Pre-Synod Financial Forum Report

Diocesan Treasurer, Ian Robertson welcomed a small but interested group of parish treasurers, parish leaders and clergy to the May 14th afternoon pre-Synod budget forum. Ian explained that this meeting was organized in order to allow additional in-depth analysis of the budget and some time for questions that often go unasked because of the time constraints of the main Synod business meeting.

Ian took the group through the Budget presentation scheduled for presenting at the main Saturday business meeting.
This format allowed a more intimate setting where those in attendance with responsibility for the finances of their communities could speak directly to the Treasurer with Rob Dickson, diocesan Business Administrator and Mark Beley, diocesan Comptroller also in attendance.

Treasurer Robertson reminded those in attendance that 90% of the income of the diocese comes from parish assessments and 26% of that goes straight through as contributions to the National Church, specifically 11 Mission Dioceses in Canada and a variety of overseas missions.

Questions that were asked covered a wide range of subjects and line items from Youth Ministry Coordinator funding to the administration of the diocesan pre-authorized payment program for those who wish to support their parishes by that method but whose parishes do not have sufficient resources to run such programs in-house.

Ian explained to the group with the help of Rob and Mark that admin. costs are being closely monitored and are being reduced but a slight increase is expected over the next two years.

In response to questions from the floor, Rob Dickson explained how the Parish Assessment formula works and reminded those in attendance that parishes can build their budgets around the static formula of assessments based on a three year average of parish income.
 
From a conversation about the assessment process came a discussion about how the Ministry Assessment Process and the Parish Mission Review may affect the number of parishes paying assessments.
Ian gave a brief history of recent years re: deficit budgets produced by the 2002 loss of 8 parishes. It took a few years to adjust diocesan programs and resources to reflect the new reality of reduced revenue for the diocese.
The adjustment has been made with deficit budgets being reduced.

The presentation ended with more discussion and Ian and Rob reported on the actions taken by the diocese to

 reduce the impact of the 2008 financial crisis. A question was asked about the future of diocesan Rob Dickson reported that Philips Hager and North the diocesan investment professionals are carefully optimistic about the Canadian economy but they are not making an predictions. Diocesan budgeting reflects this caution.

Although the group attending was small it was evident that giving this extra time for diocesan financial matters was of benefit to all involved.