Vestry08

OPENING PRAYER AND SIGNING OF ATTENDANCE SHEET

The Rev. Tony Harvey opened the meeting with prayer and welcomed everyone present. An attendance sheet was circulated and signed by 49 people.

ELECTION OF VESTRY CLERK

Nomination of Vestry Clerk: Debbie Wolowicz

Moved: Steven Irwin; seconded: Alf Gill; accepted.

Motion: to accept agenda as presented; moved: Steven Irwin; seconded: Walter March; motion carried.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2007 VESTRY

Fr Tony apologized for asking people to read minutes and reports online; did not mean to inconvenience anyone; he explained we are trying to be good stewards by not wasting paper.

Motion: to adopt minutes of last year's meeting; moved: John Gomes; seconded: Milt Hadden; motion carried.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES - None

RECTOR'S REPORT

The Rector's Report was available on the church website prior to the vestry meeting.

RECEPTION OF REPORTS

All reports were available on the church website for consultation prior to the vestry meeting. Fr Tony thanked everyone for the work done last year.

Motion: to receive the reports that were available on the church website; moved: Melanie Hill; seconded: Andy Hum; motion carried.

Roger Spack asked the wardens for an update on the proposed rental to Mothering Matters. Don MacDonald explained that although they have our approval to proceed, the organizers are experiencing difficulty in finalizing their plan. Should the subject arise again in the future, the congregation will be advised.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Chris Bayly asked to say something first. Presented points on diocesan budget passed at Synod. $200,000 proposed deficit is less than in previous years. Revenue in 2008 budget shows an increase of $400,000 in revenue. Largest chunk is from investments, but the market is not doing well so this is a cause for concern. Expenses: 39% in administration plus other expenses = 57% for a non-profit organization. Chris voted against the budget.

Marilyn Wray spoke as well. She said we need to look at the partnership between the diocese and St. Mike's. We also need to consider the financial mess inherited from previous bishop. There is now more openness. There is an existing criticism about the "head office" or administration. A better job needs to be done at the level of partnership and especially about or in the area of missions. The high cost of administration represents good quality of staff, which brings in a lot of volunteers. There are things we need to demand.

Roger Spack commented that the budget philosophy is to continue on as we are going. He doesn't see the salaries giving us much. He thinks we should cut off some money to the diocese.

Brian O'Connor as envelope secretary said income tax receipts would be ready next week. There are 106 people with envelopes; 13 committed givers that give 50% of our operating budget.

The new Building Fund covered the water leak at the rectory and the balcony crack.

Treasurer's Report for 2007 was presented by Dominick Merle.

Although there was a projected deficit for 2007, we closed the year with a $2,554 profit. 2007 was up from 2006. Presented actual 2007, the proposed budget for 2008, and the difference. Dominick explained how the budget amounts were calculated. Pledges have not worked for us in the past. GST and PST refund is down from 2007 because of the roof repair in 2007. Outreach is generally 10% of revenue.

Motion: to accept all audited financial reports for 2007; moved: Brian Hammond; seconded: Marilyn Wray; motion carried.

PRESENTATION OF 2008 BUDGET

Budget reviewed item by item.

Income:

In 2008 we need to rely on the revenue from FundScrip, Nearly New Sales, and Victorian Tea; expenses cannot be reduced enough to do without them. Continued and increased support of FundScrip will lessen our dependence on the Nearly New Sales and Victorian Tea revenues.

Expenses:

3% increase for Carole, Trevor, and Jean. New vestments were pegged to Altar Guild account. Small increase in music account regarding the organ; we need to decide how much we will continue to put into the upkeep of the organ. GST and PST a bit high because of the parish retreat in 2007. Graphs were presented showing the percentage of our income and expenses. Total outreach is 16%; used to be 10%.

A vote of thanks to Dominick for his hard work proposed by Brian Hammond and seconded by Marilyn Wray.

Motion: to accept the 2008 budget; moved: Marilyn Wray; seconded: Pat Hammond; against: Tom McNair; motion carried.

ADOPTION OF 2008 BUDGET

Motion: to make an amendment to the budget for 2008; moved: Tom McNair, seconded: Brian Hammond; motion carried.

Mission amount is an amount suggested to us by the diocese. Roger says most of this amount goes to salaries; Marilyn will clarify as to what it includes. A discussion about Parish Mission Commitment followed. Chris proposed we don't give the amount the diocese suggested and ask them where we can send the money instead.

Motion: John Gomes moved we follow Chris' proposal; seconded: Tom McNair.

The issue is more about our lack of trust not how the diocese uses the money. Very little goes to the missions with most going to salaries. Roger spoke about how the diocese is supporting itself and going downhill. He says there is no real vision and leadership. He suggests that in making this payment we will not make a difference, but we will send a very small message to the diocese that we are not satisfied with how things are being run.

Motion: to remove $4,000 of diocese mission and put it into Outreach Ministry; we change the category of the $4,000 from the mission commitment to St. Mike's Outreach Ministry; moved: Roger Spack; seconded: John Gomes; 19 in favour; 27 against; motion denied.

Motion: to vote on budget as presented;

Issue of trust needs to be brought to bishop's attention and diocesan council's attention. Why were we refused a grant when another parish received one? Fr Tony will ask the archdeacon to get the name of the church.

REPORT FROM NOMINATING COMMITTEE & ELECTIONS

Fr Tony suggested candidates could state their stand on what they might do in regards to where the Anglican Church stands.

Nominations for People's Warden: Brian Hammond

Brian Hammond hoped someone else would be nominated so we could have a choice. Brian gave his opinion about where he stands on the issue so we could decide whether or not we would want him as our warden. Brian would choose the option of asking the bishop to have a conservative bishop appointed from within Canada.

No other nominations.

Motion: to close nominations; moved: Alf Gill; seconded: Pat Hammond; motion carried. Brian Hammond is new People's Warden.

Motion: official thank you to Brian O'Connor for his work; moved: Fr Tony; seconded: Steve Irwin; motion carried.

Nominations for Members to Parish Council:

Chris Borkent Stephanie Curtin, Alfred Gill, Kate Rollins, Roger Spack;

Youth representatives: Elizabeth Irwin and Jason Chan.

Motion: to close nominations; moved: Tom McNair; seconded: Milt Hadden; motion carried.

Motion: Parish Council should have six members plus Corporation; the six members include those already on the Council and the Youth representative; moved: Marilyn Wray; seconded: Chris Bayly. 27 in favour; 8 against, motion carried.

Ballots were issued and Tom McNair and Brian (Hammond or O'Connor?) agreed to act as scrutineers.

Election results for the new Parish Council members:

Chris Borkent, Alf Gill, Kate Rollins, and Jason Chan.

Nominations for Delegates to Synod and Alternates:

Chris Bayly, Pat Hammond, Roger Spack, Marilyn Wray.

It was agreed we would vote and the two nominees with the most votes would stand as Delegates to Synod and the other two nominees would stand as Alternates.

Election results:

Delegates to Synod: Chris Bayly and Marilyn Wray.

Alternate Delegates to Synod: Pat Hammond and Roger Spack.

Youth Synod Delegates: None

Deanery Council Representative:

No activity during 2007.

Motion: to nominate Chris Bayly as Parish Representative; moved: Steve Irwin; seconded: Kathy McNair; motion carried.

REQUESTING BISHOP'S APPROVAL OF LAY ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHALICE AT COMMUNION AND APPOINTMENT OF EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

Motion: to accept list of Chalice Bearers with removal of Norma Cheng, Elizabeth Parker, Vina Sweetman, and addition of Lorne Eason and Lay Eucharist Ministers; moved: Chris Borkent; seconded: Steve Irwin; motion carried.

Chalice Bearers:

Christopher Bayly

Bernice Hadden

Stephen Irwin

Brian O'Connor

Georges Bontemps

Brian Hammond

Don MacDonald

Jean Parnell

Lorne Eason

Pat Hammond

Pearl March

Marilyn Wray

Barrie Fox

Andy Hum

Irene Marteinson

Lay Eucharistic Ministers :

Annette Bouwman and Walter March.

APPOINTMENT OF TREASURER AND AUDITOR

Motion: to appoint Dominick Merle as Treasurer; moved: Roger Spack; seconded: Irene Marteinson; motion carried.

Motion: to appoint Milt Hadden as Auditor; moved: Chris Bayly; seconded: Steve Irwin; motion carried.

APPROVAL OF BANKING AND CHEQUE SIGNING AUTHORITY

Current authority to sign cheques was given to the Incumbent (Tony Harvey), two Wardens (Don MacDonald and Brian O'Connor), and the Treasurer (Dominick Merle). All cheques require two signatures.

Motion: Brian O'Connor be replaced by Brian Hammond as People's Warden; moved: Chris Bayly; seconded: Walter March; motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

A discussion followed regarding the sending of a letter with our cheque to the diocese telling them that after Vestry Meeting it has been decided the 2009 budget will reflect our displeasure by moving the amount of our Diocese Mission Assessment to our Outreach. The diocese should redistribute their budget to the Missions rather than to salaries.

Motion: a letter will accompany our cheque to the diocese stating we are not planning to send any money directly to them for 2009 and that we will instead put it into our own outreach; moved: Walter March; seconded: Tom McNair; motion carried.

Brian O'Connor and the outgoing Parish Council members were officially thanked for their support and hard work.

ADJOURNMENT, PRAYER, THANKSGIVING AND BLESSING

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. Fr Tony led the closing prayer, and we concluded with saying the Grace together.