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December

In attendance: The Rev. Bob Hart, Chris Goss, Nancy Lehnert, Mary Jo Searles, Serge Danielson-Francois, Pete Kenney, Sue Bennett.

Not in attendance: Larry Crane, Paul Vandevert, Shirley Wever.

Guests: Matt Sallman, Mike DeGuire, Toby Hines

Opening prayer: The Rev. Bob Hart opened the meeting with a prayer.

Bible study: The Bible verse for study, Philippians 4:6-7, was read and discussed.

Timekeeper selection: Sue Bennett volunteered.

Approval of November minutes: Approved as submitted.

Approval of agenda: Mary Jo Searles added her report on projects of the Property Commission. Agenda was accepted with time set for each item.

Guest business:

Treasurer’s report: Matt Sallman reported that there was a reasonable amount of income for November, and everything looked good. There was some discussion of expenses. The Rev. Bob Hart added that he had called the law firm to check on the rest of the Bergeron bequest. The treasure’s report was approved as received.

Commission of the month: Investment
Mike DeGuire discussed the policy regarding the disposition of Planned Gifts. He explained the Bergeron Fund is a stand-alone fund; however, when the final bequest of $124,000 is received by the church, it and other such “undesignated” gifts will be distributed in this manner: 10 percent will go to one of the invested funds held by the Diocese of Michigan; 5 percent will go to the operating budget, subject to the limitation that no more than 10 percent of the operating budget shall be funded by undesignated gifts, in which case the excess would go to the Capital Improvements Fund; 10 percent will go to the Capital Improvements Fund; and 75 percent will go to the Undesignated Investments Fund.
Regarding the Undesignated Bequest Fund, he said the committee favored moving $50,000 from the Comerica Money Market to the Ford Interest Advantage Fund because of the more favorable interest rates.
He also said the Investment Committee would create an updated brochure on planned giving.
He requested that the Investment Committee be on the Vestry agenda four times a year to coincide with each financial quarter – March, June, September and December.

Old business:
Search Committee report: In Larry Crane’s absence, the Rev. Bob Hart said the Search Committee had received the names of 17 applicants.

Parish Improvement update: Pete Kinney reported $150,000 in pledges so far. There was some discussion with suggestions on how to keep the Parish aware of the moneys and the ways they are being spent. The Rev. Bob Hart added that the Parish would be invited to walk through the rectory to view the improvements at a future date.

Vestry recruitment: Chris Goss said Jane Culp, Mike DeGuire and Scott Steiner have committed. There are three slots to fill.

Stewardship: Sue Bennett announced she will be introducing stewardship to youths in the church in 2011. Mike DeGuire added that there have been 111 pledge responses amounting to $280,951. He expects those numbers to grow.

Homeless shelter event: Chris Goss reported that she and Edwina Simpson would co-chair the two-day event in January.

New business:

Mission Statement and Core Values: Sue Bennett moved to adopt the new Mission Statement; Mary Jo Searles seconded. The motion passed. Sue Bennett moved to adopt the new Core Values; Mary Jo Searles seconded. Following a discussion, the motion passed.

Vestry and Finance meeting days and times: It was decided to postpone this decision until after new Vestry members are installed.

Property Committee: Mary Jo Searles reported on three new projects coming up: replacing the air conditioning in the lounge; arranging for the rector’s office to be painted, along with touch-ups in the fellowship hall; providing wireless Internet for all three floors of the building. The money is coming from the Parish Improvement Fund.

Finance Commission on projected budget income: Toby Hines offered a preliminary report on income projections for 2011. She was optimistic the church was on track. She said the church is overdue for an outside audit. There was discussion on how to pay for the audit. The Rev. Bob Hart added that a new outside audit is crucial for an incoming rector.

Rector’s report: Regarding personnel, the Rev. Bob Hart said he was meeting with wardens and the Property Committee to discuss the upkeep of the church in light of sexton Bob Smith’s illness and upcoming retirement.

Business for next Vestry meeting: Discussion of “welcoming and affirming” in the Core Values; the list of churches welcoming to the GLBT community – gay, lesbian bisexual, transgender -- in Michigan; the 2011 budget.

Group observation: None were mentioned.

Closing prayer: It was said by the Rev. Bob Hart.

Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Silfven
Recording secretary