Diocesan Council – Trinity Church, Reno

MINUTES

April 12, 2008 Present:  Karl Gustafson, Shirley Smith, Paul Colbert, Steve Dondero, Carol Moore, Marjorie Turner, John Curtis, Bishop Edwards, Betty-Jeanne Cousins Absent:  Jeff Turner, Jeff Robinson, Dan Lediard, John Maloney

Bishop Edwards opened the meeting at 10:15 a.m.  

Bishop Edwards asked for a few moments to explain “Confidentiality” which was on the Expectation List.  Diocesan Council does not have sensitive personnel issues, as does Standing Committee.  Vestries do not have confidential meetings behind closed doors unless an issue arises for “executive session”.  Vestries as well as Diocesan Council meetings are open to everyone.  Closed sessions cause distrust, therefore, Bishop Edwards requested that "Confidentiality” to be removed from the list.   Discussion followed.   Bishop Edwards stated that Diocesan Council decisions impact the entire Diocese therefore we set the example for all others to follow.  All members agreed to remove #4 Confidentiality and in its place put Transparency.

Bishop Edwards asked that Natalie Wolch be asked to join the Council in order for a quorum.  Natalie Wolch was asked to join Council.
 
Adoption of Agenda

Motion:  Steve Dondero moved to accept the Agenda for April 12, 2008, seconded; Shirley Smith.  Unanimous.

Motion:  Carol Moore moved to accept Marjorie Turner as the replacement for Ruth Edsall who had one year left on her term, seconded; John Curtis.  Unanimous. Natalie Wolch left the meeting and returned to the Youth meeting.

Minutes

Motion:  Shirley Smith moved to accept the Minutes of September 15, 2007, October 13, 2007 and February 8, 2008, seconded; Carol Moore.  Unanimous.

Treasurer’s Report -  John Curtis. John stated that the Diocese was having a “deficit” and was primarily due to the decline in the investment portfolio.  However, could not state deficit or surplus (see page 26).  Since Christ Church, Las Vegas and Trinity, Reno are in transition it is difficult to state how asking compares to 2007.  All Saints, Epiphany and Grace in the Desert are a real plus. Bishop Edwards received a letter from Finance Officer, Irv Cousins (see attached letter) stating his concerns with the original suggestion from Treasurer, John Curtis on the below motion.  After John read the letter he concurred.
Motion:  Carol Moore moved that any one of the three (3) signers, Finance Officer, W. Irvin Cousins, back-up to the Diocesan Finance Officer, Jim Koehn and a member of Standing Committee, Bill Leonard on Bank of the West and Sun West Bank accounts be required to sign check for amount of $10,000 and under.  Any two of the three authorized signers is required to sign checks for amounts over $10,000.  The Diocesan Finance Officer is to provide an electronic copy of the financial database weekly to the Diocesan Treasurer to serve as check on the disbursements paid, seconded; Karl Gustafson.   Unanimous.

John Curtis expressed his concerns about Coventry Cross asking payment.  Their last payment to the Diocese was May, 2007.  John stated they have had three or four Treasurers, requested and received approval of a $150,000 loan from Standing Committee to complete financing of their Parish Hall remodel project, never drew down the loan but it appears they have used “restricted funds” to complete the remodel of Parish Hall.  

Motion: John Curtis moved to form a committee to meet with Minden’s Coventry CrossRector and Senior Warden to determine why they have not made a monthly Asking payment since May, 2007 and to inquire whether “restricted funds” were used to finance the completion of their remodel to the Parish Hall.  Committee to report back to Diocesan Council at its June 28th meeting, seconded; Carol Moore.  Unanimous. Committee:  Dan Lediard, Shirley Smith, and Bishop Edwards.

John Curtis discussed with Council the logic for the next motion.  With Diocesan Council trying to ensure financial transparency and prevent secret agreements in the future concerning Asking (example Christ Church, Las Vegas) a canonical change in the Canons is necessary to ensure an “open door” policy with the entire Diocese.

Motion:  Move that the Diocesan Canons be revised to require the Diocesan Treasurer to include in his annual report to the Annual Diocesan Convention a listing of each Parish’s asking payments received for the preceding calendar year together with the base amount upon which those asking payments were calculated and the percentage of the payment amount to the base amount.  The Diocesan Chancellor is directed to draft the preceding sentence for inclusion in to the appropriate canon, ensure it is published in accordance with canonical timeframes and present it for a vote at the 2008 Diocesan Convention, seconded; Carol Moore.   Unanimous.

Communications Committee

Betty-Jeanne Cousins requested clarification as to when Minutes from Council are to be placed on the Web Site?  Decision – after approved by Council at its next meeting.

Karl Gustafson and Hallie Murphy gave a presentation on their vision for the Diocesan Web Site and upgrades needed.  This committee started as an ad hoc committee last year and has been working very hard to improve communications.

By improving telephone conference calls with video both time and money may be saved in travel expense. 

At present it is their opinion that $30.00 a month for the Web Host is grossly overpaid.  They suggested that another Web host be used that is much easier and less expensive ($6.95 a month).  Karl and Hallie request permission to move forward with their plan keeping John Curtis and Irv Cousins advised on expenses.  In approximately six months all information from one host to another should be completed. Bishop Edwards advised that three new task forces are forming, Health Care, Family and Ministries and Green Ministries.
Motion:  Karl Gustafson moved that up to $500.00 be disbursed (actual $378.00 plus $6.95 a month) for a one year subscription to Constant Contact and web hosting, seconded: Paul Colbert.  Unanimous.

It was requested for the June 28th Agenda that a “term” be placed on the Communications Committee.

Noon – Break for Lunch

 Youth Council Karen Johanns gave Diocesan Council an update on what the Youth Council has been doing.  First, two more members are needed to serve on the Youth Council  (one youth and one adult).  EYE has four applicants, and Bill Hummel is one adult going but another is needed.  Plans are underway for New Beginnings and Diocesan Convention.
Maggie Davidson – EYE (Episcopal Youth Event) in Texas, July 8-13th ($480 plus transportation)  May 4th is the deadline to National  for all EYE applications which must be submitted  to Karen Johanns – her fax #  775-329-3135.  If financial assistance is needed, please advise Karen. There are six spots left open as of today.  Presiding Bishop Katharine will be at this event in July as well as Bishop Edwards.

Campus Ministry - $58,500 a year ago.  Grant $34,000 (Trinity $17,000 and St. Paul’s Sparks $17,000) combined together.

UNR – focus on UNR and use it as a “spring board” that works for the youth.  Program then could be adopted for UNLV.   UNLV at present has no funding.  Grant expires in June, 2008 from National for UNR. $21,000 available in 2009 – new dollars needed – a Task Force must be formed to speak with Casinos and corporations asking for donations for Youth.  There are no funds in the Budget for this ministry.

Bishop Edwards – Hopefully a Capital Funds drive will occur within next couple of years.

Motion:  Carol Moore recommends to Standing Committee $37,000 be disbursed for Campus Ministry/Youth Ministry for the period July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009, seconded; Shirley Smith.   Passed.   No – Paul Colbert
Motion:  Carol Moore moved to form a Diocesan Task Force to investigate programs and funding for children, families, youth and young adults to be appointed by Bishop Edwards.  Charge the Task force to find funding for 2009, 2010 and 2011 seconded; Paul Colbert.    Unanimous.

Strategic Plan – Paul Colbert Paul Colbert asked, “What are the areas we want to revise in this Strategic Plan?"

Ministry Development - Bishop Edwards - in order “to be churched” ministry of all the baptized, we must have strong lay ministry.  Following the “Wes Frensdorff model” to empower the parishes, even though the Diocese can’t afford Vicars as in the past, therefore, lay people must be trained for this ministry.  Ministry Development is a must for the success of this Diocese.

Bishop Edwards suggests “Wade in the Water” a 7 week course – possibly a Lenten Study or Adult Education program. Contacts – for writing articles Church Growth- New Church Starts and Outreach.  We need to plant one a year.  Diocesan Commission – techniques for planting and where to plant. Bishop Edwards suggests strategies for congregation to grow, new church plants, we must explore these ideas. Paul Colbert suggested- Developing Church Planting and Growth – needs to be split

Meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,   Betty-Jeanne Cousins, Secretary to Convention                                                             .