Resolutions

Report of the Resolutions Committee

The Resolutions Committee considered and adopted the following resolutions for submission to this Convention. The resolutions have been submitted according to Canon and during the First Report of the Resolutions Committee will be placed before Convention for debate subject to the Rules of Order adopted by Convention at its organization.

The Resolutions submitted this year are as follows:

• R1: Resolution on Clergy Compensation for 2012
• R2: Resolution on a Companion Relationship with the Diocese of Belize
• R3: Resolution on a Companion Relationship with the Diocese of Tanga
• R4: Resolution to Continue the Diocesan Health Ministry Task Force
• R5: Resolution Concerning High-Volume, Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)
• R6: Resolution of Thanksgiving for the Life of Richard T. Watson
• R7: Denominational Health Plan Resolution
• R8: Resolution on Mandatory Participation in Denominational Health Plan

Respectfully submitted,

R1: Resolution on Clergy Compensation for 2012 - passed

Resolved, that the minimum standard of full-time pension-based compensation (cash salary, utilities, housing, and Social Security tax reimbursement) for clergy serving congregations in the Diocese of Ohio during 2012 be established as follows:

• At least $45,000 for assisting clergy ordained less than three years;
• At least $48,500 for clergy ordained less than three years, who are in charge of congregations, and for assisting clergy ordained more than three years;
• At least $55,000 for clergy in charge of congregations with an annual Normal Operating Income (NOI) of no more than 180,000;
• At least $55,000 + 10% of NOI greater than $180,000 up to $360,000, for clergy in charge of congregations with an annual NOI greater than $180,000;
• At least $73,000 for clergy in charge of congregations with NOI greater than $360,000; and be it further

Resolved, that in addition to the above minimum standard, it is understood that each employer of clergy in the Diocese of Ohio shall:

• Make pension assessment payments as the Church Pension Fund shall determine;
• At minimum, provide to clergy and eligible dependents full funding for the least expensive medical insurance plan offered through the diocese in the area where the clergy person resides, or an amount equivalent to cost of the least expensive plan offered through the diocese toward a more expensive option. If the parish offers medical insurance coverage directly, and not through the diocese, the benefits must equal those provided by the least expensive plan available through the diocese.
• Provide appropriate reimbursement for expenses incurred in the course of fulfilling the responsibilities of the position, including the actual cost of the use of a personal automobile;
• Allow no fewer than four weeks of paid vacation annually;
• Allow annual professional education/development leave, of no fewer than two weeks, with a minimum allowance of $750, and be it further

Resolved, that each employer of clergy in the Diocese of Ohio be encouraged to:

• Offer additional benefits either fully funded, or on a pre-tax salary reduction basis (e.g., dental insurance, reimbursement for routine dental care, annual medical examination, child-care allowance, etc.);
• Provide for sabbatical and parental leave; and be it finally

Resolved, that the provisions of this resolution be applied on a pro-rata basis to the minimum compensation and benefits related to positions that are less than full-time and more than one-quarter time.

Resolved, that, while recognizing the difficult current economic conditions for employers of clergy in the diocese, we urge those congregations who are financially able to provide additional compensation, and we urge congregations who are not able to increase cash compensation to be creative in consider non-cash benefits (e.g., additional vacation and personal time).

Submitted by:

The Commission on Ministry

Read more: R1: Resolution on Clergy Compensation for 2012 - passed

R2: Resolution on a Companion Relationship with the Diocese of Belize - passed

Resolved, that the 195th Convention of the Diocese of Ohio endorses the formation of a companion relationship between this diocese and the Anglican Diocese of Belize, Province of the West Indies, beginning December 2011 and continuing until December 2016, or terminated by mutual consent; and be it further

Resolved, that the Diocese of Ohio’s Commission on Global and Domestic Mission be empowered to set up a representative Companion Relationship Committee to oversee this relationship by encouraging and supporting the participation of persons and congregations in the Diocese of Ohio.

Submitted by:

The Commission on Global and Domestic Mission (CGDM)

Read more: R2: Resolution on a Companion Relationship with the Diocese of Belize - passed

R3: Resolution on a Companion Relationship with the Diocese of Tanga - Passed

Resolved, that the 195th Convention of the Diocese of Ohio endorses the formation of a companion relationship between this diocese and the Anglican Diocese of Tanga, Province of Tanzania, beginning December 2011 and continuing until December 2016 or terminated by mutual consent; and be it further

Resolved, that the Diocese of Ohio’s Commission on Global and Domestic Mission be empowered to set up a representative Companion Relationship Committee to oversee this relationship by encouraging and supporting the participation of persons and congregations in the Diocese of Ohio.

Submitted by:

The Commission on Global and Domestic Mission (CGDM)

Read more: R3: Resolution on a Companion Relationship with the Diocese of Tanga - Passed

R4: Resolution to Continue the Diocesan Health Ministry Task Force - Passed

Resolved, that this Convention authorize the Health Ministry Task Force in the Diocese of Ohio to act as a liaison to the Standing Commission on Health of The Episcopal Church for another 3-year term, and be it further

Resolved, that the Task Force submit yearly reports on its work and progress to Diocesan Convention to be included in the Journal of the Annual Convention.

Submitted by:

The Diocesan Health Ministry Task Force

Read more: R4: Resolution to Continue the Diocesan Health Ministry Task Force - Passed

R5: Resolution Concerning High-Volume, Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)
 - Passed as Amended

Resolved, that the 195^th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Ohio supports:

• The establishment of a “Shale Gas Task Force” by the Bishop of Ohio, such task force to be in place preferably no later than January 31, 2012, which shall (1) directly communicate [and participate as appropriate] with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife Committee on Environment and Public Works of the United States Senate, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources of the United States House of Representatives, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Resources Management, conveying the SGTF’s position on the utilization of BMP’s  (Best Management Practices) concerning the processing and disposal of all liquids produced from the hydraulic fracturing process including, but not exclusively, injected fracturing fluids, flowback water, and produced water, whether such waters are treated, recycled, reused, reinjected or disposed, (2) monitor the rule making processes on the state and federal level and (3) provide a report to the 196^th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Ohio of their findings;

• The efforts of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) to conduct a comprehensive, transparent, peer-reviewed study of the impacts of natural gas on water resources and the life cycle impacts of fluids used in high-volume, horizontal hydraulic fracturing (HVHF); and

• A moratorium on high-risk, unconventional deep-shale gas drilling in Ohio until the U.S. EPA study is completed and regulatory agencies have conducted a comprehensive review of Ohio’s regulatory framework as it relates to the new technologies of HVHF and made any appropriate revisions to protect human health and the environment; and be it further

Resolved, that this Convention:

• Communicate this resolution to the Governor, Lt. Governor and Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources of the State of Ohio; and encourage each congregation to communicate the same to their state legislators; and
• Submit the appropriate form of this resolution to the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, that this Convention encourages the Bishop, clergy, and members of the Diocese:

• To educate themselves about HVHF as comprehensive, peer-reviewed scientific evidence becomes available.

Submitted by:

The Diocesan Advocacy Committee

Read more: R5: Resolution Concerning High-Volume, Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)
 - Passed as Amended

R6: Resolution of Thanksgiving for the Life of Richard T. Watson - passed

Resolved, that this 195th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Ohio remember with gratitude the late Richard T. Watson, Chancellor of the Diocese and a Bishop’s Medal recipient, and offer our prayers of thanksgiving in celebration of his life and ministry among us, that he may rest in peace and dwell with the loving God who creates, redeems and sanctifies us all.

Submitted by:

The Vestry of St. Paul’s, Cleveland Heights

Read more: R6: Resolution of Thanksgiving for the Life of Richard T. Watson - passed

R7: Denominational Health Plan Resolution - passed

• Scope of Coverage - The Diocese of Ohio and all its congregations are required (except noted below) to provide medical insurance coverage for all qualified employees (those employees who work 1500 hours or more per year). This coverage must be purchased through the Denominational Health Plan designed and administered by the Trustees and Officers of the Church Pension Fund with benefits provided through The Episcopal Church Medical Trust. The diocese will determine on an annual basis the plans available for selection by qualified employees. Each organization (diocese, parish, congregational institutions, etc.) may choose to offer one or more of these plans.


• Employee Opt-Out Provision - Employees may opt out of obtaining medical insurance coverage through the Denominational Health Plan if they have medical insurance coverage through other approved sources (i.e. spouse’s employer’s plan, former employer’s plan Tri-Care, Medicare). Parishes may not opt out of coverage with the Medical Trust for its qualified employees.


• Parity Provision - At a minimum, all qualified clergy and lay employees must be provided, on an equal basis, the same percentage of the premium for a health insurance plan offered by the Diocese of Ohio through the Denominational Heath Plan. All qualified employees working for an institution must be provided equal access to the plans offered by that institution. For purposes of this resolution, the premium for a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) includes full (100%) funding of the plan deductible in a health savings account (H.S.A.). The specific minimum cost-sharing percentage will be determined annually by the Commission on Ministry in the resolution for clergy compensation. Any cost sharing arrangements for coverage above the minimum level must be at the same percentage for all qualified employees (parity between clergy and lay).


• Other institutions - Schools, day care facilities and other congregational and diocesan institutions, whether or not they operate under a separate tax ID for the sponsoring institution, are encouraged but not required to participate in the Denominational Health Plan on the same basis as congregations, and must contact the Episcopal Medical Trust each time medical coverage is renewed.


• Coverage for Certain Part-time Employees -  Clergy and lay employees who work 1000 hours or more, but less than 1500 hours per year, are eligible to voluntarily participate in the Denominational Health Plan and purchase insurance through The Medical Trust. Individual institutions (the diocese, parishes, and schools, day care facilities, and other diocesan institutions) may determine the cost-sharing policy applicable to the medical insurance coverage for these employees.

Submitted by

Read more: R7: Denominational Health Plan Resolution - passed

R-8 Mandatory Participation in Denominational Health Plan (DHP) - passed

Resolved, that the Diocese of Ohio submit the following resolution for action at the 77^th General Convention meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana in July, 2012:

Amendment to the Denominational Health Plan

“Resolved, the House of ________________ concurring, That the 77^th General Convention removes the mandate that dioceses must participate in the Denomination Health Plan by purchasing health insurance through the Medical Trust/Church Pension Group.  All other requirements of A177 passed by the 76^th General Convention remain in force.”

Proposers:

Read more: R-8 Mandatory Participation in Denominational Health Plan (DHP) - passed

Special Report and Resolution of the Committee on Constitution and Canons

Resolved, that this 195th Convention acknowledge the end of the ministries of Holy Trinity Church, Bellefontaine; Church of the Holy Spirit, Akron; and Church of the Transfiguration; Cleveland. The Convention expresses its deep appreciation to the laity and clergy of these congregations for their years of faithful service to God and the people of their communities; and be it further

Resolved, that this Convention accepts this report of the Constitution and Canons Committee, in accordance with Title II. Canon 7, and declares Holy Trinity Church, Bellefontaine; Church of the Holy Spirit, Akron; and Church of the Transfiguration; Cleveland to be extinct.

Submitted by

The Committee on Constitution and Canons

Read more: Special Report and Resolution of the Committee on Constitution and Canons