Planning Process Related Questions:
Q: Is there a goal date to decide the path forward for our ACC?
A: The diocese is expecting our All Things New Planning Committee to turn in one or two plans by the end of December. Decisions from the Bishop regarding approval of our plan will likely happen in January.
Q: Is there a possibility of Diocesan boundaries changing?
A: There are no current plans to change boundaries.
Q: What about having some youth participate in the visioning process?
A: We did our best to ensure that we had various age ranges represented on the committee but we are open to suggestions on how to engage with the youth. We can discuss this with our Youth Minister.
Q: The slower All Things New is implemented, the harder and more painful it will be.
A: There seems to be conflicting thoughts on this. While we don’t want this to drag on indefinitely, our intention is to follow the timeline provided by the diocese which gives space for listening and discussion but sets a deadline for plans due at the end of the year. It also sets deadlines for implementation.
Finance Related Questions:
Q: According to the diocesan information, 4 out of 5 parishes are operating at a deficit with respect to ordinary income. Is extraordinary income or other income illegitimate? Why is not this other income considered?
A: Extraordinary, fundraisers, and other income such as restricted gifts or bequests are very much appreciated and they are legitimate income. However, one-time gifts are not something we would like to budget around. Extraordinary gifts, restricted gifts and bequests can be extremely helpful for projects that we
need to fund. The ordinary income is what we try to plan around for budgeting purposes.
Q: Will parishes be closed because they are in the red with their budgets?
A: Budget is one consideration. As you can imagine, if parishes are combined then that changes their budget, so the budget is one of the data points to be considered with the other guiding principles and parameters.
Q: When can we reduce staff and get more frugal?
A: Staff has done an incredible job adapting to the needs of the ACC. They have put in countless hours of ‘work’ time and additional ‘volunteer’ time serving the needs of the parishes. When the ACC was formed, there was a lot of transition and the leaders did their best to preserve similar structure to what each parish was accustomed to. We will continue to look at each role and work with our staff to evaluate future needs and opportunities through the planning process. If we reduce down to one administrative office and simplify our bookkeeping processes then this will reduce the amount of time it takes for these functions which should yield some savings. However, we will also want to consider if we are managing our resources in a way that points the ACC toward growth through effective outreach programs. All of these areas are being reviewed. It will take time to implement changes related to All Things New so that staff can best serve the future needs of the ACC.
Comment: Combine all finances if possible.
A: This would streamline some of the administrative processes but combining
finances will require approvals from multiple councils and will take time to implement if it is approved. It is being evaluated as part of the planning process.