Minutes for the meeting of the Synod Standing Committee held at the Centre forMinistry on 25 - Zb November 2011

SYNOD OF NEW SOUTH WALES AND THE ACT

UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA

DECISIONS

SYNOD STANDING COMMITTEE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTOr ABORIGINALPEOPLE

Decisions recorded in these Minutes were reached byconsensus unless otherwise indicated - by agreement or byformal process

WORSHIP

The Moderator paid respect to the Aboriginal people of theBurramattagal Clan and Darung tribes who have cared for thispart of the land from time immemorial

TIMES OFSESSIONS

I he Moderator celebrated Holy Communion. The Gospelreading was from Mark 13:24 - 37. Rev Karyn Burchell-Thomas led prayers Friday night. Mr Brian Mowbray 10ddevotions on Saturday morning. The Moderator closed themeeting with reflection and prayer

Friday

2.

3

? 00pm - 3.30pm4.00pm - 5.30pm7.00pm 9.00pm

Saturday4. 9.00am - 10.30am5 I I. 00am - I 2.30pm

AGENDA

'74/1 IsC Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committeeadopt the Order of Business as printed subject to changesSLiggested by the General Secretary and alternations made bythe Standing Committee

APOLOGIES

Ms Sarah BryanRev SIITioii Hansford

Rev Kisoo JangMr Jim Mein

Mrs Brenda OhyeRev Cllve Pearson

Rev Graham PerryMiss Hannah Reeve

Rev Greg Woolnough (Alternate)Mr Noel Watts (Alternate)Rev Niall Reid

Mr Doug Hewitt (Alternate)Rev Keri DayRev Geoff FlynnRev David GoreMr David JonesMr Ian Lawrence

Rev Amielte Hawken (Alternate)Mrs ,lacki WattsKath Merrifield

Mr Seun Jae Yeon (Alternate)Rev Neil Ericksson

IN ATTENDANCE

Session

All

All

All

3

3

All

All

All

3,4 & 5All

4&5All

All

All,3,4 & 5All

All

2&b4&5

3

4

4&5

ASSOCIATEDMEMBERS

Ms Lynda StanfordMrs Meg HerbertMs Sandra Wright

MINUTES

Ms Sallie Saunders

Mr Kegan KashianMr Allan Gibson

Rev Christine Bayliss-KellyMr Robert KeyMs Libby DaviesMr Howard Packer

17511 I SC

EN BLOC

17611 I SC

Resolved

Tlial Iho Synod Standing Committeeeonfirm the Minutes of the Synod Standing Committee held 29- 30 July 201 I

All

All

All

Resolved

I, 2 & 34

4

3

5

4

4

That the Synod Standing Committeedetermine that matters listed on the agenda be adopted enbloc unless the Synod Associate Secretary receives a requestbefore the commencement of Session 3 that a matter beconsidered separately

BUILDING

BETTER BOARDS

Orientation and Governance Awareness Training for Synod Standing Committeemembers and Alternates with Sallie Saunders from Building Better Boards was heldduring Sessions I, 2 & 3

APPOINTMENTS

1771'I 'I So

(a)

Resolved

Synod Standing Committee

That the Synod Standing Committeeappoint the following people as Presbytery Alternates to theSynod Standing CommitteeFar North Coast Presbylery Rev Keri DayKorean Commission Mr Seung Jae Yeon

(b) Boards, Councils and Committees of the SynodReference - Working Paper N0 9 to be distribiited at

meeting

1781i Isc Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committeeco elect the persons to membership of Boards,

Councils and Committees of the Synod as listed inWorking Paper N0 9 and attach it to the Minutes asAppendix D

(ii) co-opt Mr Joseph Abad to the Ministry of PastorCommittee

17911 I SC

(c) Council of Christian and JewsReference - Email received Jim Mein 7 November2011

18011 I SC

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committeeappoint Mrs Wilma Viswanathan to represent the Synod on theCouncil of Christian and Jews

(d) , 3th AssemblyReference - Email Caitlin O'Rellly - dated 15,1111

Resolved

That the S;ynod Standing Committee(i) note that Ms Gaitlin O'Reilly and Mr Tim Evans , two

youthful members, are unable to attend the 13thAssembly

(ii) appoint Ms Belinda Lotherington as a member of the13th Assembly

(iii) note that there is one position vacant for a person ?5years and under as at I 5171,2

(iv) request the General Secretary and Moderator to find anappropriate person to fill this vacancy and any furthervacancies that may occur

ESTATES REPORTJULY 2010 - JUNE 20.1

18,111SC

SYNOD 201 I

I82/1 I SC

Resolved

Reference - Working Paper N0 3

That the Synod Standing Committeereceive the report

Membership Reference - Email sent 15 August 2011

STAMP

COMMITTFE

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committeeratify the decision made by email to co-opt the followingpersons as members of the 2011 SynodRev Simon Hansford, Mr Ian Gray

18311 I SC

Reference - I. etter received Stamp Commit0016 November2011

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committee, on the recommendationof the Stamp Committee, approve the distribution of stampproceeds as follows -co Uniting Mission and Education

Frontier Services - Wyndham - wheelchairs - $2,000Berrigan & Savernake Churches - TV's etc - $2,500Cainden Theological Library - purchase two films$700Pastoral Counselling Institute - assist fuel for mobileunit - $1,500Leadership Institute - Scholarship - leadershipintensive - $1,200Dean of Candidates - candidate support - $1,000North West Sector Community Connoction events -$1,000

(Ii) Uniting GaleBurnsido Control Coast - Gwandalan Playgroup -$1,000Bumside - Central Coast - Warnervale Family andCommunity Centre - $1,000Central Coast - Younger Onset Dementia Program -$1,000Newpin Centres - Cots and mattresses - $1,500Newpin Centre - Do on side - holiday camp support -$1,250Newpin Centre - Bidwell - storage - $600

LEGAL

ACTION

1841SC

Elkovich v Uniting Care NSW. ACT

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committee

PRESBYTERY

REPORTS To

SYNOD

STANDINGCOMMITTEE

note the decision of the Moderator to grant permission toUniting Care NSW. ACT to defend a claim in regard to unfairdismissal

1851, IsC

BOARD

REPORTS

To SYNOD

STANDINGCOMMITTEE

- DATES

New England North West Reference - Working Paper No13

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committeereceive the report

18611 I SC Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committeeapprove the following schedule of Board reports to theSynod Standing Committee until July 2011:Date Board

30- 31 March 2012 Uniting Resources25 - 26 May 2012 Uniting Care6 - 7 July 2012 Uniting Mission and Education

PRESBYTERY

REPORTS To

SYNOD STANDINGCOMMITTEE - DATES

1871i Isc Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committeeapprove the following schedule of Presbytery Reports to SynodStanding CommitteeDate PresbyteryI0 - 11 February 2012 1/1awarra

30 - 31 March 2012 Ku-ring-gai30 - 31 March 2012 Georges River25 - 26 May 2012 Macquarie Darling25 - 26 May 2012 Parramatta-Nepean6 - 7 July 2012 Korean Commission

6 - 7 July 2012 Sydney31 August - I Sept 2012 Sydney North31 August - I Sept 2012 UAICC

19 - 20 October 2012 Riverin a

19 - 20 October 2012 The Hunter

RECEPTION

OF MINISTERS

30 November - I Dec 201230 November - I Dec 2012

8 - 9 February 20138 - 9 February 2013

Rev Solo Latu Tafokitau(a)Reference - ROM/14/11

1881i I sc

The Rev Solo Latu Tarokltau is a Millister o1 1/1e

Me 1/10disl Cliurcli of Tollga. Tl'Ie Assembly Reception ofMinisters Coinmittee resolved that Rev Tafokitau is eligible foradmission to the Minister of the Word subject to satisfactorycompletion of studies and completion of Synod requirements.

Far North Coast

Mid North Coast

Canberra

New England North West

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committeeco note that the Rev. Solo Latu Tafokitau is eligible for

recognition as a Minister of the Word of the UnitingChurch in Australia

(ii) noto that Rev Solo Lotu Tofokitau has completed thestudy requirements set out by the Assembly Committeeand the requirements of the Synod including:(a) Polity and Ethos

Sexual Misconduct Awareness and Prevention(b)Training Phase I and 11

(iii) provisionally recognise Rev Solo Lalu Tarokitau as aMinister of the Word of the Uniting Church; fullrecognition being subject to him being in a recognisedplacement

(iv) request the Parramatta Nepean Presbytery to appoint amentor for Rev Tafokitau until he enters into a

recognised placement.

(b) Rev Mark Mugs

Reference - ROM/08/07, ROM/15/11

18911 I SC

Rev Mark Miiss was granted provisional recognition at theJune Council of Synod, 2007. He has completed the studyrequirements of the Assembly Reception of MinistersCommittee and the requirements of the Synod Reception ofMinisters Committee and that he is in an approved placement

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committee:(i) note that the Rev Mark Muss is provisionally

recognised as a Minister of the Word of the UnitingChurch in Australia

(ii) note that Rev Mark Muss has affirmed a willingness toaccept the polity and discipline of the Uniting Churchand the oversight of the Presbyterynote that the Rev Mark Muss(iii)

(a) has satisfactorily completed the studyIequlieiiierils set out by the Assembly andSynOd Coini'11illeeS illCIUdingPolity and EthosSexual Misconduct Awareness and PreventionTraining Phase I and 11

(b) has been mentored during his journey by theRev Tim Jensen and

(c) is in a recognised placementrecognise the Rev Mark Muss as a Minister of the Wordof the Uniting Church in Allstralia, recognition tobccoiTie elfecliv through a service of Iecogiiitioii at adate to be advised by the Far North Coast Presbytery

CONSTITUTIONS

(iv)

19011 I SC

(a) Uniting Care Casino Transport TeamReference - Minute CC, 5/11

Resolved

'91/11SC

That the Synod Standing Committeeon the recommendation of the Constitutioii Committee,approve the revised constitution for Uniting Cal'e TranspoilTeam, an activity of the Casino Congregation

(b) Margaret Jurd CollegeReference - Minute CC16/11

Resolved

19211 I SC

That the Synod Standinq Committeeon the recommendation of the Constitution Committee,approve the constitution for Margaret Jurd College, and activityof The Hunter Presbytery

(c) Kiriross WolaroiReference - Minute CC1711

PASTORAL

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committooon the recommendation of the Constitution Committee,approve the constitution for Kiriross Wolaroi School

Obituaries

Rev Rudolf Versloot died 21 September 2011Rev Geoffrey A1an Clarence Jones died 25 October2011

Mr George Howard, father-in-law to Rev PhillMatthews, died 25 October 2011Rev Pelei EijiotI died 14 October ?0'1 IMr Warren Kidd, former Lay Pastor, died IO October2011

Mr John Churlon, long time member of the MethodistChurch and Uniting Church in Taree, died I9September 2011

Mrs Mary 10na Parker, mother to Rev Douglas Parker,died Sepleiiibei 2011 'Rev Dr George Stewart died 9 Novelliber 20'1 IMr Arthur Marshall died 11 August 2011Rev Keith Sweeting died 17 November 2041

IllnessesMrs Anne WeeksRev Herman Nienaber

Rev Dr Ann WarisbroughRev Jeaii BellMr David Jonos

Births

Georgia Mairi Graham born 9 June 2011 daughter toRev Me Iina Graham and Mr John Graham andgranddaughter to Rev Vernon Prowse and Mrs CathyProwse

Bethany Jacqueline Levers granddaughter to Rev ,10hnO Martin born 28 July 2011Daniel Johnson born 18 Novembei' 2011 10 RevAndrew Johnson and Larissa Connelly

RETIREMENTS

(d)

1931i I SC

.

Awards

Rev Niall Reld, ex-Moderator, was awarded theInterfaith award by the Australian Affinity Awards on 3August 201 I

Rev Goldoii Biadbery was elected Lord Mayor ofWollongong in September 201 I for a term of 5 years

(a) Rev Robyn TrigloneReference - Letter received dated 22 September 201 I

19411 I SC

Resolved

That the Synod Stalldiiig Colliiiiil!eenote the retirement of Rev Robyn Triglone in accordance withRegiilation ? 47 (a)(i), effective 31 January 2012.

Reference - Letter received 6 October 2011

Resolved

'95/4 I SC

That the Synod Standing Committeenote the retirement of ^ ^ ^ inaccordance with Regulation 24.7 (a)(i), effective 14 November2011

(c) Rev Chris SparksReference - Letter dated 28 October 201 I

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committeenote the retirement of Rev Chris Sparks in accordancewith Regulation 2.47 (a)(i), effective 31 December 201 I

1961, I SC

(d) Rev Eric Drury

Resolved

1971, I SC

That the Synod Standing Committeenote the retirement of Rev Eric Drury in accordancewith Regulation 2.4.7 (a)(i), effective 30 September 2012

(e) Rev John WakefuldReference - Email received 18 November 2011

Resolved

1981, IsC

That the Synod Standing Committeenote the retirement of Rev John Wakefield in

accordance with Regulation 2.4.7 (a)(i), effective 31 October2011

in Rev Lyn Collins

Resolved

ORDINATIONS

That the Synod Standing Committeenote the retirement of Rev I yn (:o11ins in accordancewith Regulation 2.47 (a)(I), effective 31 December 2011

19911 Isc

Rev Dr Raymond JosoReference Email

August 2011

Resolved

MODERATOR'S

SHARING

That the Synod Standing Committeenote the ordination of Rev Raymond Joso by SydneyPresbytery as a Minister of the Word effective 10 July 201 I

received Sydney

leaving Newcastle behind - leaving boats behindon new and risky paths Parramatta Road, MZ, Fs,backiiig jilt0 1/1e 1110deralor's car parktwo months have gone already and that only leaves 2years and 10 months - a matter of perspectivemoved into very nice accommodation supplied byUniting Care 99 Eastwood Road Eppinga very nice office at 222 Pitt StreetSecretariat office is a place of good enei'gyon the road - anniversaries Burnside Centenary,

40'', Braewood's 150" KirirossMarrickville's

I25'' SCOne's I 00'ha great experience to be with the so congrogationsand schools reflecting and to have the opportunity fornew and risky paths being called topositive experience for meSynod at Newcastle - a very positive experience

Presbytery 4

.

.

.

.

.

.

there was Ileiiiendous planning of the ArrangementsCommittee, the Hunter Presbytery and the WorshipCommittee

a recent meeting with other Moderators and thePresident - positive and am rining experiencemore generally encouraged by young adults taking upleadership positions and gives me great hope for thepresent and the future

many good experiences and fresh expressiuiisa men's shed social gains and activities acrosse. g

the Synod

congregations and other groups are becoming verycreative with a missional impetus in the UnitingChurch

negatives - difficLilty experiencing things that to 1<0 aninordinate amount of time to deal with - I feel asthrillgh I am a coui1 o1 appoal an ombudsman,

so

the immediate future - school prize giving seasonattended the Nowingtonians Event and diniiei lastnight

looking forward to doing/continuing with thepreparation of a programme which I will call "on newand risky paths" which I will bring to Presbyteries andexplore and listen and reflect together to articulatewhat I see as happening in our churchI feel very positive about the Uniting Churchwe need 10 1/1/11k In terms of what we need to leavebehind, our negativitysense that I am called to give a very positivemessage and our ethos is something we can beproud of and what God is calling us to do in ourcommunity

encoiiraged by signs that we beginning to trust oneanathei a little more

Interested to hear what NCLS tells IIS Rhoiit Churchattendance

SYNODAUDITEDACCOUNTSYEAR ENDING30 JUNE 20.1

20011 I SC

Refei'ence - Woikirig Paper N0 5

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committeeon the recommendation of the Synod Audit and RiskCommittee, note the audited accounts for the year ended 30June 2011

KOREAN

COMMISSION -

PROGRESS

REPORT

FOLLOWINGSYNOD 2011DECISION

2011/1SC

Reference - Working Paper N0 15

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committee(i) receive the report(11) note that the Inauguration Service will be held

at 4pm on 11 December 2011 at the Dong Sari Church(iii) note that the new Presbytery will be known in the

interim as the "Korean Presbytery" until a final decisionis made on a name

(iv) approach the Uniting Korean Fellowship and membersof the Synod Standing Committee, to explorenominations to be broilght to the Febriiary SynodStariding Coinmlttee for appointment of three Unitingtrained Koreans, at least one of which Is female, to theKorean Presbytery

NCYC 20.4

2021, Isc

Reference - Working Paper Nos 12, 12A & 12B

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committee(i) receive the report(ii) endorse the proposal of the Parramatta-Nepean

Presbytery to host the NCYC 2014 and affirm andcelebrate the initiative

(iii) communicate this decision to NYARC

(iv) request NCYC Organising I Management Committee tomake progress reports to the alternate meetings of thoSynod Standing Committee

(v) request that the initial report in March 2012 includeconsideration of filldiit. ial deldils o11 sile plopeitydynamics and contingency plans uiidei cullsideiatioii

UNITINGCARE

EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR

POSITION

DESCRIPTION

20311 I SC

Reference - Working Paper N0 4

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committee(1) receive the report(ii) adopt the job description for the Executive Director

Uniting Care and attach it to the Minutes as Appendix C

AMENDMENTTo BY- LAWSAPPOINTMENTSSECTION 7.8UNITINGCARE

2041, IsC

Reference - Working Paper NO I

DATES FORSYNODSTANDINGCOMMITTEE

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committee(i) receive the report(ii) amend By-Laws Section 7.8 as indicated in Working

napei NO I alld allacli 11 10 1/1e Minutes as Appendix A

2051, I SC

Reference - Working Paper N0 6

Resolved

I hat the Synod Standing Committeedetermine 1/1at Synod Standing Committee and the next Synodmeet on the following dates in 2012 and 20132012 10 - I I February 7 weeks

30 - 31 March 8 weeks

25 - 26 May 8 weeks6 - 7 July 6 weeks31 August - I September 8 weeksI9 - 20 Octobei' 6 weeks30 November - I December -7 weeks8 - 9 February I O weeks13 - 16 April SYNOD

INTENTIONALINTERIMMINISTRY

20611 I SC

2013

Reference Worl<ing Paper NO I O

Resolved

That the Standing Committeeco note the appointment of Mr Jim Munro as a consultant

to assist with implementing the Synod decisions onshared corporate servicesapprove the creation of an 11M position within theSecretariat to look at Ministry issues within the SynodInvestigate possibilities for support staffing for thesepositionsfund these positions from the Pilgrim House Fund(a) this year's disbursement from the Pilgrim House

Capital Account of $120,000 plus thesupplementary distiibulioii of $40,000

(b) up to $20,000 from the Pilgrim House InterestAccount

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

STIPEND

REVIEW

2071, I SC

Refeieiice - Woikiiig Papei N0 7

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committeenote that the last review of the Stipend formula(i)was hold in 2000

(ii) recommend that the stipend formula be reviewed everyIO yearsdetermine that the formula to be used be -(iii)(a) base stipeiid be AWOTE pelsoii 119uie (Angust

Avuiugu Weekly Ordinaly Times EDITTing)minus 20% = minimum stipend, subject to thecomparison of the August 201 I AWOTE figure

(b) resource allowance by 2% of AWOTE(c) residence allowance by 18% of AWOTE

(iv) determine to use Uniting Resources Formula suppliedby Mercer for a 6 cylinder Aurion as the formula forTravel Allowance

determine that casual travel rate be set at half the ATOrate

SAFE

CHURCH

AWARENESS

TRAINING

(v)

2081, I SC

Reference - Working Paper N0 14

Re o1ved

That the Synod Standing Committee(i) give urgent attention to the funding of the Safe Church

Awareness Training to meet its commitments for therest of the financial year 2011-2012

(ii) require all ministry leaders (including Ministers andPastors) in church-run programs/events with directo0/11acl will I GIIildieii o1 o1/16i vuliieiable people, as wellas representatives from the pastoral and practicaloversight of each congregation (ChLirch Collncil andElders) to participate in Safe Church AwarenessTraining consisting of an introductory workshop and arefresher every 3 years'

(iii) reaffirm the current requirement for volunteers workingwith children and young people, including SpecialReligioiis Fdiication voliintoors, to participato in childprotection training by way of the Safe ehurchAwareness Workshops, as specified above

(iv) require all congregations in the Synod to appoint a SafeChurch Contact Person to assist with information

dissemination, reporting and arranging pastoral supportwill Iiii a 1,011giegalioii, di'Id ddvise the Syiiod SafeChurch Training Coordinator of this appointment

(v) request Uniting Mission and Education and SynodSecretariat to give urgent attention to the ongoingfunding of Safe Church Awareness Training, anddetermine an ongoing budget line for this vital program

GENERALSECRETARY'SSHARING

2091i Isc

(a)

21 o11 Isc

Synod Gorieral Secretary Study Leave

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committeenote that the General Secretary will be taking studyleave from 27 November - 2 December 2011 toundertake a management/leadership course at MountEliza Executive Education

(b)

2/1/11SC

Synod General Secretary visit to Israel/Palestine

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committeeapprove the participation of the General Secretary inthe ECUmenical visit to Israel Palestine from 3 - 14March and meet the costs of participation from thePilgrim House Into rest Fund

Synod Implementation Team

That the Synod Standing Committeeappoint Michael Anderson, Bronwyn Mumhy, Ian Grayand Paula Reid to the Synod Strategy Implementationteam and invite each Board to nominate one person tojoin the team

I wish to report that I have enrolled in a 6 day Senior Managersprogramme at Mt Ellza (the Executive Education arm of the MelbourneBusiness School). This was after some considerable consultation withpeers about what study programme might be the most useful for me ingetting a handle on this role. Other Synod Secretaries have used variousoverseas programmes, Mt Eliza comes highly recommended. The coursecontains a significant component on change management alld Ilegolialiiigcorporate change, which both seem extremely relevant at the moment.I have been invited to join the President and Assembly General Secretaryas the UCA representatives on an NCCA FCiimenical visit to Israel andPalestine. There will be a maximum of I6 participants in the delegation.Arrival day in Jerusalem is Sunday 4 March and departure is no earlierthan the late afternoon of Tuesday 13th March. Cost estimate at presentis around $4700 all up ($2500 airfares, $2200 other), with accommodationin the Gloria Hotel in old Jerusalem

I am pleased to report that we hope to have up to 10 young peopleselected for the President's Young Leaders Conference to be held atNamaroo in February. I intend to support them in this conference bypaying the conference fees for those selected from NSW/ACT

I have begun work on forming an "Implementation team" as required bytho Synod. At this stage I havo invited Michael Anderson (incoiiiiiig (;lidiiof UFS), Bronwyn Murphy (rural experience, UME R&R team), Ian Gray(Chair Synod Fund Management Committee) and Paula Reid (solicitor,member UR Board) to be on the group and they have accepted. I willnow ask each of the Boards to nominate a representative to the group

(c)

Resolved

I have not made much progress with "convening and resourcing a taskgroup"' to look at the Prosbytery related issues as required by the Iec, eiilSynod So far I have had one conversation with Rev Felicity Amery andhave brainstormed ideas about people, but realistically, this will be a taskto begin more urgently in the New Year.In other papers I have reported on the progress towards shared corporateservices and the need for a major examination of ministry/theologicaleducation issues. I have arranged two "road trips", one to Adelaide andanother to Melbourne, to meet people from the Synod and the theologicalcolleges to gain insights into how other Synods are approaching theseissues. I have been joined by 1< ath Me 11'ifield (jilt, o1/1iiig UME ED), JaileFry (incoming MFR Chair) and Peter Kaldor (Leadership Institute). So fai'we have been to Adelaide and early December we visit Melbourne. I amconvinced that the issues around ministry - leadership, selection andeducation of candidates through to the ACOMP process and how weplace ministers must be dealt with holistically and reviewed urgently. (Ihave received a variety of correspondence from different sourcesvariously calling for examlnation of one or more of the processes alongthe ministry/education continuum. ) I will be participating in the UTCPrincipal's review.UMF has taken LIP a great deal of time. Since the Synod met thoro hasboon an ongoing recruitment process foi' UME SIatI aid ill tile absence ofthe ED I have been involved. The team is slowly coming together andshould be Imostlyl on board by early February. The search for an ED forUniting Resources continues and Jim Mein has agreed to increase hishours in the Acting role by a day a week to help cover in this period.Another area that I wish to give attention to in the coining period is what Ican only call "re-education/re-branding and communications strategy". Ibelieve we need a major focus on what it would mean for the Synod to beworking together and overcoming some of the well-known "silo mentality"and its attelldaii! 111istrusts which have built up over the years, I have hadsome conversations with people on this, but expect that there will be aneed for some assertive leadership in this area to try and get us workingtogether. Some people have noticed that our Synod strategic goals havepassed their expiry date. It will be important to refashion those in the NewYear, hilt I woiild hopo that it could be done in a way that has maxiiTiuiii"buy-in"

Letters have been sent to ANZ and Westpac on the is SIIe of fiindingfuture coal-fired power stations and we await their responseA letter is in draft form seeking legal advice on complying with ourlegislative obligations and "paying special attention to the statutory andtaxation requirements" as per the Synod resolution. The Uniting CareBoard is also keen to have legal opinion on the fiduciary responsibilities ofits members and the issues are being addressed together as they clearlyoverlap.Tilere is an Issue of "fees" in relation to SSC. Previously people havebeen asked to contribute to cover a portion of the costs of attending. Iwould like this practice abolished, so that the cost of running the SSC isseen as an item for the Synod budget. This will mean an adjustment isneeded at that point in the budget.It is clear that once again we need a reworking of the Synod by-laws totake account of the decisions we have made. I intend to seek out adrafter who may like a summer holiday job in the hope that we can look atchanges in the February or March SSC meeting!

Distribution of SSC Working papers. We sent out hard copies of papersfor this meeting, bul would like 10 kilow who wants to receive paperselectronically and who wishes to I'eceive 111eiii as pdpei cuples. Pleaseindicate on the sheet provided how you would prefer to receive futurecopies

AMENDMENTTo BY-LAWSMEMBERSHIP OFSYNODSTANDINGCOMMITTEEPART 2

THE SYNOD

2/2/11SC

MATTERSREFERREDFROM SYNOD

Reference - Working Paper N0 2

Resolved

(i)(ii)

2,311 Isc

receive the reportamend By-Laws Pal I 2 as indicated In WorkingPaper N0 2 and attach it to the Minutes as Appendix B

Rev Dr Ann Warisbrough

Resolved

SYNODRESTRUCTURINGSTATUS REPORTTo SYNOD STANDINGCOMMITTEE As AT25 NOVEMBER 20.1

That the Syriod Standing Committeeengage Ms We ridy Blacker from Gadens Lawyers on o11rbehalf to commence negotiations with Rev Dr AnnWarisbrough concerning the matters of financial compensationand other matters referred by the Synod as described in theIndependent panel report of September 201 I

2/4/11SC

MINISTERIALEDUCATIONBOARD

Resolved

2/5/11SC

Reference - Working Paper N0 16

That the Synod Standing Committeenote this progress report

Reference - W(11kiiig Pailei N(I8

Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committee,defer this matter to the Synod Standing Committee meeting tobe held 10 - 11 February 2012

UNITED

THEOLOGICAL

coi I FGF -

ENTITY,PURPOSE

AND GOVERANCE Reference - Working Paper N0 11

2161, Isc Resolved

That the Synod Standing Committeedefer this matter to the Synod Standing Committee meeting tobe held 10 1/1 ebruary20,2

Chairperson

Date