The 2020 budget process will follow the same process adopted by Diocesan Council for use in preparing previous budgets. This process more easily allows individuals and organizations to request funding as part of the 2020 Budget. Funding requests for 2020 are due by September 13, 2019.
This procedure provides:
- A way for funding requests to be submitted to Council for consideration well in advance of Convention;
- An opportunity for requestors to present their proposals to Council for consideration in the upcoming year’s budget; and
- A process for requestors to interact with Council if Council determines not to include the request in the budget or proposes changes to the request.
Experience has demonstrated that budget adjustments presented late in the budget process and close to the Convention make it difficult or impossible for deputies attending the Annual Convention to adequately consider and make a reasoned determination regarding proposed changes. Because of this difficulty, Council believes that continuing this process will allow for better communication and discussion of budget matters prior to the start of the actual Convention.
Summary
Individuals or organizations are offered the opportunity to request that programs and funding not included in the 2019 budget be considered by Council for inclusion in the proposed 2020 budget. Such requests are due by Friday, September 13, 2019. Organizations already included in the 2019 budget will be required to submit their 2020 request for continued funding by that same date. This schedule will provide for an adequate period of time for Council to consider the requests and, if helpful, to meet with those making such requests during the fall.
The current Rules of Order relating to Convention allow for budget resolutions (i.e., changes to the proposed budget) be submitted by noon on Friday of the week before Convention (i.e., January 24, 2020).
Council believes that, since it can be very difficult to effectively and fully communicate to all deputies such proposed changes in the short period of time from the proposal to the Convention, using this budget process will make requests more open and transparent to all deputies and provide for a longer period of time to consider the impact of all requests.
2020 Budget Process
August 2019
Publication of notice announcing 2020 Budget Process and Fall Budget Hearing in November to discuss Budget Funding Requests.
Proponents of Budget Funding Requests will be advised that their Budget Funding Request is to be submitted in writing to the Chief Financial Officer by September 13, 2019.
September 2019
September 13 – Budget Funding Requests due (to be submitted in writing to Chief Financial Officer). Download the Budget Funding Request Form.
September 25 – The Budget and Finance Committee will review the first draft of the budget and make initial funding decisions.
November 2019
November 13 – Fall Budget Hearing – Open meeting with Diocesan Council (Location TBD)
- Review of year-to-date 2019 results
- First presentation of proposed 2020 budget
- Open discussion to gather input and clarification of Budget Funding Requests; individuals or organizations that submitted Budget Funding Requests by September 13 may a make short presentation to Diocesan Council; Council may ask questions regarding requests
December 2019
December 2 – Those who submitted Budget Funding Requests and who were advised that Council decided to (a) not include the request in the 2020 Budget or (b) change the amount requested, must advise the Chief Financial Officer that they would like to attend the Council meeting on December 11 to request reconsideration, and will be required to provide a brief explanatory paragraph in writing as to the rationale supporting their request. Those who fail to make this request by December 1 will not be eligible to make a presentation to the Council.
December 11 – At Council meeting–Individuals or organizations whose Budget Funding Requests were not accepted or were otherwise altered (including the dollar amount) may attend to discuss Council’s decisions and request reconsideration, provided that they requested to do so by December 2.
January 2020
January 10 – the 2020 Budget proposal approved by Council will be posted on the diocesan website as soon as possible (generally within seven days of adoption by Council) to allow deputies and others an opportunity to review it well in advance of Convention.
January 24 – Final deadline of proposed budget resolutions; must be submitted to Secretary of Convention by noon on the Friday before Convention.
January 31-February 1 – Diocesan Convention.
- Presentation of proposed 2020 Budget for consideration and approval
Questions relating to this process should be addressed to Sam Reckford, the Chief Financial Officer.
