Resolution Number: 2009-D019
Title: Recommit to the MDGs as a Mission Priority
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention commends the leadership of The Episcopal Church at the local, diocesan and national levels for working towards the meeting of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as an expression of our faithfulness to God’s mission of global reconciliation; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention extend its appreciation to the individuals, parishes and dioceses who, in response to General Convention Resolutions 2003-D066 and 2006-D022, have contributed 0.7% of their annual budgets to international development programs as a sign of our participation in the MDGs; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention celebrates the successful raising of three million dollars for international development through the Millennium Inspiration Fund led by Episcopal Relief and Development and partially funded through 0.7% line item budget for the triennium 2007-2009; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention reaffirm its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals as a primary mission priority through 2015; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to include in the 2010-2012 Budget for The Episcopal Church a budget line item of no less than 1% of the non-government revenue of The Episcopal Church to support the Millennium Development Goals. Increasing from 0.7% to 1% will be a visible and prophetic act of leadership in fighting global poverty; and be it further

Resolved, That the funds from the 1% line item be used to support a Nets for Life Inspiration Fund with a goal of five million dollars for the triennium 2010-2012 to be led and administered by Episcopal Relief and Development.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 2009 (New York: General Convention, 2009), p. 521.

Legislative History

Author: The Rev. Dr. Ian T. Douglas
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Stewardship and Development

House of Bishops

The Committee on Stewardship and Development presented its Report #5 on Resolution D019 (Recommit to MDGs as a Mission Priority) and moved to adopt with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D019)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention commends the leadership of The Episcopal Church at the local, diocesan and national levels for working towards the meeting of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as an expression of our faithfulness to God’s mission of global reconciliation; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention extend its appreciation to the individuals, parishes and dioceses who, in response to General Convention Resolutions 2003-D066 and 2006- D022, have contributed 0.7% of their annual budgets to international development programs as a sign of our participation in the MDGs; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention celebrates the successful raising of three million dollars for international development through the Millennium Inspiration Fund led by Episcopal Relief and Development and partially funded through 0.7% line item budget for the triennium 2007-2009; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention reaffirm its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals as a primary mission priority through 2015; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance, to include in the 2010-2012 Budget for The Episcopal Church a budget line item of no less than an additional 1% (reflecting a “cost of giving” increase from 0.7% to1%) of the non-government revenue of The Episcopal Church to support the Millennium Development Goals; and be it further

Resolved, That the funds from the 1% line item be used to support a Nets for Life Inspiration Fund with a goal of five million dollars for the triennium 2010-2012 to be led and administered by Episcopal Relief and Development.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention commends the leadership of The Episcopal Church at the local, diocesan and national levels for working towards the meeting of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as an expression of our faithfulness to God’s mission of global reconciliation; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention extend its appreciation to the individuals, parishes and dioceses who, in response to General Convention Resolutions 2003-D066 and 2006- D022, have contributed 0.7% of their annual budgets to international development programs as a sign of our participation in the MDGs; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention celebrates the successful raising of three million dollars for international development through the Millennium Inspiration Fund led by Episcopal Relief and Development and partially funded through 0.7% line item budget for the triennium 2007-2009; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention reaffirm its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals as a primary mission priority through 2015; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance, to include in the 2010-2012 Budget for The Episcopal Church a budget line item of no less than an additional1% (reflecting a “cost of giving” increase from 0.7% to1%)of the non-government revenue of The Episcopal Church to support the Millennium Development Goals. The increase from 0.7% to 1% will be a visible and prophetic act of leadership in fighting global poverty; and be it further

Resolved, That the funds from the 1% line item be used to support a Nets for Life Inspiration Fund with a goal of five million dollars for the triennium 2010-2012 to be led and administered by Episcopal Relief and Development.

The Bishop of Ohio moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the fifth resolve clause, replace the words “The increase” with the word “Increasing.”

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The Bishop of California moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the final resolve clause, delete the words “used to support a Nets for Life Inspiration Fund” and replace with “apportioned between Episcopal Relief and Development’s Nets for Life Inspirational Fund and program areas of The Episcopal Church that promote advocacy within the U.S. government for full U.S. funding of the Millennium Development Goals.”

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

A vote was taken on Resolution D019 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #15)

House of Deputies

Deputy Sessum of Lexington moved to suspend the rules to allow for consideration of Resolution D019 (Recommit to MDGs as a Mission Priority) as it had budget implications.

Motion carried

Rules suspended

The House of Deputies Committee on Stewardship and Development presented its Report #18 on Resolution D019 (Recommit to MDGs as a Mission Priority) and moved concurrence.

Deputy Trambley of Northwestern Pennsylvania moved the previous question.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on Resolution D019.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #107)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 12.

Source Document:   United Nations, Millennium Development Goals
     Source Citation: http://www.un.org/millennium/declaration/ares552e.pdf.   Last accessed 05/13/2011.
Abstract:   The 76th General Convention reaffirms its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals through 2015 and requests a line item of no less than 1% of the non-government revenue to support the MDGs.