Meeting Minutes June 12, 2014

 Minutes of the

Committee on Program and Budget

June 12, 2014

Members Present:

Bob Batchelor, Betsy Fornal, Greg deGroot, Linda Grenz, Ted Hallenbeck, Bishop Knisely, David Lucey, Ann Rheault

Meeting was called to order at 10:30 am. 

Budget Review

Hispanic Ministry

St. George’s, Central Falls:

Linda Grenz reported that her meeting with the St. George’s bishop’s committee went well. They were grateful for the financial transparency offered by the diocese.

Church of the Ascension, Cranston

The bishop spoke with the vestry at Ascension – Hispanics represent one-third of the at-large membership, while the junior warden position is shared by one Hispanic and one Anglo representative.

Budget Review of 2014/2015 Projected Apportionment Budgets

Changes 2014 vs. 2015:

Administration - Oil expense decreases and gas increases due to the imminent gas conversion process. Title IV costs (legal fees for clergy discipline) could be taken off the budget with Diocesan Council action, we are setting up a reserve fund in case it’s needed.

Annual Diocesan Convention – Meals decrease and program increases due to getting an outside speaker (Bishop Hazelwood).

Bishop Search – money will be added stepwise to to the search fund until it reaches $150K after 10 years, which should be enough to conduct the next search.  The diocese also took out a 10-year life insurance policy on the bishop.

College Ministry and Chaplaincy – Plan to step up fundraising efforts for Brown chaplaincy by soliciting Brown and RISD alumni.  Support will be given to URI.

City Camp – Food has been awful in the past; perhaps in summer 2015 parishes could take turns providing nice lunches for the kids.

Commission on Ministry – Total discernment expenses will decrease in 2015 as the cost will be shared equally among parishes, candidates and the diocese.

Communications – Printing and postage for Risen is decreasing due to reducing printed copies from four to three annually, and relying more on an electronic version to those who can live without paper copies.  We may have to outsource print pre-production.

Episcopal Conference Center – 2014 expenses will likely exceed the budgeted amount, but Linda will talk to Director Meaghan Kelly about increasing development efforts.

Episcopal Church Assessment – Decreases due to a decrease in diocesan revenue.

Triennial General Convention – More was budgeted for delegates in 2013 than was used, so decreasing this in future budgets.  EYE youth event happens the summer before convention so we are putting money away for 3 years to save up for what will be needed in 2017.

Next Meeting: Thursday, July 17, 2014 @ 10:30 a.m. in the Higgins Room.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Kane Rheault