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Dollars and Sense - July 2022
Welcome to a new financial year, I hope you are managing to keep well and warm!
The first 6 months of this calendar year have been busy, interesting, challenging, and have included times for saying goodbye and welcoming new members to our teams.
We farewelled Andrew Fechner in March 2022 and have recently said goodbye to Sarah Kon from the Financial Services Team as she takes on a new career opportunity. We also said farewell to Steve Bartimote from the ICT team. We are very grateful for the contribution to the life and work of the Church of these team members.
As a result of these vacancies and some other changes, we have welcomed new members to the team. We welcome Kathy Neale, Manager Financial Services, Altinir da Silva, Applications Support Analyst, Anna Cogdell, Human Resource Officer and Aja Scarborough, Synergy Procurement Manager. We are very thankful for our new team members and for the skills and experience they bring to their roles and the wider team. If you have the opportunity to interact with these team members, please make them feel welcome.
This edition of Dollars and Sense contains helpful information to assist you through the next few months.
As always, we are here to help, so please feel free to reach out if you have questions or require assistance.
Kind regards,
Sue Raw
General Manager Resources
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Payroll changes from July 2022
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Some changes are coming in July that will affect congregations and the payments made to employees and ministry agents.
Superannuation
There are two significant changes for superannuation for lay staff which apply from 1 July 2022;
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Legislation has been passed to remove the minimum $450 per month wage requirement for super guarantee eligibility as of 1 July 2022. This means that all lay staff will be required to be paid superannuation on every dollar earned with no minimum applicable amount.
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The super guarantee percentage rate payable by employers will increase to 10.5% from the current rate of 10% from 1 July 2022. Further increases will apply in future years until the rate reaches 12% by 1 July 2025.
National Wage case decision
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The National wage case decision recently handed down means that all staff on minimum award rates will receive a 5.2% increase from July 2022. This increase is higher than may have been expected by congregations and therefore will have budgetary implications.
WorkCover
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The WorkCover rate applicable from July 2022 will change. This rate is not yet known, but may result in a small increase to rates required to be paid.
These changes may be expected or unexpected for congregations, but it is important to consider the implication on the congregation budget where changes are to occur.
If you require further information or explanation, please email payroll@sa.uca.org.au
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Mission and Service Fund Contributions
Within the Synod of South Australia, Congregations and Faith Communities provide vital financial support to the ministry of the wider Uniting Church by providing 12% of their income to programs and activities of the Synod and its Presbyteries (Generate Presbytery, Presbytery of Southern SA and Wimala Presbytery).
Contributions are provided in two parts:
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The main contribution of 10% is to the Mission and Service Fund which directly supports the ministries of the Synod and each Presbytery
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A further contribution of 2% is specifically collected to support the work of the Presbyteries
In total 6% of contributions are allocated to the Synod and the remaining 6% to each of the Presbyteries.
Each year, congregations are requested to complete a form to enable contributions to be made. Direct debits are the preferred method of payment and if your congregation has not yet completed a form for 2022, please complete the information in the link below;
2022-Mission-and-Service-Fund-and-Presbytery-Contributions.pdf (uca.org.au)
Congregations experiencing financial hardship may seek a variation to the above contributions using a Variation Request Form. Approved variations are designed to help Congregations navigate through unforeseen financial situations which are outside the control of the Congregation. Any variations should be arranged by applying using the form below;
Congregations-Contributions-Variation-Request-Form.pdf (uca.org.au)
Please note that if your congregation has not completed a contribution form or had an approved variation, your congregation is ‘non-contributing’ which effects the amount of funding Presbyteries have access to.
If you have any questions or require assistance, please email finance@sa.uca.org.au
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Presbytery Treasurers Update
Treasurers of our Presbyteries fulfil a very important role within the life of the church. Working alongside the Chair and Secretary, and supporting their congregations, treasurers ensure good governance and careful stewardship of each Presbytery’s resources by managing finances, preparing budgets and providing financial expertise and advice to their presbytery. Treasurers are voluntary roles, appointed for two years at a time.
We are pleased to announce two recent appointments. Peter Lane is the new treasurer for Wimala Presbytery. Peter is Chairperson of the Midlands’ Congregation (Auburn, Riverton, Saddleworth) Church Council and has been on the Council for thirty years. A self-confessed ‘numbers enthusiast’, Peter is looking forward to the challenges of the role. Martyn Smith is the newly appointed treasurer of Generate Presbytery. Martyn is a Chartered Accountant who owns a coffee roasting business, which definitely makes him a bean counter! He is Chairperson of Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church Council and is pleased to be able to serve the wider church in his new role. Di Russell, a member of Pilgrim UC, is continuing as Treasurer of Presbytery of Southern SA. Di gives of her time and wisdom generously in this role, and also as Treasurer and Chair of Operations Committee at Pilgrim UC.
Richard Idzikowski (Wimala) and David Hoffman (Generate) are the outgoing treasurers and the Resources Team is grateful for their generous contributions of time and expertise they have shared in setting up the financial processes and systems for each presbytery as they were getting established.
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Safe-Tea Break
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Slip, trips and falls
The current wet and wintery weather is a Godsend for our gardens but it is does also bring with it some additional safety risks. Slips, trips and falls account for around a quarter of all serious injury claims in the workplace and can lead to severe longterm and even permanent injuries.
Whilst an individual’s capactity and behaviour can be contributory factors, they are rarely the root cause of such incidents. Whilst the banana skin is the sterotypical comedians’ favourite, many workplace hazards are also just as foreseeable. The following are some reasonable actions we can take to help prevent them from occuring:
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Deal with leaks and spills promptly, cordon off the area if this cannot be achieved quickly
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Entrance mats should be recessed (where possible) or low rise, and secured from movement
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Identify an umbrella storage area where people can leave them to dry safely
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Ensure nose edgings to steps and stairs are highlighted and steps and stairs have suitable grip and handrails
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Re-stretch, repair or replace rucked, protruding or worn carpet and floor coverings
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Provide additional physical assistance and support to those who may be at higher risk
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Encourage and provide space for using mobility aids such as walking frames and wheelchairs
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Avoid running cables across walkways and steps and use proper cable protectors to cover and highlight them
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Ensure that spaces and floor surfaces are appropriate for the intended activities they are being used or hired for, particularly higher risk physical activities
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Ensure lighting both inside and outside is sufficient to safely move around the property, particularly during overcast days and darker mornings and evenings.
If you would like to discuss this or any other WHS related matters, church council members are encouraged to ring 1300 766 956 or email Wayne Booth, WHS Coordinator wbooth@sa.uca.org.au
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Uniting Foundation
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Each year the Uniting Foundation receives applications for financial support from across the State. Successful applicants receive significant grants for projects which help to build vibrant church communities and lead the Church into the future.
Priority in the 2022 round of grants will be given to projects which enable Congregations, Faith Communities, Ministry Centres and individuals (with Congregation or Presbytery endorsement) to:
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develop and implement new initiatives to assist growth following the challenges of COVID
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increase their capacity to engage in creative ways
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work co-operatively and resource other Congregations for effective missional activity now and into the future
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develop capacity to lead church community growth, new church plants or congregational turn around
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provide opportunities for direct contact with non-church people and move them in their faith journey closer to Christ and into a deeper connection with the Church community
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develop leadership skills to assist in growing / transitioning congregations
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align with the Synod Strategic Plan emphases and directions
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have potential to assist/influence other Uniting Church Congregations and bodies.
The 2022 grant round closes 30 July 2022. For more information about how you can apply, visit the website https://sa.uca.org.au/uniting-foundation/
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Welcome – Kathy Neale
The Financial Services team recently welcomed its new manager, Kathy Neale. Kathy is a chartered accountant with considerable experience and expertise in financial reporting, financial accounting, statutory reporting, budgeting and forecasting and team leadership. She has worked across a diverse range of businesses and industries. Kathy is an experienced manager and we are looking forward to all that she will bring to the team.
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Welcome – Anna Cogdell
The Resources Ministry Centre is delighted to announce the appointment of Anna Cogdell as the new Human Resources Officer. Anna commenced on June 27, and is based in the Synod Pirie Street Office from Mondays through to Fridays each week.
Anna will be working closely with the Manager Human Resources (Karen Granger) and will provide the first point of contact for Human Resources matters to Church Council members on behalf of their Congregations.
Anna will provide
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assistance in the design of Position Descriptions & Person Specifications
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assistance with advertising positions vacant
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advice regarding working arrangements, salary and wage setting, award interpretation and other related terms and conditions of employment.
As Anna becomes familiar with each of the congregations, church council members and the individual needs of your ministry and mission activities, please help make her welcome.
Anna can be contacted on 8236 4278 or humanresources@sa.uca.org.au.
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