Synod Standing Committee Supplementary Report

Transcription

1 Supplementary Report 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Meetings Since the submission of the initial Standing Committee report, the committee has met three times, on 16 March, 13 April and April Please note that any minutes numbered after SC are unconfirmed. 2 REPORT ON ACTIVITIES 2.1 Admission, readmission and withdrawal of recognition of ministers Standing Committee resolved (SC ) to withdraw recognition of Peter Davey as a Minister of the Word as of 17 March 2016, pursuant to Regulation Standing Committee resolved ( ) to recognise the Rev Dr John Flett as a Minister of the Word in the Uniting Church, subject to his completion of the Uniting Church Studies intensive or equivalent process by August 2017 and the issue of a certificate of completion by the Assembly. (Reg 2.5.2(d)) (SC ). 3 OTHER DECISIONS TO BE REPORTED Standing Committee made decisions concerning a range of other matters. 3.1 Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress Victoria Standing Committee resolved (SC ) to note that UAICC Victoria will report to every second meeting of the Standing Committee in UnitingCare Network Project Control Group and Wesley Mission Victoria Standing Committee resolved (SC ): To approve the inclusion of Wesley Mission Victoria (WMV) in the UnitingCare Network Project established under Standing Committee resolution , resolved on 24 June 2015; To note that a Memorandum of Understanding, reflecting the principles of the report (as attached to the original of these minutes) acceptable to both parties and the General Secretary is to be agreed by the Board of WMV and the UnitingCare Network Project Control Group (PCG); (d) To authorise the Moderator and General Secretary to expand the composition of the PCG by up to two representatives of WMV on the recommendation of the PCG to the General Secretary; (e) To agree, in principle, and subject to independent legal advice, that the New Agency proposed to be formed by the amalgamation of the agencies of the UnitingCare Network and Wesley Mission Victoria should be a subsidiary incorporated body structured around the Wesley Mission Victoria corporation; (f) To request the PCG to submit to Standing Committee detailed proposals for the structure of this subsidiary incorporated body including its Constitution; and (g) To request the General Secretary: To obtain legal advice regarding the interests of the Synod in relation to the joint report from the UnitingCare Network PCG and Wesley Mission Victoria, particularly with respect to Incorporation issues; and (ii) To approve that the costs related to this legal advice will be attributed to the PCG budget. Section C1 C1.34

2 Standing Committee resolved (SC ): A Report to the Synod meeting To endorse the report and forward it to the 2016 Synod meeting. B Report to the Standing Committee To appoint Bronwyn Pike as Director and Board Chair of the new UnitingCare Agency Board, with this appointment taking effect from the effective date of the New Agency Constitution; To appoint the following as Directors of the new UnitingCare Agency Board, with these appointments taking effect from the effective date of the New Agency Constitution: Mark Heintz; Phillip Morris; Robyn Batten; and Allan Thompson. (d) To appoint those who will become directors of the New Agency as a Board Designate to collaborate with the UnitingCare Network Project Control Group to develop plans and make arrangements for the operation of the New Agency after handover of governance responsibility to the New Agency Board; and (e) To authorise the Moderator and the General Secretary to approve further appointments of New Agency Directors before the July 2016 Standing Committee meeting. C Constitutional matters To approve in principle the adoption of the Constitution for the 'New Agency' substantially in the form of the draft attached to the original of these minutes subject to; final drafting; (ii) legal advice, including independent legal advice sourced by the General Secretary; and (iii) satisfactory review and approval by the Synod Legal Reference Committee; To request the UnitingCare Network Project Control Group to bring a final draft of the new Constitution to the July 2016 meeting of Standing Committee for consideration; (d) To approve, in principle the proposal that the Constitution of Wesley Mission Victoria be replaced by the new Constitution; and (e) That the new Constitution is to be effective from a date to be agreed between the UnitingCare Network Project Control Group, Wesley Mission Victoria Board and the Wesley Mission Victoria Members, and for that date to be reported to Standing Committee. 3.3 Kildonan, Ballarat and ReGen UnitingCare Board Chairs presentation to the Standing Committee The Standing Committee resolved (SC ): To note the correspondence and receive the report; To request the General Secretary to write to the Chairpersons of the three agencies (Kildonan, ReGen and Ballarat UnitingCare), indicating that the Standing Committee: Has heard and noted their concerns; (ii) Affirms the implementation of a single Board of Governance for community services in the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania; (iii) Notes that the new governance and operational model will require further and ongoing refinement and implementation; and Section C1 C1.35

3 (iv) Conveys to the new Board the expectation that existing Boards and CEOs continue to collaborate in the refinement and implementation. 3.4 To request the UnitingCare Network Project Control Group to engage in the consultation with the three agencies (Kildonan, ReGen and Ballarat UnitingCare) regarding refinement and implementation of the new model. Property Board update on Wesley Upper Lonsdale Street Precinct Project Standing Committee resolved (SC ): 3.5 To receive the report noting the issue of the Town Planning Permit on 19 April Allocation of proceeds from proposed 130 Little Collins Street development Standing Committee resolved (SC ): In response to Resolution B RE proceeds of redevelopment of 130 Little Collins St: to allocate the proceeds from the development of the 130 Little Collins St project as per the report submitted to Standing Committee: 3.6 To fund the lease obligations for Synod-based Ministries and Operations in Wesley Upper Lonsdale for thirty years; (ii) To provide an annual contribution to the wider Church, through the Board of Mission and Resourcing (BOMAR), based on 1.75% of net available funds remaining from the 130 Little Collins St project returns; and (iii) That contributions will commence in the year post the completion of the 130 Little Collins St project, which based on the current project program is approximately 2022, and are anticipated to total $ 7.4M over a 25 year period. Agency Boards Standing Committee resolved (SC ): (d) 3.7 To delegate its authority, as specified in the Model Constitution, to the Commission for Mission Board, to grant exemption for UnitingCare Agencies to operate without an Agency Board; To grant this delegation to the Commission for Mission Board until 31 December 2016, or earlier if the new Governance Board for UnitingCare VicTas is established prior to that date; and To request the Commission for Mission Board to provide a report when this authority to grant exemption is used to the next ordinary meeting of the Standing Committee Ecumenical Relations Committee Bylaws change Standing Committee resolved (SC B): 3.8 To remove the responsibility for representing the Synod in inter-faith relationships with other living faiths [clause 4 (h)] from the Ecumenical Relations Committee s bylaws, to take effect from 17 March 2016; To confirm that the Commission for Mission has responsibility for representing the Synod on interfaith matters; and To request the General Secretary to correspond with the Ecumenical Relations Committee (ERC) and the Commission of Mission regarding this change in the ERC s bylaws and responsibilities Audited Annual Financial Report Standing Committee resolved (SC ): To receive the Auditor s Report; Section C1 C1.36

4 3.9 To approve the Annual Report of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, for the year ended 31 December 2015; and To authorise the Moderator and General Secretary to sign the Standing Committee Report and the Standing Committee Declaration contained in the Auditors Report and Annual Report. IT Data Warehouse Standing Committee resolved (SC ) to proceeding with the Data Warehouse Solution Phase 1 at a cost of $946,520 over five years, including $873,320 one-off capital expenses Major Strategic Review Standing Committee resolved (SC ): To approve the Vision, Mission Principles and Statements of Intent as a strategic framework for the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania (as in attachment A attached to the original of these minutes); To hold a Strategic Planning meeting within six months of the 2016 Synod meeting for the purpose of prayerfully engaging in spiritual and theological discernment regarding the future direction of the Synod, using the Vision, Mission Principles and Statements of intent as a guide; and To invite presbyteries, congregations and institutions of the Synod to engage in similar prayerful, spiritual and theological discernment utilising the Vision, Mission Principles and Statements of Intent, having regard to their context. Standing Committee resolved (SC ): A Report To receive the report. B Strategic Elements and Oversight To affirm the need for changes to Synod governance, that will support spiritual discernment and strategic direction grounded in the way of Jesus Christ, and reflect the changing requirements of society and church; and that the Vision, Mission Principles and Statements of Intent are aids in this discernment; and (ii) all changes must maintain the role of the as defined in the UCA Regulations and be consistent with existing UCA polity. To affirm that in order to address the Church s financial sustainability, new sources of revenue need to be developed in addition to cost saving measures. To affirm the ongoing role of the in reviewing and resolving any proposed changes emerging from the work of the Major Strategic Review. C Strategic Concepts To propose to the Synod meeting that changes to Synod governance be implemented progressively and include the following key elements: (iii) Two committees of the, with interim titles of: Ministry & Mission Committee and Property & Operations Committee. (iv) The areas of responsibility of existing boards and committees be encompassed as follows: Section C1 C1.37

5 Ministry & Mission Committee Property & Operations Committee Centre for Theology and Ministry Board (including the regulated functions of the Ministerial Education Board) Commission for Mission Board BOMAR Oversight of the distribution of grants Synod Property Board BOMAR Financial policies & resourcing (with reference to the Mission & Ministry Committee) (v) The role, ongoing requirements and reporting lines of boards and committees that currently report to be reviewed in the light of and (ii) above. (vi) A reorganisation of Synod based ministries and operations into four key areas: 1) A Mission & Capacity Building Unit to undertake work in areas including, but not limited to: Ministry services; Supporting and nurturing faith formation and discipleship and leadership development in cooperation with Presbyteries; Allocation & distribution of grant funds; Training and education; Justice and advocacy; Resourcing Placements Committee; and Research and resource development 2) A Mission & Ministry Support Unit to undertake work in areas including, but not limited to: Synod operations oversight; Communications; Human Resources; and Ethical Standards. 3) A Mission Resourcing Unit to undertake work in areas including, but not limited to: Finance and financial management; Property and insurance services; and Information Technology. 4) An Office of the General Secretary to undertake work in areas including, but not limited to: Pastoral responsibilities of the General Secretary; Secretariat functions; Legal; and Strategic support. That the development of additional sources of revenue and reducing costs will include: Seeking contributions from Synod Institutions in addition to current fee for service arrangements; (ii) Developing a shared procurement and support services function to obtain benefits of reduced costs through increased scale; Section C1 C1.38

6 (iii) Creating efficiencies and reducing duplication as a consequence of undertaking strategic governance and organisational changes; and (iv) Developing a deeper understanding of the missional and strategic use of property on a whole of Synod basis. D Implementation To request the Moderator and General Secretary to establish a Strategic Review Implementation Team: To operate under the oversight of the General Secretary and report to each meeting of the ; (ii) With indicative funding of $3 million - $5 million to be made available, subject to a suitable source of funding being identified and budgets approved; and (iii) For an indicative initial period of 2 years To direct the Strategic Review Implementation Team to undertake and/or to oversee work in relation to resolutions arising out of the work of the Major Strategic Review, including: Developing a project plan and budget for approval by the ; (ii) Developing a range of resources to promote the Vision, Mission Principles and Statements of Intent across the Synod, assist Institutions of the Synod to proactively discuss and develop strategic plans based on these statements, and invite congregations and presbyteries within the Synod to undertake the same; (iii) Subject to resolution of the Strategic Concepts related to governance by Synod 2016, implementing the necessary changes, including, but not limited to: a. Drafting by-laws and delegations for the Mission & Ministry Committee and Property & Operations Committee for approval by the ; and b. Drafting by-laws for the for presentation to the 2017 Synod meeting. (iv) Considering other elements of the Major Strategic Review reports and recommendations and bringing other proposals progressively to the. (v) Reporting to each normal meeting of the. To direct the General Secretary and Strategic Review Implementation Team, working with the Executive Director of Finance & Administration, to undertake the following work: Establish a framework for discussion relating to contributions to the Synod by its community services institutions; (ii) Develop a business case and detailed implementation project plan, including budgets, for the creation of a centralised procurement function and for Synod led support services; (iii) Review the Discerning Mission and the Use of Property policy document (2011) to propose, as appropriate, revised allocations of future Property Sale Proceeds; (iv) Identify a source of funds of up to $5 million to acquire, with the approval of the appropriate councils and/or committees of the Church, congregational property that could be redeveloped for the benefit of the wider Church. This fund will be replenished through a share of the proceeds of the property development. (v) In conjunction with presbyteries, review property not used for worship or ministerial residences, to understand the missional use of the property, and: Section C1 C1.39

7 (d) 1) Based on this review determine, in consultation with the appropriate councils and/or committees of the Church, the best use of this property for the commonwealth of the Church. To move the administration and oversight of SHARE to be under the, to be formed, UnitingCare Network Agency Board, subject to agreement by the Commission for Mission Board following its meeting on 4 May Changes to the administration and oversight of SHARE will be made with the understanding that raising and distribution of funds by SHARE will still be available both within the Uniting Church network and externally as per SHARE s current mandate. E Synod Meeting To receive the Major Strategic Review report materially in the form as presented. ATTACHMENT A The Standing Committee has considered and endorsed the following suite of proposals and recommends to the 2016 Synod that it resolve: (d) To receive the report of the Major Strategic Review and accept the invitation to reflect on this report prayerfully, and with an openness to the renewing work of God s Spirit in our life as a Church. To recognise the new and hopeful ways in which God is working and to respond to the call for the Synod to move into a new and renewed form to continue to participate in this work. To receive the Vision and Mission Principles as a primary aid over the next 3 5 years for spiritual discernment and a focus for the Synod. To authorise the to progressively implement changes to Synod governance that include the following key elements: Two committees of the, with interim titles of: Ministry & Mission Committee and Property & Operations Committee. (ii) The areas of responsibility of existing boards and committees be encompassed as follows: Ministry & Mission Committee Property & Operations Committee Centre for Theology and Ministry Board (including the regulated functions of the Ministerial Education Board) Commission for Mission Board BOMAR Oversight of the distribution of grants Synod Property Board BOMAR Financial policies & resourcing (with reference to the Mission & Ministry Committee) (iii) The role, ongoing requirements and reporting lines of boards and committees that currently report to be reviewed in the light of and (ii) above. (iv) A reorganisation of Synod based ministries and operations into four key areas: 1) A Mission & Capacity Building Unit to undertake work in areas including, but not limited to: Ministry services; Supporting and nurturing faith formation and discipleship and leadership development in cooperation with Presbyteries; Allocation & distribution of grant funds; Training and education; Section C1 C1.40

8 Justice and advocacy; Resourcing Placements Committee; and Research and resource development. 2) A Mission & Ministry Support Unit to undertake work in areas including, but not limited to: Synod operations oversight; Communications; Human Resources; and Ethical Standards. 3) A Mission Resourcing Unit to undertake work in areas including, but not limited to: Finance and financial management; Property and insurance services; Information Technology. 4) An Office of the General Secretary to undertake work in areas including, but not limited to: Pastoral responsibilities of the General Secretary; Secretariat functions; Legal; and Strategic support. (e) (f) In responding to the Church s context and where it is called to be in the 21st Century to adopt the following as areas of focus for the Synod over the period, ensuring that activities of the Synod prioritise: New and renewing ministry; Integrating and supporting culturally diverse mission and ministry; and Mission and ministry with families, youth and young adults. In recognition of the impact the relationship between Synod and presbyteries has on fostering faith formation and deepening discipleship and leadership development, to adopt the following as core relational expectations between the Synod and presbyteries: A regional, local and contextual focus of building capacity to engage with the Vision, Mission Principles and Statements of Intent so as to prayerfully and theologically discern authentic ways of being church at mission in local contexts; (ii) A regional, local and contextual strategic use of property for missional purposes; (iii) Intentional leadership and mutual accountability that is enabled through a coordinated relationship between the Synod's leadership and ministries and the presbyteries leadership; (iv) Intentional recognition and nurture of the roles of Presbytery Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer and the importance of these roles to the life and leadership of presbyteries; and (v) Coordination and sharing of resourcing, strategic development and communication in a spirit of mutuality between presbyteries, and between each presbytery and Synod based ministries and operations. (g) To request the Standing Committee to establish a Presbytery Transition Team to work closely with the Strategic Review Implementation Team towards a new model of Presbytery resourcing and ministry in line with the core relational expectations (noted in proposal (f) above) and the following: Section C1 C1.41

9 Maintain the current level of presbytery resourcing (which includes support for three Presbytery ministers and a small amount for administration per presbytery) until 31 December 2017; 3.11 (ii) Review existing placements as to their alignment with the core relational expectations and resourcing available for presbyteries; (iii) To request the Presbytery Transition Team to present a new model of resourcing presbyteries from 1 January 2018 to the 2017 Synod meeting. Schools Relationship Working Group Billanook College Constitutional Changes The Standing Committee resolved (SC ) To approve the modification of those sections of the Billanook College Constitution for which Synod approval is required under clause 58.1 of the current Constitution; To recognise the relationship between Billanook College and the wider Church as existing under UCA Regulations clause (iii); and (d) To request the Schools Relationship Working Group to provide an update to the Synod Standing Committee by its December 2016 meeting on the progress of: The formation of the proposed Uniting Church Schools Association; and (ii) Billanook College s status with respect to the proposed Uniting Church Schools Association Uniting AgeWell A Incorporation The Standing Committee resolved (SC A): To affirm the ministry undertaken by Uniting AgeWell as an on-going expression of the Church at work; To give in-principle approval, subject to independent legal advice, to the incorporation of Uniting AgeWell as a subsidiary company established in a similar way to the new UnitingCare Agency, and request Uniting AgeWell to present a revised constitution to a future meeting of the Standing Committee; and To request the General Secretary: To obtain legal advice regarding the interests of the Synod in relation to the proposed incorporation of Uniting AgeWell; and (ii) To request Uniting AgeWell to reimburse the Synod for the costs of the independent legal advice. (d) To note the desire of Uniting AgeWell to hold separate approved provider status, and to request the General Secretary to establish a process by which this can be considered at an early date; and (e) To invite the Uniting AgeWell Board and the UnitingCare Board to provide a report to the Synod Standing Committee by June 2017, on the appropriateness of Uniting AgeWell amalgamating with the new UnitingCare Agency, and the timing of any such amalgamation. B Board appointment and Board remuneration The Standing Committee resolved (SC B): To appoint Simon Brewin to the Uniting AgeWell Board effective 2 May 2016 until the conclusion of the UA Annual General Meeting in To note that the Board of Uniting AgeWell has given in-principle support to the proposal to remunerate members of the Boards of UnitingCare and Uniting AgeWell. Section C1 C1.42

10 3.13 Centre for Theology and Ministry: Change of name for Co-ordinator of Studies Missiology Standing Committee resolved (SC 16.27(e) to approve that the position of Co-ordinator of Studies Missiology at the Centre for Theology and Ministry be renamed Co-ordinator of Studies Missiology and Intercultural Theology. 4 APPOINTMENTS, RETIREMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS 4.1 Finance Committee Russ Rechner reappointed as Chairperson of the Finance Committee from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 (SC ). Bronwyn Wellings appointed to the Finance Committee for a three-year term from 1 May 2016 to 30 April 2019 (SC ). 4.2 Uniting Housing Victoria Board David Pratt, John Preston, Brian Collins, Andrew Boatman, Mark Grigsby and Margaret Thompson reappointed to the Uniting Housing Victoria Board for an additional three-year term until March 2018 (SC ). Wendy Middleton appointed to the Uniting Housing Victoria Board for a three-year term until March 2019 (SC ). 4.3 Property Board Bronwyn Wellings appointed to the Property Board for the period commencing 17 March 2016 and ending 31 December 2018 (SC ). Annemarie Numa appointed to the Property Board for the period commencing on 1 May 2016 and ending on 31 December 2017 (SC ). 4.4 Committee for Counselling Standing Committee accepted with regret the resignation of Rev Rachel Franklin from the Committee for Counselling (SC ). 4.5 UnitingCare Network Project Control Group Standing Committee accepted with regret Rev Greg Crowe s resignation from the UnitingCare Network Project Control Group (SC 16.14(h)). Sue Norman (Wesley Mission Victoria Board Chair) appointed to the UnitingCare Network Project Control Group, with Raelene Thompson (Wesley Mission Victoria Board Deputy Chair) as Sue Norman s alternate (SC A). Standing Committee accepted with regret Joanna Wriedt s resignation from the UnitingCare Network Project Control Group (SC 16.27(g). 4.6 Legislative Incorporation Task Group Rob Dalgleish, Rev Dr John Evans (Chairperson), Rev David Parker and Rev Dr Geoff Thompson appointed to the Legislative Incorporation Task Group (SC A). 4.7 Board of Mission and Resourcing (BOMAR) Chairperson Standing Committee expressed its deep gratitude to Rev Ian Brown for his contribution to the Standing Committee from September 2011, through his role as BOMAR Chairperson, recognising his valued involvement expressed through leadership on BOMAR-related matters, as well as other factors Section C1 C1.43

11 including his wide knowledge of the Church, experience in governance, theological reflection, and his preparedness to undertake a range of tasks requested of him as BOMAR Chairperson by the Standing Committee (SC B). 4.8 Pastoral Assistance Committee Chairperson Rev Neil Peters appointment as the Chairperson of the Pastoral Assistance Committee extended to 30 June 2019 (SC ). 4.9 Co-options to Synod Standing Committee noted that Sue Clarkson, Joan McRae and Rod Mummery have been co-opted as Synod members as per resolution SC (SC C). MARK LAWRENCE General Secretary Section C1 C1.44

12 Appendix 1 Standing Committee membership and attendance up to 30 April 2016 Name Date appointed Date retired Number of meetings eligible to attend Elected members Number meetings attended of Mr Chris Begg Mr Richard Carter Rev Stan Clarke Mr Ben Cohen Rev Greg Crowe Mr John Diprose Mr Ron Gowland Rev Jeff Gray Mr Geoffrey Grinton Rev Dr Morag Logan Synod 2017) Ms Janine Romaszko Co-option to Synod 2016 Dr Jill Tabart Mr Ken Tabart Rev Lavingi Tupou Synod 2013 (to Synod 2013 (to Rev Eseta Waqabaca-Meneilly Co-option to Synod 2016 Ms Wendie Wilkie Rev Fiona Winn Rev Sue Withers Synod 2013 (to Synod 2017) Synod 2017) Section C1 C1.45

13 Name Date appointed Date retired Number of meetings eligible to attend Ex-officio members Number meetings attended of Rev Grant Finlay Ex-officio October Rev Sharon Hollis Ex-officio Rev Vladimir Korotkov Ex-officio 7 4 Rev Dr Mark Lawrence Ex-officio Rev Ken Sumner Ex-officio 11 5 (appointed Feb 2015) Ms Isabel Thomas Dobson Ex-officio Mr Dan Wootton Ex-officio Associated to participate in meetings Rev Ian Brown Rev Dr Jenny Byrnes Ms Pauline McGillivray Ms Penny Mulvey Rev David Pargeter 10 7 Rev David Parker Section C1 C1.46