The creation of a template to help New England Conference committees and boards develop their budget requests was discussed at the Connectional Table’s Nov. 19, 2019 meeting.
 
As was suggested at the Fall Leadership Retreat in October, Connectional Table members agreed to work on a template to be used for all 2021 budget requests to help groups organize their requests and ensure they are as complete as possible.
 
The Connectional Table evaluates requests for funding from boards and committees under Fund 2. Its recommendations are passed to the Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CCFA), which develops the Conference budget proposal.
 
The Connectional Table and CCFA will distribute budget-request materials, including the template, before the end of the year. Per Conference rules, all budget requests shall be submitted to Conference Treasurer Bill Burnside by March 1.
 
Budget requests are expected to include information about how and how much of the previous year’s budget and why. Board and committee chairs are reminded that they receive a monthly report on expenditures from the Conference.
 
It is suggested that chairs contact Steve Hart, Financial Services Manager, for clarification if they have questions about the reports at shart@neumc.org or (978) 682-8055 ext. 112.
Hart is retiring on Dec. 31, 2019; the Conference expects to fill his position on a temporary basis, and these inquiries should continue to be directed to that office.
 

RISE Together funding

The Connectional Table also unanimously approved a request for funding from the Conference Commission on Religion and Race (CCORR) for the implementation of a New England cohort of the two-year RISE Together mentorship program for clergywomen of color. CCORR requested $1,000 for 2019 and $1,500 for 2020.
 
The 2019 funds will be used to underwrite half of the cost of a one-time site license required for the New England cohort to become an official entity of the RISE Together network and utilize its curriculum. Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center, which will host RISE Together, will pay for the other $1,000 from funds it received to conduct a black seminary student and black clergy training program.
 
The $1,500 for 2020 will pay for a retreat for RISE Together mentors and for food, guest speakers’ honoraria, and other costs for sessions with mentees throughout that year.
 
The funds will come from the Connectional Table’s budget for emergent programs. 

Upcoming meetings

• 7 p.m. Jan. 16, 2020, conference call
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 14, 2020 at the Conference Center to consider the 2021 budget requests from boards and committees under Fund 2.