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Contributed by Whitney Holley with photographs by Robert Doyna

This weekend, October 25th and 26th, we are voting at Transfiguration for convention delegates and vestry members. Monday Ellen shared with us what it means to be a voting member and today I thought we would look at what exactly we are voting for. I asked 2 people that have held and currently hold these positions to provide some insight into these two types of lay person leadership.

The first position we are looking at is the convention delegate. Basically this is a person that attends the Dallas Diocesan Convention and votes on diocesan issues. This person needs to attend meetings, study issues, understand the diocese, and be willing to represent Transfiguration. This year these delegates may be helping to vote for the new Bishop of the Diocese and need to attend meetings that are vital to that process.

I asked Susan Fisk to write about her experience serving as a convention delegate to get an inside look at the job!

It has been my privilege to have been elected and to have served as a convention delegate  many times. Service includes attending the Diocesan convention, usually one day, a Saturday, in the fall. (There used to be be two days of Convention, all day Friday and Saturday.) Also, delegates attend Central Convocation meetings, usually  one or two, and meet with the parish’s delegation before convention to discuss issues.

Each delegate votes as he or she chooses–it is private. No one tells you that you must vote a certain way. So, thoughtful candidates willing to learn about the church issues are needed.  I have had the privilege of voting in three Bishop elections: Bishop Stanton, Bishop McPherson, and Bishop Lambert were the priests that the Convention elected. The Convention delegates, lay and clergy, vote as to who  will be the Bishop. A majority of each house, the Clergy and the Laity, is required to elect. Some elections take many ballots as a majority must be reached.

This year’s delegation will be voting for the new Bishop of Dallas in May. These delegates will need to study about the candidates and attend the interviews. Also, during regular Convention in the fall, delegates vote on candidates for Executive Council, Standing Committee, and other offices and they approve the budget. In my years of experience I have met wonderful people from across the Diocese and have enjoyed taking part in this important process. 

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The other leadership position being voted on this weekend is for spots on the vestry. The vestry represents the parish and acts as a liaison between the staff, clergy, and congregation. A vestry member serves a three year term and during that time attends monthly meetings (that any member can attend) as well as meetings of different committees and any other roles needed throughout the year. I asked Anne Schmidt to share her experience of serving on the vestry and here’s what she had to say.

What is it like to be on the vestry? Well, my experience has been different than most because of being in a transition time between rectors. We as a vestry over the last 2 years have had to be more involved in all aspects of the day-to-day running of the church than a vestry during normal times.

However, there are some things that are the same for all vestry members no matter when you serve so I’ll talk about that. I felt a great honor and responsibility in being elected to the vestry. I wanted to serve the congregation well and do all that I could to make Transfiguration even better than it was. I think most coming on feel that way.

After the election we have a 3 month period before we are officially installed. We are invited to attend the meetings to watch and see how they run and learn both process and what issues are currently before the group. We then have an orientation where we learn how to read the financial reports, we get a very thick vestry handbook to read and learn policy and procedure and we take Safe Church Training so that we can make sure we are good caretakers of all God’s children.

After officially taking our positions we are assigned roles. My first year I headed up Communications and did some pre-work on transition. I also was a liaison with our pastoral care ministers to make sure the vestry was aware of their hard work. Other members take on stewardship, budget and finance , audit, elections and many other committees that are required by our policies. That means that many vestry members have to attend more than our one vestry meeting a month. We often change roles year-to-year so that we work in various areas.

Every year at in February we all attend a retreat and workday over a weekend. Here we do some spiritual work and team building in addition to setting up the above-mentioned committees and most importantly: set the budget. I think the budget process is the most difficult thing we do. We have to take the total pledge dollars and from that decide where money will be spent. It is difficult to decide where dollars go as we weigh ministries, staff needs, facility maintenance and outreach. We always, always wish we could do more.

Three years is a long commitment. As I prepare to roll off I can’t help but be grateful for all of the experience I’ve gained. I leave with great hope for our congregation and what Casey will bring to us. I’m also just very thankful for the support this parish gave the vestry during this transition time. This place is so special because of the talent and time given not just by vestry members but by all who participate in our ministries.

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I hope this helps you understand exactly what you are voting for this weekend and why it is important to elect lay leaders that represent our church both here at home and in the Diocese. If you are not confirmed I hope you will consider it this spring or next year!