BOP will host webinar on upcoming medical dues changes

From Clark Simmons, Board of Pensions Regional Representative
Greetings!
I’d like to invite you, as a leader of the Church, to join us for an opportunity to learn more about the recently announced recommendation for a change to the dues structure for the Traditional Program of the Medical Plan of the PC(USA), administered by the Board of Pensions. I know you are hard at work this Advent season, but I ask that you take a moment out of your busy schedule to register for this important event.
Pat Haines, Senior Vice President of Benefits for the Board of Pensions, and I will host a webinar on the topic on January 10, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET. I encourage you to register now — and no later than December 31, 2012 — and to mark your calendar to join Pat and me for this live, one-hour event.
Topics will include:

• Why is a change to the structure of medical dues being recommended?
- The status of Benefits Plan funding
- Trends: medical costs, plan member demographics, church demographics

• What were the key considerations to the recommended approach?
- Current structure of Medical Plan dues
- Alternative funding approaches considered
- Rationale for the recommended approach

• How may a change to the medical dues structure (if approved) affect the Church?
- Details of the recommendation
- How the recommended approach may benefit the Church, employing organizations, and members
- Next steps

• Questions and answers
The recommended approach for medical dues for the Traditional Program was made on October 27, 2012, by the Chair of the Healthcare Committee to the full Board of Directors of the Board of Pensions. The proposal will be put to a vote at the next meeting of the Board of Directors in Philadelphia in March 2013. If approved, the new dues structure for the Traditional Program would take effect January 1, 2014.

Remember to sign up by clicking “register,” above. I look forward to your joining us!

Regards,
Clark Simmons
Regional Representative

Church treasurers and business administrators can submit salary changes online through Benefits Connect

From the Board of Pensions Benefits Connect Tip:

Church treasurers and business administrators* can use Benefits Connect to securely submit, confirm, and change their members’ salary information. They can also submit service changes and terminations, review invoices from the past six months, and review their organizations’ contact information. 

To register as an organization’s authorized Web representative, church treasurers and business administrators must select that role in step 1 of the registration process and then complete the rest of the registration information, including establishing a user ID and password.

*Churches and employing organizations whose billing address is in the United States and are currently receiving a monthly invoice from the Board can have one authorized Web representative.

Moving Into Advent

During this busy time of year, we are focused on taking care of our members, making sure that the children’s pageant costumes are ready, that we have enough candles for Christmas Eve, and that the budgets are in place for 2013.

Yet, we need to make sure that we take care of our own needs. As workers in a church entity, we are so focused on serving others that we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves.

We need to make sure that we have the spiritual support, educational materials and fellowship of other church workers. The best place to do that is by joining the Administrative Personnel Association of the Presbyterian Church USA.

For an annual membership fee of just $75 and approximately $500 for the Florida Region conference, we are assured to have the support, materials and fellowship we need to serve our entities in the best manner that we can.

If you would like more information about how this association can benefit you and your church entity, contact the Florida Region President, Allyson Criminger, at allyson@staugpres.org or call her at 904-733-8277.

Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Nancy Fine
Florida Region
Membership Chair and President-Elect

Hurricane Sandy Update

The entire east coast of Florida is under a Tropical Storm Warning or Watch (see below). As we have learned from TS Debby, Isaac, and other storms much damage can be done from tropical storm force winds, wave action, rain and flooding.
East coast churches should monitor this storm and determine when to activate their disaster plans. Detailed information can be found at:
www.spaghettimodels.com/
www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Current Situation:
At 5am EDT Thursday, Hurricane Sandy was located approximately 439 miles southeast of Miami, Florida. Movement is to the north at 18 mph. This motion is expected to continue today, but a slight turn to the north-northwest and a slower forward movement has been forecast by nearly every computer model to occur tonight into Friday. A turn back to the north and northeast is expected to occur Friday night or Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are 105 mph, Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the east coast of Florida from Ocean Reef to Flagler Beach (Volusia County through Miami-Dade County) and for Lake Okeechobee. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Florida east coast from Flagler Beach north to Fernandina Beach (Flagler through Nassau Counties), and for the Upper Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to Craig Key.

State Actions:
The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) activated to a Level 2 (Partial) Activation at 5:30 PM EDT Wednesday evening. Operating hours are from 8 AM EDT - 6 PM EDT, with Operations Section and Planning Section staff.
At the present time, Emergency Support Functions are requested to stand by.
"Sandy" database has been established in EM Constellation for tracking resources and information.

May 2013 Conference in Jacksonville, Beach

As we gear up for the May 2013 Regional Conference in Jacksonville Beach, you may want to Like the Visit Jacksonville Facebook page to see what we do around here. It really is a beautiful city and I'm hoping you'll all enjoy your stay here.

Florida Team Attends National APA Conference

Eight members of the Florida Region attended the Administrative Personnel Association National Conference in San Antonio, TX, September 12-16. At the conclusion of the National Conference, two of our members received their Level 1 Certification (Kerri Nichols, Synod of South Atlantic, and Valerie Marlow, First Presbyterian of Marianna) as a  Certified Church Administrator. Achieved in a little over a year, this could be YOU or your Admin staff in 2014. 

A Few Reasons to Join APA: 

• EDUCATION on the History of the PC(USA), the Constitution of the PC(USA), General Assembly, Theology, and additionally, coursework in office software, web design, minute-taking, facilities-management, bookkeeping, stewardship, etc. 
• Fellowship & Connectionalism in the Church
• Personal Growth
• Spiritual Growth
• Professional Growth

Who Can Join?

• Secretaries
• Office Administrators/Managers
• Administrative Assistants
• Financial Staff
• Receptionists/Clerks
• Day Care Staff
• Volunteers

What Does it Cost to Join?
Membership dues are $75 annually. Conference fees vary by location, but a Florida Regional conference can be budgeted for less than $500. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE

Where Do I Find Out More?
Visit the Florida APA Website at www.floridaapa.org.

 

Thursday in San Antonio

We had a great day in San Antonio. With the exception of a rain drizzle, the weather was perfect. It was hot, but not like our humidly Florida hot. I tell you what, may hair looks fantastic in Texas. 


Our National President, Freda Dye, chose to call the Executive Committee meeting to order in true Texas fashion. We don't need gavels around here. This is Texas!

Worship was led and Communion offered by Rev. Dr. Cynthia Logan (our conference Chaplain) and Rev. Dr. Richard Powell. Linda Rogers presented the Lord's Prayer in a beautiful version with song and sign. The offering collected was presented to "Haven for Hope."

Classes offered today were Spiritual Growth, Essentials of Budgeting, Polity III, and Directory for Worship. 

Later in the afternoon, we had a President's Reception to see could dress the most Texan. I saw lots of boots and cowboy hats, but you'll have to stay tuned on the winner. 

The Florida Team gathered for dinner and a night on the town. There was some confusion, getting lost, taking the wrong trolleys, but we ate and laughed the entire time. Stay tuned for stories and pictures from that outing. 

Love,
Ally