeting.

DECISION

Wine to Water Fundraiser (All)

• Tony’s proposed fundraising for the ERD Lenten project to assist 3^rd world countries increase safe water supplies would happen at existing events (Shrove Tuesday, etc.). No new fundraising events would occur.

••• MSA to approve Tony’s fundraising for Wine to Water.

Budget Approval Vote (Anna)

••• MSA to approve the 2011 budget for St. B.

Treasurer’s Report (Anna)

• With $26,00-$32,000 to the good, and one+ month operating expenses, we can pay our bills (though not the Diocesan assessment).

• The printed monthly report will be available after our tax documents are in.

Good of the Order

• Gary: (1) Suggested reducing paper costs by printing smaller service bulletins.

Anna will bring benefits vs. drawbacks for printing costs to the March meeting.

(2) Can St. B go on the PSE budget program to even out our energy costs throughout the year? Anna: We have no predictable standard income so if we take the bills as they come, we can monitor spending.

• Andrea: What can be done about the leak in the kitchen ceiling? Anna: With the metal roof, water travels along the ribs; can’t tell where it’s comg from; could be condensation. There is no warrenty for the roof so to repair/replace it is a big expense.

• Mike: Several people have been trained in updating different web areas but so far it’s not happening, e.g., updates of ideas from the Commnications Cafes. and follow-up for the Facebook posting. For the March meeting, B.C. need to write up ideas and email to Gretchen.

• Anna: How is Forward Day by Day purchased?

• Georgi: A donor is willing to pay for Forward. Names of new B.C.members will be added to the hallway mailbox.

Mary R. closed the meeting with a prayer.

St. Benedict Annual Meeting Notes

January 30, 2011

Members present:

Tim Madden - Vicar’s Warden,

Gretchen O’Connor - People’s Warden

Rev. George Anne Boyle -Vicar

About 52 Members of St. Benedict attending

Recorder: Nancy Zabel

Opening prayer

Meeting called to order by Tim Madden

Respectful communication guidelines: read by Georgi

Agreement to abide by those rules.

Appointment of the recording clerk

Nancy Zabel - accepted

Elections: - Tim Madden

Treasurer

Motion to accept Anna Crickmer as our new treasurer - motion passed

Bishop’s Committee

Thank you to those members going off – Peggy Carmichael & Gary Grewell

Those wanting to be on the Bishop’s committee: Mike Akin, Larry Fordsham, Anita Headley, Andrea Weston-Smart

Motion to accept– passed

Nominations from the floor

Mary Moore

Motion to accept - passed

Delegates

Going off with our thank you- Gary Grewell, Lee Irving, Nancy Zabel (now Regional Convener)

Currently: Tom Buckley, Janice Chandler, Collie Liska, Martha Liska

Motion to accept Gretchen O’Connor, John Pitts, Mary Michael Garlich - passed

David Alkins Scholarship fund

Going off Lucy Reuter -Thank you

Motion to accept Bob Wilson on the David Alkins Scholarship Committee - passed

Collie Liska – stepping down after 10 years as our treasurer. Presentation of the Duck of the Lord Award – Georgi (keeping us afloat. Problems rolled off him like water off a duck’s back.) Final comments from Collie – thank you to his volunteers and his time as treasurer.

2011 Budget – Anna Crickmer & Cindy Burnes

Currently pledged -v$186, 000 (72 pledging units). 95% of what we were hoping for so budget had to be cut again. 24 people who give but do not pledge.

Thank you for generous donations from individuals for specific areas of our ministry last year, we need the same this year.

Pledging helps us look ahead and plan for our needs – like electricity. Please consider pledging. You can always adjust if needed.

Information

Sunday Adult Formation – Martha Liska

Formation offerings are available in the hall.

Lenten soup suppers – sign up in the

hall. Please offer to cook.

Tony Irving will be having a fundraiser

for our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. Money will go to Water into Wine program.

Open Questions from the Congregation

Copier cost less this year? Yes, Collie did a great job of finding us a new lease.

Electrical bills going down because of Tom’s work with Puget Power

Introduction of Fran and Larry Frodsham as our office volunteers

Size of our bulletin font size smaller? No, Booklet needs to be divisible by 4 for copier printing so changing font size will not make a difference.

Thank you to Andrew who stepped in when Georgi was gone.

Hooray for Georgi being back!

Thank you to Tim Madden who has been the Sr. Warden for 2 years.

*Announcement as Gretchen O’Connor as the new Sr. Warden for 2011 - 2012

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes (as approved at the January 12, 2011 meeting)

December 14, 2010

Members present: Tim Madden, Vicar's Warden; Gretchen O'Connor, People’s

Warden; Collie Liska, Treasurer; Peggy Carmichael, Anna Crickmer-Pitts, Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti, Gary Grewell

Members absent: George Anne Boyle, Vicar; Mary Riker, Lee Irving.

Guests: Tom Buckley, Mike Akin.

Recorder: Nancy Zabel

Gretchen opened the meeting with a prayer.

Formation (Peggy)

Lectio Divina - Matthew 1:18-25

Minutes (Tim)

***MSA to accept the November minutes as amended.

Minutes will be posted on the website and in the next Benedictions.

Our Vicar’s Return

Georgi will return Sunday, January 9^th

INFORMATION

Calendar/Upcoming Events (Tim)

December 18 - Community dinner 3PM

Men’s breakfast is canceled for December

December 24 - Christmas Eve 5:30 and 10:30

December 25 – Regular services

December 26 – Lessons and Carols 10:30 only

January 6th – Epiphany service

January 30 – Annual Meeting 9:00(between services)

Transition Team (Peggy)

They began production of the new directory. New copier is doing really well. They are expected to be handed out Christmas Eve.

2011 Budget Update/Stewardship (Collie/Anna)

Good news. Anna talked to Joan Anthony about our diocesan assessment. Extra money we get beyond what we have budgeted will be sent to the Diocese.
Diocese understands our situation and considers us in good standing. Could get a loan for 3.5% to do capital improvements. Payments would be about $500 a month.
Tom had a technician come in and assess the furnaces and thermostats. He replaced the thermostat in the sanctuary. It starts the system up gradually and it’s on fewer hours. We should see a lower heat bill. Currently system is heating cold air and we need baffles. Discussion to present information to the congregation and decide whether we want to apply for a loan to do the work.

Did you know? (Gretchen)

Getting out information to the congregation.

Gretchen will find out the answer and put it into the weekly bulletin. She’ll start in January. If someone wants to ask a question they can drop a note in her box.

Annual Meeting

January 30^th. 9:00 (between services) It should run about an hour.

New Bishop’s Committee Members & Delegates

We need 7 members next year.

Current members going off:

Jan 2011 –Anna (she is becoming the treasurer), Lee, Peggy

Jan 2012 Mary, Tim, Gretchen

Jan 2013 Chris, Gary

2 people are going off as delegates.

Andrew Shirota

He will be moving to Vancouver Canada to be the priest in a church there until his Visa is amended. Canada accepts church workers without a visa. When his application is accepted he will go to Lansing, Michigan where a church has called him.

Letter of Support for Sheila (Tim)

Tim read the letter to the Bishop about recommending Sheila as a priest and the Bishop’s Committee signed it. It will be sent to the Bishop.

DISCUSSION

Georgi’s housing allowance (Collie)

Parsonage Allowance Resolution as required by the IRS.

*** MSA to accept Parsonage Allowance Resolution for George Anne Boyle

Treasurer’s Report (Collie)

Diocese is contributing a 70% of Georgi’s salary for disability – not counting benefits.

We will finish the year spending under our budget on electricity. We are in good shape except for our unpaid assessment.

Good of the Order

Tom is happy with the improvement to our building’s energy. We are happily saving money.

Happy with all the newcomers that we have had recently.

Collie going on vacation. He is also has been appointed by the Bishop for the board to directors – the corporation of the Diocese.

Gary closed with a prayer.

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes (as approved at the December 14, 2010 meeting)

November 9, 2010

Members present: Tim Madden, Vicar's Warden; Gretchen O'Connor, People’s

Warden; Collie Liska, Treasurer; Peggy Carmichael, Anna Crickmer Pitts, Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti, Mary Riker, Lee Irving.

Members absent: George Anne Boyle, Vicar; Gary Grewell.

Guest: Tom Buckley, Mike Akin

Recorder: Judy DeBuse.

Lee opened the meeting with a prayer.

Minutes (Tim)

***MSA to accept the October minutes as amended.

INFORMATION

Calendar/Upcoming Events (Tim)

• Nov. 20, am: Men’s breakfast; pm: Community dinner & Food Bank

• Nov. 24, 7:30pm Thanksgiving service at St. B; Nov. 25, Thanksgiving dinner

• Dec.10 & 18 (w/Community dinner): Food Bank; Dec 22, German ministry

• Dec. 24, 5:30 pm & 10:30 pm: Christmas Eve services; Dec. 25, 10 am, Christmas service; Dec. 26, 10 am (1 service): Lessons & Carols

• Jan. 6, 7:30 pm: Epiphany celebration

Transition Team (Peggy/Gretchen)

(see Benedictions. p.19: News from the T.Team) --Projects--

• Calendar for booking rooms: Near completion.

• Leadership series: Nearly all ministries have their leadership descriptions available for distribution.

• Website: Dave M will facilitate a group to work on website management.

• Directory: (see handout on phone directory process) Recommend that it be 8.5 x 11”, in color w/plastic cover. Preferable to print in house though present copier has cost & maintenance issues. Suggested new copier would be faster, produce better color & quality, and cheaper (about 16% savings per copy & $600 vs. $680/mo.) Available in days; no data on reliability. Collie will find out if there’s a cost to change contract. Issue: Directory funding is not in the budget but may become available.

***MSA to move forward with the printing of the directory following the recommendation of the Transition Team, option 2.

***MSA to initiate an email vote on leasing a new copier prior to printing the directory, once Collie is sure there is no contract problem.

2011 Budget Update (Collie/Anna)

(Handout: 2011 Proposed Budget Draft)

• Cash flow issue: need to stop paying more on the Diocesan assessment than we voted; no pressure to pay more.

• The Diocese mandates a vicar salary increase of 2% and 1.4% for other staff next year; need to add to the budget.

***MSA to increase the Vicar’s salary 2%

***MSA to increase salaries of music, youth and nursery staff by 1.4% in 2011.

• Capital improvements not recommended (ceiling problem may be condensation, not a leak). Deferred maintenance, especially gutter replacement, needs attention.

• Collie is working on funding for supply clergy; Cindy will create a pledge chart.

Telephone System Installed (Collie)

• The new system is working but we still need to get the recording system up for service/schedule/contact information.

• Collie will ask for new email addresses & phone numbers in the service bulletin & Benedictions.

DISCUSSION

Lent Program (Tim)

• Martha will coordinate the Wed. eve. adult class; soup will be needed.

• Need a Sunday adult formation class leader.

Annual Meeting Committee Reports

& New B.C. Members (Tim)

• The meeting is January 30 at 9 am; reports are due Jan.1. Tim will email a reminder to ministries.

• Five B.C. members are returning; up to 7 more can be elected at the meeting.

Hiring Andrew for Dec. & Jan. (Tim)

• Will confirm Robin Luethe as supply priest for Nov. using $1500 from the pension fund (see handout on compensation/mileage for Rev. Luethe).

• Andrew will be available Dec. & Jan.; if we hire him half time, $6200 will be available.

• Having Andrew assures better planning for the Christmas season and continuity if Georgi returns.

***MSA to hire Andrew Shirota half time for December and January.

Treaurer’s Report (Collie)

• St. B. will make no more assessment payments this year to the Diocese.

Stained Glass

• The new windows will be blessed 21 November; Shirley Ryder will be present.

Buildings & Grounds Report (Tom B)

(handout: Notes from B. & G.)

• The emergency light system is now compliant with code; the power box is now locked & secure; the HVAC system is being monitored; the PSE program has not reduced energy costs.

• Need a proposal for security cameras from Tom.

Good of the Order

• Anna: Cooks for the Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 25 need food handler’s licenses; looking for places to put on dinners for the homeless.

Gretchen closed with a prayer.

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes

November 9, 2010

Members present: Tim Madden, Vicar's Warden; Gretchen O'Connor, People’s

Warden; Collie Liska, Treasurer; Peggy Carmichael, Anna Crickmer Pitts, Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti, Mary Riker, Lee Irving.

Members absent: George Anne Boyle, Vicar; Gary Grewell.

Guest: Tom Buckley, Mike Akin

Recorder: Judy DeBuse.

Lee opened the meeting with a prayer.

Minutes (Tim)

***MSA to accept the October minutes as amended.

INFORMATION

Calendar/Upcoming Events (Tim)

• Nov. 20, am: Men’s breakfast; pm: Community dinner & Food Bank

• Nov. 24, 7:30pm Thanksgiving service at St. B; Nov. 25, Thanksgiving dinner

• Dec.10 & 18 (w/Community dinner): Food Bank; Dec 22, German ministry

• Dec. 24, 5:30 pm & 10:30 pm: Christmas Eve services; Dec. 25, 10 am, Christmas service; Dec. 26, 10 am (1 service): Lessons & Carols

• Jan. 6, 7:30 pm: Epiphany celebration

Transition Team (Peggy/Gretchen)

(see Benedictions. p.19: News from the T.Team) --Projects--

• Calendar for booking rooms: Near completion.

• Leadership series: Nearly all ministries have their leadership descriptions available for distribution.

• Website: Dave M will facilitate a group to work on website management.

***MSA to move forward with the printing of the directory following the recommendation of the Transition Team, option 2.

***MSA to initiate an email vote on leasing a new copier prior to printing the directory, once Collie is sure there is no contract problem.

2011 Budget Update (Collie/Anna)

(Handout: 2011 Proposed Budget Draft)

• Cash flow issue: need to stop paying more on the Diocesan assessment than we voted; no pressure to pay more.

• The Diocese mandates a vicar salary increase of 2% and 1.4% for other staff next year; need to add to the budget.

***MSA to increase the Vicar’s salary 2%

***MSA to increase salaries of music, youth and nursery staff by 1.4% in 2011.

• Capital improvements not recommended (ceiling problem may be condensation, not a leak). Deferred maintenance, especially gutter replacement, needs attention.

• Collie is working on funding for supply clergy; Cindy will create a pledge chart.

Telephone System Installed (Collie)

• The new system is working but we still need to get the recording system up for service/schedule/contact information.

• Collie will ask for new email addresses & phone numbers in the service bulletin & Benedictions.

DISCUSSION

Lent Program (Tim)

• Martha will coordinate the Wed. eve. adult class; soup will be needed.

• Need a Sunday adult formation class leader.

Annual Meeting Committee Reports

& New B.C. Members (Tim)

• The meeting is January 30 at 9 am; reports are due Jan.1. Tim will email a reminder to ministries.

• Five B.C. members are returning; up to 7 more can be elected at the meeting.

Hiring Andrew for Dec. & Jan. (Tim)

• Will confirm Robin Luethe as supply priest for Nov. using $1500 from the pension fund (see handout on compensation/mileage for Rev. Luethe).

• Andrew will be available Dec. & Jan.; if we hire him half time, $6200 will be available.

• Having Andrew assures better planning for the Christmas season and continuity if Georgi returns.

***MSA to hire Andrew half time for December and January.

Treaurer’s Report (Collie)

• St. B. will make no more payments this year to the Diocese.

Stained Glass

• The new windows will be blessed 21 November; Shirley Ryder will be present.

Buildings & Grounds Report (Tom B)

(handout: Notes from B. & G.)

• The emergency light system is now compliant with code; the power box is now locked & secure; the HVAC system is being monitored; the PSE program has not reduced energy costs.

• Need a proposal for security cameras from Tom.

Good of the Order

• Anna: Cooks for the Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 25 need food handler’s licenses; looking for places to put on dinners for the homeless.

Gretchen closed with a prayer.

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes

November 9, 2010

Members present: Tim Madden, Vicar's Warden; Gretchen O'Connor, People’s

Warden; Collie Liska, Treasurer; Peggy Carmichael, Anna Crickmer Pitts, Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti, Mary Riker, Lee Irving.

Members absent: George Anne Boyle, Vicar; Gary Grewell.

Guest: Tom Buckley, Mike Akin

Recorder: Judy DeBuse.

Lee opened the meeting with a prayer.

Minutes (Tim)

***MSA to accept the October minutes as amended.

INFORMATION

Calendar/Upcoming Events (Tim)

• Nov. 20, am: Men’s breakfast; pm: Community dinner & Food Bank

• Nov. 24, 7:30pm Thanksgiving service at St. B; Nov. 25, Thanksgiving dinner

• Dec.10 & 18 (w/Community dinner): Food Bank; Dec 22, German ministry

• Dec. 24, 5:30 pm & 10:30 pm: Christmas Eve services; Dec. 25, 10 am, Christmas service; Dec. 26, 10 am (1 service): Lessons & Carols

• Jan. 6, 7:30 pm: Epiphany celebration

Transition Team (Peggy/Gretchen)

(see Benedictions. p.19: News from the T.Team) --Projects--

• Calendar for booking rooms: Near completion.

• Leadership series: Nearly all ministries have their leadership descriptions available for distribution.

• Website: Dave M will facilitate a group to work on website management.

***MSA to move forward with the printing of the directory following the recommendation of the Transition Team, option 2.

***MSA to initiate an email vote on leasing a new copier prior to printing the directory, once Collie is sure there is no contract problem.

2011 Budget Update (Collie/Anna)

(Handout: 2011 Proposed Budget Draft)

• Cash flow issue: need to stop paying more on the Diocesan assessment than we voted; no pressure to pay more.

• The Diocese mandates a vicar salary increase of 2% and 1.4% for other staff next year; need to add to the budget.

***MSA to increase the Vicar’s salary 2%

***MSA to increase salaries of music, youth and nursery staff by 1.4% in 2011.

• Capital improvements not recommended (ceiling problem may be condensation, not a leak). Deferred maintenance, especially gutter replacement, needs attention.

• Collie is working on funding for supply clergy; Cindy will create a pledge chart.

Telephone System Installed (Collie)

• The new system is working but we still need to get the recording system up for service/schedule/contact information.

• Collie will ask for new email addresses & phone numbers in the service bulletin & Benedictions.

DISCUSSION

Lent Program (Tim)

• Martha will coordinate the Wed. eve. adult class; soup will be needed.

• Need a Sunday adult formation class leader.

Annual Meeting Committee Reports

& New B.C. Members (Tim)

• The meeting is January 30 at 9 am; reports are due Jan.1. Tim will email a reminder to ministries.

• Five B.C. members are returning; up to 7 more can be elected at the meeting.

Hiring Andrew for Dec. & Jan. (Tim)

• Will confirm Robin Luethe as supply priest for Nov. using $1500 from the pension fund (see handout on compensation/mileage for Rev. Luethe).

• Andrew will be available Dec. & Jan.; if we hire him half time, $6200 will be available.

• Having Andrew assures better planning for the Christmas season and continuity if Georgi returns.

***MSA to hire Andrew half time for December and January.

Treaurer’s Report (Collie)

• St. B. will make no more payments this year to the Diocese.

Stained Glass

• The new windows will be blessed 21 November; Shirley Ryder will be present.

Buildings & Grounds Report (Tom B)

(handout: Notes from B. & G.)

• The emergency light system is now compliant with code; the power box is now locked & secure; the HVAC system is being monitored; the PSE program has not reduced energy costs.

• Need a proposal for security cameras from Tom.

Good of the Order

• Anna: Cooks for the Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 25 need food handler’s licenses; looking for places to put on dinners for the homeless.

Gretchen closed with a prayer.

Bishop's Committee Meeting Notes

November 9, 2010

Members present: Tim Madden, Vicar's Warden; Gretchen O'Connor, People’s

Warden; Collie Liska, Treasurer; Peggy Carmichael, Anna Crickmer Pitts, Chris Rasmussen-Barsanti, Mary Riker, Lee Irving.

Members absent: George Anne Boyle, Vicar; Gary Grewell.

Guest: Tom Buckley, Mike Akin

Recorder: Judy DeBuse.

Lee opened the meeting with a prayer.

Minutes (Tim)

***MSA to accept the October minutes as amended.

INFORMATION

Calendar/Upcoming Events (Tim)

• Nov. 20, am: Men’s breakfast; pm: Community dinner & Food Bank

• Nov. 24, 7:30pm Thanksgiving service at St. B; Nov. 25, Thanksgiving dinner

• Dec.10 & 18 (w/Community dinner): Food Bank; Dec 22, German ministry

• Dec. 24, 5:30 pm & 10:30 pm: Christmas Eve services; Dec. 25, 10 am, Christmas service; Dec. 26, 10 am (1 service): Lessons & Carols

• Jan. 6, 7:30 pm: Epiphany celebration

Transition Team (Peggy/Gretchen)

(see Benedictions. p.19: News from the T.Team) --Projects--

• Calendar for booking rooms: Near completion.

• Leadership series: Nearly all ministries have their leadership descriptions available for distribution.

• Website: Dave M will facilitate a group to work on website management.

***MSA to move forward with the printing of the directory following the recommendation of the Transition Team, option 2.

***MSA to initiate an email vote on leasing a new copier prior to printing the directory, once Collie is sure there is no contract problem.

2011 Budget Update (Collie/Anna)

(Handout: 2011 Proposed Budget Draft)

• Cash flow issue: need to stop paying more on the Diocesan assessment than we voted; no pressure to pay more.

• The Diocese mandates a vicar salary increase of 2% and 1.4% for other staff next year; need to add to the budget.

***MSA to increase the Vicar’s salary 2%

***MSA to increase salaries of music, youth and nursery staff by 1.4% in 2011.

• Capital improvements not recommended (ceiling problem may be condensation, not a leak). Deferred maintenance, especially gutter replacement, needs attention.

• Collie is working on funding for supply clergy; Cindy will create a pledge chart.

Telephone System Installed (Collie)

• The new system is working but we still need to get the recording system up for service/schedule/contact information.

• Collie will ask for new email addresses & phone numbers in the service bulletin & Benedictions.

DISCUSSION

Lent Program (Tim)

• Martha will coordinate the Wed. eve. adult class; soup will be needed.

• Need a Sunday adult formation class leader.

Annual Meeting Committee Reports

& New B.C. Members (Tim)

• The meeting is January 30 at 9 am; reports are due Jan.1. Tim will email a reminder to ministries.

• Five B.C. members are returning; up to 7 more can be elected at the meeting.

Hiring Andrew for Dec. & Jan. (Tim)

• Will confirm Robin Luethe as supply priest for Nov. using $1500 from the pension fund (see handout on compensation/mileage for Rev. Luethe).

• Andrew will be available Dec. & Jan.; if we hire him half time, $6200 will be available.

• Having Andrew assures better planning for the Christmas season and continuity if Georgi returns.

***MSA to hire Andrew half time for December and January.

Treaurer’s Report (Collie)

• St. B. will make no more payments this year to the Diocese.

Stained Glass

• The new windows will be blessed 21 November; Shirley Ryder will be present.

Buildings & Grounds Report (Tom B)

(handout: Notes from B. & G.)

• The emergency light system is now compliant with code; the power box is now locked & secure; the HVAC system is being monitored; the PSE program has not reduced energy costs.

• Need a proposal for security cameras from Tom.

Good of the Order

• Anna: Cooks for the Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 25 need food handler’s licenses; looking for places to put on dinners for the homeless.

Gretchen closed with a prayer.