Minutes—November 12, 2013

Present: Robert Batchelor; The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely; Michael Lofaro; Stephan Sloan; The Rev. Joyce Thorne; vacancy Clergy appointed.

Also Present: Joan DeCelles; Canon Elizabeth Fornal; The Rev. Canon Linda Grenz; The Rev. Edwin Hallenbeck; Ronald Turnbull.

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Bishop Knisely, who offered an opening prayer.

Organizing Matters. The Bishop appointed The Rev. Edwin Hallenbeck as Secretary. He called for nominations for Chair. Mr. Michael Lofaro was nominated. There being no further nominations Mr Lofaro was elected unanimously. Following brief discussion Mr Robert Bergstrand was designated as the COF representative to Diocesan Council. Following brief discussion Mr. Dennis Burton was designated as the COF representative to the 2015 Task Force for Strategic Needs and Planning. The Chair welcomed The Rev. Joyce Thorne as a member of the Commission elected at Convention.

Upon completion of the Organizing Matters Mr. Lofaro assumed the Chair.

The Minutes of the meeting of October 8, 2013 were approved as distributed.

The Treasurer’s Report of October 31, 2013 was reviewed. Income is about on budget. Expenditures continue with some timing issues. It appears that we will conclude the year on a break even basis, assuming no unexpected items. The report was received and placed on file.

Apportionment Payments Report. The number of churches and monthly payments in arrears is reduced from last month, from 8 churches to 4, and 37 months to 23, see chart.

#	Months in Arr		Parish / Location	Comments
	2012	2013
19	4	4	St. David’s, Cranston	Considering future
36	1	2	St. Matthew’s, Jamestown	Recent conversation
43	3	5	St. Columba’s, Middletown	Recent meeting w/leaders
76	1	2	STs Peter & Andrew, Providence

All except St. David’s anticipate completing the year fully paid.

Old Business. Revolving Loan Policy. Mr. Sloan reported on his review to date, noting there are some legal issues that are unclear. It was suggested that he ask the Chancellor to review issues. The work will continue, and remain on the COF agenda.

ACS Implementation Update. Reference was made to the draft Chart of Accounts distributed. A number of comments  were made with a view to consolidation, aimed at simplifying the structure. An example instead of separate accounts for all payroll listings, the detail is available in the ADP payroll vendor accounts for audit and does not need repeated in the account structure. Salary/Benefits/Other is sufficient. Joan DeCelles distributed a church apportionment account report and monthly statement sample. It was agreed to implement this for all churches effective in January.

May House Projects. Reference was made to four projects needed to bring the house up to livability standards, and bids to undertake the projects. There are four distinct project needs. It was noted that this is the house currently occupied by the Bishop and that he intends to remain living in it indefinitely. The needed projects are: a) Insulation. b) Air Conditioning. c) Heating. d) Emergency Generator. The projects were reviewed in detail with priorities noted. Following discussion it was Moved, Seconded and VOTED to complete insulation as proposed by RISE, update the heating system, add air conditioning and an emergency generator at a cost not to exceed $60,000. with Mr. Burton to refine bids; the cost to be paid from appropriate funds of the Diocese. This is a capital expense subject to depreciation. The Bishop recused himself from voting.

Church of the Advent, Coventry. Canon Grenz reported that with the church presently not operating, work is needed both in the church and the Rectory to prepare the facilities for use. The estimated cost, without bids at this time, as roughly $40,000.

Calvary Church, Pascoag. Study is underway to use these facilities in connection with ECC. Some rearrangement of how staff are accommodated could make these facilities much more workable. A detail proposal is under development. The Resource Fund is an appropriate resource for this project.

St. Mark’s, Riverside. The Tax Assessor of the City of East Providence has refused to change the assessed valuation. The next step is to appeal to the Tax Assessment Review Board. The Bishop suggested reviewing the matter with the Chancellor.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 a.m.

Respectfully submitted

Edwin F. Hallenbeck

Secretary

Next meeting of the COF is December 10, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.