Letters from the General Secretary

April 2, 2009

At its meeting in Toronto, March 28–30, 2009, the Executive of the General Council approved changes to the management structure of the General Council Office.

This decision follows a commitment made in June 2007. At that meeting, the Executive approved the “Plans Towards 2010,” which included staff and budgetary cuts that were made at that time, but also identified a longer-term need to review the balance between management and non-management positions in the General Council Office.

The process for this review included interviews by an independent consultant with all members of the Senior Leadership Team, all Executive Ministers, and those from the group of Conference Executive Secretaries and Speaker who wished to participate. The review was also informed by observations such as those included in the November 2008 report of the Redesign Evaluation Task Group.

The consultants reported and provided advice to the General Secretary and a small group of elected advisers. The recommendation to make changes to the General Council Office management structure was then presented to the voting members of the Executive of the General Council, who endorsed the plan.

The changes that were approved relate to the model of management for the General Council Office, and are not a reflection on the merit of any individuals. The Executive affirmed its respect for the abilities, dedication, and commitment of those who have been serving in senior leadership positions.

The changes to the General Council Office’s management structure are as follows:

1. There will no longer be a Senior Leadership Team.
2. All five current General Council Minister positions are being eliminated, and two new positions are being created
   • General Council Officer, Programs
   • General Council Officer, Conciliar Relations
3. The current General Council Ministers will be given first priority in the staffing of the two new positions.
4. The General Council Officer, Programs, will be responsible for
   • Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations
   • Financial Stewardship
   • Resource Production and Distribution
   • Congregational, Educational, and Community Ministries; l’Unité des ministères en français; and Intercultural and Diverse Communities in Ministry, which will be transformed into one larger multi-faceted unit by January 1, 2010
5. The General Council Officer, Conciliar Relations, will be responsible for oversight of work related to governance support, legal counsel, and relations with the courts of the church. The Conference Executive Secretaries and Speaker will report to this position.
6. The managers responsible for Human Resources, and Finance, will report directly to the General Secretary. Information Technology will be joining the Finance Unit.
7. The new senior position leading the work of the Aboriginal Circle will relate directly to the General Secretary. The Officer for Residential Schools will continue to report directly to the General Secretary.
8. These are the main changes, but there are some smaller related management structure changes about which more information will be provided over the next few weeks. Some details are still being worked out. The priority at this point is to make sure that all those directly affected are fully informed.
9. The approved changes are to be effective May 1, 2009.

• Nora Sanders
  General Secretary of the General Council
  The United Church of Canada
  3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300
  Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4
  Tel: 416-231-5931 ext. 2013
  Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2013
  Fax: 416-231-3103
  E-mail: Nora Sanders