Questions and comments at Synod 2010 following the Uniting Resources and Uniting Financial Services Report and follow-up responses

Uniting Resources and Uniting Financial Services presented its Report to the Synod meeting on April 12, 2010. This was followed by Table Group discussions where tables recorded questions and comments in response to the Report. Uniting Resources and Uniting Financial Services were given a 15-minute opportunity to respond. Due to the volume of questions and comments and the limited time, only some of the questions and comments were addressed. However, a commitment was made to ensure that every question and comment received would have a response formulated and posted to the Uniting Resources website.

Below are the questions and comments received from the Table Group discussions in black text and arranged into logical categories. The blue text is the response provided by Uniting Resources and Uniting Financial Services.

Question topics: Sales Proceeds Policy • Property • Financial Management Services • Information Technology • Synod Fund • Uniting Financial Services • Occupational Health and Safety • Insurance • Climate Change • Human Resources • Uniting Resources — Other • Positive comments

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Sales Proceeds Policy

Question/Comment
Hurry up with the sales proceeds policy please!

Question/Comment
Can UFS give us some reassurance that the sales policy will be delivered (finalised?) sometime this year? How will this be disseminated? (Reference was meant to be to UR.)

Question/Comment
When will congregations have clear processes about sales proceeds?

Question/Comment
Regarding sales proceeds funds — how soon will we have an answer?

Question/Comment
By whom and how is the review of sales proceeds tithing being conducted?

Question/Comment
Encourage review of sales proceeds — urgent need for missional focus.

Response — Verbal response provided by Gavin Pretorius at Synod 2010

There were a number of comments on the Review of the Sales Proceeds Policy — mostly about expectations of when the Review is likely to be completed.

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Property

Question/Comment
ACT law requires asbestos review annually and is carried out by ACT Presbytery. Therefore can that report be tabled so the work is not duplicated by UFS?

Question/Comment
Asbestos Project: Since asbestos ceased as a building product component (sheeting, insulation) in 198X?, presumably audits would not be required on any buildings conducted since that date, and/or of significant refurbishment work has been undertaken?

Response — Verbal response provided by Geoff Dalley at Synod 2010

Yes. Providing it meets the Asbestos Management Plan and Asbestos register according to “The Act” which commenced September 7, 2007.

It is important to note that all Buildings post December 31, 2003, are required by law to have a report identifying the location and condition of any asbestos and the preparation and implementation of a written Asbestos Management Plan.

This is to ensure we comply with OHS Act 2000 and OHS Regulation 2001.

All sites MUST be reviewed at least every 12 months or whenever there is a change in circumstances or conditions.

Question/Comment
When will Uniting Resources provide a Property Manual for congregations? This needs to be a “Dummy’s Guide” to make it accessible for non-professionals.

Response — Verbal response provided by Geoff Dalley at Synod 2010

We are currently reviewing the draft document and anticipate having this document available to all congregations within the next 3-4 months.

Our aim is to have a “plain English document” to assist non-professionals.

Question/Comment
Can Uniting Resources resource congregations needing property advice and guidance?

Response — Verbal response provided by Geoff Dalley at Synod 2010

Yes. We believe we need to interface with congregations on all property matters to assist and guide them through various processes.

This is a major facet of our role and we encourage you to call us so we can assist.

Question/Comment
If we are so “asset rich” why are we renting property for the Synod?

Response
There are two aspects to the response. Firstly, it is agreed that as a church we are asset rich, but the assets are generally specialised property such as churches and aged care centres. These assets are generally not suitable to house the Synod offices which has around 300 staff that require office type accommodation close to major transport hubs. The second aspect is that it would require significant capital to own such a large amount of office space. Renting also allows greater flexibility in terms of managing space requirements and being able to move.

Question/Comment
What part can UFS play in the development of a Uniting Church presence in new housing areas; for example Oran Park?

Response
This question is more appropriately directed to entities such as the Board of Mission and the Synod Mission Resource Fund. The Board of Mission works with presbyteries and congregations in establishing start-up churches and the Synod Mission Resource Fund is a source of potential funding. The role of Uniting Resources is to assist in property matters and Uniting Financial Services may play a role in providing loans.

Question/Comment
What is happening to manses that are not occupied by ministerial agents and which are not likely to be so occupied in the future?

Response
Uniting Resources is aware in these instances that such manses are commercially rented out as a source of income. This is a matter for presbyteries and congregations to assess whether this is the most appropriate use of church assets as they are “beneficially” owned by those entities.

Question/Comment
What is happening in relation to small churches, particularly in rural areas which are no longer used for worship services?

Response
Typically they are rented to other community groups or sold.

Question/Comment
(In reference to the Synod offices refurbishment.) What will happen to the surplus staff from reducing two reception areas to one and the remodelling of the premises?

Response
In fact there are currently more than two receptions. Each board generally has a reception, but this will be reduced to small waiting areas. Staff will continue to function as they were in the past, except that their time in relation to reception duties will be reduced while increasing their time spent on other work. There are no redundancies expected as a result of moving toward one major Synod reception.

Question/Comment
What was the rationale for the sale of the land bank at Kellyville?

Response
This is a matter for the Synod Mission Resource Fund as it “beneficially owned” that land. The land was sold to effectively assist the church plant of North West Uniting Church in Rouse Hill.

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Financial Management Services

Question/Comment
What is happening to promote Uniting Resources to congregations at large?

Question/Comment
Education of members of the church in financial areas/management would be helpful.

Response — Verbal response provided by Kegan Kashian at Synod 2010

We are midway through our current series of workshops. We have presented to over 150 treasurers thus far and it’s been very successful. The treasurers we have visited have been in the presbyteries of:

• Ku-ring-gai,
• Macquarie Darling,
• Riverina and
• Illawarra Presbytery
• Hunter is scheduled (on May 8)
• Parramatta Nepean (on June 26)

We will be going to the following before early 2011:

• Sydney,
• Sydney North,
• Georges River
• Canberra
• New England North West
• Far North Coast
• Mid North Coast

Once this current cycle of workshops is finished we will be looking at doing four a year each year.

Question/Comment
Also, there are some deficiencies in some financial systems; for example, insurance, superannuation for employees and so on. It would be nice to have guide documents in ethnic languages? There is also difficulty to report UR1 for main ethnic churches due to differences in financial systems. It would be beneficial if we have some UR1 report guide translated into the ethnic languages.

Response — Verbal response provided by Kegan Kashian at Synod 2010

The UR2 is currently translated into Korean for a dozen or so Korean congregations. It has been for some years. This is done by a Korean Chartered Accountant in Eastwood. I am happy to pass on his contact details to those Korean treasurers interested.

I did, in fact, present to a “Korean Treasurers Workshop” in June 2009, organised by the Parramatta Nepean Presbytery, where some 30 Koreans, mostly treasurers, attended and it was a successful day. We will do a refresher course again this year to introduce the UR2 so come along if you are interested.

Translating. The Uniting Church has some 25 different language groups, so we need to be practical about translating into every language. We will investigate further but maybe look at translating the UR2 return and the instructions covering it.

Question/Comment
When will the Treasurers Manual finally be completed?

Response — Verbal response provided by Kegan Kashian at Synod 2010

I am happy to report that the manual is now on the web. The link has been emailed to all treasurers and I have already had positive feedback.

• The Manual is in PDF read-only format
• This will be followed with a hard copy posted to each treasurer in the next few weeks.

UR2 (Annual Return to Synod)
We have also simplified the annual return to Synod. It is now called UR2 and replaces the UR1 return. It’s gone from 18 pages to six pages. We’ve taken out a lot of the questions relating to other boards/sections and condensed the Receipts and Payments Statement and Balance Sheet to fewer questions. It shouldn’t take you more than an hour to do. The new UR2 is also in the manual.

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Information Technology

Question/Comment
What IT services does Uniting Resources envisage providing to congregations?

Response — Verbal response provided by Bruce Coyte at Synod 2010

Presently Information Technology Services provide procurement (Microsoft, Dell, Trend Micro and so on), Service Desk support (via telephone, web or email) and in the future Uniting Resources IT Services is looking at working more with presbyteries and congregations in supporting their technology needs.

Ultimately, it is our hope that more comprehensive services will be available to congregations, such as accessing the future UnitingCare IT Centre.

Question/Comment
What makes the outsourcing of “IT” functions cheaper?

Response — Verbal response provided by Bruce Coyte at Synod 2010

Uniting Resources is considering hosting the IT infrastructure (system hardware-servers, switches and system software) to a vendor. Generally, by doing this, costs are less for organisations such as ours because of economies of scale a vendor can achieve with multiple clients. Quotations that we have received so far confirm this.

Other benefits in outsourcing to a vendor would be:

• System patch management (hardware and software)
• System maintenance:
• • 24 x 7 Data Centre operations
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Control
  • Physical security
  • Disaster Recovery
• Storage, data backup and recovery
• Access to industry best practices
• Rapid deployment/flexibility/scalability of services.

Question/Comment
Can congregations and presbyteries tap into developments in IT? We need a uniform system, buying power increased, communication costs decreased as each congregation receives reports, education and so on via IT.

Response
Through the national ICT and large church IT entities, ITS can provide better buying power for congregations and negotiate Standard Operation Environments (SOE) with suppliers. It can make agreements with communications suppliers and use of the Web will help provide support and procurement to congregations and presbyteries.

Question/Comment
How are the presbyteries and congregations going to be involved in the IT Strategy?

Response
As part of the discovery phase of formulating the IT Strategy, a cross section of key shareholders, including presbyteries and congregations, were selected to be interviewed on what they wanted from information technology in the future. As the Strategy is being completed, further consultations will take place.

Question/Comment
In outsourcing IT, what consideration has been given to outsourcing of IT platforms and applications? If this has been done or is considered, how is continuity of access to data and/or applications to be addressed in the event of a breakdown in the relationship with the service provider(s)?

Response
We are looking at outsourcing the Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, hardware (servers) and software (system software).

Some applications like Payroll and Property systems are outsourced already. To reduce the risk of service providers not being able to provide the desired benefits and delivery of service, it becomes very important to have the right resources to manage that outsourced relationship and have the appropriate Service Level Agreements in place.

Question/Comment
IT needs to provide for the needs of other boards??

Response
Uniting Resources Information Technology Services (UR/ITS) is presently providing and supporting an IT Wide Area Network (WAN) for all the boards, Secretariat and the Assembly. A Service Desk support accessible by telephone, Internet and email supports the network users, presbyteries and congregations and church members.

Question/Comment
If outsourcing takes place, what will happen to the staff?

Response
In outsourcing the IT infrastructure, staff impact will be minimal because staff are mainly deployed in support services.

In fact there will be more efficient use of resources in providing improved services like:

• Project Management
• Client Relationship
• Service Desk support
• Providing the Synod with resources that can help in the further development of new IT requirements like VoIP and video conferencing.

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Synod Fund

Question/Comment
How will priorities for cuts in resources/financial availability be arrived at; that is, what will be the criteria for reductions?

Question/Comment
We thought the Synod Standing Committee report included a suggestion that the distribution might fall by 9%? We also understand boards have been told there will be budget cuts?

Question/Comment
Is there substance to the rumour that there is expected to be a 10% cut across the whole of the Synod?

Response — Verbal response provided by Gavin Pretorius at Synod 2010

• There were questions about how a reduction in distribution and resultant budget cuts would be handled.
• Firstly, that is not the job of Uniting Resources and it is a matter for:
• • the Synod Fund Management Committee
  • and the Synod Standing Committee.
• However, Uniting Resources does advise these bodies, and I am a member of both.
• Brief comments:
• • The Synod Fund Management Committee is putting up a budget to its Synod Standing Committee in May for Year Ended June 2011 that anticipates a cut of around 2% even though Uniting Financial Services will maintain its committed distribution.
  • For Year Ended June 2012 the Uniting Financial Services distribution is expected to be reduced by around 10%. At this stage budget cuts will be proportional across all grant recipients, subject to any Synod Standing Committee decision that might envisage a different methodology.

Question/Comment
UnitingCare receives $0.8 million from the Synod Operation Fund. Does UnitingCare continue to need a funding distribution from the Synod Operational Fund?

Response
This is a matter for UnitingCare.

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Uniting Financial Services

Question/Comment
Asset allocation and overweight position in property and underweight position in equities.

Response — Verbal response provided by Tony DiMauro at Synod 2010

This touches on the volatility that equities bring the portfolio (domestic and international) and how the investment strategy looks at certainty of cash flow or return (income) with CPI growth for the capital.

Commercial Property will have its challenges; however, to sell out at this time would only add to the present “fire sale” mentality of buyers in the market and potentially only crystallise further losses.

The assets are quality assets, with close to zero vacancies on the majority of buildings providing significant rental returns for the portfolio.

Question/Comment
How does UFS access mission value when assessing loans? How does UFS work with the Synod in assessing mission value?

Response — Verbal response provided by Tony DiMauro at Synod 2010

UFS has assisted Uniting Resources in its role of financial risk management of the church and its many diverse and varied operating arms.

We see our role as that of complementing and working closely with UR on this but, more importantly, reflecting back on yesterday’s mission statement, we believe we are there to provide financial assistance to help enable church mission.

The question was asked how do we assess church mission when assessing church loan. The answer there is simple: we don’t — we leave it to other parts of the church to do that.

We would like to think that we provide a mixture of commercial reality with a passion and empathy for church mission to either provide a financial solution or provide assistance in what is required to deliver on a vision.

It is often challenging to mix the two but also more times than not, very rewarding.

Question/Comment
What are the potential changes arising from the Henry Review & likely input of the Henry Review?

Response — Verbal response provided by Tony DiMauro at Synod 2010

With the report yet to be released to the public, but in the hands of the Prime Minister’s office, you would expect any changes to the tax structure for the NFP sector that has a potential to impact in the next 12 months will be released to the public before the announcement of the Budget in early May.

Possible impact on Uniting Financial Services:

1. Loss of ITEC and Capital Gains tax exemptions
2. Loss of rebate of Franking Credits

Any loss of ITEC has a non-financial impact on our compliance with our ASIC and APRA exemptions; hence the ATO may not have fully investigated any unintended consequences.

UFS some four years ago, when the famous ATO draft tax rulings were released, investigated the impact of a loss of ITEC exemption on its business.

Our investigations concluded that, providing the Property Trust as the legal entity would retain its charitable status, UFS would restructure its balance sheet and operating models to negate any significant financial impact on the Synod.

Our analysis identified a financial impact, however not as large as we first thought.

Question/Comment
Is the Synod aware of all the presbyteries’ investments?

Response
UFS is aware of everything that has been reported.

Question/Comment
Interest rates allowed on self-help investments are low. Why?

Response
Questions on UFS products can be referred to UFS directly or sourced from our website. UFS Self Help investments have lower interest returns than our normal investments because the difference (benefit) is provided back to the Scheme not to UFS.

Question/Comment
What are the projections of distribution to the Synod in the two or three years after 2010?

Response — Verbal response provided by Tony DiMauro at Synod 2010

As confirmed in the UFS Chairman’s presentation, UFS will deliver on the final year of its three-year pledge to the Synod, with that instalment looking to assist funding the Synod’s commitments for the next fiscal year being 2010-2011.

For a variety of reasons it is too early to forecast distributions to the Synod for the following years; that is, the financial year starting July 1, 2011.

We had preliminary discussions with the Synod Fund last month on what the possible impact of the GFC will be for the years moving forward, however we have yet to look at the impact of our commercial property valuations at FY end and complete our extensive financial forecasting and actuarial modelling.

To provide any further feedback at this time is really a guess, however we have taken the conservative view with the Synod Fund and warned it of a better than average probability of a decline in the current distribution levels from July 1, 2011.

Question/Comment
In the last ten years the funds have increased by a substantial amount. Is this expected to continue and how will the distribution be affected by this? ($400 million to $1,250 million; distribution $9 million to $12 million.)

Response
Distributions are not expected to increase over the next few years as UFS looks to work its way through the impact of the GFC. Distribution levels are forecast to drop from July 1, 2011; however, the exact size and impact has yet to be fully modelled and reported to either the UFS Board or the Synod Fund Management Committee.

Question/Comment
Is there a way to encourage more church members’ private savings into UR/UFS?

Response
UFS continues to develop strategies and marketing campaigns around growth in investments from the non-church corporate and agency sector. We are restrained from offering some products and services to this individual or member market; however, we continually strive to promote the important charitable purpose, church mission and community service projects our distributions directly support.

Question/Comment
Do banking type prudential requirements (statutory reserve ratios) apply to UFS?

Response
UFS is un-regulated with regard to the APRA oversight of all licensed financial service entities; however, where possible and financially cost neutral for us to do so, we adopt and implement industry best practices around capital adequacy, balance sheet liquidity and Management and Director competency.

On the question of our present capital levels, if we were required to, UFS would restructure its present operating model to fit into the APRA capital adequacy requirements.

Question/Comment
When does UFS envisage having ATM access to accounts?

Response
Under its present charitable exemption and licensing, UFS is unable to offer ATM access to its investors, primarily because of the restrictions APRA has placed on all non–regulated financial service entities.

Question/Comment
How much does it cost to administer the services? Actual amount? Percentage of invested funds?

Response
I assume the question relates to a cost to income ratio commonly applied to financial services entities in the market. UFS presently works on a cost to income ratio of around $1: 0.27 or for every dollar of surplus UFS expends 27 cents in costs.

Question/Comment
What work has been done to ensure that our investments are with groups/institutions whose practice is in line with our Uniting Church ethos of ethical practice? Does UFS have a policy on share purchases having an ethical focus?

Response
We confirm adherence to the ethical investment principals of the Synod of New South Wales and the ACT.

Question/Comment
How do deposits from individuals compare on a percentage basis to deposits from church bodies?

Response
Church deposits are around 55% of our funding while retail deposits make up 18%. The remainder is bank funding and retained earnings.

Question/Comment
How has the last 18 months affected the Self Help Fund?

Response — Verbal response provided by Tony DiMauro at Synod 2010

I am happy to answer the question on how the Self Help Fund (“SHF”) performed over the GFC with a reply that deposits levels remained unaffected, even with the Government Guarantee.

It is important to reflect on the aim of the SHF, which was to enlist church member financial support on congregation projects such as capital works, acquisitions or, in recent times, the employment of part-time ministers or lay staff.

What our records have showed is:

• that SH loans are now rarely sourced in line with the general rundown in congregational property activities, with most proceeds now directed towards the appointment of ministers or lay staff; and
• over time, for a variety of reasons, contributors to the schemes choose to take their interest rather than forgo by the tune of 3 to 1; so, of the $16 million presently in deposits, $12 million receives interest.

The Government late last year announced in would no longer extend the deeming exemption to such church schemes, which provides us with concern on the viability of the product and a further financial analysis of the scheme has indicated that the subsidisation provided by UFS to the scheme was really unjust and not within our role and scope.

Changes have been made and a communication program commenced where scheme contributors who are receiving full interest can split their deposits with UFS and be no worse off.

Those schemes which have loans attached and were receiving the greatest benefit (cross subsidy) from UFS have seen their loan interest rates reduced, which will help compensate most of the cross subsidy benefit they were receiving from UFS.

I would encourage any treasurer or congregation who is concerned with these changes to contact UFS and seek clarification on the options they may have.

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Occupational Health and Safety

Question/Comment
OHS Training for congregations at Uniting Resource’s cost?

Response
While Uniting Resources has an extremely limited budget and only one specialised OH&S staff member, the Synod’s OH&S Manager often presents to presbyteries and various congregations in relation to general OH&S education and training. There are also many OH&S tools on the Uniting Resources website that can be accessed by congregations.

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Insurance

Question/Comment
Is there an intention to create a reliable/managed database of each property GFA/Building Construction for better calculation of insurance valuations and annual increase based on changes to construction costs?

Response
Yes. There is a current project that will result in a web-based system that will house significant property and insurance information. It is also intended that this information will be accessible to many parts of the church.

Question/Comment
Is it possible to have church properties valued by “local” authorised/certificated valuers using “local” replacement costs, rather than accept valuations by large capital city-based valuers? (Note: this may extend to presbytery investigating a “blanket” tender(s) for areas/zones within its bounds).

Response
Yes this is possible. Valuers must be qualified, reputable and experienced in the particular type of property. It is recommended that any large tender conducted by a body such as a presbytery, should ensure that the Synod Insurance Manager is aware and involved in the process.

Question/Comment
Is the Uniting Church likely to be self-insuring?

Response
The current insurance program includes very large excesses to the external market and therefore it is in a sense party self-insured. Strategically, Uniting Resources is investigating different vehicles of insurance that may lead to a greater degree of self-insurance.

Question/Comment
Seeking whether rebuilding/reconstruction work after/in an insurance claim can be carried out by local contractors; for example, flood damage on mid-north coast be repaired by mid-north coast firms (not Sydney firms)?

Response
This is possible but each instance needs to be firstly confirmed and agreed to by the Insurance Manager and the actual insurer.

Question/Comment
Members at our table have had difficulty getting information they need concerning their insurance policy to ensure they are responsible in their dreaming/planning for future property development.

Response
Uniting Resources apologises if this has occurred. Contact details are contained in the Uniting Resources website and we endeavour to be as helpful and responsive as possible.

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Climate Change

Question/Comment
How soon might we expect the Climate Change Resolution Group to have significant findings to report to the Synod?

Response
The work of the Climate Change Resolution Group will take a number of years but it is expected that there will be a number of findings, initiatives and actions along the way. There is an aspect of compliance which means that we have to establish a measurement and reporting capability. There is also the aspect of emission reduction and already there are initiatives in place to assist all parts of the church; for example, there is a plan to negotiate a consistent electricity rate at a bulk buying level for all congregations.

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Human Resources

Question/Comment
It is recognised that there have been some changes in personnel at Uniting Resources which has led to some frustration arising from non-continuity when contacting Uniting Resources. Has any methodology been developed to help improve continuity of service (this is a pastoral question not a critical question)?

Response
It is unclear as to the actual intention of this question. However from July 1, 2009 to April 29, 2010, six employees left the employ of Uniting Resources. Three were due to changes in operational requirements and three were voluntary resignations.

Discounting the terminations resulting from changes in operational requirements, Uniting Resources employee turnover for the period is 4.9%. ABS data shows employee turnover for the economy as a whole was 13% in 2008.

Given the aforementioned, Uniting Resources employee turnover is more than 50% below the employee turnover for the whole economy. Furthermore the average length of service for Uniting Resources employees is 6 years. Employees of Uniting Resources are also able to access an Employee Assistance Program provided by an external provider on an as needs basis.

Question/Comment
What is UR doing to ensure all staff are aware of the ethos of the Uniting Church and are able to appreciate the values and culture the Uniting Church seeks to live by?

Response
The Synod of New South Wales and the ACT is comprised of multiple unincorporated associations who are in their own right legal employers. Uniting Resources only has direct responsibility and accountability for the employees employed by Uniting Resources. From a Uniting Resources perspective new employees are required, as part of their induction process, to read and understand the Basis of Union and have a preparedness to work within the polity and ethos of the Uniting Church in Australia as described in the Basis of Union. There are also regular education programs provided to employees on what constitutes appropriate behaviour within the workplace and the church in general.

From a Synod-wide perspective, the Synod Employment Manual contains the same information that is imparted to Uniting Resources employees and it is the responsibility of the individual employers within the bounds of the Synod to ensure that their employees behave in an acceptable manner. Uniting Resources cannot direct or require them to do this. It is also a mandatory requirement that all position descriptions contain the requirement for every employee to have read and understand the Basis of Union and have a preparedness to work within the polity and ethos of the Uniting Church in Australia as described in the Basis of Union.

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Uniting Resources — Other

Question/Comment
Does Uniting Resources believe they have the right mix of skills in the Board Members?

Response
The Board of Uniting Resources is very aware of the need to have the right mix of skills as well as gender balance. This is regularly assessed by the Board and is also addressed in annual Board Performance Evaluations. The Governance Committee is a committee of the Board and one of its main focuses is that the right mix of skills and gender is achieved. Currently there are one or two areas of expertise and experience that are required and the Board is actively addressing this need. Overall there is a good mix of skills and gifts within the Board.

Question/Comment
What are some of the ways Uniting Resources can engage in conversations with congregations with regard to missional funding versus risk assessment?

Response
Uniting Resources is involved in these sorts of conversations at many forums and intersections in the life of the church. There are three Uniting Resources representatives on the Synod Mission Resource Fund. There is good interaction with the Board of Mission. There is regular contact with presbyteries as well as regular workshops with presbyteries. When a property project is discussed with a congregation and the relevant presbytery, Uniting Resources endeavours to engage in this type of conversation. Uniting Resources also works closely with Uniting Financial Services when loans to congregations are being considered. Uniting Resources is also available to assist should any congregation require assistance.

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Positive comments:

A number of positive and encouraging comments were received and this is very much appreciated by the Board members and staff of Uniting Resources and Uniting Financial Services.

• Congratulations of your excellent stewardship!
• Good position to be in given the situation and events of past 18 months!
• Support strategic directions as presented.
• Positive response to idea of working across a wider area of Uniting Church and NFP organisations.
• We are very happy that Uniting Resources has done so well in weathering the financial storm.
• Why should not the Synod pass a Minute of Appreciation for the superb financial management by Uniting Resources during the period of the GFC.
• Keep up the good work — keep informing us of your work.
• Good job in reporting. Well done!
• Good job in surviving the financial crisis so well!
• It seems UFS is doing well with what is available.
• Very good job!
• Keep up the good work!
• Encourage priority for ethical investment — that despite market trends and practices, and pressure for good returns, we will be stewards of our resources in such a way that is far above reproach and setting an example for others.
• Our table members wish to affirm the efforts of the UFS Board and Management, particularly during and prior to this GFC.
• Education of members of the church in financial areas/management would be helpful.
• Focusing on providing a service to the church, rather than trying to tell people what they must do, is very helpful and should continue.
• We feel the offices should remain in the city. We congratulate UR for consolidating and re-organising their physical space.

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