Saturday afternoon session

After lunch on Saturday, the delegates heard a report from the By-laws Revision Committee.

The committee has been meeting for four years to discuss, update, and make proposed changes to the by-laws. The first draft was presented at the 2003 Diocesan Assembly, after which delegates were asked to submit any recommendations or suggestions.

The revised proposed changes were then reviewed by the 2004 and 2005 Assemblies. The committee believed the delegates did not get the draft changes enough in advance to vote on the changes, but stood available for questions and suggestions.

The committee asked for suggested changes from the delegates by July 1. They hope to have a special assembly this fall to discuss the proposals, and if successfully approved the final vote on the changes would be taken at next year's Assembly.

ST. NERSESS SEMINARY REPORT

After the delegates accepted the report on the by-laws, they heard from the St. Nersess Seminary.

The report started with remarks about Dr. Hagop Nerssoian, who was a founding leader of the seminary and who passed away this week. "He is a model of the kinds of leaders our church needs, and which St. Nersess must produce," said Fr. Daniel Findikyan, dean of St. Nersess. "Priests and leaders who do God's work with authority and communicate with grace."

This year largest freshman class, with six new students. There are now 11 seminarians, eight full-time. In two weeks, one seminarian will graduate, and another is scheduled to graduate in December.

"Most of them are the direct fruit of St. Nersess Summer Conferences. Our youth programs are now achieving their most important purpose, leading young Armenian Americans to a sense of belonging through the doors of the Armenian Church," he said.

Referring to connections between ACYOA and St. Nersess, he said joint programs are making more young people think about a life of service to the Armenian Church.

"Take a good look at these young people. If you and I support and nurture them, you will likely see new St. Nersess Seminarians," he added.

Answering calls for increased accessibility of the St. Nersess programs, Fr. Findikyan said the Seminary is exploring the possibility of setting up distance learning programs to deliver its educational programs into the entire Diocese.

To improve the education of the seminarians, Fr. Findikyan said there will soon be an effort to provide increased education of inter-personal skills along with theological studies.

"To train our students to be good pastors, we need to hone what might be called pastoral arts," he said, noting interpersonal communications and counseling as well as preaching as such skills.

After discussing the seminary's youth programs, youth director Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian said even with all the programs offered by St. Nersess, it was the parishioners who build future clergy.

"We are all responsible for the cultivation of clergy and other leaders in our church. Never underestimate the power you possess for helping us recruit the future clergy of our Diocese," he said.

Planned expansion of St. Nersess was delayed this year by excessive costs and stringent zoning requirements. A committee formed by the board studied the situation and decided relocation of the seminary was the only solution.

"The board of St. Nersess is well aware of the seriousness of the proposal being made, and due diligence will be made as we move forward," said board member Dr. Raffy Hovanessian.

"We are in the midst of a critical review of every aspect of the seminary's actions and our goal is to decide what we need St. Nersess to become and to spell out the actions we need to make to achieve that goal," Fr. Findikyan added.

Fr. Anthony Scott, a priest who specializing in development of Orthodox organizations, is helping the seminary with its future plans. He spoke to the delegates about the ongoing study of its future.

"Armenians really care about education. You really care about it. You invest in your children's education and you want your priest to be well educated. And there exists a great reservoir of potential support as yet unrealized," he said. "There is a great opportunity there for the seminary to realize its dreams."

In regards to the idea of removing in order to expand, 57% of respondents to a survey conducted by the seminary said they trust the seminary's leadership to make the right decision.

Fr. Scott detailed recommendations he made following the survey. They included professional board development, hiring a development officer, ramping up recruitment with a full-time recruitment officer, and instituting an annual giving program.

ASSESSMENT

After the St. Nersess report, delegates heard from a committee looking at parish assessments.

The committee says the current assessment formula because it ignores some forms of income, which creates inequities among parishes. They also criticize it as difficult and confusing to use.

The proposal was for a flat assessment per member, at $85 per member for parishes with up to 249 parishes, and $95 per member for parishes with 250 or more members. This reduces Diocesan revenues in $75,600.

If the total dollar figure raised through assessments – a figure set each year by the delegates – then parishes would pay less per member the more they grew. The plan would be deferred until 2008.

Delegates said this plan would encourage parishes to increase their membership and conduct fund-raising efforts.

PROPOSALS

Proposals were then introduced.

Two proposed changes to Diocesan By-law Articles #52 and #54.

The third proposal, dealing the By-law #57, which would establish a bi-annual Assembly beginning in 2010. Some delegates feared such a change would limit the ability of different voices to be heard and stressed the oversight function of the delegates. That was not passed by the delegates.

The fourth proposal came from the Diocesan Council. It was the proposal to adjust the assessment formula for parishes. Delegates offered an amendment to establish the Assembly as the body to make any additional changes to the rates of the assessments, though some delegates wondered if the budget would be able to be created without knowing how much income would be expected from the assessments.

The amendment was defeated by one vote on a count of standing delegates, but was challenged by supporters of the amendment who asked for a more accurate count, which in place of a roll-call vote because the registrar had left involved delegates linning up on one side of the room or the other. It passed by two votes.

The amended proposal passed by a hand vote.

The delegates then heard from Haig Dadourian, chairman of the Council who was unable to attend for health reasons, before finishing up the Assembly and preparing for the upcoming banquet.

Posted by Jake at May 6, 2006 04:31 PM