President's Report Jan '10

• I 'd like to thank everyone in leadership, ministry, and service for their time and talents over this past year - and especially the past six months!  Your devotion, wisdom, and willingness to serve are amongst St. James finest resources.  We are indeed fortunate to have such a wonderful leadership team!
   
• Annual Meeting will be on February 14th.  All committees are asked to submit their annual reports to me and to Joanne no later than Thursday, January 28th to allow compilation and distribution to the congregation by Sunday, January 31.
   
• I have been in touch with members of the Finance & Stewardship Committee to encourage focus in three critical areas over the coming months:  

1 - We should have processes documented - even if in a brief outline format - to serve as a guide in the event of an emergency or in the event that someone resigns or otherwise vacates a position; 

2 - We should be sure that everyone who needs Church Windows in order to fulfill their responsibilities has full access to the features and functions of the program.  If it makes sense to do so, we should have access to training materials and/or online tutorials for this purpose; and,

3 - We should have no vital process that is understood by only one person.  Everyone is doing a great job, but it makes good sense to have an "understudy" in place who can step in if there is an emergency, illness, etc. - or even just a vacation.

• In the absence of a full-time pastor, I completed an annual review for Joanne, our church secretary.  A written summary of the review will be added to her personnel file.  We addressed her concerns relative to the new copier, unsolicited phone calls, and access to the building.  In addition, we talked at some length about our database management software and the possibility of further training (online) to improve functionality in that area.
   
• I would be amiss if I did not include in my report the wonderful results of our vote today (Sunday, January 24th) to call a new pastor to St. James.  Our community is now prepared for the next chapter, as we travel together down the path that the Lord has laid out for us.

Respectfully submitted,
Debi Curry
Council President