October 1997

General Convention: AIDS Program Funding Cut to “0” by Convention

PHILADELPHIA - July 26: In spite of a full plate of approved legislative items and the obvious support of Bishops and Deputies alike, the 72nd General Convention accepted “without comment” the full report of the Commission on Program, Budget and Finance on the last legislative day of the 10 day convention. All legislative proposals for new or expanded AIDS programs were not funded in the revised budget.

On the eighth day 1998-2000 Budget was presented. Because of a difference in presentation from the original budget proposal last spring, it was unclear whether or not the AIDS resolutions would be funded. Program staff assured NEAC legislative aides that the dollars for implementation were “actually” in the program budget of the respective programs—youth ministry and young adult ministry. Organizationally, NEAC remains funded through the Partnership section of the budget. It’s funding remains the same as the previous triennium.

The Convention’s acceptance of the budget also took into account a significant cut in the funds for the operation of the AIDS/HIV Commission of Executive Council. The Board of NEAC is working with General Convention Office and Executive Council staff to ensure that the Commission has more than two meetings in three years (which is all that is funded).

The Rev. Ted Karpf, NEAC’s executive director, said that although there is some confusion over whether the work is funded, “it will be implemented in some capacity within the NEAC constituency and through national collaborations. Additionally, we will work closely with the Office for Service, Witness, and Program to ensure that this work is accomplished. Lives depend on it.”

The NEAC Board voted in October to guarantee that the intent of all the AIDS resolutions is implemented through the NEAC strategic plan for the next triennium.