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Executive Committee of PMAB meets to discuss spring meeting, other business

Puerto Rico location affirmed, contract extension vote for De La Rosa

by Gregg Brekke | Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE – The Executive Committee of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board (PMAB) met today via conference call to discuss pending matters for the board.

Tony De La Rosa, interim executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, gave an update on the status of spring board meeting, which will overlap with the meeting of the Committee on the General Assembly meeting in Puerto Rico March 21-24, 2017. The two groups will share worship opportunities and joint sessions. De La Rosa also spoke to the likelihood that the board’s Ministerial Teams will meet in locations around San Juan that reflect the nature of their discussions.

A discussion of the September board meeting included a suggestion by board member Molly Baskin to conduct a closed session meeting at the end of future board meetings. The closed session, she said, would allow board members to speak openly without the presence of staff or media. After discussion and advice of legal counsel, board chair Ken Godshall deemed the proposal beyond the scope of the current open meeting policy as dictated by the General Assembly of the PC(USA). Further discussion suggested that the board, along with other agency boards, may propose an overture to the next General Assembly that would alter the parameters of the current open meeting policy.

A list of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities was presented, garnering unanimous approval from the Executive Committee.

On the recommendation of the PMAB Personnel and Nominating Committee, the Executive Committee affirmed the appointment of Shannon Vance-Ocampo to the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations (GACEIR), Class of 2018. 

At the conclusion of the open meeting, the Executive Committee went into closed session to discuss the renewal of De La Rosa’s contract as Interim Executive Director of the PMA. Godshall reported out one action: “Upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to extend a contract renewal under the terms of the current agreement to Tony De La Rosa, the Executive Committee approve referring the recommendation to the full Presbyterian Mission Agency Board for action and approval.”

A meeting of the full board is expected to be called after Thanksgiving to vote on this recommendation for approval of the contract renewal.


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