Business & Administration
Within this section of the website you will find resources for local church related to Finance, Administration, and Benefits. There are also links to the Annual Conference sessions of Upper New York. The business of the Annual Conference is to resource and assist the local church to fulfill their ministry of making Disciples.
The IRS Announces Standard Mileage Increase Effective for 2013
For the Upper New York Annual Conference, a new rate of 56.5 cents per mile applies to mileage reimbursement for all Employees of the Annual Conference office, District Offices, and Camps seeking reimbursement from the Conference as their employer. The volunteer/ conference team reimbursement rate remains at 14 cents per mile as set by statute. Please capture this change in rate when submitting paperwork to Accounts Payable for time periods starting 1/1/2013 or later. If you have any questions regarding this topic, please do not hesitate to call the Finance office toll free at (855) 424-7878, ext. 325 for Kevin or ext. 314 for Pat.
Note: If you receive mileage reimbursement from your church as an employee, please check with the church for the rate applicable to you. If the church pays employees the IRS mileage rate then the 56.5 cents per mile rate would apply.
Zurich leaving the New York State Disability Insurance Market
Currently, the Upper New York Annual Conference (UNYAC) uses Zurich for its required New York State Disability Insurance (NYSDBI) coverage. Recently, Zurich announced that it is leaving the New York disability market in phases starting January 1, 2013. As a result, UNYAC will need to change to a different company for New York State Disability Insurance. The exact date of this transition for UNYAC is not yet known, but the process is expected to be complete by July 1, 2013. You will receive more information once the exact change over date is known.
In this time of change, your church needs to be aware that Walsh Duffield is the broker for all components our comprehensive multi-peril insurance program and is working on our behalf to identify a new company to provide us with NYS Disability Insurance. Other companies looking to take over the market share previously held by Zurich may be making contact with your church in an attempt to gain your business. The conference office in connection with Walsh Duffield will be working to ensure continuing coverage for your church. You do not need to contract with a separate vendor for this insurance.
Also, based on letters received at a few of our churches, it appears that some of you may actually still have policies in place through other brokers for NYSDSI with Zurich. These policies are duplicative and should be cancelled by your church directly with that broker. If you wish to confirm your inclusion in the coverage under the UNYAC program for NYSDSI, please feel free to contact Mark Berger of Walsh Duffield at mberger@walshins.com or by calling 716-362-7308.
Any time of change can be confusing, please check with the Treasurer’s office if you have any questions regarding the change in the insurer for NYSDBI for the Upper New York Annual Conference of The UMC. We may be reached through LeahRobinson@unyumc.org or by calling toll free 855-424-7878, ext. 303.
Safe Guarding Church Assets (12/2012)
Taking More than Blessings . . .
During this advent season, we wait in anticipation for the birth of Jesus. We celebrate the love of God and are blessed with time to share joy with family and friends.
However, there are others who may be waiting in anticipation of gaining access to the larger than usual collections at your church. Last year, several of our churches experienced thefts of and attempted thefts of their holiday collections. As a result, the ministries to which these offerings were to be directed did not receive the benefit of our church’s generosity to the same extent.
Please be reminded that vigilance in the care and stewardship of the church’s assets needs to be as high if not higher during the holidays. Unfortunately, those willing to steal from the church are just as likely to be someone who is part of your church community as they are to be someone who is external to your church environment.
Often in the rush to get home after church to be with family or when our feelings of comfort and affinity with those around us increases, we relax our awareness and even skip internal control steps that are in place to safeguard the assets of the church. It is in the best interest of your church and your parishioners that those responsible for your church’s monetary assets continue to maintain high standards at all times. Some standards that should continue to be routinely followed so that your church is less vulnerable to theft include:
1. Controlling access to areas in the church where monetary assets are located. Minimally this might include keeping doors locked when areas are not occupied and limiting the distribution of keys.
2. Making deposits of collections and other receipts immediately after counting. Always have the funds that have been collected physically in the care of a known person responsible for them. Never keep any amounts on site over night.
3. Counting collections immediately after church. No amounts should be taken home with a person or left in someone’s vehicle. More than one person should be present when funds are counted.
4. Not openly discuss the whereabouts of cash or other monetary assets held within the church. Do not have anyone but the counting team in the areas where collections are being counted. Don’t “advertise” the amount collected while the funds are still on site.
5. Ensuring that the church building and office are secured when it is not occupied. Know who is responsible for building security at all times and work to learn from and correct any situations when security weaknesses may have left your church vulnerable. If your church prefers to leave your church building open at all times, it is even more crucial that no monetary assets be kept on site and unattended.
Having a theft overshadow the generous and loving spirit of the season is not something any church wants to experience. May you walk through the holidays in partnership with God and with loving intentional good stewardship of the monetary gifts received for ministry to all neighbors. Blessings for a safe and secure holiday season!
For additional ideas on ways to safe guard church assets, please visit the UNY website at: http://www.unyumc.org/pages/detail/1703.
