D081 Childcare at General Convention
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,
That a Church interested in attracting younger members into church governance and leadership needs to make accommodations for those who have families; And be it further
Resolved, That the cost to provide high quality formative children’s programing and child care, which for 2024 was approximately $90,000 for 45 children, should be borne by General Convention so that those who are already volunteering their time and talents in the service of the church, who also have young children to care for should not also be expected to bear this extra cost; And be it further
Resolved, That childcare will be provided during all events of the General Convention, including those events held at night, and those held in the days immediately preceding or following General Convention; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention will provide children’s programing and child care for all Deputies, Alternate Deputies, Bishops, Volunteers and Staff at no cost to the guardians/parents A nominal fee, per child, per day or week may be requested for children of exhibitors and visitors; And be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention request the Executive Council Finance Committee allocate a budget of at least $110,000 for the creation and implementation of The Children’s Program at each General Convention, beginning with the 82nd General Convention; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention encourage dioceses to assist with costs associated with bringing children to General Convention, including but not limited to airfare or other transportation, per diem, and lodging costs as a way to support, and encourage families to participate and to thank families for participating; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention form a scholarship to assist parents with the costs of traveling to General Convention, including but not limited to airfare or other transportation, per diem, and lodging costs; And be it further
Resolved, As the nature of a large body meeting may include last minute illness, travel changes, and childcare changes, and as the General Convention has provisions in the rules of order for said changes, parents/guardians who are Deputies, Alternate Deputies, Bishops, Volunteers or Staff shall not be required to register more than 24 hours in advance to be assured care and shall not be penalized if their need changes within 24 hours.
Explanation
As our church states that All are Welcome and we claim to be the church of the future, we need to be accessible for the church of future to participate. Parents and Guardians who attend convention have huge costs related to bringing and providing for their children to General Convention.
It becomes cost prohibitive between airfare (typically $400.00 - $600.00 per person), other transportation costs, food, and lodging. This is in addition to the emotional toll of traveling for the entire family of these faithful servants.
It costs families thousands of dollars to bring one child, let alone multiple children to General Convention; therefore, leaving many families unable to attend.
Asking families to pay an additional $250-$350 per child for their care during the convention is an additional strain. While many dioceses are able to assist in the cost, not all are able or willing to. The costs for families continue to rise at astronomical rates between school fees, sports, activities, rising costs of living, and they should not have to add more cost to do the work they are called to do for The Episcopal Church.
Additionally, the cost of the program for 2024 was approximately $90,000, with 45 children enrolled. This includes a cost to the families of approximately $240 per child, if registered early. The request for $110,000 is based on the assumption of inflation, rising enrollment and TEC assuming the cost for Deputies, Alternate Deputies, Bishops, Staff and Volunteers
With the General Convention’s support of this resolution, parents and guardians can be encouraged and supported in their ministry in our larger church without concern for their child’s care or costs associated with it.