Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Minutes - February 11, 2014

Diocese of Rhode Island
Commission on Finance
Meeting, February 11, 2014
Higgins Room

Present: Robert Batchelor; Robert Bergstrand; Dennis Burton; The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely; Michael Lofaro; Stephan Sloan; The Rev. Joyce Thorne.
Also present: Joan DeCelles; Canon Elizabeth Fornal; The Rev. Edwin Hallenbeck; Ronald Turnbull.

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 am by Chair Lofaro. Bishop Knisely offered an opening prayer.

The Minutes of the meeting of January 14, 2014 were approved as distributed.

Financial Report of January 31, 2014 was discussed at length. This is the first Report prepared with the newly installed ACS software system. It was noted the framework and report style are quite different from previous reports and includes a Balance Sheet. The Report as distributed represents raw data including all accounts and sub-accounts. Time was devoted to how best to condense the information in order that it can be most useful for a variety of audiences such as Diocesan Council and other groups. There will be some experimentation during the spring requesting comments and feedback It was suggested that use of the term checking account is confusing and needs to be changed. The Report was received, noting it represents only one month of information.
Perhaps a condensed version regularly on a monthly basis with the full version quarterly. It was noted that the cash management matter is still under study with meetings with additional banks scheduled.

Apportionment Payments Reports.
For 2013: As of December 31, 2013, five churches were in arrears with an outstanding balance due of $29,501.96. Following review it was Moved, Seconded and Voted to recommend to Diocesan Council that a Reserve Fund be set in the amount of $29,501.96 due from 2013 Apportionment Payments, against which payments may be received in the current year. Note: Since January 1st three churches have paid $22,153. with a balance still outstanding from two churches of $7,349.
For 2014: During January 14 churches did not make apportionment payments, three more than in January 2013. Monthly activity will be tracked as the year progresses.

Old Business.
Review of Revolving Loan Policy. Mr. Sloan reported the matter is still being worked on and requested it be deferred to next month.

May House Project. Mr. Burton reported progress to date and distributed a spreadsheet detailing the various items. The Generator and HVAC work is in process. Insulation requires further asbestos testing. Oil tanks need DEM approval to fill the underground tank. Smaller jobs being bid. Work is under budget.

St. Matthews, Jamestown Revolving Loan. Mr. Turnbull reported that all outstanding payments have been made.

New Business.
St. Paul’s, Portsmouth is preparing a Revolving Loan request to rebuild its ramp.

Advent, Coventry. Inside work is under way.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted
Edwin F Hallenbeck, Secretary


Next meeting: March 11, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.

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