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Uniting Resources. Executive Director John Kitchener April 2013. The Synod Budget. Synod Funds Management Committee (SFMC). Section 9.9 of the By-Laws Establishes the Synod Fund Determines the purpose/components of the Synod Fund Outlines SFMC’s r esponsibilities
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Uniting Resources • Executive Director John Kitchener • April 2013
The Synod Budget Uniting Resources 2013
Synod Funds Management Committee (SFMC) • Section 9.9 of the By-Laws • Establishes the Synod Fund • Determines the purpose/components of the Synod Fund • Outlines SFMC’s responsibilities • (a) presenting to the Synod Standing Committee a • comprehensive Synod Budget in line with Synod priorities. Uniting Resources 2013
The 2012 - 201313 Financial Year • The Synod Fund $12,325,000 • UFS $9,500,000 • Living is Giving $1,800,000 • Sales Proceeds Levy $825,000 • Other $200,000 • Total Distributions $12,697,000 • A deficit of: ($372,000) Uniting Resources 2013
The Synod Fund trend since 2008 16% Uniting Resources 2013
The Synod Fund is not the Synod Budget • The Synod Fund represents only part of the Synod’s revenue • The Synod Fund is allocated by formula and negotiation • Budgeting occurs independently by beneficiaries • No single body has been responsible for a Synod budget Uniting Resources 2013
A few changes for 2013 - 2014 • Include all income/costs of Secretariat, UME, UR and functions • “Zero Base Budget” with explicit assumptions for each cost • All cost areas are subject to review without exception • There are no “entitlements” or guarantees of funding • Cash management centralised from July 1, 2013 • A surplus for 2014 assuming a sustainable level of income Uniting Resources 2013
Given limited resources, choices must be made • Recognise the past practices are unsustainable • Be clear on priorities • Re-assess Synod costs • Challenge the “sacred cows” • Evaluate our role as stewards of the Church’s assets Uniting Resources 2013
Preparing the FY14 Budget • An iterative process starting from “Business as Usual” • Templates and guidelines provided • Minimise inter entity charges • Budget on a Business as Usual basis • Challenge and review each line item, document assumptions • Review of cash accounts – understand then consolidate • Review and Oversight - SFMC, UME, UTC, UR, ED’s Uniting Resources 2013
Reducing the Deficit • Review of all costs areas by finance teams and ED’s • In depth organisational review • Consideration of Regulations and By-Laws • Review of past processes • Identifying adjustments • Review and approval by SFMC Uniting Resources 2013
The FY14 Synod Budget: $3.2M deficit Top 10 Expenses Synod Income: $16.5M Synod Expenses: $19.7M Uniting Resources 2013
PRG is budgeted at $930,000 for FY14 Uniting Resources 2013
Costs • Entities are affected • People are impacted • Jobs will go • Reviews will create uncertainty • These reviews might result in further costs Uniting Resources 2013
Transitional Budget • A deficit is proposed – this is not sustainable • Income expected to increase in FY15, which provides options • Projects/reviews are required and they take time • Unpopular measures are necessary • Supports the Church to determine its future directions • A long way to go Uniting Resources 2013
Debt to be repaid • The Property Trust to borrow $100M to recapitalise UFS • The Synod’s overall debt facilities reduce from $225M to $150M • Average borrowings over last three years were $171M • Reduces risks, supports distributions, ensures compliance Uniting Resources 2013
Marketing and Communications Review Uniting Resources 2013
Deliver inspiring messages to build faith and a vibrant community A unified story about what we bring to our members and society A way of connecting with people who need, and want to know, who we are and what we’re doing A clear direction for the way the church tells our story 17 Uniting Resources 2013
Faith or Mission Uniting Resources 2013
1 The timing, frequency and key content of the Communications Calendar - to help ensure maximum impact for effort and resources. • Review timing, frequency and content plan of all Synod publications • Develop synergies including across UFS and UnitingCare publications • Establish events calendar for congregations and Presbyteries • Provide support e.g. Webinars, Toolkits • Leverage communications channels in other Synods and Assembly Calendar 23 Uniting Resources 2013
2 Media and Issues Management • Review media and issues and risks management • Develop synergies including across UFS, UnitingCare and Assembly • Develop issues management plan for Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery and for reputation management • Leverage communications channels in other Synods and Assembly Media Uniting Resources 2013
3 Build a consistent, up-to-date, well-organised and active online presence and community • Redesign and rebuild internet as a source for news, information and a community platform for members and future members of the Church • Rationalise the content structure and information of the site for cost, effort and impact improvements • Simplify the technical structure of the many sites of the Synod of NSW and the ACT Internet Uniting Resources 2013
4 Fundraising • Appeal strategy and implementation including a review of Living is Giving • Bequest strategy and implementation Fundraising Uniting Resources 2013
5 Build a consistent, up-to-date, well-organised and active online presence and community • Relaunch as service portal to congregations and Presbyteries – a source for news and toolkits • Update and refresh manuals and procedures so they are easy to access, understand and use • Create tools and templates once so they can be used many times Intranet Uniting Resources 2013
6 Build a consistent, up-to-date, well-organised and active online presence and community • Create Church contact database for a single view of Synod members and entities Contact database Uniting Resources 2013
What’s Happening • Four Synod workshops on the Website • Collaborate with UnitingCare on Communications • Marketing & Communications plan to SSC in August 2013 • Insights continues … May edition will cover Synod 2013 Uniting Resources 2013
Property Project Uniting Resources 2013
A Theology of Property for a pilgrim people “We are entering a new era of challenge across the church. Attendances are declining and buildings are deteriorating. Properties are often an emotional and financial burden rather than resources for mission. Building maintenance is now the third largest budget item for local congregations across the church. Decisions about property are often restricted by what we can afford. And we must comply with complex state and federal laws.”Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, 2008 Uniting Resources 2013
The Property Project Focus Areas Strategic Principles Mission Proceeds Policy Development Opportunities Property Committees • Key Themes • The Theology of Property • Common Wealth • Property and Stewardship • Resourcing Next workshop … June 2013 Uniting Resources 2013
The Australian Charities and Not for profit Commission (ACNC) Uniting Resources 2013
The decision making body regarding charities • All ABN organisations with a charity or benevolent institution status must register with the ACNC • No registration > No charitable status > No tax benefit • A basic religious charity is exempt from reporting • Reported information is in the public domain • There is a high level of uncertainty at present Uniting Resources 2013
Men’s Sheds Uniting Resources 2013
Men’s Sheds - Important, but high risk activity • The structure used to establish and operate a Men’s Shed is important • A supervised functioning activity of the Church • Separately constituted committee • Incorporated association, not an activity/entity of the Church • Participants or Volunteers? • PCBU • Insurance Uniting Resources 2013
