Chapter Notes, April

Chapter is the Cathedral’s “board of directors,” or governance body, and meets on a monthly basis. At our January meeting, I was elected people’s warden for this year, and as part of my work in that role, I plan to keep the St. Paul’s community informed about what’s going on at chapter meetings. Here is the latest in my reports to you.

Among the responsibilities of Chapter are receiving reports from various Cathedral committees and taking action on their recommendations.  Here’s a brief summary of the topics we learned about at the Chapter meeting earlier this month.

We received a carefully detailed report from Dr. Stew Dadmun, chair of the Endowment Board.  The Endowment Board has oversight of the investment policies for the Cathedral’s enduring funds.  It reports biannually to Chapter.  Did you know that the Cathedral draws on the income from these investments to support vital ministries and program activities?  The Endowment Board is dedicated to achieving the highest possible rate of return on the Cathedral’s investments, while carefully safeguarding the funds themselves, which represent the gifts and legacies, over time, of generous parishioners.  Chapter approved the Board’s recommendation that we change our method of calculating the level of our annual distribution to a moving average of our investment return rather than pegging it to one day.

Chapter also heard a report from the Buildings and Grounds Committee given by Canon Christine Spalding.  Parishioner Gabe Hulbert, for his Eagle Scout project, is planning, fund-raising and implementing a drought-tolerant landscaping project for the Nutmeg St. side of the Cathedral.  Chapter enthusiastically received this report. (You can read more aboutGabe’s project in his recent blog post here on All Our Voices.)

Work on the organ restoration is proceeding well, and Chapter was reminded of the payment schedule.  Those who have pledged to this project were encouraged to continue fulfilling those pledges.

The Cathedral LLC continues its work, and is currently evaluating options for the Nutmeg St. property.

The new Strategic Direction Committee, formed at the Chapter retreat in February, is considering ideas for future program development, and is in the process of interviewing Cathedral staff.

Stan Livingston and Sue Foley reported on a microcredit project grant that Dorcas House has received from Episcopal Relief and Development.  Dorcas House is functioning as the administrator of the funds, which are available to carefully vetted emerging entrepreneurs, mostly women, in Tijuana.  Various administrative processes are being developed so that Dorcas House will fully comply with ERD requirements.

Yes, there were lots of reports this month, and not too much direct Chapter action, but these reports represent the fruits of our life together, as St. Paul’s does God’s work in this place and time.  Please let me hear from you if you have any questions or concerns about the work of Chapter: mlestersd@sbcglobal.net

Until next month!

Mark Lester

People’s Warden