Proposed Change to Vestry Election Process

Dear Cathedral community,

The Vestry is considering a change to our bylaws that would shift the selection process for Vestry members and Convention Delegates from a Contested Election to the Election of a Slate. We are exploring this change for several reasons, one of which is that the current process often creates a sense of “winners” and “losers,” which can discourage people from running. As a result, it has become increasingly challenging for the Nominating Committee to find enough candidates. Many congregations of our size have adopted the Election of a Slate model, allowing the Nominating Committee to present a group of nominees carefully selected based on the specific skills and experience needed for the upcoming Vestry class.

Cathedral Conversations

Because this may be seen as a big change, we will be holding multiple Cathedral Conversations so that we can hear from the members and receive input before we vote on a change to the bylaws. At these meetings, we will be presenting the following:

• Why we believe a change is needed
• How people can be nominated and how the Nominating Committee will determine the Slate
• How we propose to identify the skills needed for the upcoming Vestry class and Convention Delegates
• Answer questions, and
• Most importantly, listen to your concerns.

The sessions will be hosted by Senior Warden, Martha Cox, and Junior Warden, Patrick Kimball on:

• Sunday, October 27 at 9 a.m. and at 11:30 a.m. in the Busey Conference Room
• Tuesday, October 29 at 6 p.m. on Zoom Register Here.
• Sunday, November 10 at 9 and at 11:30 in the Busey Conference Room
• Tuesday, November 12 at 6 p.m. on Zoom Register Here.

We hope you will join us at one of these sessions and we look forward to your feedback. If you can’t attend or wish to give your feedback privately, please reach out to one of us.

Martha Cox, 904.535.0420, marthacox726@gmail.com

Patrick Kimball, 904.859.5101, [email protected]