Parish Council Minutes November 11, 2009

St. Vincent DePaul Parish Council Minutes

November 11, 2009

Members Present: Fr. Otto Schneebeck, Dennis Wells, Mary Ann Gerbin, Rich Gerbin, Barb Thomas, Dennis Turek, Linda McCracken, Jackie Hittner, Craig Adams, Tish Hanewinkel, & Chris Hanewinkel.

Guests Present: None

Opening Prayer: Tish Hanewinkel

Minutes: Minutes of the previous meeting of October 14, 2009 were accepted as written.

Pastor’s Report:

  • Turkey Fest progressing; tickets are selling.
  • Vincentians Province and Archdiocese are not being paid during our cash flow issues.
  • Sanctuary & office carpets will be cleaned.
  • Parish bought half page ads in Soulard Holiday House Tour Guide and Lafayette Square Holiday House Tour Guide listing religious schedule.
  • Trivia Night netted about $6000.00

Parish Strategy Task Force:

Jim and Jane Lammers and Dennis Turek met with Kerry Lyman. Formed a task force. Sr. Mary Roch Rocklage (a.k.a. Sr. Rock), Sr. Teresa Daly will be on the task force and possibly Barbara Zawier. Planning to meet once a month. Initial scope of task force to be:

Fundraising - Review the history and cost effectiveness of existing fundraising events. Identify and evaluate possible alternatives and their potential for increasing revenue while minimizing cost.

Membership / Stewardship - Increase the awareness and visibility of St. Vincent’s in the St. Louis area community, especially throughout the surrounding Soulard, Lafayette, & Lasalle Park neighborhoods. Look for ways to attract and engage new parishioners. Encourage everyone to step up and actively contribute time and talent, as well as treasure.

Grants - Setup a process to more aggressively, and consistently, pursue grant/gift opportunities as sources of revenue. Determine staff responsibilities in this process, and consider the potential need for qualified volunteer assistance.

Social Outreach – Look for parishes and organizations that may be willing to contribute, both financially             and hands on, to the outreach efforts at St. Vincent’s (in addition to those who do so already).

The Parish Council unanimously appointed Jim and Jane Lammers , Dennis Turek, Kerry Lyman, Sr. Rock, and Sr. Teresa Daly to the task force and endorsed the initial scope of their mission.

The suggestion was made to hold a Town Hall style meeting once the task force was underway to seek input from parishioners.

Questions that were posed to Father:

What is the relationship with the Vincentian Province? A: Our parish is important to the Congregation of the Mission. Many Vincentians consider it the flagship church of the province, but the parishes are expected to be self-sufficient.

Father and Dennis Wells explained the difference between the Saint Vincent DePaul Society and our parish.

Follow-up on previously identified initiatives and tasks:

Planning for permanent outdoor sign at corner of 10th & Park.

Action: Put notice in bulletin for sign:

“The Parish Council is in the process of increasing our presence in the community and informing our parishioners and neighbors of events, updates and spiritual enlightenment.  One means of relaying information is by installing a permanent sign for posting messages on the corner of 10th and Park Ave.  If anyone has any contacts, can lend assistance, or contribute to the success of this project please contact Ali or Fr. Otto at the parish.”

New/updated welcome packets (w/new brochures)

Action: Otto will send PDF of brochure to Chris Hanewinkel. Chris will send to rest of council for review. Council members to send recommendations & suggestions back to Chris. Chris will collect and forward recommendations back to Fr. Otto. Once the document is ready for printer, Chris will send on for free printing.

Revised/updated directory of parish organizations and committees

Status: Completed per Dennis Wells; will be put into Welcome Packet.

New Business:

Suggestion to recognize the non-parish meal providers with a thank you note and post a sign on the night they provide meals recognizing their group. Hospitality Committee offered to address and send the notes. Additionally the Council recommended that a guest volunteer sign-in book be used to gather addresses for personal follow-up.  The list can also be used to add to the parish mailing list for the parish newsletter. Also Otto wants to start inviting volunteers to Sunday mass and recognize them. Mary Ann and Linda McCracken to follow up with Otto.

Dennis Turek will be absent and Barb Thomas will lead the meeting in December. This will be a meeting and social gathering with food and drink brought by members.

Next meeting – December 9th, 2009

The meeting was completed with a prayer from Father Otto.