The Collaborative Implementation Advisory – Team (CIA-T) has begun the important work of providing tools and options for the implementation of the collaborative model adopted at our October Convention. The objective is to build on the insights and vision gained through the work of the DFRC, DESC and Diocesan Conferences over the past two years.

Members of CIA-T are Keith Brown, Nancy Cohen (chair), Christopher Creed, Steve Dodds, John Ezell, Diane Martin, Richard Mueller, Brian Nordwick, Ken Wratten and Ann Wright. This team will call on several others as resources on particular aspects of this implementation.

Excerpts from the minutes of the first meeting will give you an idea of the how this work will be accomplished.

The group discussed the work items in the Standing Committee memo of November 30 and individuals chose areas in which they wish to work.

1. Deaneries. The objective is to help the current seven deaneries regroup into the three deaneries approved at Convention. Pat Williams has volunteered to work with deanery representatives to Council in starting this discussion. She has asked them, and deanery conveners to meet at the December 21 Council meeting. Richard and Brian will attend this meeting. They will bring a list of possible guidelines, such as the minimum of electing a convener for each of the three deaneries by March 1. Others might include the sharing of organizational experiences across deaneries and developing methods of communication within and across deaneries. The advisory group should list what deaneries do both before and after the October 2007 convention. Each deanery should also have a nominating committee to work with DLRT.

John Ezell volunteered to work here.

2. Merger of Council and Corporation. Nancy will write a paper discussing (1) the legal entity and how it will not change, and (2) the committees (chairs do not have to be on the Board of Trustees. This will be done by January 15. It was the consensus of the group that all 12 elected positions on the board will be up for election in October 2007. Current members of Council and Corporation will be eligible for nomination to the Board but may be better suited to committees or perhaps none of the above. Keith’s information on how other boards of trustees function will be sought.

3. Nominations. A description of each elected and appointed position needs to be prepared with about a paragraph on each position including the types of people needed. This will be needed by the DLRT and deanery nominating committees in searching for appropriate candidates. Deaneries should understand that they should seek candidates outside their own membership. It was agreed that the Secretary, Treasurer and Chancellor should be ex officio without vote on the Board of Trustees.

Diane Martin will prepare a draft of the position descriptions by February 1.

4. Department of Missions. This group will develop a charter for the new Department of Missions, gathering ideas from the current DIEM and others. There was considerable discussion as to how small parishes fit into the new group. It was clear that financial issues of small parishes are handled by the Finance Committee. It is hoped, however, that the Department of Missions would provide resource help in congregational development for the small parishes. Diane Lovelace has agreed to work on small parish issues and Keith Johnson will join her with the assistance of Keith Brown.

Ken Wratten will work on developing the charter for the Department of Missions with Steve Dodds and Keith Brown.

5. Board of Trustees Secretary. The group felt that the best solution for this position is to find someone who is not a member of the board to volunteer to be the recording secretary. In that way no Board member will be distracted from participation in the discussions by trying to keep minutes. Ann will ask Denise Chouinard and Frank Snow to work on a position description.

6. Constitution and Canons. Chris chairs this committee and will schedule a meeting to start the process of revising language to fit the new structure and also to look at other changes, e.g., eliminating the possibility of having a corporation sole. Nancy will work with Constitution and Canons.

7. Clericus. Ken will work with Bishop Romero in establishing guidelines for regional clericus groups that will bring clergy together for mutual support and fellowship.

8. Assessment Guidelines. The Diocesan administrator and Finance Committee have already prepared guidelines for congregations to figure and pay their assessments on a current year basis.

9. Restoration, etc. Plan Procedures. Richard and Brian will develop a timetable for application for relief and the accompanying procedures. For the June convention, applications should be received by the end of January. Notice will be given in December.

10. Paper for new bishop. This paper will gather pertinent documents of the DFRC, DESC and conferences of the last two years and provide explanations of how these developed and how they are linked. Richard, Ann and Nancy will have prepared a first draft in March.

There will be ongoing communication with the Diocese about the progress in all these areas. Deanery meetings will be scheduled for April and August to solicit ideas and present plans. All work should be completed by mid-August so delegates will have plenty of time to review and ask questions before Convention.

Any questions may be addressed to Nancy Cohen – ncohen[atecr]law.stanford.edu , or the Standing Committee – standingcom[atecr]edecr.org .