Annual General Meeting
When I was 18, my mum convinced me to buy some shares. It will be a great investment, she said. Over time you will earn both dividends and see capital growth, she said. Just buy them and hold onto them and they will bring long term reward, she said. And, noting this is not financial advice, she was right. My small investment has reaped rewards over the last 30 years.
There is lots I still don’t know about investing but here is something that became very clear very quickly - when you become a shareholder, you become an owner and as an owner you have responsibilities. Those responsibilities were almost immediately thrust upon me as I started receiving mail about the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Director elections and salaries and more. Truth be told, it was bamboozling and felt like something the real adults should be involved in, not 18 year old me. But I have come to see that the AGM is a critically important moment in the life of any organisation. And church is no different.
As a young adult I felt like the church AGM was something the real adults should be involved in and not me. But here are four reasons I started going to the AGM (and four reasons you should come on Sunday 19 March at 2pm to our AGM).
First, you get to hear more about church vision and direction. What are we doing together? How is that being tracked and measured? How can you play your part in this? The AGM is a moment in time to get more deeply engaged in who we are as a church under God.
Secondly, we hold elections each year for important office holders who guide and govern the work of our church. I would like to see men and women, young and more mature, nominated and elected to all our church roles.
At the AGM this year we will be electing:
Wardens - these people ensure the proper administration and management of finances, property and staff.
Parish Councillors - these are the people who determine Parish policy, approve budgets and payments and confer with the minister on matters of ministry
Synod Representatives - these are the people who represent our church at the annual Sydney Anglican Synod held over 5 afternoons/ evenings in September
Parish Nominators - these are the people who, in consultation with the church and Bishop, choose a new minister should the current one depart.
The ministry report, financial reports and information about how to make nominations are all available online.
Third, we get to examine and scrutinise church finances and financial decisions. Transparency in finances is absolutely critical for a church as we all give generously to the work of the Gospel. Here is your moment to see how your generosity is stewarded and ask questions about the way money is spent and given in and from our church.
Finally, there is a moment when you can ask a question or suggest an idea for Parish Council to consider. There are not many moments in church life where you can do this publicly and this is an important one.
So, four reasons you should join us for the Christ Church St Ives 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday 19 March at 2pm. This meeting will be held in the Church Auditorium. The AGM is probably one of the most important gatherings outside of Sundays in a calendar year. I would love you to join us! Head to the AGM page for more information.
