Overture 6

<typohead type="2">Financial Services Department</typohead>

At PIC Newtown Wellington on 15 June 2004, the Presbytery of Wellington met and was constituted.

<typohead type="3">Among other things:</typohead>

The Presbytery agreed to adopt and transmit the following overture to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, to be held in Christchurch on 19 – 24 September 2004.

Whereas the management of the church´s finances by the Financial Services Department of the Presbyterian Church over the last five years deteriorated

And whereas information and management of parish minister´s finances by the Financial Services Department have deteriorated

And whereas information and management of parish´s finances by the Financial Services Department have deteriorated

And whereas despite the hard work of the people employed by the Financial Services Department and their attempts to do their best for their clients often information and services provided by the Financial Services Department take too long, and do not inspire confidence as to their veracity.

And whereas communication with the Financial Services Department by individuals and parishes, by telephone, e-mail, and ordinary mail is often unanswered

And whereas it appears that the failures of the Financial Services Department are not only in one area but across the whole spectrum of their activities

And whereas it appears that the difficulties of the Financial Services Department cause excessive amounts of overtime, the employment of high cost consultants, resulting in huge cost overruns

And whereas the Administration and Finance Work group of the Assembly should be concerned with Governance rather than management yet is being forced into a management role

And whereas to achieve their role the Financial Services Department do not need to ?do it all themselves´ or constantly try to "keep up with the technology and levels of service / personnel required" – at an expense of cost, time and frustration to Parishes etc. Some things can and should be outsourced appropriately

And whereas the financial computing systems of the church are no longer unique but are commonly used commercial accounting systems

<typohead type="3">It is hereby overtured that the General Assembly:</typohead>

Move to outsourcing the work done currently by the Financial Services Department.

Negotiate with the Otago Foundation Trust Board, or some other appropriate body to provide these services.

</typolist>

Or that the General Assembly determine otherwise as in its wisdom it shall deem best.

The Presbytery appointed Tom Law and Rev Richard Gray to support the overture before the Assembly.

Extracted from the records of the Presbytery by

Clare Morrison
Presbytery Clerk