Diocesan Council

March 17, 2016

Members present:

Bishop Franklin, Pat Bradley, Elisabeth Brauza, Cheri Maytum-Krull, Brian Miller, Colleen O’Connor, Charlie Ohl, Gloria Payne-Carter, Kim Rossi,

Others present:

Cathy Dempesy-Sims, Howard Gondree, Maria Manocchio, Vicki Zust

Bishop Franklin called the meeting to order with prayer at 6:00 pm

February minutes were approved.

Bishop’s Report:

Attended Bishop Malone’s 70th birthday party today. Bishop Franklin gave Bishop Malone a Book of Common Prayer and a bottle of bourbon.
Was interviewed by Catholic Radio today and by ESPN last week. Connected reconciliation, racial reconciliation & evangelism
These were similar themes as were discussed in the House of Bishops’ meeting
Presiding Bishop Curry presided at the House of Bishop’s meeting for the first time
Lots of conversation at the House of Bishops about the Jesus movement and evangelism
Tomorrow the Bishop & Gloria Payne-Carter will be going to the Province II provincial council. On the agenda is the possible abolition or the Provincial structures. This conversation will continue through the triennium
Thank you for the vestry and wardens day
This Tuesday is the Renewal of Ordination Vows at the Cathedral at 12:05 pm everyone is invited.
The Bishop hopes everyone will go to church during Holy Week and Easter
On Pentecost Sunday there will be a Discover Sunday event at Chautauqua
Update on the Lockport project: The Diocese is continuing to explore possible locations for the Lockport Family Center
The Bishop had to leave the Standing Committee early for Bishop Malone’s birthday. In his absence the Standing Committee passed a resolution regarding deanery restructuring. The Standing Committee will be communicating with the Council.

Sub-Committee Reports:

Deanery Restructuring:

Structure should support the parishes as the prime entity.
Presbyterians are exploring the same issues in similar ways.
Methodists have consolidated their judicatories
Conversation is beginning in the Niagara region about ways to share ministry

General Convention Resolutions

A158 & 159 will be taken up by the Hope Center
Committee will be on C020 – Ministry to People with Mental Illness
Committee will also be focusing on D077- Uniting families

Finance

Letter was sent to congregations regarding the 2017 budget process
After March 31st the Council committee & Finance committee will meet jointly regarding the 2017 budget

Warden & Vestry Day

Bishop feels that we should do it again in the future
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive
What went well
First time more than 1 person would come from Olean. Everyone had positive things to say.
Happy with the content & the workshops
Stuck to the schedule – ending on time
Flow was good
Coffee was flowing
Fully subscribed ahead of time spoke to good organization
Movement of people happened
Content, organization & hospitality
People were attentive and engaged
People stayed until the end
New vestry member was extremely impressed
Impressed with workshops
“Will there be more”
Council took ownership & were the hosts
Personal ask made a difference
What could we have done differently
“I didn’t know there was a deadline”
Smaller workshops & more conversation
Coat racks
Planning for next steps
Maybe do another one in the fall for potential vestry members
Two would be possible
It was nice to see everyone here
The energy of a full house was tremendous
There is less opportunity to meet with others in a full room
Could we build in more opportunity for relationship building & dialogue
Perhaps one like Be Not Afraid and one more workshop centered
Could we expand the day? – possibly but keep in mind travel differences
Collect & distribute e-mail addresses from and to the people who came

Surplus Committee Report

Committee was: Bishop, Liz, Cathy, Pat & Bob Matson
Recommendation is that:
$8,000 - $9,000 be used to subsidize meals & coffee at Convention. The Council agreed that this was a good use of the money.
Increase our pledge to The Episcopal Church. A $5,000 increase had already been put into the finalized budget. We are currently at 10%, the asking is 15%. The difference between our budgeted number and the Episcopal Church asking is $23,954. Colleen moved and Kim seconded an additional increase of $5,000 in our giving to the Episcopal Church with the additional funds coming from the surplus. The Council voted in favor.
$75,000 would be set aside for capital improvements on Diocesan properties
$75,000 would be set aside the fund three collaborative ministry projects:
Projects must include two or more congregations or a congregation and a social service agency
No more than 25% of a clergy’s person’s salary may come from the project. Every project must include a sustainability plan, understanding that we have no expectation of the Diocesan budget increasing.
An RFP will be developed by the finance sub-committee of the council and the subcommittee will review the proposals reviewed and make a recommendation to the Council as a whole for approval. The deadline for the first submissions will be Aug 1 with a September 1, 2016 disbursement and a deadline of May 1 or a second disbursement June 1, 2017.
Council approved these decisions.
Vicki will work on a draft of how to communicate these decisions to the Diocese. Council members are invited to e-mail Vicki their thoughts on this communication

Budget Process

Budget application was finished and are on the web-site and have been sent out in Postings. All applications are due March 31.
The Finance Committee will work on a proposed budget to bring to Council in June.

Financial Report

Maria presented the Financial report. There were no questions on the financial report.

Description of the Role of Council for the Convention Arrangements Committee

Liz moved and Brian seconded the approval of the description of the Diocesan Council

Bishop Franklin adjourned the meeting with prayer at 7:54

Respectfully submitted by Vicki Zust