GAC personnel subcommittee raises issues concerning to Hezbollah trip
By Paula R. Kincaid, The Layman Online, April 1, 2005
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The General Assembly Council’s executive committee will spend part of its 2005 summer retreat discussing issues concerning a meeting between representatives of the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy and Hezbollah leaders that resulted in the firing of two staff members.
The personnel subcommittee of the council sent the executive committee a memo of issues when the subcommittee reviewed the firings of Kathy Lueckert, deputy executive director and Peter Sulyok, director of ACSWP, by John Detterick, executive director of the GAC.
During the Jan. 31 meeting, the subcommittee met separately with members of ACSWP, Detterick, legal services and the head of the personnel department, and then dismissed everyone but the committee members for discussion. The committee voted unanimously to sustain the terminations, affirming that Detterick’s actions were consistent with the PCUSA’s personnel policy.
But based on that meeting, the subcommittee members sent a memo to the council’s executive committee with some issues they felt should be addressed by the council.
“There were many unanswered questions regarding a clear understanding of expectations connected to church-related trips with a stated purpose,” the memo said.
The memo included questions about policies for denominationally sponsored trips because “a lack of clarity exists on establishing and implementing a rationale for trips (national and international) sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (USA).”
Concerning international trips, the sub-committee asked:
- What is the purpose of the trip?
- What are the actions of the General Assembly that inform the work of the PCUSA and that the persons there are representatives of the PCUSA?
- If trips are considered “official” including elected and staff, what does that mean and what does that look like?
- If such excursions are “information gathering,” including elected and staff, what does that mean and what does that look like?
- What kind of orientation is provided for visiting delegations?
- Are written and oral materials presented for orientation?
- Does orientation for such trips include policy documents and a clear agreement in advance about who speaks for the group in public settings?
- Is there an expectation that a written report is submitted that also includes a full report of financial expenses?
- Is parity among staff and elected recommended on such trips?
Other issues raised in the memo include:
Public witness of the church: “… Given that our individual and collective behavior impacts the lives of many people, and speaks to the regard we have for others and for God, officers of the church must be very careful to make choices in light of faithful discernment, intended and potentially unintended consequences, and obligations to the decisions of the General Assembly/institutional Church. The public witness issue before us is that the Advisory Committee for Social Witness Policy did not publicly and explicitly express the policies of the General Assembly related to peace and non-violence and Middle East relationships.”
Personnel policies: “It would be important to inform staff and elected of the appropriate channels of decision-making and communication within the Presbyterian Church (USA). Ongoing education regarding the unique and stated role of the Personnel Subcommittee of the GAC Executive Committee, and the specific role of the Human Resources Department of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is a significant issue.”
Staff and elected roles and responsibilities: “There was little clarity regarding the specific roles and responsibilities of staff and also the specific roles and responsibilities of elected in regard to: decision-making prior to, during and after an event; clearly designated leadership of the group; planning process for such a trip; press protocol; appropriate authority; clear and explicit lines of accountability.”
Communication strategy: “… Attention needs to be given regarding words chosen, inflection of voice, content of message when speaking with individuals, especially with the added limitation of long distance. Also what more can be done to graciously and strategically initiate communication and public relations with constituents? What we say, and how we say it, and who says it are all determining factors in managing relationships well.”
Advisory and advocacy: “Distinctions exist between the definition of ‘advisory’ and ‘advocacy.’ Those distinctions have been highlighted. Appropriate and realistic expectations for advisory work and advocacy work within the church require careful consideration, including to whom and how each is accountable as part of those expectations.”
Proper review of committees, validated mission support groups, and other agencies’ connection to the ministry of the General Assembly Council who have a Manual of Operations and/or covenant: “Much more attention needs to be given to all committees within the Presbyterian Church (USA) whose ministry is linked to the witness and work of the General Assembly Council. Questions have surfaced regarding sufficient review of any Manual of Operations. It is highly probable that this needs to become a priority.”