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Executive Council Minutes
January 18, 2011
Wilsey Conference Center A/B
Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA
The meeting was called to order at 4:08PM by Roulhac Austin, Chair of Executive Council. Roulhac offered the Gospel reading and the opening prayer. Introductions were made around the room.
I. Attendance:
Present: The Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, Bishop and President of Executive Council.
Elected Members: Roulhac Austin, Gabriella Strand Bruce, Matthew Burt, Dana Corsello, Bronwen Howes, Gary Hunt, David Lui, Jay Luther, Christopher Martin, Donald Mullikan, Richard Patenaude, Brenda Paulin, Lauran Pifke, Pamela Redding, Dianne Smith, Deborah White, Mary Jane Wood.
Conference call: Peter Jensen.
Bishops Appointees: Melissa Ridlon, Jay Watan, Donald White.
Ex-Officio Members: Bruce Smith, David Frangquist, Bob McCaskill.
Guests of Council: Michael Barlowe, Congregational Development; Jim Forsyth, Controller; Julia McCray Goldsmith, Ministry Development; and Sean McConnell, Communications.
Absent: Dewitt Bowman, Christopher Hayes.
II. Modification/Adoption of Agenda:
The agenda was modified to include discussion of adjustments to the Endowment and the Final 2011 Budget submitted by the Department of Finance, as well as consent to the Bishop’s Appointees to the finance committee. It was motioned, seconded and consented to accept the agenda as modified.
III. Approval of the December 14, 2010 Minutes:
It was motioned, seconded and consented to approve the December 14, 2010 minutes, including the endorsement of the 2011 Clergy Housing Agreement as stated below:
“The 2011 Clergy Housing Resolution of Executive Council dated December 14, 2010 having been presented to Executive Council on said date, and having thereafter been circulated for approval to all or most members of Executive Council between December 14 and December 31, 2010 and all such members (constituting more than a majority of Executive Council) having approved the same prior to December 31, 2010, it is
RESOLVED that said informal vote and consent to approve said resolution prior to December 31, 2010 is hereby confirmed and memorialized, to be effective no later than December 31, 2010 and for the calendar year following; and it is
FURTHER RESOLVED, that to the extent, if any, that said informal resolution shall be ineffective under the Internal Revenue Code to secure the benefit of the specified housing allowances to the clergy named in said resolution effective no later than December 31, 2010 and for the calendar year following, said resolution is hereby again adopted as of the date of this meeting, January 18, 2011, to be effective for the remainder of this calendar year.”
Presented by Jay Luther
IV. Bishop Marc’s Report:
Bishop Marc spoke about the Nightwatch for Middle and High School youth which took place at Grace Cathedral on Martin Luther King weekend. Bishop Marc thanked Julia McCray Goldsmith for keeping this program going. The participants learned about the legacy of civil rights leadership. On Monday Jan. 17, after a night in the cathedral, the young people connected with the Bay Area interfaith community with a reenactment of the Civil rights era march in Selma, Alabama, over the Pettus Bridge. The march ended at Yerba Buena Plaza with a Martin Luther King memorial and interfaith service and program. Bishop Marc joined other dignitaries at Yerba Buena to remember Dr. King and to honor the Rev. Amos Brown of San Francisco’s Third Baptist church. The sermon Martin Luther King gave when he visited Grace Cathedral can be found on the Cathedral web site.
Bishop Marc reported that on January 8TH he joined Berkeley Canterbury Chaplain Tom Poynor at the Bishop’s Ranch for a day of reflection on the themes of Epiphany. He announced that Jan Parkin has resigned from her position as Executive Director of Episcopal Charities. Her husband has been called to a church outside of Chicago. He noted that she has done a great job of reshaping EC and the development of the Action Networks.
Bishop Marc, on behalf of the DioCal delegation to the historic Climate Justice gathering, invited everyone to join them on Jan. 25th as they reflect on the conference. The Final Statement and Commitments from The Climate Justice gathering can be found in DioBytes.
The Bishop commented that both he and Michael Barlowe are members of the Bilateral Commission which will be visiting Brazil in the spring.
V. Staff Reports:
Sean McConnell offered the Communications report. He indicated that the leading story in DioBytes is taken from Bishop Marc’s blog. Sean reported that Francesca has been empanelled on a jury during the past month and hopes to be back on Thursday. The survey is on hold until she returns. The Diocese has changed its operating system from Mac to Microsoft 7. Sean identified three goals for the Communication network:
1. Establish an area based communication network,
2. Finish the final diocesan database and take it online, and
3. Upgrade the diocesan website so that is more useful to Diocal users.
Michael Barlowe offered the Congregational Development report. He reported that the Mission Effectiveness Review training will be held this Saturday, Jan, 20th, from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM in the Wilsey Conference Center. You can still sign up by contacting Michael Barlowe. He also noted that an excellent anti-racism training will be offered at St. Paul’s Burlingame on Feb 25 and 26. Michael noted that if you have already taken the training, there is no requirement to take it again, but it is important to be as current as possible. Michael was asked if there could be a special training scheduled for Executive Council. This option will be considered. There will be a Vestry Training day on Feb.12 from 9 am until 12 noon. The topic will be Christian leadership in tough times.
Michael offered an update on clergy deployment as well. He indicated that the Episcopal Church is moving from a CDO profile to portfolio manager. This will be more effective for our church and will better support clergy and lay leadership for the emerging church. The Episcopal Church center website has information on Latino Ministry. The Latino Commission is being reorganized in our diocese with positive results. There is great hope for positive results from Michael Lapsley’s workshops later in the year.
Julia McCray Goldsmith offered the Ministry Development report. The next Beloved Community event will be on January 29th at St. Timothy’s, Danville from 9AM until 5PM. There is a lot of movement in support of youth ministry in this diocese. Julia reported that the Nightwatch was “extremely fun.” Five parishes sent teams of youth and there were eight or nine adults. Julia noted that the new newsletter enhances communication, with more young adults self- identifying after seeing the newsletter.
February 13 is Camp Sunday. There are resources and a video on camps which is available for use. You can also simply lift up this ministry with prayers for camps during the service. Camp ministry has been the most successful ministry in The Episcopal Church. Deep commitments have been formed in Episcopal camps over the years. Julia suggested that more collaborative ways to develop youth ministers need to be established in order to build a pattern of sustainable youth ministry.
VI. The Report from the Department of Finance, including the December financials was offered by Bob McCaskill, Treasurer. He indicated that the Finance Committee convened on Jan. 12th. The committee reviewed in detail the three statements previously distributed to EC. These are:
1. Income Statement Year-to-Date 12/31/10
• The Assessment line shows that our assessment receipts were slightly better than budget on a cash basis.
·We have removed the phantom income line of $353,796 which was from prior years’ reserves because we had sufficient income in 2010 to fund the budget without these reserves.
• Even with use of the 2010 surplus to fund the 10% assessment rebate, because expenses were significantly below budget, we still ended the year with a surplus of about $40,000.
•DioHouse staff deserves our thanks for closely monitoring and controlling expenses over the past year.
*REMINDER: This is cash basis statement. Our auditors will eventually convert this to an accrual basis, although we do not expect any significant changes that will impact the bottom line.
2. Aging Report
•Congregations listed at the bottom of the report are those with persistent arrearages in amounts owed to the Diocese.
·No parishes (and only one mission) are over 60 days delinquent in payroll and benefit reimbursements to the Diocese.
3. Union Bank Line of Credit
• The only major change from last month’s schedule is that St. Augustine’s, Oakland, paid off its remaining loan balance of approximately $99,000.
4. Trinity Church
·Jim Forsyth updated the committee on the most recent developments with respect to the property issues at Trinity Church, San Francisco, which is now a mission. The congregation is exploring the possibility of fundraising to support restoring the building. The estimate for restoration of the building is two to four million dollars. The Bishop has authorized the use of the Chapel for the remaining congregation, which is now flourishing in the smaller space. The Diocese continues to investigate the possible sale of the property. The building is a danger, especially in an earthquake. Bishop Marc and Council agreed that the diocese has a moral responsibility for the safety of people using it. The use of the chapel keeps the property in a non-profit tax-exempt status.
5. Financial Advisory Group for Troubled Parishes
•Roulhac Austin presented a proposal for Council to work with and through deaneries to create volunteer advisory groups within each deanery to offer legal, real estate, accounting, management or other assistance to congregations who received assessment relief and who must report to Council in June how they are addressing the situation giving rise to the relief. If successful, the program will be extended to other congregations in distress within the deanery. Because it has several parishes granted relief, the effort will begin in Contra Costa under the leadership of its deanery president and former chair, Shelton Ensley. It was orally moved, seconded and approved (with one abstention).
6. New members of the Finance Committee
• Council was asked to consent to the Bishop’s appointment of the Vice Chair of Council to the Department of Finance (DOF), as well as the one-year DOF appointment of Shelton Ensley. It was so moved, seconded and approved.
7. 2011 Final Budget
• The 2011 Final Budget was distributed and reviewed. It was moved, seconded and consented to ratify the final 2011 Budget.
VII. The Report from the Standing Committee was offered by Bruce Smith.
The Standing Committee consented to the election of Martin Scott Field as Bishop-elect of the Diocese of West Missouri and the election of R. William Franklin as Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Western New York. The consents of a majority of Bishops and Standing committees of the Episcopal Church are needed for consent to the election of a bishop.
There was discussion about St Peter’s, San Francisco, which was damaged by the 1989 earthquake. They are now worshiping in the Interfaith Chapel at the Presidio. They have built housing for developmentally disabled adults on their property at 29TH Avenue between Gary & Clement.
VIII. Executive Council Bylaws & Policies: Electronic meetings and votes.
The new members need to sign consent forms for electronic meetings. A vote by email is not possible. A notice can be given by email and a meeting can be held by phone.
IX. Brief/No reports:
1. Donald White reported on the Audit Committee. He indicated that this committee needs to be expanded. Tim Smith has volunteered to be on this committee. Both Brenda Paulin and Mary Jane Wood volunteered during the meeting. The committee meets twice a year.
2. No report was offered for the Diocesan Institutions Working Group.
3. No report was offered for the Investment Committee.
4. Dianne Smith reported on the Racial Reconciliation Task Force. She commented on the excellent meeting held at St Mary’s on Jan. 15. Sean taped the talk and it is available.
5. Roulhac Austin reported on the Steering Committee. She asked that EC members • please send correction for the Roster and written consent to receive notice via electronic means to her.
X. Old Business:
1. The Ad Hoc Committee on Financial Viability has been tabled.
2. Melissa Ridlon has been appointed, as the Council Representative to the Nominations Committee. She will convene a meeting soon so work can begin.
3. Lauren Pifke reported on the expanded Assessment Formula Review Committee. Four clergy members have left the committee (Steven Strane, Terry Grotzinger, Jason Parken, Tommy Dillon) and seven new lay members (Nancy Duranteau, Tom Wong, Klaus Berkner, Randy Pendleton, Deborah Cleveland, Matt Ciaschini, Gabriela Strand) have been appointed. She indicated that the committee decided that the formula needs to be simplified and is no longer considering a multi-year step-up formula. The committee is leaning toward leaving the assessment at 5% of the first $62,000. A percentage on anything over $62,000 is still under review. Information will be sent out for study and discussion at the retreat.
XI. New Business:
1. Council Retreat:
The retreat will be held at the Bishop’s Ranch in Healdsburg, Thurs. Feb. 3, 2011, 2:00PM through Fri. Feb. 4, 2011, 5:00 PM. This includes three meals. Mary Louise Gotthold will contact everyone and with a room number. Scholarships are available. Sean will be taking a council picture on Friday after breakfast.
2. Announcements:
• There will be an Ethnic and Multicultural Retreat at St. Dorothy’s Rest Feb. 4 and 5, 2011.
•The Peace, Justice, and Hunger Commission will hold a forum on Israel/ Palestine at St. Paul’s, Oakland on February 20, 2011 at 6:30 PM.
• On Feb. 19 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s in Oakland there will be a celebration of Absalom Jones, the first African American priest to be ordained in the Episcopal Church.
·There will be a program at CDSP on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011 at7:30 PM entitled "Intercultural Dialogue in a Multi- Cultural World." It is part of CDSP's weekly Community Night. The program will begin with Eucharist at 5:45 PM, followed by dinner.
•Henry Ohloff House will report at the February Meeting.
·Please send agenda items for the February meeting to Roulhac.
XII. Soundbites for DioBytes:
Roulhac indicated that members of the Steering Committee would determine the main meeting points to contribute to DioBytes.
XIII. Closing Prayer and Adjournment:
The closing prayer was given by Deborah White and the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 PM.
Respectfully Submitted by
Mary Louise Gotthold
Recording Secretary