Highlights of the meeting of the Executive of Toronto Conference
September 13, 2006
and the sub-Executive meeting held September 13, 2006

The Executive of Toronto Conference met at Annesley United Church, Markdale in Grey Presbytery on September 13.  In June the Executive had agreed to meet five times per year and to focus on the “bigger picture”.

1.  divestment response:  Background - A considerable amount of correspondence had been received over the summer regarding the Conference’s position on divestment from companies profiting from the state of Israel’s occupation of land in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.  In June the Conference’s divestment task group had participated in a media conference supporting CUPE Ontario for its stand on these issues.  There was further correspondence arising from e-mail comments by a co-chair of the task group.  In August the General Council had adopted its own policy regarding conflict in the Middle East. (all of these actions have been reported earlier)

The Executive passed a motion directing that the Conference’s position be brought into convergence with the General Council position.  Members of the task group and the executive secretary will meet with General Council people to discuss this, and will come to the November Executive meeting with a plan for how to achieve this.  (excerpt of minutes available upon request)

2.  intercultural church:  The Executive discussed one of the reports from the recent General Council meeting, and considered some of the implications of the General Council’s commitment to the United Church being an intercultural church.  No actions were taken at this time.  The Conference’s committee for racial justice will continue the conversation.  (excerpt of minutes available upon request)

3.  annual meeting:  The Executive approved a new venue for the 2007 annual meeting, which will now be held at the Toronto Congress Centre June 1-3, 2007.  The Executive also approved a recommendation form the agenda planning committee that a $50 refreshments and accommodation subsidy fee be charged for each person attending.  Exact details will be finalized by the agenda planning committee.  The fee addresses in part the evaluations of recent annual meetings regarding the lack of refreshments.  The Conference already has a policy to waive fees for those who would be precluded from attending the meeting because of the cost.

4.  sub-Executive:  The sub-Executive met briefly following the Executive meeting.  It placed the name of a minister on the Discontinued Service List (Voluntary), appointed people to a number of committees, and gave its consent to the amalgamation of the Interchurch Community Housing Corporation with the Fred Victor Community Homes Corporation.

The Executive of Conference will meet again on November 8.  The sub-Executive will meet as required.

To receive excerpts from the minutes as noted above, please contact Larysa Kazyeva at lkazyeva@torontoconference.ca.