Youth Commission

Episcopal Diocese of WNY

February 20, 2005

In attendance – Wendy Schumacher, Samantha Cutlip, Cindy Avery, Maggie Avery, Tom Avery, Jay Phillippi-Youth Missioner, Fr. Dan Weir, Rachel Phillippi, Terra Cutlip, Amanda Sczczepanski

The Bishop's Ball (The Bish Bash) – attendance was 55, one of our better years. Took in $181 at door, no explanation for the odd dollar amount since admission was $5. Expenses came to $40.80 (see attached) so income came to $140.20. This is less than should have come in, we were pretty lax about admissions and need to be more diligent next year. On the whole the event went very well. Cash was turned into check through St. Luke's Jamestown and will be forwarded to Fr. Chuck Whitmore who handles our account. A request of a copy of the account statement will also go to him.

Jay proposed lowering age for event to 8^th grade to ease Journey to Adulthood classes attendance. Terra moved the request, Rachel seconded it and it was approved.

Junior High event – 25 youth attended (15 girls and 10 boys) plus three junior counselors, and 3 adults. 1 youth was a non-camper this was their first event! Very successful, young people reasonably well behaved. Recommendation made that they no longer be overnights. Reasons include – difficulty in getting adult staff, exhausting and just not an optimal idea for that age group. Jay also recommended that the events continue as day long (10A-5P) events. Discussion of when in year it should happen. Attendance might be better if done in fall (early Nov.). Point made that to carry enthusiasm for programs all through year a late winter (end of Feb- early March might be better. Even late March suggested. Need to move away from “reunion” name in order to appeal to more young people. Schedule needs to be tighter for better discipline. Include physical non-contact games and mixing up small groups for better diversity.

Cabin Fever Walk – ECS event that would like great youth participation. Event raises funds for Compass House an agency that works with young people. Walk fund raiser includes food and music. March 12 is date of walk (conflict with J2A training day but shouldn't affect youth who want to walk) Brochures and information available at www.compasshouse.org. Youth Commission agrees to support and promote this event for ECS.

Budget - Requests for 2006 budget funding are more in depth than in years gone by. Includes all previous years info plus more. Also inquires about reporting to various bodies including Diocesan Council and Convention. Not known that we were supposed to do that. With newly reformed council it's a good time to begin the new process. A September or October presentation would be best from ministry point of view plus help energize council as they finalize budget and prepare for Convention.

Particular point that Youth Missioner wanted Commission guidance was in area of 3-5 year projection for each line. Difficult to do unless we have a clear idea of where we want to be. Finance Committee has recommended in past that all subsidies for camp programs be zeroed out. This would place full cost of camper PLUS staff on the registration fee. If this was burdensome then scholarship funds would provide access. Last time estimate done this would add around $60 per camper. Current subsidies are for staff costs only, all program costs are included in registration. Concern about families who may be reluctant to ask for scholarship help. Scholarship usage has varied wildly from year to year but Jay didn't believe we had ever used all of it. Point made that costs of staff are the costs of running the program and rightfully the diocese's rather than the campers families. Discussion of various strategies examined – merging programs with LCLC (lots of issues concerning different styles of camp program), reductions in staff numbers, request that Junior Counselors pay 50% of cost to help defray their expenses and general economies in overall program. Father Dan asked why we charge young people for the “privilege” of developing their relationship with Christ. General agreement that the ideal situation would be only nominal fees for youth to attend.

Recommendation is that budget philosophy expressed in requests remain the same, that the Commission believes the Diocese has a responsibility to cover certain costs. Jay expressed that this was his belief as well and was relieved to have Commission support on the issue.

EYE - The Bishop Harold Robinson Society discussed making EYE delegation first grant from the fund. Amount to be determined. The EYE delegation had its first meeting and is planning fund raising events. April 9 a spaghetti dinner to be held at St. Patrick's Cheektowaga. Delegates will get tickets to sell plus there will be a silent auction for baskets as well. St. Paul's Lewiston has also offered to do a fund raiser type and date to be determined. Next EYE meeting is March 13. An article on the spaghetti dinner and delegation will be done for ChurchActs.

Youth Commission Retreat – April 15-16 at St. Patrick's Cheektowaga 7 PM to 3 PM cost is $10 per person, Fr. Dan will provide worship leadership. Probably Wegman's subs for lunch.

Camp – Senior High staff slowly coming together, 5 staff plus nurse and director on board out of 13 needed. “Beloved” is the theme for all three camps this year, a design has been approved and may be used for t-shirts. Not all prices have been finalized. Question about t-shirts and prices. Suggestion of Dan the Man in Niagara Falls – he did the convention t-shirts. Perhaps could commit to a minimum number of shirts but get delivery spread out so we get what we need.

Maggie Avery moved to adjourn, Tom Avery seconded. Meeting adjourned.