Our Vestry work is organized around three main committees: BFA (Budget Finance and administration); BGT (Building, Grounds and Technology) and MMC (Mission, Ministry & Communications). It is necessary for the chair of each committee to have both leadership skills and specific expertise in these areas, as well as committee members who can be active knowledgeable members of that committee. Therefore, we need Vestry members with some degree of financial understanding, and those with process/organizational skills, or human resource types, but we also need those with experience in our Parish life and ministries.
The slate method nomination process guarantees that our new Vestry members will have the skills and expertise these committees need. With a vestry composed of persons with appropriate skill sets, and accustomed to working in areas with which they have familiarity, the Vestry will become more efficient and effective- which will tend to attract more well-qualified candidates.
Our policy calls for an electoral process that begins in early summer with the appointment of a nominating committee, under leadership of one of the Vestry members on the BFA committee. The persons on the nominating committee are typically asked by the chair, with the goal of a diverse group encompassing all three services, and age, ethnic and gender diversity. The nominations committee then meets to identify parishioners who seem to be good candidates. Self-nominations are also solicited through the bulletin.
Having a path to leadership and intentional selection based on the needs of the church insures that anyone who is interested can become involved and grow into a leadership position.
How can you be involved or feel like you have input into this process?
- Ask to be on the nominating committee by contacting the Sr Warden
- Nominate others (with their approval) or yourself for consideration
- Become involved in a ministry; lead a ministry; join one of the three vestry committees
- Pray for God’s guidance for our church and our work on behalf of the parish.
To be on the Vestry, our Policy requires the following:
- Nominees shall satisfy the following criteria:
- Minimum age eighteen (18) years
- Confirmed communicant in good standing
- Pledging member for at least the one year prior to election
- Regular in attendance at public worship
- Demonstrated commitment, responsibility and experience in Parish life
- Able to pass the Diocesan criminal background check