Dear Delegates, Rectors, and Vicars,

The 25th Annual Meeting of the Diocese of El Camino Real is just a week away.  At this Convention, you will be addressing several resolutions.  One of the resolutions (#1) that you will be considering proposes charging “the formal bodies of the Diocese to study a mission strategy committed to the support of local ministry and to design as one diocesan funding alternative a 10/10/10 model as a financial structure for mission.” 

The Diocesan Council, having initiated action, believes that Resolution #1 is not needed, as work in that regard is already under way.

On behalf of the Diocesan Council, I want to share with you actions that your Council has already taken to study the relationships between the strategic plan, diocesan programs, and funding.

As you know, the purpose of the Diocesan Council is to act on behalf of the Diocesan Convention between meetings thereof to develop and implement the policies, programs, and budget approved and adopted by the Convention.  In October 2004, the Diocesan Council passed the following resolution:

Resolved: that the Diocesan Council appoints an ad hoc Diocesan Funding Review Committee (DFRC) to study the funding of diocesan programs, services and support. Further, that this committee is to serve as an ad hoc, advisory committee of the Diocesan Council and that it be composed of 12 representatives, both clergy and lay, of large and small parishes, missions and be culturally and geographically diverse.

The purposes of this committee include: Explore the Fair Share Formula; Explore alternative funding models; Explore the relationship between the Strategic Plan and the goals of funded ministries, commissions, committees and activities.

Be it further resolved, that this committee submit interim reports monthly to Diocesan Council and a last report to Diocesan Council by August 2005 regarding:

1) Funding formula for the Diocese of El Camino Real.

2) Execution of the Diocesan Strategic Plan through diocesan programs, services and support.

3) Diocesan Council’s oversight responsibility for diocesan programs, services and support.

This resolution directs the Diocesan Council with the work of the ad hoc committee to examine various alternatives to funding, including a 10/10/10 model.  Importantly, the Council will examine the links between the strategic plan for the Diocese and the programs that need to be implemented, funded, and given oversight.  The Council will use this input to make recommendations for 2006.

Further, the Diocesan Council invites the vestries and rectors that proposed resolution #1 to work with the Council and the other major bodies of the Diocese of El Camino Real and be engaged in a cooperative effort.

See you at Convention!

In faith,
Diane Lovelace
Chair, Diocesan Council