Holy Trinity Church, Tiverton Rhode Island
ANNUAL
PARISH MEETING
28 January 2007, Parish Hall
There were about 67 people in attendance at the beginning of the meeting.
Call to Order
Cheryl
Twiss called the annual meeting to order at 10:25 am.
The
Rev Daryl Stahl offered an opening prayer.
Cheryl
Twiss introduced the 2006/7 Vestry members (all present), giving a short
biography of each member.
Format note: Unlike past annual meetings where the various reports were
read and individually approved, the format for this year’s meeting was changed
to make better use of graphics. All the individual reports were completed two
weeks in advance of the meeting and assembled into the Annual Parish Meeting
booklets that were passed out at worship services a week prior to the annual
meeting and which were also available at the annual meeting.
The
presenters, rather than read reports, were able to utilize PowerPoint
presentation slides projected onto a screen that all could see. These slides
were basically bullet point summaries of the written reports, and the speakers
could thus informally cover their subject matter using the slides as a guide.
Some presenters also had multiple photographs intertwined to highlight specific
actions being discussed.
This
format was managed by Mike Zmich who consolidated and formatted each of the
slides used.
Warden’s Reports
(The Senior Warden report and the Junior Warden’s report were combined into one
and presented by Cheryl Twiss, the Senior Warden for 2006/7)
Cheryl gave an overview of the years key events and activities, thanking major
contributors. Key among these was the completion of the updated parish profile,
the beginning of the actual new priest search, and the establishment of an
effective Sunday school program in the form of Godly Play. Cheryl closed with
some thoughts on how each parishioner can assist in helping Holy Trinity Church
carry out its stated mission.
Search Committee Report. Alan Locke, a Vestry Member and Search Committee
Chair gave this report. Alan identified each of the Search Committee members
and introduced those present. He then reviewed the search process, the
challenges that have been faced, and provided a status report on the present
search. In excess of a dozen candidates have been identified, quite a number
interviewed via phone, and several have been invited to visit Holy Trinity.
Buildings and Grounds Report. Bill Lopes, vestry member and Building
and Grounds Committee Co-Chair, quickly reviewed the projects completed in
2006. While $75,000 was made available from endowments to apply to the most
urgent needs, actual expenditures were closer to $65,000. The fire alarm system
installation, Narthex tower renovation, hall roof repairs, water diversion and
patio were just a few of the many projects completed. For 2007 the budget will
be much smaller ($6-16,000). A number of potential projects were listed, and
all parishioners were asked to submit thoughts on what they believed should be
considered for 2007. One non-expense major effort which will be launched when
the new priest gets on board will be to establish a space utilization committee
to consider the many needs we have for the limited space available to us.
Outreach and Episcopal Charities. Deb Pallasch, Junior Warden presented
this report, covering the various outreach activities the parish participated
in during the year. She also reviewed the results of the Annual Episcopal
Charities Fund campaign chaired by David Brower. In 2006 Holy Trinity raised
$6200 towards the goal of $7590. While below goal, it was the best performance
in recent years. There were 39 pledges.
Sunday School. Steve Horridge, vestry member and Godly Play teacher,
presented this report. The establishment of an effective Sunday school program
had been noted as the number one priority of the vestry for the year. With the
keen guidance of Father Daryl and the passionate commitment of Carolyn Duby
Swift and Sandy and Steve Horridge, such a program was in fact put in place. A
total of 21 children under 10 were enrolled. The Godly Play Program format used
is unique in the way it captures the children’s attention and helps them
experience the days lesson in a way they can enjoy and remember. The programs
success has bred the need for additional staff and teachers, and a plea was made
for anyone with a calling to visit a program one day and consider
participation.
Financial Review. Larry Gadsby, Treasurer, covered this subject.
Larry reviewed the 2006 Operations report and the proposed 2007 operations
budget. The 2006 report reflected revenues and expenses both at the $132,000
level. The 2007 budget shows revenues at $138,000 and expenses of $179,000. The
2007 revenue is based on zero withdrawal from the endowment fund. The expense
level does reflect full expenses for a permanent priest for 9 months of 2007,
and since that is not likely to occur, that will lessen the expense level. The
2007 budget also reflects $10,000 in expenses for the search process, and this
expense will not carry over in future years. Holy Trinity has sufficient
reserve funds currently available to cover the shortfall for 2007. Never the
less, future year full operations budgets will be in the $180,000 range at
minimum. Since we can withdraw up to 4% of the endowment annually for
operations that could provide upwards of $25,000 per year. A shortfall of about
$17,000 will still exist that needs to be addressed.
Endowment Fund (presented by Dave Rego)
Dave
Rego is Chairman of the Trustees. Trustees are Adam Jaglowski, Carol Saccucci,
and the current church treasurer and senior warden.
The plan is for a maximum annual withdrawal (which will not start until 2008)
not to exceed 4 percent (about $20,000 to $24,000) for operations, and 1% for
Outreach. Goal is towards financial security for future generations at Holy
Trinity. During the course of 2007 Holy Trinity received about $530,000 from
the Peck Estate. At the end of the year the value stood at $568,000. There is a
possibility that as much as $20,000 is additionally available, but may be in
some dispute. Communications with the Peck Estate lawyer have deteriorated to
the point where the Endowment committee has approached the Rhode Island Bar
Association for assistance.
Larry
Gadsby made a motion to accept the 2007 Annual Meeting Report and all the
actions taken by the vestry in 2006. Seconded by Alan Locke, the motion passed
by acclamation.
Nominating Committee Report. The Nominating Committee recommendations
for the 2007 Holy Trinity Vestry were to continue the current vestry
membership, with Joyce Figerie stepping down after 3 years service, to be
replaced by Ed Adamowski. Cheryl Twiss made a motion to accept the Nominating
Committee recommendations, and Pricilla Lawton seconded it. The motion passed
by acclamation.
Nominating Committee for 2007
The
committee members are: Adam Jaglowski, Carolyn Duby-Swift, Linda Brogan, and
vestry members whose term will be expiring, Mike Zmich and Mark Gustafson
Adjournment
A motion was made seconded and passed to adjourn the meeting.
Fr
Daryl adjourned meeting at 12:10 with a closing prayer.
Respectfully submitted by
Mike Brogan, Clerk