St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Vestry Minutes, February 2010

Minutes – February 23, 2010

(Approved 3/30/2010)

 

Present: Vestry members: Christine Klinger, Loyd Swope, Shea Weidner, Linda Eilers, Greg Puckett, Martha McNair, Nicole Olmstead, Ellen Hayward, Terri Chaddick; Guest: Mac Mayfield

Staff: Lowell Grisham, Suzi Freeman, Suzanne Stoner

Clerk: Sara Milford

Absent: Rolf Wilkin, Dale Green, Charlie Russell

 

Opening prayer: Fr. Grisham

 

New Business:

  • Lowell welcomed Mac Mayfield to the meeting. Mac then presented the follow-up to the Gaia Guild Carbon footprint report, which included a review of SWEPCO's recommendations.

    • Vestry was provided a handout of “Housekeeping items” and SWEPCO's recommendations, which Mac reviewed

    • Rolf Wilkin, Bruce Richart, Karen McSpadden and Mac Mayfield met 2/12/10 with the goal of finding “actionable items with high rate of return and impact on emissions”

    • Suzi Freeman noted that there are plans for the whole building, that she can provide maintenance requirements for the elevators, and that she can also help with the fire and life safety systems in the building – all of which helps with the “housekeeping items.”

    • In review of SWEPCO's no-cost recommendations, Mac suggested that the Youth could produce a video to apply for a grant through Arkansas Interfaith Power & Light (AIP&L) to cover the cost of internal storm windows.

    • Greg Puckett clarified what “Gaia Guild” means (St. Paul's “Green Team”), and there was discussion about Gaia (Lowell promised to look it up).

  • Mac asked the Vestry to authorize the Gaia Guild, with the Junior Warden's help and support, to move forward with the initial housekeeping steps and demonstration of no-cost items and to make consideration of funding mechanism to recycle operating savings into infrastructure as seen most expedient. So moved by Loyd Swope, seconded by Terri Chaddick. Approved.

     

  • Lowell mentioned that one of the best things that happened at Convention was that Michele Halsel challenged churches in the diocese to examine their carbon footprint. Lowell commented that St. Paul's will likely lead the diocese in this trend, setting examples on how to be a more environmentally sustainable church.


  • New Vestry officers

    • Senior Warden: appointed by Lowell and accepted by Loyd Swope.

    • Junior Warden: Rolf Wilkin nominated by Shea Weidner, seconded by Martha, passed; Rolf will continue his work with the Gaia Guild.

    • Clerk: Loyd nominated Sara Milford, seconded by Terri Chaddick, passed.

    • Treasurer: Charlie Russell and Suzi Freeman nominated; Suzi won the narrow election.


Old Business:

  • Martha asked about the directory, and Lowell reported that his last call with Casey Milford assures progress. Next step may include having photographer set up and take pictures of parishioners.


Rector’s Report:

  • Pride and appreciation for all the effort that went into the Diocesan Convention. For the challenge of space, it was pulled off well and one of the best conventions attended

    • Christine Klinger said it was great to have a large screen.

    • Shea said the only hitch was that the ice maker broke down.

  • Lowell will be leading the Holy Land Pilgrimage March 2-21, blogging.

    • Linda Jones will also be blogging and doing research.

    • Loyd encourages a focus on the Palestinian side.

 

Senior Warden’s Report: Gratitude for all on the convention committee and St. Spatula's Guild. Grateful for the mayor's attendance and knowledge and for Jeremy Oxford, a great help.

 

Junior Warden’s Report: (not present)

 

Administrator’s Report:

Suzi presented a preliminary treasurer's report. She hopes to have the budget before Lowell leaves for the Holy Land. She will meet with all the Vestry members to go over the budget and accounts, after all is in order with the new accountants. One thing Suzi says to keep in mind is that in August, the Dead Swanky lease is up. Considerations will be made in spring with the consultant, perhaps to offer a shorter term lease. Concerning the budget, Lowell cautions that one-time contributions differ from pledges. The budget relies mostly on pledges in regard to salary. Also, the auditor says there is no “carry-over” because contributions cannot be counted as income twice.

Consent Calendar: The January minutes, corrected, were moved to be approved by Loyd, seconded by Shea, and approved by all.

 

The next meeting, will occur at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30th, during Holy Week instead of March 16th when so many will still be in the Holy Land.

 

There being no further business, the motion to adjourn was approved, and Lowell closed the relatively short meeting with thanks and prayer.