Vestry

DNC Cannon 34 - Duties of Vestry Officers

Sec. 34.1.  It shall be the duty of the Wardens to supervise the care, protection and maintenance of the Church and other buildings of the Parish, to see that they are kept in decent repair and to guard them from use prohibited by the law of the Church.  They shall also see that all things needed for the orderly worship of God and for the proper administration of the sacraments are provided at the expense of the Parish and they shall discharge such other duties as may devolve upon them by the provisions of the law of the Church.   

 

Sec. 34.2.  In case there is no Rector, or in the Rector's absence or inability to act, the Senior Warden, or in that officer's absence, the Junior Warden, shall preside at all meetings of the Vestry and of the Parish.   

 

Sec. 34.3.  The Wardens shall perform all other duties which are assigned to them by the Canons of the Convention of this Diocese.   

 

Sec. 34.4.  At the first Vestry meeting held after the annual meeting of the Parish the Vestry shall elect a Clerk who may or may not be a member of the Vestry.  The Clerk shall be secretary of the Vestry and shall act as secretary of the Parish Corporation and shall perform the duties required of such office as well as such other duties as may be prescribed in the By-Laws of the Parish and shall serve until a successor is elected.

 

Sec. 34.5.  At the first Vestry meeting held after the annual meeting of the Parish, the Vestry shall elect a Treasurer who may or may not be a member of the Vestry.  The Treasurer shall perform the usual functions of such office as well as such other duties as may be prescribed in the By-Laws of the Parish and shall serve until a successor in office is elected.

 

Sec. 34.5.1.  All accounts shall be audited annually at the close of the year by such an accounting method as shall be permitted by the Corporation.

 

Sec. 34.5.2.  Books of accounts shall be kept so as to provide the basis for satisfactory accounting.

 

Sec. 34.5.3.  The Treasurer shall present to the Parish at the Annual Meeting a full and accurate statement of all monies received and paid during the year preceding.

 

Sec. 34.6.  Books and accounts shall be open at all times to the inspection of the Rector, Interim, Wardens and/or Vestry.

 

Typical Senior Warden, Junior Warden, and Clerk Duties:

 

Typical Duties of the Senior Warden

  1. Share privately with the rector insights, concerns, and issues which may face the Congregation.

  2. Interpret the Rector's role and expectations to the people.

  3. Act as consultant and advisor to the Rector.

  4. Support the Rector's effort to make the committees of the church work.

  5. In the absence of the rector, to see that a supply priest is there for services.

  6. Make certain that a register of all Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages, and Burials, as well as a list of communicants in good standing is kept. (It is suggested that the Vestry inspect these books quarterly.)

  7. Prior to early February of each year, it is the senior warden's responsibility to see that the Annual Parochial Report is submitted to the Diocesan Treasurer on the forms provided by the National Church and distributed by Diocesan Treasurer.

  8. See that the Key Personnel List, which includes Vestry and other parish personnel, is sent to the Diocesan Office immediately following the Annual Parish Meeting.

Typical Duties of the Junior Warden

The Junior Warden is responsible for the upkeep of church property and to maintain an up-to-date inventory. She/he also assists the Senior warden as requested.

 

Typical Duties of the Clerk

The clerk is the secretary of the Vestry and corporation.
The clerk shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Vestry and corporation. The Minute Book shall include a current copy of the parish corporate charter, the current bylaws of the parish, record from the Internal Revenue Service of the parish's Tax Identification Number, a copy of the Annual Report filed with the California Secretary of State, a copy of the parish's Certificate of Exemption from California Sales/Use Tax, Minutes of past meetings of the Vestry and Congregation, and other records thought appropriate.