The Diocesan Council, in its March 10, 2009 meeting, agreed to shutter the Life-Giving Spring Retreat Center. The Center, located near Las Vegas, NV, has been little used by the Diocese since it was purchased. The Mission Deanery holds its annual meeting there, but the Center is mostly used by non-Orthodox groups for retreats and meetings. The Council voted to loan the facility funds sufficient to pay off its outstanding mortgage and winding-down costs. The Center will now be marketed for sale.

In a show of support for the soon-to-be-established Orthodox Christian Capital Improvement Fund (OCCIF), the Council agreed to deposit a portion of its funds with the group. The Fund, independent of the Diocese but working closely with it, is designed to accept deposits from Orthodox parishes, institutions and individuals. Funds will be deposited and earn interest, while the Fund will make loans to Orthodox parishes for capital improvements, at below-market interest rates. Officers of the Fund will make a presentation at the October, 2009 Diocesan Assembly.

Upon recommendation of the Treasurer, it was agreed to present an amendment to the Diocese’s By-Laws at the up-coming Assembly to eliminate the Audit Committee. The number and complexity of financial transactions has made it difficult for non-professionals to effectively conduct an audit. Moreover, the external auditor annually conducts a professional audit. The recommended procedure will be for the Finance Committee to receive, review and resolve issues in the annual external audit, and report n full to the Diocesan Council and Diocesan Assembly.

The Treasurer also alerted the Council to the possibility that the present economic down-turn could result in reduced income to parishes and therefore to the Diocese. In response, the Council voted to have the Finance Committee review the monthly Diocesan financial reports and approve in advance any line item changes.

In other business, the Council discussed the Diocesan website and provided suggestions for its improvement. Readers can expect to see these upgrades made over the next few months. The continued printing of the Diocese’s “Vision” newsletter was also discussed. Questions were raised about its role and purpose, and discussions will continue to define whether it will continue publication.

The Annual Diocesan Assembly was set for October 15-16, 2009 at the Protection of the Holy Virgin Church in Santa Rosa, CA. The theme of the Assembly will be “strategic planning.”

The next meeting of the Diocesan Assembly will be on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at the Chancery Office, 1520 Green Street, San Francisco, beginning at 10:30am.