2021 Called to Serve

Trinity Episcopal Church

Called to Serve Information about Serving on the Trinity Vestry 2021 Vestry Selection & Leadership Role

Trinity Episcopal Church Toledo, Ohio

Current Vestry Members

Vestry members serve for 3-year terms (with the opportunity to be elected to serve a second 3year term in succession). Senior and Junior Wardens are nominated by the rector and then elected each year by the membership at the first organizational meeting following the Annual Meeting.

Class 2018-2021 (Concluding at the 2021 Annual Meeting) 1. Jane Bueche (completing 1-year unexpired term) 2. Roberta Durham (completing full 3-year term) 3. Fritz Hany (completing 1-year unexpired term) Class 2019-2022 1. Bob Meeker 2. Dennis Degnan 3. Donna Steppe Class 2020-2023 1. Jeffrey Albright 2. Jamie Paul 3. Leah Reed Class 2021-2024 (elected at the 2021 Annual Meeting) 1. _____________ 2. _____________ 3. _____________

A Corporation

VESTRY ORGANIZATION

Trinity Episcopal Church is a not-for-profit corporation in the State of Ohio. It operates according to both the laws of the state, the canons of the Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Ohio and policies of the parish.

The Vestry as Board

The vestry is the legal corporation of the parish. The rector is elected by the vestry with the approval of the Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio for life tenure. (According to the canons of the Episcopal Church, the rector must resign at age 72.) The rector, two wardens and up to twelve members comprise the vestry; membership for each parish is stipulated in the parish Code of Regulations. Currently, Trinity has a 9-member vestry. The rector is the presiding member. A chancellor, clerk, treasurer and assistant treasurer may be appointed by the rector and can be additional members outside of the 9 members. A youth representative, (between 16-18), may be appointed for a one-year term if willing and able. Election of members are at the Annual Meeting according to a process determined by the parish Code of Regulations. Each parish is required to have an Annual Meeting during the month of January with the third Sunday of the month being the preferred date set by the Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio.

Structure of the vestry Each parish determines how the vestry is structured. Trinity has moved to a 3 Commission structure to attend to the canonical responsibilities of the vestry: Property, Finance and Administration. Each member of the vestry serves on either the Executive Committee (rector, wardens & clerk) or a Commission. Commissions meet in between vestry meetings and present recommendations to the vestry when an item exceeds the parameters of the current Operating Budget.

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Trinity Episcopal Church Toledo, Ohio Meetings of the Vestry

The vestry meets at least 8 times each year with an annual day-long vestry retreat in February.

The vestry works in partnership with the rector to establish policies, develop and support the vision and approves the annual budget. Meetings are required of all the membership understanding that life intervenes and sometimes requires exceptions. Before agreeing to serve, every potential member is asked to review the upcoming annual schedule included in this document) in order to prioritize the work of serving this important ministry.

Policies of the Vestry

The vestry will be provided with vestry material each year which may include the following items: a church/staff directory, established policies, budgets, financial information, previous vestry minutes, annual reports, annual giving information, Trinity’s current Code of Regulations and other church-related information, schedules and/or educational material.

Additional Information

The vestry has a policy of open meetings. Any parishioner may attend a meeting of the vestry or a commission or guild meeting (other than Trinity’s personnel committee meeting, which convenes from time to time to discuss personnel matters). The vestry may declare itself in “executive session” and thereby limit access to the meeting when it deems doing so is in the best interests of the parish.

Vestry members are key lay leaders of the parish and for this season of service are both willing and able to take on the time and demands of the role as outlined in this document. Each member of the vestry is encouraged to be an ambassador to the parish, carrying important information to parishioners and bringing back to the vestry feedback and data we need to hear.

Staff

The staff is a group of professionals hired and supervised by the rector to serve the parish. The staff is present to assist in accomplishing the vision, and to provide input for the ongoing work of Trinity’s overall ministry. Each staff member works closely with the rector who in turn provides summaries and evaluations to the vestry as requested. The staff members report to the rector and work as assigned with the remainder of the ministry.

Spirituality Trinity is a Christ-centered community. We seek to live out the Gospel in all we say and do. The vestry and rector share the leadership of the parish. Attending to our spiritual health and growth is of primary importance. Each member of the vestry commits to attend Sunday worship regularly, give generously through a financial pledge and the gift of time to serve and make every effort to attend as many parish events as possible throughout the year.

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Trinity Episcopal Church Toledo, Ohio

2021 Vestry Meeting Schedule Vestry meetings are usually scheduled for the 4th Tuesday of the month from 6:00-8:00pm and held either at Trinity or via Zoom (unless otherwise noted).

2021 Dates

Meeting Description/Focus

Location

Sunday, Jan. 31

Annual Meeting

TBD

Saturday, Feb. 6

All-Day Vestry Retreat, 9:00-4:00

TBD

Tuesday, March 23

Vestry Meeting, 6:00-8:00pm

TBD

Tuesday, April 27

Vestry Meeting, 6:00-8:00pm

TBD

Tuesday, May 25

Vestry Meeting, 6:00-8:00pm

TBD

Tuesday, June 29

Vestry Meeting, 6:00-8:00pm

TBD

Tuesday, July 27

Vestry Meeting, 6:00-8:00pm

TBD

Tuesday, August 31

Annual Vestry Social Gathering

TBD

Tuesday, Sept. 28

Vestry Meeting, 6:00-8:00pm

TBD

Tuesday, Oct. 26

Vestry Meeting, 6:00-8:00pm

TBD

Tuesday, Dec. 7

Vestry Meeting, 6:00-8:00pm (Budget approval)

TBD

Sunday, Jan. 23

All-Parish Budget Presentation, 11:30am

TBD

Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022

Annual Meeting

TBD

Nominating Process for Vestry All members of the parish who meet the canonical criteria of being a “communicant in good standing” are encouraged to consider serving on Vestry (Canon I.17.3).

We interpret the requirement to mean each candidate is a committed member offering gifts (through a financial pledge), and a recognizable desire to take on the mantle of responsibility with this important leadership role for a season.

1.) September-October: Members who would like to be considered need to schedule time to talk with Lisa or a member of the 2021 Nominating Committee before October 16.

2021 Nominating Committee: Donna Steppe, Roberta Durham & Jeffrey Albright 2.) Nominating Committee will recommend a full slate of candidates to the Vestry at the October 27th meeting for approval. (We are committed to a process of discerning a slate of nominees to match the number of upcoming openings believing that this role is not about “competing” for open positions but rather seriously discerning one’s gifts and ability to serve in this important role.)

3.) January: Individuals not included on the accepted slate may self-nominate prior to the Annual Meeting following the Code of Regulations requirements.

4.) January: Names and bios will be published, per the Code of Regulations prior to the Annual Meeting.

5.) January: Election of new vestry members at the Annual Meeting, Sunday, January 31, 2021.