The Standing Committee has contracted with Margaret Marcusan of Marcuson Leadership Circle to carry out a systematic appraisal of the diocesan organization and staff. Ms. Marcuson is a member of the American Baptist Church. She states on her website that she “understands the challenge of answering God’s call while responding to the needs of the people that come with it, including oneself. The goods news is,” she says, that “there is a way to respond to people that frees you to do what’s your’s to do and energized others to do their part. This makes it easier for you to move forward in your ministry goals and maintain healthy relationships with those you lead.” It is the Standing Committee’s hope that the process of carrying out this appraisal will lead to a common focus among staff members and the Standing Committee that will enable us to move forward in trust and hopefulness. Ms. Marcuson has already met once with the Standing Committee. She will meet jointly with the Administrative Team and the Standing Committee on March 5th , as part of the regular Standing Committee meeting. She will also meet with the administrative team as a whole, then with each individual administrative team member and their staff group. The goal is to complete this process by the end of March. Results will be reported back to the staff and to the diocese at large. The Standing Committee is funding this appraisal from discretionary funds given to the Standing Committee last year.

The theme for the 2009 Diocesan Convention is “Jubilee.” The Standing Committee has appointed Arlene Ullman Convention Coordinator. She has spoken with Marie Bagwell, Mark Ohlson, Janice Lusk, The Rev. Robert Bryant, chair of the Music and Liturgy Commission, Deacon Theresa Floyd, The Rev. Bingham Powell, and Lyn McConnell about serving on a planning committee. She will also be contacting the Transition Committee since they are responsible for the Electing Convention, which will take place on Friday, within Diocesan Convention, as well as other individuals as plans develop.