AOCM Exec Meeting 25/07/03
to plan Feb 2004 Day Of Worship

Draft Minutes

Present: Jason St John Nicholl (JN - Chair of Sub committee), James Oakley (JO - AOCM Chair), Annie Naish (AN - AOCM Secretary)

1. Day of Worship - Feb 04

Speakers confirmed: Capt Philip Johanson (CA), Rev Tom Heffer (Mission to Seafarers), Michael Ovey (Oak Hill).
Speakers to be Confirmed: Rowan Williams, Christina Rees, Elaine Storkey
Speakers Unavailable: James Jones, George Lings
It was felt that more speakers were needed, especially a key speaker, preferably a bishop. Some time was spent thinking of new people to invite with little inspiration.

AN then raised concern over the viability of the Day of Worship and long discussion ensued. The possible advantages and disadvantages of going ahead were discussed as follows:

Advantages of going ahead with the Day of Worship

It is a very worthwhile project and 2002 was a great time of encouragement and envisioning for those who attended. It would be disappointing to miss this opportunity for ordinands to gather together for worship, fellowship and teaching. AOCM will also miss out on the higher profile and support for its work that a day like this would provide.
Much work has already been done in organising it. Ely cathedral and the confirmed speakers have committed to it and there may be financial implications of cancelling.
Cancelling it might be bad press for AOCM with Ely Cathedral, with the speakers currently booked, with Min Div and with ordinands.

Disadvantages of going ahead with the Day of Worship

Will enough people come to make it viable? Concern was raised over the current low profile of AOCM (the lack of handbook and reps was discussed) and therefore the possible ensuing low attendance at Ely. Low numbers might be a discouragement to speakers and ordinands and would be bad PR for AOCM. The minimum number needed to make it a success was thought to be 250-300 people (3 seminars at 80 people) whilst a possible realistic attendance figure was suggested of 50-100 people.
With many colleges and courses seemingly without AOCM reps, who will promote the day? The Exec has at present only 12 named reps - this was thought to potentially make it difficult to encourage ordinands to come and to organise transport to Ely.
The Day will cost around £1,500 - Cancelling it will save money - whether for Min Div or AOCM. Concern was voiced about the cost/benefit ratio if there were not many attending. Whilst the day would be free for ordinands, it was mentioned that they will have to pay for transport, and Ely will cost more for most people that Birmingham would have been.
The low number of people available to organise that day was discussed. There was an awareness that with only three people at this planning meeting, the day would take up much of their time, energy and commitment over the next few months. AN mentioned her involvement would be limited due to personal issues. The need to have a voice in the SAFOT report implementation process, to promote AOCM, to get more reps, and to produce a handbook were discussed as other crucial urgent tasks. It was felt that these should take priority over organising the day of Worship.

Time was then spent in prayer seeking God's guidance and wisdom on whether to go ahead with the day. A decision was not made at that point as it was thought sensible for people to have space to reflect on the discussions; in due course however the decision was made to cancel the day in Feb 2004 for the above reasons. There was a commitment to the idea of a Day of Worship and the Exec agreed to look at the possibility of postponing the day until another year when there was more support and greater awareness of AOCM.

Action Points

Letters to college and course principals - AN
Letters to Ely Cathedral, Archbishop of C., Capt. Johnason and Tom Heffer - JN
Letters to Elaine Storkey and Michael Ovey - JO
Letter to Christina Rees - AN
Letters to AOCM Reps and Min Div - JO (see also under item 7.)

2. Web Site

The website was looked at and JO agreed to continue his work in updating it.

Action Points

Update college and courses details to include all web site addresses - AN to pass on current list to JO (see also under Item 6.)
Remove Diversity of Ministry pages - JO
Update current issues Page - JO
Include these minutes and others on Web - JO
Add report on SAFOT and amendments - JO
Add 2003-2004 conference dates and venues - JO
Suggestion of a visitors book or enquiry page?
Promote it specifically to DDOs

3. Update on SAFOT report

JO had had positive feedback from Members of General Synod regarding the AOCM response to the report. The Church Times article was circulated and the amendments discussed. It was agreed that the Exec would seek further information on the amendments and their significance and keep abreast of the implementation process, with a view to making an important contribution. In his role as Chair and being on the TETC, JO agreed to continue his excellent work in being a focus for AOCM's voice regarding the SAFOT report.

Action Points

JO to include some brief update in his letter to all reps (see also under item 7.)
Update on amendments and Implementation at Nov Conference

4. AOCM Treasurer

JO reported he had received a nomination for Treasurer. Ordinands at Ridley Hall have put forward Stephen Griffiths (their new AOCM rep) as Treasurer.

Action Points

JO to write to Stephen and explain we were delighted to accept him as Treasurer designate, but he would need to be elected officially at the November meeting. (see also under item 8.)

5. AOCM Constitution

AN asked if there was an AOCM Constitution as she was concerned over the lack of handover period for exec members. She suggested that all exec positions should include responsibility for arranging some type of handover to their successor, possibly by remaining in post for an extra conference. As outgoing Chair, JN said he did not have a copy of the constitution. Action Points JO agreed to write to Richard Fermer and ask if he knows where to find a copy of the AOCM Constitution. Updating Constitution to be on Nov Agenda

6. AOCM Handbook

The previous handbook was circulated and reviewed. It was agreed that it was top priority to publish a new one, preferably by the November meeting, and that given these criteria a smaller edition without adverts was more realistic. To be paid of out of current AOCM funds.

Action Points

Front Cover		JO to endeavour to obtain high quality, clean colour copy of logo
Page 1		Contents - JO to write
Page 2		What is AOCM, Web address, Exec details - JO to update old one
Page 3-4		Editorial - JO to write
Page 5		Encouragement and details of being a rep - AN to ask Anna Machin to contribute
Page 6-10		Summary of SAFOT contents & update on amendments - JO to compliate
Page 11-12		Top Tips for finding a Good Title Post - AN to ask Simon Heathfield (CPAS)
Page 13-17		Money Matters - JO to ask Mark Hodge to update old article
Page 18-19		List of Grant making Trusts - JN to check and update
Page 20-22		Address List of Colleges and Courses - AN to check and update
Page 23-26		Min Div Code of Procedure - AN to check and update
Back Cover		Blank?

JO to acquire quotes for production - Printing, folding, stapling.
Cover to be thicker; possibly coloured card with matt finish
Handbook to be completed for distribution to reps at November Conference.
Handbooks also to be sent to relevant diocesan officers - DDOs, bishops, etc
UPDATE ON HANDBOOK PRODUCTION ON SEPT 15th AT LATEST BY PHONE/EMAIL

7. Reps Names/Addresses and AOCM Publicity

AN distributed current reps Name/Address list - 7 people had replied to recent enquiry. She voiced her concern that we only have names of 12 reps and asked for any details of new reps to be given to her asap. The issue of how to encourage more named reps and how to publicise AOCM more widely was discussed. It was agreed to put this on the agenda for the Nov conference. Targeting DDOs was suggested to highlight AOCMs role in supporting candidates for ministry.

Action Points

JO to write to reps to include -

Ask for name/address details (can be emailed to AN)
Note on postponement of Day of Worship
Dates and venues of 2003/2004 conferences
Update on SAFOT report and amendments
Publicise Web site

How to attract and encourage reps and to promote AOCM to be on Nov Agenda

8. Dates and venues for next meetings

November 22nd 2003	Oak Hill College, North London - JO to arrange
February 7th 2004	Ridley Hall, Cambridge - JO to ask Stephen Griffiths (see item 4.)
May 8th 2004	Cranmer Hall, Durham - AN to arrange

The meeting was closed in prayer by James Oakley.

Homepage

AOCM Exec Meeting 25/07/03 to plan Feb 2004 Day Of Worship

Draft Minutes

1. Day of Worship - Feb 04

Advantages of going ahead with the Day of Worship

Disadvantages of going ahead with the Day of Worship

Action Points

2. Web Site

Action Points

3. Update on SAFOT report

Action Points

4. AOCM Treasurer

Action Points

5. AOCM Constitution

6. AOCM Handbook

Action Points

7. Reps Names/Addresses and AOCM Publicity

Action Points

8. Dates and venues for next meetings

AOCM Exec Meeting 25/07/03
to plan Feb 2004 Day Of Worship