Ladies and gentlemen, meet Maureen
by Ana Watts
Ladies and gentlemen, meet Maureen, our Diocesan Administrative
Officer. She joined Synod Office staff nearly a year ago on Nov. 19, 2006 and is the first person to hold the administrative officer title.
“It’s an evolving position,” says Maureen Vail. “The profile states that I provide administrative support to the diocesan office with accountability to the bishop, working closely with the treasurer and the secretary of synod.”
On the financial side of things she ensures diocesan financial obligations are met and financial records are accurate, processes payroll though a web-based dedicated system, maintains sub-ledgers and prepares financial and statistical reports. “My experience in the banking industry comes in handy. We’re in the process of implementing a new accounting system and I am looking forward to the challenge of mastering that process,” says Maureen. She has worked with computers for years and is comfortable using all kinds of programs that enhance the efficiency of diocesan services to the parish.
Speaking of technological expertise, Maureen is the go-to person for DIMS, the diocesan contact database. Anyone who runs into trouble using this custom-designed and incredibly useful program should have Maureen’s number on speed-dial (1-506-459-1801- extension 2). When she explains the process it’s easy.
Some of her administrative duties include the arrangement of conference calls, attendance at meetings with the preparation of minutes, follow-through correspondence and the execution of electronic and paper document filing and organization. Her experience as an executive assistant at IBM in Saint John and Salesbridge in Fredericton gave her up-to-date skills in this department.
“It’s also my job to ensure smooth operations and hospitality within the office and to do what needs to be done where and when it needs to be done,” says Maureen. Planning, preparing and attending Diocesan Synod last spring was that kind of an all-hands-on-deck experience.
When Doreen Smith retired from the Synod Office in the summer of last year the bishop, secretary and treasurer of synod took the opportunity to re-evaluate the roles and responsibilities of some synod staff positions. Advancing technology has changed the way many jobs are done, cutting the time it takes to do some and enhancing the ability of staff to take on larger projects. Even office configuration within the building was examined.
Accessibility is important to Bishop Claude Miller, so he moved his office downstairs to the left of the front doors. His secretary Phyllis Cathcart moved downstairs with him. That put her in the office on the other side of the front doors, the one formerly occupied by Doreen Smith. Now Phyllis’s smiling face is the first one visitors to the Synod Office see. Diocesan treasurer Canon Fred Scott moved upstairs to what used to be the bishop’s office and he is right across the hall from the Ven. Geoffrey Hall, Secretary of Synod and Executive Assistant to the Bishop. Maureen Vail occupies the small office between them. It’s the perfect spot for her because she works closely with them both.
Joining a small, close-knit staff (there are only seven members of Synod Office staff, not including the bishop, and only four of them spend their time in the building) can be a daunting experience, but Maureen has managed it well. She is quiet, friendly and willing. Well, maybe not quite so quiet after a year in the office.
“I am truly enjoying it here at the Synod office. Everyone on staff is a pleasure to work with and I am so grateful to have this opportunity to be able to share my working day with all of them.”
As the mother of four grown sons and grandmother of five beautiful little girls, she spends a lot of her off-hours with family. Sleep-overs at Nana’s are very special times.
When she’s not working or enjoying her grand daughters Maureen reads, walks and goes to the movies with her friends.
