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Report 010-4
Pensions Committee -- Continuing Education Plan
Report to the Members of General Synod
The Plan
Since it began in 1971, the Continuing Education Plan (CEP) has given hundreds of clergy and lay employees the opportunity to develop their interests, further their education, and enrich their lives.
All members of the clergy automatically join the CEP on their first day of employment with a participating diocese. Lay employees of the Church or other participating organizations, may join the Plan with their employer's approval. Not all dioceses have chosen to enroll their lay employees in the Plan. Upon joining the Plan, an account is set up for each member. The annual contribution rate was increased from $300 to $600 and was phased-in over a three-year period (1998-2000). The employer contributes 75% and the member contributes 25%. A bonus is paid each time the account is used. Continuing Education funds may be used for:
any continuing education program or course of study
books & journals
computer hardware or software
Membership
With the exception of the Diocese of Montreal (which has its own plan) all dioceses, the National Office and the Church Army participate in the Continuing Education Plan. The Diocese of Toronto became a participating employer as of January 1, 1999.
As of December 31, 2000, 1834 members participate in the Plan compared to 1534 in 1998.
Administration
The Pension Office is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Plan. Policy decisions, educational support to members, and the authorization of sabbatical and special grants are the responsibility of the Continuing Education Administrative Unit. The Unit includes the Administrator of the Plan and five members appointed by the Pension Committee and meets twice a year. The cost of the meetings is minimal and is charged to the Fund.
The annual Administration Cost of the Plan, as a percentage of the total contributions and investment income, was 4.98% in 1999 and based on the Fund's total assets at market value, it was 1.32%.
Utilization
As a result of the increase in the annual contributions and the uncertainty of the investment markets, effective the year 2000, the Bonus for Use was reduced to 8% from 15%. In 2000, the bonus for use payout was $51,000.00.
|
|
|
2000 |
|
1997 |
|
|
Number |
Amount |
Number |
Amount |
|
Computers |
348 |
$308,552.92 |
204 |
$210,996 |
|
Books |
187 |
34,585.41 |
145 |
30,213 |
|
Educational Trips |
13 |
14,865.50 |
36 |
31,386 |
|
Courses/Seminars |
763 |
370,568.19 |
763 |
235,817 |
|
Total |
1311 |
$728,572.02 |
1148 |
$508,412 |
Sabbatical Grants
Prior to 1998, the number of sabbatical grants was limited 20 per year and the amount of the grant was $2,000. In 1999, the number of grants was increased to 25 and the amount of the grant was increased to $2,500. In 2001, the number of grants was increased to 30 and the amount of the grant was increased to $3,000. Attached is a list of the number of dioceses/organizations which approved sabbatical leave over the past 3 years. (Appendix 4.A).
Salary Source Grant
The Plan provides funding to the dioceses/organizations to enable them to mount educational events for their members (staff development days, clergy seminars, etc.). The amount of the grant is based on the number of actively participating members in each diocese/organization. The amount allocated for this purpose for the year 2000 was $41,000 and for 2001 it has been increased to $58,000.
Practice of Ministry in Canada
Renewed the subscription for PMC magazine for all the members for a further one-year period from February 1, 2001 to January 31, 2002.
Investment Management
Prior to October 1, 1999, the assets of the CEP were invested in the General Synod Consolidated Trust Fund and the asset mix policy was 75% fixed income and 25% equity. Effective October 1, 1999, the Pension Committee approved a new asset mix policy of 65% equity, 35% fixed income and authorized the transfer of the assets to RT Capital's Pooled Funds. As of December 31, 2000, the market value of the Fund was $4,382,705.
Sabbatical Policy
The Administrative Unit has been working on developing a national policy on sabbatical leave. To assist them in this task, a survey of the Plan members was conducted in 2000 in order to determine the obstacles preventing a member from taking a sabbatical. In addition, a survey of the dioceses was conducted in order to gather information on diocesan policies on sabbatical leave.
Based on the results of the surveys, Archdeacons Bill Graham and Archie Skirving developed a short-term leave and sabbatical leave policy which was approved by the Administrative Unit. The next step is to consult with the dioceses and the Bishops to determine if this Sabbatical policy would be acceptable as a minimum standard for all dioceses. (Appendix 4.B)
Administrative Procedures
The Administrative Unit is concerned about the increasing number of members who perceive the Plan as a savings plan as they express their annoyance when their application for benefit is denied when it does not meet the criteria. The Unit agreed that it would be helpful to produce an information leaflet detailing the types of benefits which would qualify under the Plan. As there are still outstanding questions on the taxability of some of the benefits paid under the Plan, it was agreed to defer producing the leaflet until these questions have been resolved.
Regulation Changes
Only one change was made which was submitted to the Pension Committee and was approved by the Council of General Synod.
Respectfully submitted,
Canon Carol Throp
Chair, CEP Administrative Unit
Members of the CEP Administrative Unit are:
Canon Carol Throp Diocese of Rupert's Land
The Rev. Dorothy Daly Diocese of Algoma
The Ven. Bill Graham Diocese of Huron
The Rev. Canon Trudy Lebans Diocese of Niagara
The Ven. Archie Skirving Diocese of Huron
Mrs. Jenny Mason Administrator
Mrs. Jer Homavazir Recorder
Appendix 4.A
-
THE CONTINUING EDUCATION PLAN
SABBATICAL GRANTS REPORT
1998 - 2001
DIOCESES
NO. OF SABBATICAL
GRANTS
ALGOMA
2
ATHABASCA
1
BRANDON
1
BRITISH COLUMBIA
1
CALEDONIA
1
CALGARY
3
CARIBOO
2
FREDERICTON
2
HURON
6
INTER-CHURCH- COALITION
1
KOOTENAY
1
NATIONAL OFFICE
7
NIAGARA
15
E. NFLD. & LAB.
2
NEW WESTMINSTER
3
NOVA SCOTIA & P.E.I.
4
ONTARIO
1
OTTAWA
5
QU'APPELLE
2
QUEBEC
2
RUPERT'S LAND
4
TORONTO
10
WYCLIFFE COLLEGE
1
YUKON
1
TOTAL
78
TOTAL GRANTS: $190,503.00
Appendix 4.B
Draft National Policy on Education Leave Recommended by the Administrative Unit of the General Synod Continuing Education Plan
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
The Anglican Church of Canada encourages yearly continuing education, as well as periodic sabbatical leaves, in order that personal growth might strengthen the ministries of Bishops, Clergy and Lay Leaders who are members of the General Synod Continuing Education Plan.
Financial assistance is available to members in order that they may:
develop knowledge and skills relevant to their present vocation;
acquire new knowledge and skills which will contribute to their personal growth and development;
assist in sorting out discernment and direction relating to a more effective ministry.
The Continuing Education Plan contains provisions for short - and long term study leaves,
A. SHORT TERM STUDY LEAVE (two weeks annually)
This term refers to continuing education done through workshops, classes, retreats, guided groups, and individual study. Whatever the format, continuing education should be planned to further the individual's goals for ministry and with the agreement of the salary contributing source and the Bishop. The normal annual contribution to the Plan toward this is 25% by the member and 75% by the salary source. The amount presently is $600 annually.
1. The parish/employer is requested to grant the member a minimum of two weeks per annum (in addition to vacation time) accumulative over a period of six years to a maximum of 12 weeks.
2. The member may withdraw funds as needed from the member's account through a signed application endorsed by the Diocesan Bishop (or his/her designate).
3. A member on Leave of Absence may withdraw funds from the members account upon the endorsement of the Diocesan Bishop.
4. Following retirement or termination, any amount remaining in the member's account will be available for continuing education (but without bonus). Should the member wish to withdraw the funds, only the personal contributions will be returned.
5. In the event of the death of a member, personal contributions of the member shall be refunded.
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B. LONG-TERM STUDY AND SABBATICAL GRANTS
The purpose of a sabbatical is to provide 8 or more consecutive weeks for intentional learning through reflection, revitalization, recreation and integration. It is not necessarily a time for full time academic study but may include personal growth.
1. To be eligible to apply for a sabbatical grant, the individual must comply with their own diocesan policy and must have been a member of the General Synod Continuing Education Plan for at least 5 years.
2. Having received permission of the Diocesan Bishop or salary paying source for an extended leave of up to 12 weeks (not including vacation time), the individual may apply to the General Synod Continuing Education Administrative Unit for a sabbatical grant.
3. The member who is applying for sabbatical grant must first use the accumulated funds in their account for this purpose.
It is expected that the full salary and benefits of the member will continue during this time, not including travel, and that the cost of replacement will be paid for by the salary source. The understanding is that the member would return to the parish/employer for at least a year.
5. The number and size of grants awarded in a given year will depend on the availability of funds.
6. Those doing D. Min. study programs taking a period of years may also be eligible for this grant if endorsed by the Diocesan Bishop.