Resolution to Extend the Terms of Current Vestry Members

The following resolution was presented to the Rector, Wardens, and Vestry of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church of Savannah, Inc., for first reading at the Regular Meeting of the Vestry on December 21, 2020. It shall be presented for second reading and vote at the Special Call Meeting on January 19, 2021. In the interim, the Vestry invites feedback from the members of St. Matthew's Church. Please direct written feedback to Office@StMattSav.org

Whereas, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges for our parish’s leadership in 2020, and the 2020 Vestry has performed admirably in the face of so much danger, anxiety, and fear; and

Whereas, the By-Laws of the Rector, Wardens, and Vestry of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church of Savannah, Inc, state: “Each elected member [of the Vestry] shall serve a term of three (3) years, unless, at the Vestry’s discretion, extenuating circumstances require them to lengthen or reduce a member’s term by no more than one (1) year. The Vestry may amend the terms of sitting or incoming members at any regular meeting of the Vestry by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire Vestry; provided that at least one meeting’s written notice is given to the parish of the proposed change. The terms of office of the members of the Vestry shall terminate according to original designation, in order of election, unless the above exception has been employed;” and

Whereas, the 2021 Annual Meeting will be very difficult to hold virtually in a manner that is representative of the whole membership of the parish; therefore, it is hereby

Resolved, that the current members of the Vestry shall extend their terms by one year each; namely that Charlotte Blue and Margaret Anne Pearson shall serve until January 2022, Juray Brown and Charles McMillan shall serve until January 2023, and Joenelle Gordon and Sheila Jones shall serve until January 2024; and it is further

Resolved, that these Vestry members may not exercise this clause again for the remainder of their terms of service; and it is further

Resolved, that no matter the state of the pandemic in January 2022, the Parish shall hold an Annual Meeting (whether in-person, virtual, or hybrid) that includes a vote for new members of the Vestry who shall serve until January 2025.