Communication Questions Legal Language


memorandum
to:                  Memo to File
from:            Paul B. Nix
subject:       response to UTO Board Province Rep Letter
date:             September 12th 2013

1.      We were informed by Robin Sumners that the Secretary had resigned for other reasons and before the proposed document drafts were sent out.

2.      The Board was invited to provide their proposed edits to the bylaws so that they could be inserted into our draft document, if appropriate to do so. They decided not to do that and requested that we provide our proposed draft to them for our mutual review together either via internet based meetings on an in-person meeting at 815. The scheduling of these follow up meetings was under discussion before the proposed drafts went out. This process was described in 3 separate e-mails sent to Robin Sumners by DFMS counsel. There did not appear to be any disagreement with this proposed process for moving forward.  

3.      As for the bullet stating that the revisions will sever the relationship between UTO and ECW, this statement is absolutely unfounded. The issue our proposed edits addressed was that every province elects their representative differently except that it is approved by a synod, thus our revisions went with what was in common among all of the 9 provinces.  We also deleted the requirement requiring one to attend triennial to serve on the board because it was clear from our discussion with the board that this requirement had potential to be used by the board to exclude the 3 appointed board members and men from board service.

4.      The Board has never been “autonomous” historically, canonically, legally or otherwise and simply stating that it was or is does not make it so, regardless of who states such.

5.      Granting is not being taken over by DFMS. As UTO is an integral part of DFMS, DFMS and the Executive Council may exercise any prudent oversight it deems necessary to further the overall mission of UTO as an important part of The Episcopal Church.  An appropriate level of fiduciary oversight by DFMS was the concern we intended to address.

6.      As anyone can see, the Executive Committee was not deleted from the bylaws. The provisions regarding it was simply relocated to another section.

7.      The Communications and Finance Committees were deleted in the draft because, like other CCABs, such support in those areas will be provided by 815 staff. Again, conversation was had by the DFMS legal counsel with Robin Sumners offering to discuss further these deletions to understand if there were any good reasons for the UTO board to continue to have a need for these 2 committees. Also, the goal was to have the bylaws accurately represent how the board would operate, given its new found support from DFMS and the GCO.


8.      Contrary to their assertion otherwise, we received credible information for us to reasonably conclude that the board was not adhering to DFMS policies and procedures in several instances.  Examples are as follows : a) violation of conflict of interest, b) unmanaged and excessive spending on meetings and travel, c) operating under an “oath of silence”, d) efforts to exclude appointed members from meetings and communications, and e) retention of separate outside legal counsel.    

9.      It is a false statement that the Finance Committee has not received a financial report from DFMS for 18 months. To the contrary, financial documents have been provided regularly by DFMS in 2012 and thus far in 2013.  This clarification of fact was provided to Robin Sumners prior to the proposed drafts going out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Memo to Elected Province Reps from Robin Sumners:
Re: EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN ROBIN SUMNERS AND PAUL NIX

In response to questions raised by Paul Nix regarding my integrity and truthfulness,  I am sending you every email communication that has been transacted between myself and Paul Nix:  any phone conversations are referred to in these emails.  I have been very careful to be truthful regarding my statements and things I have done.  I have never told you individually or in a group something that did not happen, or something I did not hear or observe.  I would ask you to look back on all events, and ask yourself if all that Paul Nix accuses me of saying or doing can possibly be true; or things that he says have taken place have actually happened in your experience.  I am including a few emails from Heather that reference this correspondence. If I have not been honest to the best of my ability, my judge will be The One who speaks in Grace.

I met Paul Nix with the rest of you on July 15, when he was sitting to the right of the Presiding Bishop at the meeting she called.  I was with him again when we met on August 1.  Most of the board was present when we met in New York July 15.  No private conversations took place between Mr. Nix and myself at that time; most of you were present at all times.  On August 1, there were no private conversations between Mr.Nix and myself.  Dena, Georgie, Barbi and myself were together at all times.  Also, contrary to any statements from Michael Barlowe regarding conversation with me; I was never alone with Mr. Barlowe. All conversations were witnessed by Dena, Georgie, and Barbi.  For the truth of any statements there, I guess the only witness is Dena.

Two documents are mentioned in these emails that not everyone may have seen; I will attach them both: one is the suggested items for Heather's job description as prepared by Barbi and myself; the other is the flip chart created at the Aug 1 meeting (I have color coded this document, as well as I can remember, as you will see.)


1)
Subject:           Fwd: ECW National Mtg.
From: communication@utochange.org
Date:     July 16, 2013 2:09:26 PM CDT
To: pnix@episcopalchurch.org
Cc: Barbi Tinder <utoprov1@gmail.com>, President@UTOchange.org, Georgie White <georgiewhite@bellsouth.net>, Dena Lee <dglee7880@gmail.com>
Bcc:   Renee Haney <secretary@utochange.org>, Renee Haney <ruhnay@suddenlink.net>

Robin Woods Sumners
Communications Convener
Province VI Representative
United Thank Offering Board
The Episcopal Church

Go after a Life of Love as if your life depended upon it, because it does!
I Corinthians 14:1     The Message

Begin forwarded message:
From: "Mari-Lou" <mlctbach@usfamily.net>
Date: July 14, 2013 2:51:19 PM CDT
To: "'Charles and Robin Sumners'" <rwc@prismnet.com>
Subject: RE: ECW National Mtg.

I just thought of some things that may be of help at your meeting.  Once a triennium, the UTO president meets with the Ex. Council to give their yearly report.  At the Jan. meeting in Equator, maybe 6 years ago, Ragina Ratterree was informed that UTO was not a part of DFMS and never had been.  When trying to cope with this news, we were given 4 options, one of which was to become a 501c3.  Our next meeting was in Wichita.  Sarita invited Larry to attend that meeting and explain to us what that would mean and how to do it.  With the help of Connie Skidmore, we came up by laws, the first UTO ever had, I think.  From there Larry and Ragina went to the next Ex. Council meeting and were very poorly received by the Council and the 815 staff.  Now I hear that UTO should be run completely by DFMS at 815. Interesting for an organization, that just a few years ago was no part of DFMS.  The way I see it, and I’m not alone, it’s the money, stupid.   I hope it gets mentioned, that if that happens, there are diocese’ and probably provinces that will no longer send money into 815.
Hope all goes well, will be waiting for your news, Mari-Lou

2)
From: <pnix@episcopalchurch.org>
Subject: Confirming our UTO/DFMS subcommittee meeting for August 1st
Date: July 16, 2013 3:52:07 PM CDT
To: <georgiewhite@bellsouth.net>, <rwc@prismnet.com>,
<utoprov1@gmail.com>, <dglee7880@gmail.com>, <shutchinson@episcopal-
ut.org>, <ssauls@episcopalchurch.org>, <hmelton@episcopalchurch.org>

All,

We will meet here at 815 on August 1st. Let’s commence at 9:00. As I indicated yesterday, we will do as much preliminary work as possible to put together working drafts and get them to you prior to our meeting.

Thanks for your willingness to serve on this very important work group.

Paul Nix  LEGAL COUNSEL  Office of the Presiding Bishop | The Episcopal Church | 212-716-6173


3)
From: Renee Haney <secretary@utochange.org>
Subject:           UTO Oath of Confidentiality
Date:     July 18, 2013 11:36:55 AM CDT
To: pnix@episcopalchurch.org
Cc:     Barbi Tinder <president@utochange.org>

Dear Mr. Nix, 
I have been asked to send you a copy of the UTO Oath of Confidentiality.  I have tried and the file (it is a scanned .pdf) is too large and is being rejected from the Episcopal Church mail server (see below returned message).   I am at our diocesan church camp this week without access to the  paper copy to scan at smaller resolution.  I  return home Saturday, July 20, and will rescan and send.  I apologize for any inconvenience this
may cause.  

4)
From: pnix@episcopalchurch.org
Subject: RE: You know you're an Episcopalian when . . .
Date:     July 22, 2013 3:35:10 PM CDT
To:           Charlie  Sumners <charlie@pppco.org>

This list is most definitely a keeper !  Thanks.

Paul Nix  LEGAL COUNSEL  Office of the Presiding Bishop | The Episcopal Church | 212-716-6173

This e-mail message, and any attachments to it, are for the sole use of the intended recipients, and may contain confidential, privileged information and/or information protected by work product immunity or other legal rules.  Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution of this e-mail message or its attachments is prohibited.  If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and delete and /or destroy all copies of the original message. 

From: Pikes Peak Productions [mailto:charlie@pppco.org] 
Sent: Monday, July 22, 2013 12:01 PM
To: Paul Nix
Subject: Fwd: You know you're an Episcopalian when . . .

Something to keep in mind while you are working on Episcopalian things!

Please remember, we laugh easily at ourselves in my household as my husband is a clergyman and we have a bevy of them in our history.

I look forward to receiving your drafts.

In His Service
Robin

Begin forwarded message:
From: TM Sumners <tsumners11@gmail.com>
Date: July 22, 2013 10:05:27 AM CDT
To: Charles Sumners <charlie@pppco.org>, Robin Sumners <rwc@prismnet.com>, Robert Sumners <rmsumners@gmail.com>, Jace Phillips <jacephillips@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Fwd: You know you're an Episcopalian when . . .



email by airmail...

Begin forwarded message:
From: "Betsy Stephenson" <b.stephenson78@gmail.com>
Date: July 21, 2013, 7:53:18 PM CDT
To: "'TM Sumners'" <tsumners11@gmail.com>
Subject: FW: You know you're an Episcopalian when . . .
Brother Bob sent this tom me this morning.  Made me smile!

An essay by Garrison Keillor

We make fun of Episcopalians for their blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, their lack of speed and also for their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese.

But nobody sings like them.  If you were to ask an audience in Des Moines, a relatively Episcopalianless place, to sing along on the chorus of “Michael Row the Boat Ashore,” they will look daggers at you as if you had asked them to strip to their underwear. But if you do this among Episcopalians, they’d smile and row that boat ashore and up on the beach! ….And down the road!  Many Episcopalians are bred from childhood to sing in four-part harmony, a talent that comes from sitting on the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head against that person’s rib cage. It’s natural for Episcopalians to sing in harmony. We are too modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison.  When you’re singing in the key of C and you slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it’s an emotionally fulfilling moment. By our joining in harmony, we somehow promise that we will not forsake each other.  I do believe this, people: Episcopalians, who love to sing in four-part harmony are the sort of people you could call up when you’re in deep distress. If you are dying, they will comfort you. If you are lonely, they’ll talk to you. And if you are hungry, they’ll give you tuna salad!

Episcopalians believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to pray out loud.

Episcopalians like to sing, except when confronted with a new hymn or a hymn with more than four stanzas.

Episcopalians believe their Rectors will visit them in the hospital, even if they don’t notify them that they are there.

Episcopalians usually follow the official liturgy and feel it is their way of suffering for their sins.

Episcopalians believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during their stewardship visitation programs or when passing the plate.

Episcopalians feel that applauding for their children’s choirs will not make the kids too proud and conceited.

Episcopalians think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle while passing the peace.
 
Episcopalians drink coffee as if it were the Third Sacrament.

Episcopalians feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall.

Episcopalians are willing to pay up to one dollar for a meal at church.

Episcopalians still serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color of the season, and Episcopalians believe that it is OK to poke fun at themselves and  never take themselves too seriously.
 
And finally, you know you are a Episcopalian when:
-It’s 100 degrees, with 90% humidity, and you still have coffee after the service.
-You hear something really funny during the sermon and smile as loudly as you can.
-Donuts are a line item in the church budget, just like coffee.
- When you watch a Star Wars movie and they say, “May the Force be with you,” and you respond, “and also with you.”
- And lastly, it takes ten minutes to say good-bye . . . .
 
(NOTE: Garrison Keillor attends St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in St. Paul, Minnesota)

Nancy Dalton

(On Monday, July 29, I left a message for Paul Nix regarding the documents we were to have received to review prior to the August 1 meeting; we did not want to arrive at that meeting and be expected to somehow approve documents we had not had time to review and consider carefully.  In response to that phone call, we received the following message from Bishop Sauls.)

5)
 From: Stacy Sauls 
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 1:56 PM
To: rwc@prsmnet.com; utoprov1@gmail.com; utoprov1@gmail.com; dglee7880@gmail.comCc: Paul Nix (pnix@episcopalchurch.org); Heather Melton; Stephen F. Hutchinson Esq. (shutchinson@episcopal-ut.org)
Subject: Thursday Meeting

Dear friends,

                As we worked on preparing documents for our meeting on Thursday, I became increasingly convinced that we have some work to do to before getting to the documents.  The text of documents is only intended to put into words certain principles by which we intend to operate.  Once we are in agreement on the principles, the drafting of language to express those principles will be fairly easy, I believe, and maybe even spiritually uplifting.  Therefore, I strongly believe we need to spend some time first on the principles themselves and then judge our drafting work based on a common agreement on the principles.  Therefore, I would like to propose a change in our plan for Thursday.  I suggest we begin with a Bible study followed by a free sharing of the principles we are trying to enshrine in language.  I think a brainstorming approach (i.e., everyone is allowed to state principles applicable to the relationship without critique by others) followed by an open and honest conversation about what might or might not apply would be useful.  Time permitting, we can then start to get into documents, beginning with the draft offered by UTO.  I think it would make all the difference, though, in avoiding future misunderstanding to be measuring the documents against a common set of principles we are trying to live by.

                Thanks to all of you.  We look forward to seeing you on Thursday.

Peace,

+Stacy
The Rt. Rev. Stacy F. Sauls |  CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER  | Office of the Presiding Bishop | The Episcopal Church | 212-922-5313

 6)
From: pnix@episcopalchurch.org
Subject: RE: UTO Coordinator/Missioner Job description suggestions
Date: August 8, 2013 10:13:42 AM CDT
To: communication@utochange.org
Cc:           President@UTOchange.org, Barbi  Tinder <utoprov1@gmail.com>
Thanks, Robin. We’ll review it and then circle back to you all to discuss.

Have a wonderful day !

Paul Nix  LEGAL COUNSEL  Office of the Presiding Bishop | The Episcopal Church | 212-716-6173


This e-mail message, and any attachments to it, are for the sole use of the intended recipients, and may contain confidential, privileged information and/or information protected by work product immunity or other legal rules.  Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution of this e-mail message or its attachments is prohibited.  If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and delete and /or destroy all copies of the original message. 

From: communication@utochange.org [mailto:communication@utochange.org] 
Sent: Thursday, August 08, 2013 10:59 AM
To: Paul Nix
Cc: President@UTOchange.org; Barbi Tinder

Subject: UTO Coordinator/Missioner Job description suggestions

Hi, Paul,
Attached you will find the suggestions for the UTO Staff Position from myself and Barbi,(after she read my suggestions)--
Surely there will be ample discussion of the relationship of this position to the UTO Board--but this mainly clears up the difference in thejob tasks related to granting as it has moved from paper to electronic.
Please let me know if you need anything else.
Have a good day,
Robin

 7)
From: heather melton <hmelton@episcopalchurch.org>
Subject:           Flipchart Information from the August 1 Meeting
Date: August 16, 2013 1:39:07 PM CDT
To: pnix@episcopalchurch.org, The Rt Rev Stacy Sauls <ssauls@episcopalchurch.org>, mbarlowe@episcopalchurch.org, communications@utochange.org, president@utochange.org, Dena Lee <dglee7880@gmail.com>, Georgie  White <georgiewhite@bellsouth.net>
From: <pnix@episcopalchurch.org>
Good afternoon all,

Attached are the flipchart pages typed up for everyone.  I don’t have Steve’s email so I am hoping that Paul will pass these along to him as well.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

All the best,
Heather

The Rev. Heather Leigh Melton
United Thank Offering Coordinator
Office of Global Partnerships
815 2nd Avenue 5th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Telephone 917-771-3366



8)
From: pnix@episcopalchurch.org
Subject: RE: work on documents
Date: August 21, 2013 9:17:50 AM CDT
To:     Robin  Sumners <rwc@prismnet.com>

Greetings, Robin,

We are actively putting together a draft MOU which will, in part, cover the duties of the coordinator position and in that regard, we are indeed taking into consideration yours and Barbi’s edits to the job description you forwarded to me. As soon as we have that draft completed, I will forward it to you. We may also have our completed proposed edits to the bylaws, also, so that we could forward them at, or around the same time, as the MOU. You mentioned you had some bylaws edits you wanted to forward to me, so feel free to do that at your convenience.  We are mindful of your Sept meeting date and  will proceed as best we can to work with that end date in mind.    

Thanks,  

Paul Nix  LEGAL COUNSEL  Office of the Presiding Bishop | The Episcopal Church | 212-716-6173

From: Charles and Robin Sumners [mailto:rwc@prismnet.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 10:03 AM
To: Paul Nix
Subject: work on documents

HI, Paul,
Hope all is well with you.
I'm checking in about our documents project.  How are we coming with that? I sent you the suggestions we had regarding the UTO Coordinator job description. I am wondering if you received them.
Last week I took some time to sleep and rest. This week I have been back catching up on things.
I am concerned about the schedule for this project.  Our September meeting begins with travel 9/25/13 and end 10/1/13. If we want Board discussion of the documents on the table, then time is "fugiting" as we used to say!
So let me know what next steps you see.
thanks
Robin
Robin Woods Sumners


9)
From: pnix@episcopalchurch.org
Subject: RE: work on documents
Date: August 22, 2013 2:42:26 PM CDT
To:     Robin  Sumners <rwc@prismnet.com>

Hi, Robin,

Thanks for the update and safe travels.

From my present perspective, as our proposed revisions/edits/work here on both the bylaws and the MOU are extensive, what I believe makes the most sense for planning purposes is once I get your proposed bylaws revisions and can work with those, then I’ll forward to you and Barbi both of our docs. After you all have had time to review our work product, then we can decide how best to proceed as for as an in-person meeting or conference call. Right now, my goal is to get to you our work before I leave for my vacation next Thursday. I will be back at 815 on the 11, but working some from my Atlanta home on Monday and Tuesday, the 9th and 10th.  We should still have ample time to get our work done for your meeting on the 26th.  .

Paul Nix  LEGAL COUNSEL  Office of the Presiding Bishop | The Episcopal Church | 212-716-6173

From: Charles and Robin Sumners [mailto:rwc@prismnet.com] 
Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2013 12:13 PM
To: Paul Nix
Subject: Re: work on documents

Thanks, Paul
We are working on the bylaws issues we wanted to address.  I will be attending my Province meeting in Omaha this weekend.  Will be back home late Monday night.  I will have finished my part of this process and will send it to the Board members working on this with me so they can do their part by Tuesday; hopefully we can get this to you by Wednesday AM 8/28.  

It would seem necessary to meet in person for this next step; do you have a date in mind when we might do that?  I would like to set a date with Anne Rudig and Heather to tackle some communication issues that will be pretty exciting; if I could do this on a day of the same trip, that would be most efficient!  Please let me know.
Thanks again,
Robin
Robin Woods Sumners

Go after a life of love as if your life depended upon it because it does!   
 (Eugene Peterson: The Message)


 10)
From: pnix@episcopalchurch.org
Subject: RE: Checking In
Date: August 27, 2013 3:01:26 PM CDT
To:           communication@utochange.org
Robin,

Bp Stacy will not be back in the office from his international travel until Thursday when he will be able to give his final inputs on the MOU, so I will not be able to forward that to you before then, although most all of the drafting  work is now completed.  I can foresee the probability that giving our schedules, our draft MOU and draft bylaws may need to be forwarded to you during my absence from the office.

As for as a potential date to meet, Sept 11th will not be good for me, as it is my first day back from being out of the office for 8 days. Also, I need to understand who all from our 815 team wants/needs to attend and get their schedules, also. It would assist in planning if you could give me some potential dates that would suit you.

Thanks,

Paul Nix  LEGAL COUNSEL  Office of the Presiding Bishop | The Episcopal Church | 212-716-6173


11)
From: pnix@episcopalchurch.org
Subject:           Followup
Date: August 28, 2013 12:27:20 PM CDT
To:           communication@utochange.org

Robin,

Per our conversation, I have confirmed that Loi received on July 22nd the general ledger for all UTO expenses and income for 2011 and 2012 and has been given a report on the 1st quarter of 2013 as well.

Paul Nix  LEGAL COUNSEL  Office of the Presiding Bishop | The Episcopal Church | 212-716-6173


12)
From: pnix@episcopalchurch.org
Subject:           Draft MOU & Bylaws
Date: August 29, 2013 10:44:48 AM CDT
To: communication@utochange.org, President@UTOchange.org
Cc:     The Rt Rev Stacy Sauls <ssauls@episcopalchurch.org>, Sam  McDonald <smcdonald@episcopalchurch.org>, heather melton <hmelton@episcopalchurch.org>, KATHERINE JEFFERT-SCHORI <kjefferts@episcopalchurch.org>, gjennings@episcopalchurch.org, shutchinson@episcopal-ut.org

Robin and Barbi,

Attached is our revisions to the MOU and Bylaws for the UTO Board’s review. We have given this project significant time and thought and believe that these revisions best embrace the reality of the UTO Board being an integral and very important part of DFMS and a CCAB of The Episcopal Church. We also believe that these revisions will work to maximum the viability of the UTO Board for many years to come.

Per my conversation with Robin yesterday, we can convene upon my return to the office to discuss these revisions at a time suitable to all of us.

Thanks,       

Paul Nix  LEGAL COUNSEL  Office of the Presiding Bishop | The Episcopal Church | 212-716-6173

 
13)
Subject: Out of Office AutoReply: Draft MOU & Bylaws
Date: August 29, 2013 12:05:13 PM CDT
To: <communication@utochange.org>
I will be out of the office until Tuesday, Sept 10th and will respond to you when I return. For immediate assistance, please contact Romy Mancini at rmancini@episcopalchurch.org1


14)
From: heather melton <hmelton@episcopalchurch.org>
Subject:           Financial Report and John Tampa's contact info, holiday weekend
Date: August 29, 2013 11:54:48 AM CDT
To: president@utochange.org, communication@utochange.org, Renee Haney <secretary@utochange.org>, Barbara Shafer <bschafer12@cox.net>, Georgie White <georgiewhite@bellsouth.net>, Lois Rodney <loisjohnsonrodney1@gmail.com>and 8 more…
Cc:           Michelle Jobson <mjobson@episcopalchurch.org>, Sam McDonald <smcdonald@episcopalchurch.org>

Good afternoon UTO Board Members,

I know that all of you have asked many time for the financial reports and I am not sure why they haven’t made it all to you.  I thought it might be helpful if I send you the one that I think you all are asking for – the expenses for 2013. Arlissa was wonderfully helpful in creating the attached document.  I will bring with me all of the financial reports regarding UTO income and expenses from 2011-2013 to our September meeting in case you have questions that you would like to ask or if you would like to see the detailed ledger reports.  I know that Loi has these as well, so she can continue to answer questions that you might have also.

Also, it appears that not everyone on the Board is copying everyone on the Board on some of their emails to the full group.  Please be sure to check your distribution lists (I know that I had accidentally left someone off of this one before I checked my Board Contact list) before you send your email to ensure that everyone is listed.  Please be sure to include John Tampa on all of your emails as well.  John’s email is jtampa@nc.rr.com

Please also be aware that Michelle and I are taking our last “Summer Friday” tomorrow.  We will both be out of the office and the Church Center is closed on Monday for Labor Day.  We will return emails and phone calls as soon as we return on Tuesday morning. I hope that you all will have a wonderful, restful weekend as the “unofficial” last weekend of Summer unfolds around us.

All the best,

Heather

 
(From Robin and Barbi to Paul Nix)

PROPOSED REVISIONS TO UNITED THANK OFFERING COORDINATOR JOB DESCRIPTION

Change Current Title:

United Thank Offering Missioner

Job Description:  Items to be deleted posted in red; items to be added posted in green italics
Barbi Tinder notations are in blue, () =  words to be deleted/ replaced

Area Function
     
United Thank Offering is a prayerful and thankful ministry within the Episcopal Church, founded and administered by women of the Episcopal Church since 1889.  United Thank Offering is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and to distribute the UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and in invited Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the developing world.

The Mission Department at the Episcopal Church Center encompasses the program of the Presiding Bishop’s staff.  Using a project based approach mission area teams include:  Diocesan & Congregational Ministries, Diversity, Social & Environmental, Episcopal Migration Ministries, Formation & Vocation Ministries, Global Partnerships, and Government Advocacy for Peace & Justice.

Job Summary
     
As a member of the staff of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, the Missioner (Coordinator) is responsible to the Officers of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (DFMS) for providing support to the United Thank Offering Board, the Diocesan United Thank Offering (UTO) Coordinators and other members of the UTO network by assuring them communication regarding Mission Department goals, objectives and needs, information management regarding the United Thank Offering granting process, and administrative support for the functioning of the UTO Board (granting, inspiration, information and education). The UTO Missioner also (and) provides regular analysis reports that reflect pertinent information regarding the financial transactions of the United Thank Offering Board, as well as related UTO activities regarding the Anglican Communion and major ecumenical groups to the Executive Committee.

Reporting Relationships
     
Supervisor: Director of Mission (DFMS)
Reporting Positions: United Thank Offering Administrative Assistant (Currently Grants Assistant: there may be an even better title here, but Grants Assistant is no longer sufficiently descriptive, and other titles have been listed recently on communications)

 
Duties & Essential Job Functions (Please list in order beginning with the most important) 
Identify the functions or tasks that employees in the job perform. The essential functions should state the purpose of the work and the results to be accomplished, rather than how the function is performed. Please be as specific as possible.  Of the tasks listed, what percentage of time is devoted to each? The more time employees spend on a function, the more likely it is that the function is essential. Key items are those that contribute significantly to the achievement of the job.  The functions should add up to 100%.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITES

The United Thank Offering Missioner:
1.     Provides staff support to the Director of Mission: serves the United Thank Offering Board as the Mission Department Staff member; attends all United Thank Offering Board Meetings and relevant committee meetings; serves on the United Thank Offering Grants Committee as Mission Department Representative (serves with voice, but no vote in all cases), participates in (Face-to-Face) board training, UTO coordinator training and Workshops, (and) The United Thank Offering Missioner attends the Episcopal Church Women Triennial Meeting as the United Thank Offering office staff person during/General Convention.

2.     Supports the Director of Mission and the UTO Board by communicating the overall mission and philosophy of DFMS (officers) to the UTO Board to assure that the (and) strategic plan of the United Thank Offering is consistent with the goals and objectives of DFMS; in addition the UTO Missioner interprets the policies and procedures of the UTO Board to the Mission Department to assure mutual understanding between the two organizations. (added after Barbi's request to show the position working in two directions) (coordinating the UTO team’s activities to ensure they are consistent with the) * can we reword it to show the relationship working in both directions? *

3.       In consultation with the President and/or Executive Committee of the United Thank Offering Board, or others appointed by the UTO President, administers necessary operations in the United Thank Offering Office, addressing all matters promptly.

4.           Provides data management, project information, analysis, monitoring and evaluation to United Thank Offering Executive Committee of UTO Office activities through the submission of weekly reports.

5.          Prepares and maintains a current directory of UTO Diocesan Coordinators, UTO contacts (bishops, bishop assistants, clergy, Face To Face participants, etc...), in concert with the UTO Board and the Diocesan Network Committee Convener.

6.          Communicates (Coordinates) all invitations extended to United Thank Offering, to ensure the Executive Committee responds to such invitations according to the current approval process.

7.           Provides detailed quarterly financial reports from the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society Treasurer’s Office to the United Thank Offering Board President and Finance Officer regarding United Thank Offering income and expenditures. (Ingathering, Memorial and Gift Trust Fund, Online giving, Trust Fund Income, other applicable income, etc...).* needs a time frame- i.e. how often? * quarterly added re Barbi

8.       In consultation with the United Thank Offering Communication Committee Convener, is responsible for developing emerging digital technology to raise awareness of the United Thank Offering in new populations, including creating a United Thank Offering Ap that encourages thinking about the theology of thankfulness; creating multiple options of giving to the United Thank Offering Ministry through online participation; creating and maintaining a blog that celebrates the United Thank Offering ministry; and other options that may emerge in the fast pace world of digital technology.

9.       Is responsible for bringing to the United Thank Offering innovative and creative solutions for solving problems and for exploring new directions that will enhance the outreach of the historic UTO presence in The Episcopal Church.

10.     Works closely with United Thank Offering Board Committees and Subcommittees conveners and members.

11.     As DFMS Staff person serving the United Thank Offering Grants Committee, has these additional responsibilities:

          The United Thank Offering Missioner (Coordinator) serves on the Grants           Committee as a non-voting member.  (As a Board Member the UTO           Coordinator is a non-voting member.) Responsibilities as a member of the      United Thank Offering Board Grant Committee, shall include (but not be           limited to):
          A.           Participate with the Grants Committee in the process of developing           Grant Focus and Grant Criteria for each designated granting season (a             granting season may be a year or a triennium).
          B.          Inform Grants Committee of areas of interest for granting of Mission           Department; inform Mission Department of Grant Focus and Criteria and           particular areas of interest of the United Thank Offering Board
          C.          Support electronic granting process, including:  learning program so           as to answer question for applicants; and being able to troubleshoot           frequently asked questions regarding use of electronic program
          D.          Facilitate meetings and communication between Mission           Department   and Grants Committee regarding international grants and           invitational grants;           facilitate input from Mission Staff regarding three At-          Large-Representative areas: Africa, Asia and Latin-America; review           Mission Department areas of concern and relationship to granting focus and criteria for current grant season; facilitate development of grants that           reflect current concerns of Mission Department and current focus of UTO
          E.           Send reminders to all previous grant recipients of deadline for           submitting final forms; inform Grants Committee regarding all previously           awarded grants with incomplete final form submission ? by a certain date    in grant cycle?
          F.          In concert with Grants Committee, inform all grant applicants for           current grant season of status of application: send email and letter on           letter head,           approved by Grants Committee, to: applicants out of criteria,           applicants with grants not funded, and applicants whose grants have been           awarded     
          G.          Inform Grants Committee of all requests for grant extensions;           inform applicant for extension of status of request when received from   United Thank Offering (Grants) Executive Committee
          H.           Monitor all application phases of grant awarding and grant closing           in concert with the Department of Finance and the UTO Grants           Committee.
          I.            Ensure awarded applicants are in compliance with established           administrative and financial policies as required by United Thank Offering           and DFMS finance office
.         J.          Keep database of granting records housed in UTO Office current           and accurate; review and update United Thank Offering History files.
          K.          Maintain files with grant recipient stories, photos and videos           submitted to United Thank Offering as part of final grant report; make these files available to Grants Committee; develop grant stories from   these submissions for use in promoting the United Thank Offering in all           communication outlets and platforms.
         

Other Functions And Responsibilities
     
Works as a collaborative member of the Global Partnership Team within the Mission Department and under the direction of the team leader.

Other duties as assigned.

Notes from August 1, 2013 Meeting between Members of the UTO Board, DFMS Staff & Executive Council
(Blue designates UTO statements; Red designates DFMS statements)

Principles:
·       Autonomy
·       The vital role UTO plays in the life of the Episcopal Church
·       Developmental process
·       Renewal and growth
·       Reimagination
·       Transformation
·       Transition
·       Expanding the mission of the church
·       Good stewards
·       Lay ministry
·       Communication
·       Fiduciary responsibility DFMS bears for trust funds and employment
·       Fiduciary responsibility UTO Board bears for trust funds
·       Control and power issues
·       UTO is an offering of The Episcopal Church
·       UTO is an offering of thankful people
·       Fresh thinking about how a ministry like UTO goes forward to best serve the needs of the church
·       We might choose to reimagine
·       What is has evolved and is working
·       Ingathering is grassroots, which led to a focus on how to use the money, which led to an increase in giving
o      Focus was filling a need that was not being met
·       Daily-ness of prayer and thankfulness
·       Who will raise the money, when the need was identified was the women of the church
·       Power is necessary to discharge duty
·       Among other things, there is a very high degree of deference given to the Board regarding granting
·       Respect for the existing relationship being compatible
·       What we’re doing is a part of the reimaging that the church is doing
·       UTO structure should be the best we can do in the 21st century for the ministry of the church
·       Mere survival of UTO is not enough, maximizing the mission of UTO is the goal
·       Financial transparency
·       Anxiety
·       Autonomy is bestowed and defined by Executive Council
·       What is the delegated authority of the board
·       Integration and coherence with the mission, policies and procedures of TEC
·       DFMS support for UTO Board
·       Respect and understanding for the historical relationship among the women of the church, UTO and DFMS
·       Mutual respect among all parties
·       Authority derives from responsibility
·       Being the church in the 21st century
·       Building the church into a network not a vertical structure
·       Ownership of responsibility
·       Use of trust funds is subject to the direction of Executive Council
·       Historic responsibility for restricted funds also lies with UTO Board
·       UTO Board is a CCAB
·       UTO Board predates/not created by TEC
·       We do not have a common understanding of the word “board”
·       Walking together/mutually supportive

Questions:
What is the work Executive Council has delegated to the UTO Board to do?

Terms we do not agree upon:
-        Autonomy
-        Interdependence
-        Committee
-        Board

Principle That we Can Agree Upon:
UTO Mission and ministry is important and should continue.



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