Council Approves in Principle An Income Development Program
Diocesan Press Service. December 12, 1974 [74350]
GREENWICH, Conn. -- The Executive Council of the Episcopal Church has approved in principle an income development program and requested its development committee to report a detailed plan to its February, 1975, meeting.
Oscar C. Carr, Jr., executive for development on the Council staff, reminded the Council that the General Convention in 1973 had directed his office "to arrange visits and consultations with representatives of parishes, dioceses, the national Church, and others, for the purpose of developing a strategy to release the human and financial resources of the Church, " with a report of "its findings and recommendations " to be made to the Presiding Bishop and the Council in February, 1975.
The Executive Council was "authorized and encouraged" by the Convention "to implement such a strategy for the Church. "
Mr. Carr pointed out that the total program and project requests for 1975 totalled $15.1 million while the Council was mandated by General Convention to live within a balanced budget of $13.9 million for 1975. He said that while the Presiding Bishop and the Executive Group of the staff accept as the first priority the support of the $13. 9 million program and budget for 1975, they are committed "to find alternative ways to fund those aspects of the Church's program" which have to be decreased in 1975 or which cannot be increased to the desired and needed level.
He said that the "sales items" in the plan are the programs, projects, and matching grants, which will be identified in a brochure which is to be prepared. The " sales- persons " who "will personally carry the brunt of the message to the Church" are the Executive Group and the staff under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop. The " market " will be provinces, dioceses, parishes, foundations, and individuals.
The Rev. John B. Coburn, New York City, chairman of the Council's committee on development, said that the committee "approves the general way " the development office has gone about its task.
Dr. Coburn identified several questions which he said needed "refinement" by the development office and his committee before a detailed report is made in February. These questions have to do with the relation between the development committee, the development office, the Executive Council and the program itself; with the finances of the program, including procedures and frequency; with the evaluation and review of priorities; and with the selection of programs, the development of projects, and the decision-making process.
Dr. Coburn said that the development committee will meet in January with the advisory committee on development to assist in refinement and clarification of the plan. He said he hopes that in February the staff and the committee can "present a development program that we are all of one mind about."
Mr. Carr said that an associate will be appointed to his staff early in 1975 to share the development and stewardship responsibilities of his office.