What's Happening With Our New Endowment by Roger Burke Chair of Long Range Planning

245 Washington Street has been sold; the substantial proceeds have been wisely invested; and the Trustees are acting as good stewards. So some are asking, "Isn't our work done and can't we begin to reap the rewards of having persevered through difficult times by simply increasing program and maintenance spending by across the board percentages?" In fact, our work has only just begun. A review of program needs and capital and infrastructure requirements is only prudent. We have a wonderfully thorough document from which to begin in the New Century Report, which was endorsed by the congregation at the 1996 Annual Meeting.

At its May meeting, the Council of Old South approved a comprehensive recommendation by Long Range Planning to review programs and budgets in the past through the lens of the New Century Report. We have set up a mechanism whereby all committees, boards and fellowships will work this summer to make a comprehensive review of past years' programs and budgets and, in light of recommendations in the Report, confirm or suggest new initiatives as three year budget proposals. On September 16th, the committees and all concerned will get together under the direction of the Long Range Planning Committee and discuss proposals and recommendations. From this and congregational forums, Council will put together the budget for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002 in the usual way. The difference will be the look back and the look forward so that we will be initiating a process to be used in subsequent years, a rolling three year projection

The recommendation is designed to engage as many as possible in the discussions. Long Range Planning has been expanded to facilitate this process. Besides our regular membership which includes Judy Pierce, Mercedes Ridao, Frank Wezniak, Diego Martinez-Paz, Eleanor Jensen as our Scribe and myself, Roger Burke, Council has added Senior Deacon Deborah Davis, Moderator Pam Roberts, Chair of Trustees Rusty Aertsen, Chair of Finance David Vogan and Treasurer Bob Wulff. Each of these members has already been assigned to mentor a board, committee or fellowship through this process. Many have already met and the response has been very positive. It is exciting for our church to entertain an increased endowment having only recently engaged in a comprehensive analysis of our programs and mission as a Christian community.

We recommend that everyone re-read the New Century Report. It is a thoughtful document which expresses how we visualize Old South in the new millennium. Keep in mind that the core of this process, and indeed the meaning in Old South, is expressed in its programs. Budgeting is only successful when it accurately reflects the programs the budget supports. The process is open to input from all and any member of Long Range Planning will be glad to answer any questions. +