Loading...Greg Premo, executive director of All Saints' Episcopal Conference Center recently returned from the annual Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers Conference, which he says is, "is the best educational experience I attend yearly."
The organization has 104 members representing nearly every state, and its national council, which includes 17 bishops, is dedicated to providing wisdom, vision and financial support to the organization.
The Episcopal Camp and Conference Center council's mission is to sustain and enhance the ministry of camps and conference centers of the Episcopal Church by
- nurturing professional growth and development of current and future leaders; fostering excellence in the operation and services of member centers;
- strengthening the network of communication, collegiality, and support among leaders of centers;
- securing financial resources to sustain and expand the camp and conference center ministry; and
- advocating for this ministry within the wider church.
The organization offers practical assistance to camp and conference center administrators. For example, it offers consulting service for program assessment, strategic planning, construction, executive search and annual fund development. It has assisted in establishing an insurance program partnership with the church insurance agency and Great American insurance group, and newly enrolled centers have seen premiums reduced by about 15 percent. ECCC manned a popular booth at General Convention, which approved two important resolutions dealing with pension for lay employees and health insurance.
The organization also offered a pilot training program for summer camp program directors in last March and plans a follow-up conference in 2010. Participants have said that the program has enhanced their understanding of the process of Christian formation.
Episcopal summer camps are one of the few places where children have a sufficiently sustained and powerful experience that allows them to fully incorporate core Christian values, to really understand the importance of their personal lifelong connection to the Episcopal Church, and to develop servant leadership skills.
This year's conference included workshops on effective board member participation and understanding of our ministry; leadership for faith formation; principles and practices of a healthy, financial ministry; improving your annual fund; Episcopal identity as a camp or conference center, and learning to adapt to rapid change.
Premo , All Saints' director since 2004, has been a member of the national organization since 1994.
