Dean Search
Dean Search Field Narrowed to Six; Site Visits Scheduled
January 21, 2010The search for a permanent dean for Grace Cathedral has reached an important new milestone - the selection of the slate of semi-finalists for this critical role - with the intent to recommend a finalist/finalists to Bishop Marc Andrus in May and the goal to install the new dean at Michaelmas 2010 (September).
After careful review of each candidate's qualifications and a balanced and thorough discussion about each candidate's alignment with the Profile, the Dean Search Committee (DSC) identified six diverse semi-finalists for even more in depth discernment. These semi-finalists were also presented to the Bishop for his consideration and gained his enthusiastic approval for the next and final phase of the search process.
To arrive at this selection of semi-finalists, the DSC reviewed more than 400 collective pages of applications, selected writings, and hours of sample sermons. The application itself was developed by each candidate and included perspectives on his/her positions/activities, education, spiritual growth/development, approach to pastoral care, ministry/mission, leadership/management and personal life.
The DSC gathered on Saturday, January 9th at the Cathedral to conduct a meaningful discussion about the strengths and concerns about each candidate, evaluate their fit with the existing profile for the dean role, and to detail questions to pursue with individual candidates. The DSC worked together to carefully examine each others' perspectives from all points-of-view, listen thoughtfully to both praise and concern, and to keep the best interests of the Cathedral at the core of its evaluation. The DSC believes it has taken the right steps for the discernment process.
In the end, there was strong agreement within the DSC about which candidates should be selected as semi-finalists. The men and women within the semi-finalist group continue to represent a diverse set of backgrounds and the search committee is excited about the possibilities the represent for the cathedral.
This latest selection is from the original set of 43 applicants to be reviewed and evaluated by the DSC for the Dean's role. One of the fundamental goals of the search process was to gather a diverse pool of applicants -- and the DSC recruited from a wide variety of sources to assure that rich diversity.
Next Steps
From now through the end of May, the DSC will be further evaluating the qualifications and experiences of each of the remaining semi-finalists and finalists. They will be collecting input by telephone from the semi-finalist's references and diocesan bishop. A final background check will also be conducted through ECUSA. Finally throughout February and March, they will also be conducting site visits - where subsets of the DSC will visit with the candidate in the context of where they now serve. The teams will meet with the semi-finalist, their significant other, individuals that they work with in a professional or volunteer capacity, and possibly references. The purpose is to get to know them as well as possible prior to making a final recommendation to the Bishop. While absolute confidentiality may prove difficult to enforce, the DSC is committed to using its best efforts to limit disclosures of any sort regarding the identities of the semi-finalists or their status in the process.
The DSC's goal is to narrow the semi-finalists field down even further by the end of May to provide Bishop Marc Andrus with a recommended slate of finalists. After that the board of trustees will be asked to ratify the decision.
The Process
Bishop Marc Andrus will nominate the dean to the full Board of Trustees of Grace Cathedral.
The Bishop's recommendation and the Board of Trustees approval will be guided by the evaluation and recommendation of the Dean Search Committee (DSC). His nomination is subject to approval by the full Board of Trustees of Grace Cathedral.
The Dean Search Committee will, in turn, be guided by input gathered from all key constituents of Grace Cathedral with additional insights garnered from a Council of Advice - leaders from the civic, non-profit, and social and arts communities as well as from youth and other religious organizations.
Dean Search Committee
The Dean Search Committee includes the following members:
Marc Andrus
Michael Barlowe
Bruce Bearden (Admin)
Philip Bowles
Eliza Brown
Dave Chapman
Valerie Crane Dorfman (Chair)
Christopher Hayes
George James
Toby Keller (Co-Chair)
Kathy Kirkpatrick
Kitty Lehman
Lori Ogden Moore
Greg Scott
David Thier
Trevor Traina
Anthony Turney (Chaplain)
Monrelle T. Williams
For Up To Date Information
For information about the status of the Dean Search -- look to Grace magazine, Grace Cathedral service wrappers and this section of our website.
To Share Your Point-of-View
The Dean Search Committee continues to openly seek comments and questions from all constituencies. You may click on "Share Your Thoughts" to complete the online form. While the Dean Search Committee cannot identify prospective candidates individually, it has and will continue to attempt to fully represent the interests of the Grace Cathedral community in the process. While the DSC will not be responding to individual submissions, frequently asked questions will be answered on the site and each comment will be reviewed and taken into consideration by members of the DSC.
For the most up-to-date information about the status of the dean search process -- look to this page of our site, Grace Cathedral service wrappers and Grace magazine.