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Resolutions Adopted

Response to The Windsor Report

Resolved, That the Diocese of Vermont, meeting in Annual Convention on November 6, 2004, expresses its appreciation for the hard work of the Lambeth Commission on Communion and its dissemination of The Windsor Report, and for the reflection, study and conversations the Report has engendered, and be it further,

Resolved, That the Convention accepts Bishops Ely's invitation, presented in his Convention Address, for the Diocese to be in conversation about The Windsor Report, and expresses its appreciation for the opportunities he has offered to all members of the Diocese to be a "community of wisdom" with respect to the issues presented in the Report in advance of the January 2005 meeting of the House of Bishops.

Explanation:
The Archbishop of Canterbury established the Lambeth Commission on Communion in October 2003 at the request of the Anglican Primates, requesting "consideration of ways in which communion and understanding could be enhanced where serious differences threatened the life of a diverse worldwide Church." The Report of the Commission, entitled The Windsor Report, is significant in its contribution to the ongoing conversations about the present and future of the Anglican Communion. The work ahead of us in response to this report is substantial and begins with a full and thoughtful reading of the report as we seek to "read, mark, learn and inwardly digest" its content. The House of Bishops will meet in January 2005 for conversation about The Windsor Report with the Presiding Bishop. The Presiding Bishop will meet with the other Primates of the Anglican Communion in February 2005.

Proposer: Dispatch of Business (in response to the Bishop's Convention Address)

Approve and Adopt the Strategic Plan for Growth and Ministry
The Episcopal Diocese of Vermont 2005-2010

Resolved, That the 172nd Convention of the Diocese of Vermont approve the Strategic Plan for Growth and Ministry, adopting its goals and priorities as a guide toward implementing a vision that reflects accurately and with prayerful purpose the hopes, wishes, and dreams of Episcopalians in Vermont.

Proposer: Diocesan Council

A Resolution Establishing Minimum Clergy Compensation

Resolved, That the 172nd Convention of the Diocese of Vermont concurring, the minimum stipend for clergy in the diocese of Vermont be increased by 3.25% for the year 2005, and that travel allowance be reimbursed at the current IRS standard.

Proposer: Diocesan Council

Explanation:
Canon 6.7 requires that Diocesan Council review the minimum stipend for full-time equivalent clergy and the travel allowance and make recommendations to the Convention. Such a minimum shall be binding on all parishes and missions upon ratification of the Convention. A 3.25% increase takes into account a COLA of more than three percent (3%) for 2004.

According to the Church Pension Fund (The 2001 Clergy Compensation Report, 2003), the national average median compensation for Episcopal clergy is $54,786. This figure includes cash stipend, fair-market value of housing, utilities and payment of one half of the Social Security/Medicare (SECA) tax.

The Church Pension Fund report notes that the median income for professional and managerial employees in Vermont who have at least a graduate degree is $56,343, approximately $3,000 higher that the clergy median, and significantly higher than the current minimum.

Approval of this resolution will change the Beginning Level, Type II minimum cash stipend from $31,116 to $32,127, thus raising the minimum full-time compensation package to approximately $44,477 ($32,127 cash stipend, $9,190 housing and utilities, $3160 SECA).

A Resolution for the Continuation of the Study of the Clergy Compensation
and Benefits Policy of the Diocese of Vermont

Resolved, That the 172nd Convention of the Diocese of Vermont concurring, request the Clergy Compensation Committee to continue to conduct a thorough study of the Clergy Compensation and Benefits Policy for the Diocese of Vermont.

Proposer: Diocesan Council

Explanation:
Since Canon 6.7 requires that Diocesan Council review the minimum stipend for full-time equivalent clergy and the travel allowance and make recommendation to the Convention, and since such a minimum shall be binding on all parishes and missions upon ratification of the Convention it seems appropriate that the whole structure of the Clergy Compensation and Benefits Policy be reviewed. Given the wide range of compensation packages for full-time and part-time positions, fair market costs and values of housing and utilities in the various communities, and the diversity of experience, we recommend establishing equitable standards of compensation which could be binding, overseen and or advocated.

Approval of this resolution would allow for a sufficient period of time for the Clergy Compensation Committee to research and determine if we need to make changes to the Clergy Compensation and Benefits Policy for the Diocese of Vermont. We would report back to Diocesan Council and ultimately to the 173rd Convention of the Diocese of Vermont with recommendations for ammendations/changes where needed

After a year of research our committee is of a common mind that the required cash stipend established in the Minimum Clergy Compensation Resolution is fair and just and competitive with other dioceses of ECUSA; however, we have determined that there are inequalities in the provision for housing and utilities. There is much variance in housing costs from town to town, which needs to be considered, and likewise there is much discrepancy between an allowance and or provided housing. We suggest establishing a minimum guideline for providing an equity allowance for those clergy who have housing provided and to whom no equity allowance is given. We also believe that we need to have a policy that spells out clearly what constitutes utilities, e.g. telephone, internet, heating fuel, electricity, water. We have yet to explore the various health insurance policies that are provided for full-time clergy in Vermont.

Task Force for Review and Possible Revision of Diocesan Constitution and Canons

Resolved, That the 2004 172nd Convention of the Diocese of Vermont establish a Task Force to review and analyze the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese and to report its findings, with proposed amendments, to the 2005 173rd Convention for discussion and approval, with the adoption decision to be made by the 2006 174th Convention, per the provisions of Canon 37 (1); and be it further,

Resolved, That the Task Force consist of at least nine (9) members and not more than fourteen (14) members, to be chosen as follows:
One (1) member to be chosen by the Trustees of the Diocese of Vermont out of its membership;
One (1) member to be chosen by the Standing Committee, out of its membership;
One (1) member to be chosen by the Canons Committee, out of its membership;
Three (3) members to be chosen by Diocesan Council, out of its membership;
[Expiration of any of the above chosen members’ term of office shall not affect their membership on the Task Force.]
The Chancellor of the Diocese, ex-officio;
The Chair of the Canons Committee, ex-officio;
The Bishop, ex-officio; and
Not more than six (6) members to be appointed at the discretion of the Bishop; and be it further,
Resolved, That the Task Force shall be chaired by the Chancellor of the Diocese and shall meet at the call of the chair at such times and places as may be convenient throughout the Diocese. The Task Force shall automatically dissolve upon the close of the 2006 174th Convention, unless extended by act of such Convention.

Proposer: Steven Marshall, Esq.on behalf of the Canons Committee

Explanation:
Over the past several years it has become increasingly apparent to the members of the Canons Committee that the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Vermont are in dire need of a comprehensive review and revision. In many instances specific terms lack definition, are vague and are subject to differing interpretation; in other instances, the canons are simply out of date and no longer conform to common practice and tradition, and thus fail to provide meaningful guidance to our diocesan life.

It is also apparent to the Canons Committee that it lacks the expertise and depth of knowledge of the needs of the Diocese to be able to effectuate the necessary revision. A Task Force made up of a broader group of individuals within the Diocese—from elected offices and appointments, and those who may have specific skills and expertise—will be able to analyze the canons and make recommendations as to needed changes. In addition, the format and organization of the canons can be brought up to date.