Diocesan Council
2007 Meeting Minutes
(pdf files)

February
Summary of February 15, 2007, meeting

Diocesan Council:

Unanimously approved a proposal from the Millennium Development Goals Task Force for the issuing of grants to congregations and organizations for work concerning the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).Unanimously approved the 2007 Management Agreement between the Diocese and Trustees, retroactive to January 1, 2007.


At joint meeting with the Trustees, Standing Committee and diocesan staff:

Heard update from Development Committee. Received outline of the Bishop Coadjutor election process. Engaged in discussion concerning the work of the Bishop’s Commission on Mission Strategy (BCMS).


March
Summary of March 15, 2007, meeting

Diocesan Council:

Defeated, with one abstention, Resolution 2007-01, recommending that the $38,000 currently designated in the 2007 Budget as grant funds under the Department of Congregational Development be designated instead for the Bishop’s Transition fund.

Unanimously defeated Resolution 2007-02, recommending that any budget surplus from 2006 (approximately $22,000) be designated to supplement the $50,000 currently budgeted for 2007 Diocesan Convention.

Unanimously passed a resolution to establish a working group to articulate a particular mission for Cass Lake Episcopal Camp

May
Summary of May 3, 2007, meeting

Diocesan Council:

Heard from Bishop Jelinek and discussed the plans for the episcopal succession and the beginnings of the bishop search process.

Heard a presentation from the Bishop's Commission on Mission Strategy (BCMS) and offered responses and suggestions to the committee's draft document for the May 5 BCMS Convocation.

June
Summary of June 21, 2007, meeting

Diocesan Council:

Heard an update from Doug Sparks on the beginning of the work of the Development Committee.

Heard and discussed a report and a FAQ document from the Standing Committee on the search process for a bishop coadjutor.

Heard a report from Robert Two Bulls, Director of the Department of Indian Work.

Saw a draft version of a one-year budget for 2008.

July
Summary of July 26, 2007, meeting

Diocesan Council:

Discussed a July draft of a document from the Bishop’s Commission on Mission Strategy (BCMS).

Defeated a motion calling for the Finance Committee to construct a new 2008 budget at the 2007 figures.

Passed a motion recommending approval of the 2008 budget, adding a caution that freezing or cutting expenses is not prudent during this time of transition.

September
Summary of September 13, 2007, meeting

Diocesan Council:

Unanimously accepted the audit report and associated financial statements for 2006.

Unanimously voted to endorse and recommend passage of the proposed amendment to Diocesan Canon 206, as distributed.

Unanimously voted that Council direct the Constitutions and Canons Committee to develop a canon adding clergy to those whose votes are suspended in congregations that have not complied with the conditions in the proposed amendment to Canon 206.

Heard an update on the Church of Gethsemane, Minneapolis.

Unanimously voted to recommend that Diocesan Convention affirm and own the goals that are the recommendation of the Bishop’s Committee on Mission Strategy (BCMS) and also to encourage the Bishop, his staff, and Diocesan Council to implement them.

December
Summary of December 13, 2007, meeting

Diocesan Council:

Engaged in small group discussion around next steps for a new mission strategy group.

Unanimously passed a motion that Council support the work of the Millennium Development Goals Task Force in the diocese as their plan has been presented, and approve their proposal for 2008.

Unanimously passed a motion for a 5-7 year commitment to hire a development officer and express gratefulness for the donation that will make this possible.

Discussed a resolution from the Real Estate Committee of the Trustees and sent it back for revision.

Unanimously passed Resolution 2007-05: 2008 housing allowances for diocesan-employed clergy; Revised Resolution 2007-05 approved via email following the meeting.

Unanimously appointed the Rev. Michael Wyatt to fill a vacancy on the Standing Committee; approved via mail following the meeting.