Meeting Minutes List

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasiGeneral Conference Commission (GCC)
March 10, 2026
9am EST
Voting Members Present: Shalom Azabe, Tim Beardsley, Beth Ann Cook, Elie Diko, César Gazza, Joy Griffin, James Kawadza, Chipau Audu Kilyobas, Bridget Kirk, Carol Loeb, Norma Morrison, Nicolas Munongo, Davies Musigo, Mack Parker, Bill Patrick, Charles Puno, Stacy Taylor, Jay Therrell
Non-Voting Members Present: Laura Ballinger, Ginger Barbee, Rhonda Bourgeois, Tom Lambrecht, Tesia Mallory, Lamar Oliver, Becci Wood
Not Present: Sterling Allen, Mary Blagojevich, Dianne Burnett, Mike Grant, Jeff Greenway, Tsvetan Iliev, Mike Schafer, Molly Williams
Opening Prayer: Joy (Special prayer for Tim’s wife, Margaret)
Minutes: Motion by Bill, seconded by Jay to approve minutes from February 24 meeting. Approved 13-0
Assembly of Bishops, Bishop Greenway:
• No report
Connectional Council Report, Mike Schafer:
• No report
Event Project Manager, Becci:
• 653 registrations to date; With the number of persons yet to register and to be invited, the total number is projected to be 1092 - which is over our budgeted number of 900 guests. Capacity of the room is 1100. The increase in budget is approximated at $80,000. This also means that we most likely will not have room for additional observers. The room could be increased in size - but then the seating for meals will be lost. There is also a possibility of an overflow room with AVL. Tom suggested we charge a registration fee for observers to offset cost. Also suggestions to alternate people in plenary and overflow. Reserves would get priority over observers.
• Motion by Carol, seconded by Tim, that Becci provides additional information on the financial impact of overflow room and additional guests to the Finance team for review and then bring to the next meeting. Approved 15-0
Worship Team, Tesia and Charles:
• Slate of six preachers was presented. List was narrowed down from 52 nominees. Assembly of bishops also selected three bishops to preach. This will be public once approved and the persons are notified. Proposed slate approved: 13-1-1
Finance, Molly:
• Volunteer Team Recommendation: Stacy requested an additional $1,000 for volunteer gifts. The finance team moves that the Volunteer Gift line item be increased by $1,000 to be funded from the contingency. Approved 14-0-0
• Additional General Conference Hotel: Becci has received a contract for an additional General Conference hotel. This hotel will primarily be used by self-pay individuals, so we expect to recoup the cost and do not anticipate an impact on the overall budget. The finance team moves that we approve the contract for the additional hotel. Approved 14-1-0
• Spouses of Non-US Delegates: We originally budgeted for all non-US delegates to share rooms. Several have asked to bring their spouses, so we propose charging them for their spouse’s portion of the room. The finance team moves that we charge $550 for a spouse’s portion of a hotel room for non-US delegates.
Amended by Stacy, seconded by Shalom that we change the word spouse to guest. Approved as amended 13-0-2
• Non-US Conference Superintendents (Non-Delegates): Tom has requested that we cover the travel costs for non-US Conference Superintendents who are not delegates. There are 5 confirmed, with a possible increase to 8. We propose treating them the same as non-US delegates by requiring a roommate. We have already budgeted $1,000 toward their hotel rooms, so the total estimated budget impact is $2,500 per CS, with a maximum budget impact of $20,000. The finance team moves that we cover travel expenses for non-US non-delegate Conference Superintendents for up to $20,000, funded from the Contingency. Approved 10-3-2
• Episcopacy Committee Request: Mike Grant and Tom were approached by the GMC Episcopacy Committee asking that General Conference cover travel expenses for their non-delegate members so they can be present if needed under BDD ¶604.5, which states:
• “…If a single candidate is the top choice for more than one episcopal area on the same ballot, the Global Episcopacy Committee may issue guidance to delegates prior to the next ballot.”
• The GCC Team Leads, GMC Staff, and GCC Finance Team recommend denying this request for the following reasons:
• The likelihood of this situation occurring is low
• If it does occur, the committee could meet via Zoom to discuss it • If they believe physical presence is necessary, they could fund attendance from their own budget
• Vote to support Finance Team’s recommendation Approved 12-0-1
Sponsorships, Mack:
• No report
Housing/Logistics, James:
• No report
Legislation, Tom:
• Nominations for administrative committees received from 20 out of 30 conferences.
• The legislative committee will present the list of nominees to the GCC at a special meeting on March 19 at 9:00am.
Agenda, Norma:
• No report
Petitions, Lamar:
• Many petitions coming in! The three petitions from Tom/GCC (approved at the meeting on 2/24/26) were submitted 3/9/26 by Stacy.
Prayer, Laura:
• Continuing to pray! Promotional video was completed.
Missions, Tim:
• 63 persons signed up for Mission Experience
Communications, Dianne/Shalom:
• Link is now available for any communication requests.
You can access the form here:
https://www.globalmethodist.org/communications-request-form
Using this form allows our team to:
• Keep all requests in one centralized location
• Properly track and prioritize projects
• Assign requests to the appropriate member of the Communications team • Ensure alignment with the overall branding and communications strategy for General Conference
• Whether the need is for graphics, announcements, promotional materials, web updates, or other communications support, submitting the request through this form will help us serve the Commission and the church more effectively.
International Relations, Elie:
• Discussed VISA process with home cabinet office. The VISA request must go to the embassy/consulate in the country of origin. Elie will travel to visit the embassies in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria, and possibly Rwanda to present the list of persons and the reason for travel to South Africa. The funds for this travel will come from the International Relations budget. Tim suggested that the notarized invitation letter be sent (via Fed-Ex) to Elie. Another GMC leader (Chipau offered) from the country, and/or Bishop Kimba, will travel with Elie. Nicolas affirmed the necessity of Elie’s travel.
• All US travels can go to South Africa without a VISA, even if traveling through another country, but may need to get the yellow fever vaccination if required in that country.
Credentialing/Registration, Carol:
• Almost ready to present name badges
Hospitality/Volunteers, Stacy:
• More volunteers than expected
• Communicate to volunteers a deadline to register and potential expenses
Translation/Interpretation, Bill:
• No report
New Business:
Question from Norma: Will we stay in budget? Becci and Molly will report at April’s meeting.
Next meeting: Special meeting on March 19 at 9:00am.
Regularly scheduled meeting: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 9am EST
Meeting closed in prayer by Norma.
Minutes submitted by Stacy Taylorze this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.