Vestry Roles and Responsibilities

INWARD-LOOKING CO-CONVENER
The ILC acts as the Chief Operating Officer of the parish, reviewing business practices to make sure we are working in a clear and transparent way. He or she also coordinates with other members of the Vestry on finance and fundraising, building and grounds projects, and the office. The ILC also has responsibilities for ongoing activities that engage members in meaningful ways, such as Fellowship Groups and Retreat organizers.

The ILC's role is to make St. Gregory’s a place people keep coming back to because it fills a need in their lives and, as our rector says, “makes more of you.” Most people in a congregation our size will identify primarily with a small group of some kind - Choir, Engineers of Beauty, Youth Programs. Our challenge and our work is to identify the needs of our members, and to develop ways to meet those needs.  Contact the ILC.

OUTWARD LOOKING CO-CONVENER
Like the Inward-Looking Co-convener, the OLC role has two main functions. The OLC acts as the liaison between the neighborhood and the rector. The OLC works on creating new relationships outside the church walls.

The OLC stays in communication with the Diocese of California, has relationships with the Potrero Hill Posse, a group comprised of church members and prospective members living in our neighborhood – Potrero Hill, and also works with community organizers through the Industrial Areas Foundation and the South of Market Area Ministry group.

The OLC works to build more relationships with community groups in our neighborhood. If you would like to find out more about these groups, forming relationships with other churches, community organizers or service providers please contact the OLC.

SACRED SPACE COMMISSIONER
The Sacred Space Commissioner helps coordinate a number of volunteer efforts around our buildings and grounds as well as consults with the rest of the Vestry, our rector, and our parish administrator on repair, maintenance, and capital improvements. The SSC works with the Engineers of Beauty group. The SSC stays focuses on communication—getting people the information they need to pursue their interests around our gardens, our art exhibits, our neighborhood, and special events like the Stations of the Cross devotional mini-pilgrimage.

For more details about what’s going on or if you have some project you want to work on, even if you’re only just beginning to think about it, please contact the SSC.

MEMBERSHIP COMMISSIONER
The Membership Commissioner works to bring people into Saint Gregory’s and help them to become active members of our community.  This begins with ensuring newcomers have a good experience when they visit our church on a Sunday. This also entails providing support to the coffee hour crew to ensure that they can make it as easy as possible for our guests to feel welcome after the service. Finally, if someone signs the guest book, the MC makes sure they get a note from us thanking them for visiting and inviting them back.

As people decide to become more involved at Saint Gregory’s, the MC ensures that they have sufficient information about sharing their life and work here. This includes both our membership process and making sure that newcomers get connected with other people in our congregation who can help them become more involved. And finally, if someone wishes to become a member, the MC helps coordinate their paperwork and schedule their introduction to the congregation on a Sunday.

In a way, we’re all involved in all of these tasks. We invite anyone who enjoys the specific regular tasks of welcoming, hospitality, working with new members and note writing to talk to the MC about helping out. Let the MC know what else you think we can do to help newcomers feel welcome, keep coming back, and get involved in our community. Contact the MC.

STRATEGIC PRESENCE COMMISSIONER
The Strategic Presence Commissioner is responsible for communicating about Saint Gregory’s to the community at large. Special projects include Saint Gregory’s presence in electronic media (Twitter, Facebook), helping people know who we are and what we’re doing. The SPC is actively recruiting volunteers to be the face of Saint Gregory’s on Twitter and Facebook.

The SPC is ready to share the work of using 21st Century media, to accurately portray a vibrant and relevant Christian community. St. Gregory's is an important source for people seeking God, fellowship, service, information and meaning.  Please contact the SPC to discuss how to expand our online presence.

FINANCE COMMISSIONER
The Finance Commissioner's job is to provide oversight, advice and input to St. Gregory’s annual budget process and monitor expenses and revenue throughout the year.  In short, the FC is the interface between the vestry and the finances of the church.  An important part of this work is coordination of stewardship and fundraising. The FC works to increase engagement of the St. Gregory’s community in the financial life of the church.  New ideas are always bubbling up, and the FC's job is to tap into your ideas, energy, talent, and engagement to continue to build the spiritual life we share together.  Contact the FC.

SECRETARY
The Vestry Secretary records vestry meetings as well as keeps parish records and certifies parish reports.  If you have questions, contact the VS.

TREASURER
The Vestry Treasurer works closely with the vestry and the staff. The VT is responsible for the management of St. Gregory's income and expenses, prepares the annual parish report, and provides reports to membership and to vestry. Contact the VT with any questions about church finances, donations, and giving.