So the GCE is considering-

Moving the General Council Office to Winnipeg.

Moving the General Council Office to Ottawa, with the possibility of shared space with ecumenical partners.

Relocating to a proposed redevelopment of Bloor Street United Church in Toronto.

Renewing the lease at 3250 Bloor St. W., Toronto, or leasing similar office space in Toronto.

Ottawa Presbytery made a proposal to the GCE about coming to Ottawa. They never called to discus the idea.  Interesting that they decided to speak to the Anglicans in Ottawa and not to us.

Thanks Ann - I've never read anything related to a GCE meeting before this ...

I echo carolla, Thanks ann. I've never read this stuff before!

RevJames

Are you a delegate?

If not, I believe a poster in another thread on Tweeting said, if you ain't a delegate, it ain't none of your business!!!

Must have printed it on a Gestetner, put in in a mail bag, thrown on the fastest steam locomotive, anf here you have it.  Stale news, but a surprise to all.

Perhaps our communications needs to be tweaked a bit??

IT

Russ

In response to the GCE's invitation for proposals, Ottawa Presbytery sent a formal invitation to the GCE to consider Ottawa. We indicated we had several properties which could be possible sites. We were told their consultant would speak to us before the October GCE meeting. They never called. And now we find out that they have been talking to the Anglicans here in Ottawa about the possibility of sharing space at the Cathedral development.

So how is this a fair and open consultation when a legitimate proposal is not considered right from the start?

@RevJamesMurray

There is still time.  Please send me your proposal and I will ask the the Working Group to consider it. 

Thank you for your interest.

Bill Kennedy

Staff support to the Accommodations Task Group

BillK

We can't make a proper proposal, because every time we ask for details, like the amount of space needed and the like, we are ignored.

hmm, interesting..

Was there a request for proposals? or a request for quote?

A request for proposal won't always stipulate all the details,as that can limit the proposals.

For example: a proposal could suggest that staff / resources be split amongst multiple locations, or consolidated.

Now, there generally should be some details in a request for proposal, and I would think the staffing model / breakdown would be a reasonable request for input into the proposal, as would the amount of storage or other requirements, ie (archives?)

ps..thanks for responding billk

It looks like WC communication is connecting better than the systems already set up. 

 There was a request for proposals. GCE has never specified the square footage required or type of space. It hasn't said if the proposal would include the Archives or not.

Just curious if you have a link to the RFP, RJM.

If anyone would like information about the General Council Office requirements or to discuss submitting a proposal, please call me via the church's main number - (416) 231-7680.

.

Bill

Back to GCE communications, we have just started to post minutes of meetings of the Executive and Sub-Executive of the General Council here: http://gc40.united-church.ca/en/gce/minutes. The minutes take time to prepare so there will be a bit of a time lag, but you should see the minutes of the Nov. 13-15 Executive meeting there in a few weeks.

We are also posting the agenda and proposals for each Executive meeting a week or two before the meeting: http://gc40.united-church.ca/en/gce/meetings2010. And we have created a "contact your GCE member" page here www.united-church.ca/contact/gce, so you can share your views by e-mail with your Conference representatives on the Executive.

We welcome suggestions about how to communicate better about governance, or anything else, for that matter. I'll check back on this thread if you want to toss some ideas around here. Or feel free to e-mail me at aperry(at)united-church(dot)ca.  

Ann Perry, Program Coordinator, Office of the Moderator and General Secretary

Well done Anne & Bill. Thanks for both popping in, and providing informaiton and contact information.