* FINAL VERSION - Concurred
Resolution:A137
Title:CONTINUATION OF THE TASK FORCE TO STUDY EMPLOYMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Topic:Employee Benefits
Committee:16 - Church Pension Fund
House of Initial Action:Bishops
Proposer:Executive Council

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the Task Force to Study Employment Policies and Practices in The Episcopal Church be continued for the 2010-2012 Triennium and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to allocate $15,000 for the work of the Task Force in the Triennium.


EXPLANATION

The Task Force to Study Employment Policies and Practices in The Episcopal Church was established by the Executive Council in response to Resolution A006 of the 74th General Convention in 2003. The Rev. Dr. Melford (Bud) Holland, most recently Program Officer for Discipleship and Leadership; Ordained Ministry at the Episcopal Church Center, was appointed convener of the group and remained so until his retirement. The membership consisted of representatives from various groups as set forth by Executive Council: CEPVA (Colloquium of Episcopal Professional and Vocational Associations), the Church Pension Group, the Episcopal Church Center and the Executive Council. By Resolution A125 at the 75th General Convention in 2006, the Task Force was continued.

The Task Force prepared a statement on Workplace Values in The Episcopal Church, which was approved as part of Resolution A125. Most significantly, as a result of the Church Pension Group's Comprehensive Lay Employee Study, the Task Force submitted a canon to amend the pension provisions of the church to include mandatory pension benefits for lay employees, recognizing that Resolution D165a of the 1991 Convention which called for lay pensions has not been universally or uniformly applied. The Task Force has not completed all the work that needs to be done on this vital issue, though it should complete its work in the next three years.


* Note: The final language, as well as the final status of each resolution, is being reviewed by the General Convention office. The Journal of the 76th General Convention and the Constitution and Canons will be published once the review process has been completed.