Financial matters. Geoff reported that the Treasurer, Dave Wright, had done a breakdown of costs at Front Royal. The full weekend cost per person in 1996 was $77.50; in 2003, it was $101.65. That is indicative of the reason the Cursillo Community must now raise fees. Dave vanEsselstyn will write a letter of explanation to the Community. The Treasurer reports that in November, Cursillo in the Diocese of Virginia had $7800.00; after paying Front Royal ($6889.70) and other bills, the Community now has $2638.25. The new weekend fee schedule will be as follows:

Sponsor fee of $50.00,
Application fee of $50.00,
and the additional weekend fee of $175.00
for a total of $275.00.
Team members will pay $225.00 to serve on team.

This new fee schedule was discussed at length and approved unanimously. If there is a small number of candidates already “paid in full” (no more than five), they should be grandfathered. Others with current applications already on file need to be informed that fees have gone up. Sue Davis needs to draft a letter detailing the new fees to sponsors following Dave’s letter.

By-Laws. Dave vanEsselstyn hopes the Bishop will approve and the new Secretariat will sign off on the new and revised By-Laws. Dave also passed out copies of the self-study guidelines from the National Committee (NECC) to all present for review.

Secretariat Retreat. The retreat has been scheduled for January 16 and 17 (since changed to February 13 and 14) at the Ramada Inn in Fredericksburg. Dave vanEsselstyn will extend invitations to Roger Robillard, Bob Malm, and Bill Burk to be present as spiritual advisors. He also announced that John Symonds has been chosen to be the new Assistant Lay Director and has graciously accepted the task. Alice Lees has also signed on to be Region 13 representative. Her participation is most welcome.

Weekend. The lay director-elect of southern Virginia has called about the two Richmond women who wish to attend in that diocese. Their participation is approved on a case-by-case basis. Since there is no list yet of eligible rectors for the upcoming fall weekend, we will select a rector at a later time.

Community Weekend. Ed and Mary Ann Stinson have agreed to head this up. Dave vanEsselstyn passed out a draft schedule. Mark Hopkins needs to call Easter Seal and find out about cost from Friday dinner through Saturday 6 p.m.

ECLW. The Diocese of Washington will be holding an Episcopal Cursillo Leaders' Workshop at the Bishop Claggett Conference Center in the Fall. Be watching for further information.

The current Secretariat wished “fair winds and following seas” to our retiring Lay Director, Geoff Davis. He has been a good master and commander.

Respectfully submitted,

Constance Fletcher Smith,
Secretary