Proposed By-Law Revisions

To the members of the Cathedral:

At its October meeting, the vestry approved 4 changes to our by-laws. In order for these changes to take effect, they must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the cathedral membership at the January 2012 annual meeting.

The first proposed change has to do with the number of people who can serve on vestry. Currently, our maximum number is 9, plus the chair of cathedral council. We are proposing that the wording be changed to read no less than 10 and no more than 12.  

The second proposed change has to do with the number of vestry members who must serve on a committee. Currently, each committee is required to have 2 vestry persons. We are proposing to change that to a minimum of one vestry person serving on each committee. The good news is that most of our committees are filled with non-vestry members whose talent and expertise bring immeasurable benefits to our governance work.

The third change has to do with the make-up of our executive committee. We are proposing to bring it in line with what most other churches do. We are suggesting that the executive committee be comprised of the dean, the senior warden, the junior warden, the chair of cathedral council and the treasurer.

And the fourth change has to do with re-structuring our committees. The by-laws currently name specific committees. We would like to eliminate some of those committees and add new ones. This would align our committee structure with what has become our common practice. We propose to eliminate a defunct committee that was named Program Planning, Budget and Evaluation. Instead, we will have a finance committee, a stewardship committee, a budget committee and an audit committee. Membership will come from the vestry, cathedral council and other members of the church who are not currently serving in leadership roles.

Patty Roberts, Senior Warden

Proposed by-law revision language:

ARTICLE IV ELECTION OF VESTRY
Section 1. The vestry shall consist of 10 voting members as set forth below:
a) Nine members shall be elected by the Cathedral at its annual meeting.
b) The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Cathedral Council shall be ex-officio members of the Vestry.  Both shall have the privilege of seat and voice, but only one (the Chair, or in his/her absence, the Vice-Chair) shall have the privilege of vote.

Section 1. The vestry shall consist of not less than 10 and no more than 12 voting members as set forth below:
a) A minimum of nine and no more than eleven members shall be elected by the Cathedral at its annual meeting.

ARTICLE VIII COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Vestry shall create an Executive Committee, consisting of the Dean, the Wardens, the Treasurer, and the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Cathedral Council.  It shall also create a Finance Committee and an Audit Committee, and may create such other standing or ad hoc committees of the Vestry, as it shall determine.  Vestry committees shall consist of not less than two Vestry members and such other members of the Cathedral, as the Vestry shall appoint.  The Vestry may delegate to any such Vestry committee any authority of the Vestry, however conferred, other than any authority or responsibility set forth in Article X of these By-Laws.

Section 1, The Vestry shall create an Executive Committee, consisting of the Dean, the Wardens, the Treasurer, and the Chair of Cathedral Council. It shall also create a Finance Committee and an Audit Committee, both chaired by the Treasurer, and may create such other standing or ad hoc committees of the Vestry, as it shall determine. Vestry shall create a joint Vestry and Cathedral Council Stewardship and Development Committee. Vestry committees shall consist of at least one Vestry member and such other members as the Vestry shall appoint. The Vestry may delegate to any such Vestry committee any authority of the Vestry, however conferred, other than any authority or responsibility set forth in Article X of these By-Laws.

Section 2. The Vestry and Cathedral Council shall create joint standing committees for Budget and Stewardship and may create such other joint, standing or ad hoc committees, as they shall determine.

Recommend elimination of Section 2.

Section 3. The Cathedral Council shall create a standing committee for Program Planning, Budget and Evaluation, and may create such other standing or ad hoc committees, as it shall determine.