A meeting of Diocesan Council was held on 31 May 2008 in Woodstock. Bishop Miller was the chair and Council expresses appreciation to the Parish of Woodstock for kind hospitality.

ITEMS FOR FOLLOW-UP
Past items of business completed were reported:
• Minutes of 07 November 2007 posted
• Letter of thanks to and expenses Mr. Charles O'Neill, Diocese of NS and PEI
• Episcopal Ministries Team Roles and Responsibilities posted
• Mediation - DC 04 November 2006 - 11 rescinded / removed
• Anglican Foundation Application (Richmond) submitted

Unfinished items of business were reviewed.

REPORTS
Reports received and reviewed from:
• Each of seven Council Teams
• Standing Committee: Finance, Human Resources and Nominating
Interim reports from:
• Task Force on Rural and Struggling Parishes
• Task Force of Budget Support

DISCUSSION
Two items of discussion:
Status of the Diocesan Camps Project with financial summary
Partnership with General Synod RE development

BUSINESS
Diocesan Council carried motions as follows:

1. Residential Schools Settlement refund
That the refund resulting from the renegotiated Residential Schools Settlement in the amount of $299,687 be distributed proportionately between Diocese and the parishes that made specific contributions to the Fund.

2. Application to Anglican Foundation
That diocesan Council approve the application of the Parish of Upham to the Anglican Foundation for rectory renovations in the amount of $8825.00

3. Regulations
The following regulations were adopted:
• Under Canon Three - 3-1 Election of Bishops
• Under Canon Five - 5-1 Beneficiary Funds
• Under Canon Six - 6-1 Forms of Memorials and Register
• Under Canon Eight - 8-1 Rules of Ecclesiastical Court

4. Canon Three (Election of Bishops) Amendments to Synod
That the outlined [housekeeping] amendments to Canon Three be forwarded for consideration by Diocesan Synod 2009.

5. Insurance Minimum Standards Addenda
That "A-19 Minimum Insurance Standards - Addendum 1: Discretion in Respect of Replacement Cost Coverage for Building and Contents and Addendum 2: Requirement for Compliance with Established Minimum Standards" be adopted.

6. Diocesan Services
In light of the distinct possibility of diminished Diocesan budget support and the need to ensure that ministries and services provided [by the Synod] in support of parishes and Episcopal ministry are needed and effective, the Finance Committee recommends that Diocesan Council establish a process to evaluate [these] ministries and services.

7. Partnership with General Synod
That the Stewardship Team be charged with maintaining the continuing partnership (Letting Down the Nets pilot diocese) with the General Synod consulting team in developing an "holistic" diocesan stewardship plan.

MEETING SCHEDULE
Wednesday 27 August 2008 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. (RNS, Rothesay)
Wednesday 17 September 2008 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Bushville)
Wednesday 05 November 2008 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Sussex)

GMH, Secretary of Synod
03 June 2008