Working closely with the clergy and staff, the Vestry acts as the primary governing board of the parish. Vestry members are usually elected at the annual parish meeting. The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector or priest-in-charge. The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church’s mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.