tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post2655838657447521584..comments2024-02-15T03:32:25.686-05:00Comments on Preludium, Anglican and Episcopal futures: Does a Document Dump address the UTO Four's Protest?Mark Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871096746243771489noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-67563031260983742812013-09-11T10:14:45.927-04:002013-09-11T10:14:45.927-04:00David and John, that's just it, the UTO board ...David and John, that's just it, the UTO board thought they were writing up a new set of bylaws sharing power, but when they got a copy of what is being voted on in October, all power goes to DFMS. They're just advisors and obviously the "leadership" hasn't listened to a word they've said in years if they wrote the bylaws this way. After the vote is too late to do anything. If people don't want all control going to TEC central they have to speak up now. If, as some of the other documents imply, DFMS is already refusing to pay out grants that the UTO has chosen to give, it's no wonder the UTO board is upset. Sounds like the UTO board is about to become window dressing. And once their money is absorbed into TEC completely, where will it go? Lawyers? Or maybe a "grant" to save 815?<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-41341694235215446772013-09-11T09:53:49.112-04:002013-09-11T09:53:49.112-04:00Good idea and the UTO 4 were more than willing to ...Good idea and the UTO 4 were more than willing to sit at the table and talk about ways forward. Some of them have run non-profits and know the IRS codes backwards and forwards. There seems to be an assumption that they are clueless (as many of us in that generation experience from the larger culture). As to release of documents - the original "dump" came from 815, the PB and COO. In that is an unsigned rant against UTO Board. The documents that were released by others filled in some of the gaps in the 815 dump. <br /><br />For more from the UTO4 read <a href="http://125-years.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">their blog.</a>Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287169546184325690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-61188207384462083222013-09-09T23:29:32.825-04:002013-09-09T23:29:32.825-04:00As information is now coming out that sheds light ...As information is now coming out that sheds light on the situation, I find myself hopeful that this can be worked out. <br /><br />I wonder if either side has thought about giving some ground and meeting in the middle. For instance, what if the UTO board could consist if members elected half by the provinces and half by the ECW? <br /><br />To me, there is one thing that's clear, (from a legal standpoint) the UTO must get their house in order. This can certainly be accomplished with a bylaw and MOU update, and this doesn't mean that the current UTO leadership give up all their "power". Of course, it doesn't mean that 815 gets to run the show all by themselves, either. <br /><br />I am saddened that four UTO board members chose resigning from the board (and making public confidential documents and conversation details) over remaining and standing up for their convictions. The departure of four women who obviously care deeply for the UTO program is a loss to all concerned. <br /><br />If TEC is really a church of the "via media", then the DFMS and the UTO board should be able to sit down together and let each side give up a little for the benefit of the entirety. David and Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09545394141617985139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-30419232681790143212013-09-09T11:45:05.845-04:002013-09-09T11:45:05.845-04:00I don't get this. Why doesn't the UTO simp...I don't get this. Why doesn't the UTO simply apply to become a 501(c)3? The idea of piggy-backing on the 'national church' 501c3 is the problem and makes no sense. Just resolve it.SCMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-41924315145825889752013-09-08T17:00:17.998-04:002013-09-08T17:00:17.998-04:00I was a member of the INC-055 Task Force from 2009...I was a member of the INC-055 Task Force from 2009 to 2012. I also served on the study committee that preceded the task force and met in the summer of 2008. At the time I was a member of the Executive Council and chaired the Executive Council’s International Concerns Committee for the 2006-2009 triennium. <br /><br />I have been aware of and committed to the UTO since I was a very little girl. I remember the blue box on the window sill above the kitchen sink and watching my mother and my father drop coins into the box. The current confusion about the UTO and its role in the life of the Episcopal Church is a matter of great sadness to me and to many many others. Much has been posted on the internet in recent days that is confusing and misleading and does nothing to further the important work that the UTO has performed for 125 years and continues to perform.<br /><br />Since its founding, the UTO has been an integral part of the life of Episcopal church women and its support has been critical in many parts of the Anglican communion, especially for the support of missionaries. That work must continue.<br /><br />However, the UTO must comply with legal and accounting requirements for not-for-profits promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service and it must comply with generally accepted accounting principals to protect the contributions that many faithful people have made over the years. In order for an organization to use the tax id number and tax exempt status of another organization, the IRS requires that the organization with the tax id number demonstrate certain elements of control over the organization that is using its tax id number and tax exempt status. <br /><br />Prior to 2007, the legal relationship between the UTO and the ECW and DFMS was fuzzy at best. As part of the well-documented study undertaken at the behest of the Presiding Bishop, it became necessary to make certain that the UTO complied with IRS regulations and with the regulations and procedures of DFMS. The INC-055 Task Force worked very closely with representatives of the UTO and indeed, Sarita Redd, who was the president of the UTO until her untimely death last January, was a member of the Task Force. Early on in its work, the INC-055 Task Force discussed the option of the UTO forming a separate corporation. That idea was rejected by the INC-055 Task Force and by the UTO Board. The report of INC-055 was never intended to be an end. It was intended as a starting point with the clear understanding that the UTO Bylaws would have to be re-written to comply with current procedures of both the IRS and DFMS. In addition, a formal Memorandum of Understanding would be prepared to set forth the relationship between the UTO and DFMS.<br /><br />The proposed Bylaws and MOU that have been posted on the internet are just that, they are proposed and not final documents. It seems premature to attribute various motives to the Presiding Bishop and members of the DFMS staff or to the current and resigned members of the UTO Board. What seems appropriate is to let the UTO Board members who remain react to the draft bylaws and MOU and let the Executive Council have an opportunity to review and discuss this issue at its meeting in October. <br /><br />Sandra McPheeSandra McPheenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-34316491292790288222013-09-07T22:37:48.897-04:002013-09-07T22:37:48.897-04:00Ann... I stand corrected. I was commending the re...Ann... I stand corrected. I was commending the releasing of the materials in part because it exposes something of the feelings of the participants. I did not notice the email address / phone number thing. I do think the release of the "Barbarians at the Gates"paper was unnecessary.<br /><br />Mark Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06871096746243771489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-56574968930201431962013-09-07T22:32:10.035-04:002013-09-07T22:32:10.035-04:00In two parishes where I served as Rector the Vestr...In two parishes where I served as Rector the Vestry and I had to,reel in all the checking and savings accounts that groups had. Not because of any malfeasance but because the Vestry was ultimately responsible for the collection and disbursement of all tax exempt funds.<br /><br />I heard plenty of "the Vestry stole our money." And in some cases I made sure Vestries honored prior commitments. In the end it protects groups to have the money they have raised overseen by the parent organization.<br /><br />If the "dump" of materials is about a subordinate group using TEC's tax exempt status to raise funds, then TEC had best be the agency tracking and accounting for those funds. Other than UTO obtaining its own 501c 3 there is really no other choice.<br /><br />I am sad this has been done ham fistedly because the UTO organization has done vibrant committed work. At the same time there is no malevolence in nailing down fiscal accountability.Mike R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13353965540906520514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-63796985174852989402013-09-07T19:41:38.657-04:002013-09-07T19:41:38.657-04:00I kept looking at this situation, trying to make s...I kept looking at this situation, trying to make some sense of it. I was on Executive Council when the process first began.<br /><br />From my perspective, what actually happened here was that the "legal" overshadowed "the pastoral." <br /><br />Yes, there are changes that were/are needed to bring clarity to the relationship and adhere to the usual compliance issues related to being part of a larger body. But I have to wonder if the most recent revision suggested for the bylaws didn't go further than they really needed to go. Is this a case of less being better than more? Of fewer changes being better than many? It certainly seems that way.<br /><br /><br />Sorting this out will take time and energy, patience and skill and a willingness to step back and look closer before deciding what is really needed.<br /><br /><br />I hope that the pastoral needs associated with this ministry will take a higher place than the legal and that the legal will be the minimum needed.<br /><br />Bruce GarnerBruce Garnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-7317715078072400702013-09-07T18:56:55.750-04:002013-09-07T18:56:55.750-04:00Mark, thanks for this. I'm for the creation of...Mark, thanks for this. I'm for <a href="http://jintoku.blogspot.com/2013/09/untied-thank-offering.html" rel="nofollow">the creation of a separate 501(c)3 for UTO.</a> I think they'll still work with the parishes (where the rubber hits the road) very effectively, and the clarity of their national work will be even better. Decentralization and flexibility. Sounds good to me.Tobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-87378127952620788312013-09-07T18:28:59.695-04:002013-09-07T18:28:59.695-04:00I kept looking at this situation, trying to make s...I kept looking at this situation, trying to make some sense of it. I was on Executive Council when the process first began.<br /><br />From my perspective, what actually happened here was that the "legal" overshadowed "the pastoral." <br /><br />Yes, there are changes that were/are needed to bring clarity to the relationship and adhere to the usual compliance issues related to being part of a larger body. But I have to wonder if the most recent revision suggested for the bylaws didn't go further than they really needed to go. Is this a case of less being better than more? Of fewer changes being better than many? It certainly seems that way.<br /><br /><br />Sorting this out will take time and energy, patience and skill and a willingness to step back and look closer before deciding what is really needed.<br /><br /><br />I hope that the pastoral needs associated with this ministry will take a higher place than the legal and that the legal will be the minimum needed.<br /><br />Bruce GarnerBruce Garnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-89681068847161345252013-09-07T17:38:29.165-04:002013-09-07T17:38:29.165-04:00Thanks, Mark. This is clear and helpful, A little ...Thanks, Mark. This is clear and helpful, A little comment. If my memory serves, you referred to (The Rev'd.)Gay Jennings as being in the House of Bishops, but she's President of the House of Deputies.Robert P Morrisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-19039351456616409132013-09-07T17:08:33.599-04:002013-09-07T17:08:33.599-04:00Mark,
I agree with much of what you say and I tha...Mark,<br /><br />I agree with much of what you say and I thank you for the clarity of your thoughts. <br /><br />As important as it is not to ascribe ill will or intent on the part of the officers of DFMS, it's also important to note that the call for this action did not arise out of concern for financial malfeasance on the part of UTO. <br /><br />I have especially strong feelings that this situation ought to be freed from the restraints of signed confidentiality agreements and be done out in the open. It is an important situation for the church, with many lessons to be learned from it. As I posted at the end of my blog:<br /><br /><i>"Yes, it is about women and power and the institution. Sexism and misogyny are still alive in the church, even though a woman is PB, just as racism is still alive in this country, even though there is a Black man in the White House.<br /><br />This is also about the "creative tension" between the "grassroots" - necessarily autonomous - efforts for mission and the "Increasingly regulatory function" of the institutional church.<br /><br />There are many lessons to be learned that can be very helpful to those of us who are experiencing the same tensions in ministry at local and diocesan levels.<br /><br />Indeed, the tensions between autonomy and interdependence and independence are central to being Episcopalian and Anglican."</i> <br /><br />On the one hand, we are being advised (some say 'admonished') to be more "nimble for mission". On the other hand, the institution giving that advice is placing regulations on those who do mission as prayer and charity which make it difficult to do that work. And yet, as you point out, there are legal requirements under which we are well to operate. <br /><br />Had the four representatives from 815 who sat with the 8 women from the board of UTO kept the spirit of the advice of the 2012 Advisory Committee of Executive Council (which you chaired after Ian Douglas was elected bishop), we would not be in this "mess". <br /><br />UTO has had, within its bylaws, accommodation for a member of EC to serve as liaison from UTO to EC. That has not been since 2000 because apparently, as the Blue Book report states, it was difficult for the EC liaison to attend the required 40 days of meetings of the UTO. <br /><br />That is not the fault of UTO. The EC dropped the ball. And, it stayed dropped for 13 years. It happens. That's a HUGE commitment of time for any member of EC. <br /><br /><br />Which is why I feel that the only solution to this "mess" is for UTO to incorporate separately but have within its bylaws representatives from the officers of TEC on its governing board. <br /><br />We don't have to make this up "out of thin air" Many church schools and day schools and clinics and hospitals have this type of arrangement. <br /><br />One final note: The absolute WORST that could happen is for people to withhold money from their UTO Blue Boxes. Indeed, just this morning, I placed 4 quarters in my little Blue Box in thanksgiving for the courageous witness (whistle blowing) of the 4 members of the UTO board who resigned in protest. I encourage everyone to do the same. Again, the issue is not about financial malfeasance or misdemeanor. It is, to put it bluntly, a power struggle. <br /><br />As the African saying reminds us: "When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers." Elizabeth Kaetonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06787552280232329081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-74431427543618887332013-09-07T16:55:32.843-04:002013-09-07T16:55:32.843-04:00Sorry, Mark. I was the "Unknown" before....Sorry, Mark. I was the "Unknown" before. Don't know why my name didn't go through.<br /><br />Even if UTO does predate Executive Council, heck, even if it predated the Episcopal Church, at some point the leadership chose to be a part of the Episcopal Church legally—not to be a separate corporate entity like ERD. That means there are structures and accountability to the actual fiduciary. Regardless of what the understanding has been up to now, that seems pretty clear from a legal standpoint.<br /><br />Thus, the fundamental question of "who is in charge here" seems to be the basic sticking point. In the end, it needs to be clearly established from a legal and canonical standpoint that the fiduciary of DFMS is ultimately "in charge." That does not mean the UTO board does not have authority, or that Executive Council should ignore them, any more than it means a Vestry should make a habit of ignoring the desires of a committee or ministry group under their authority. <br /><br />To me, the document dump helped in clarifying that their seems to be immense push-back at this process and that the four who resigned did so <b>in the midst</b> of the work on the bylaw revision. To resign because something was <b>proposed</b> (instead of when it was actually approved), seems to me to be the height of not working together in good faith.Jared Cramerhttp://carewiththecure.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-25333101409650986802013-09-07T16:42:10.166-04:002013-09-07T16:42:10.166-04:00Also I don't think publishing an unsigned rant...Also I don't think publishing an unsigned rant against the 4 and leaving email addresses and phone numbers on correspondence without people's permission is commendable.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287169546184325690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-35877491693084668222013-09-07T16:37:17.955-04:002013-09-07T16:37:17.955-04:00More letters hereMore letters <a href="http://seashellseller.blogspot.com/2013/09/uto-another-letter.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287169546184325690noreply@blogger.com