More information needed from groups requesting exhibit space at assemblies
Paula R. Kincaid, The Layman Online, June 22, 2006
217th General Assembly
Birmingham, Ala. BIRMINGHAM – Non-profit organizations wishing to have space in the exhibit halls of future General Assemblies will have to submit more information to the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The 217th General Assembly approved the recommendation from the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly.
Groups not submitting the required information will be denied exhibit hall space. The new requirements for exhibit space are:
1. Name of the organization.
2. Contact information.
3. Statement of purpose or mission statement.
4. If PCUSA related, number of synods represented in governing board membership.
5. If a membership organization, number of members.
6. List of current directors or governing board members, and officers including name, address, and religious affiliation.
7. Statement of income and expenses for each of the past two fiscal years, including figures for the following line items: income (contributions, gifts, and grants received; membership dues and assessments; investment income; net rental income; net gain from sale of assets; other income) and expenses (grants and assistance paid; employee and director compensation, benefits, and taxes paid; professional fees – accounting, legal, fundraising, etc.; office – rent, supplies, and equipment; travel; other expenses.)
Entities of the denomination, their divisions, program areas, committees, middle governing bodies, and conciliar bodies to which the PCUSA relates in ministry and mission are exempt from the requirements.
According to the recommendation from COGA, “It is felt that the organizations using exhibit space at the General Assembly meetings have the ear and attention of the commissioners and other attendees and thus have a responsibility for the privilege of using the space to provide information about their organizations.”
The assembly approved this action when it approved the consent agenda of General Assembly Procedure Committee.