May 20, 1990

To: General Council Fifth Epochal Fellowship

From: Brent St. Denis, Secretary

Re: Annual Report of Secretary

It is my pleasure to present to the Council this, my first annual report to the General Council as your Secretary. It has been an exciting year to say the least and one which I believe we can look back upon as a watershed year for the Urantia movement. I have been genuinely impressed with the high rate of attendance at Council and Executive meetings, the frank and honest discussion and the great degree of commitment exhibited. Specifically I would like to report the following to you;

a) On your behalf it was my duty to accept the resignation of Phil Rolnick from the Council under circumstance which might be described as "unusual." In view of the widely distributed version of events as described by Phil I would like to share with you my report to the Ex. Comm. which outline my part in the matter as your Secretary.

On Monday evening, January 22/90 Phil called me in my capacity as Secretary to advise that he had a letter which he wanted read to the General Council and the Plenary (with society presidents and ACs) both scheduled for the coming weekend. With the weekend's agenda already set the only commitment I felt I could make to him was that I would raise the matter at the Officers meeting scheduled for the Thursday afternoon. I made this clear to him and suggested that he had the option of writing to each Councilor directly. We agreed that he would send the letter to me by Special Delivery mail addressed to the Conference Center in Scottsdale.

The letter did not arrive in time for the the Officers meeting but the matter was discussed and it was agreed that if the letter arrived in time it be brought to the Ex. Comm.'s attention at the meeting scheduled for the following day.

I recall that the letter arrived sometime Friday morning. There being only a single copy provided I checked with the Conference Center Office to inquire as to the cost of photo-copies just in case a decision were made to distribute copies at the meeting. Their machine was broken.

Phil's letter was read aloud to the Executive Committee, at its request, later in the meeting. It was the clear consensus that time not be taken at next morning's General Council meeting but that at an appropriate time during the meeting the entire Council be advised that a letter from Phil had been received and that any Councilor who wished could see the Secretary to borrow the letter. I recall that four or five Councilors asked me after to see it.

I should mention that on the Wednesday after Phil's phone call I apprised David, out of courtesy, that a letter was coming. I was able to give him only a general outline of its contents because I did not go into detail with Phil.

It is my opinion that the utmost respect was accorded Phil's request in view of the circumstances. At no time did I feel we trampled on Phil's rights as a Councilor. Not being aware of any procedure to cover this situation I could only depend on my past experience as Secretary-Treasurer of a municipal corporation. For a period of six years I was responsible for Town Council meetings, including the agenda, which were held several times each month. I believe my actions and the response of the Officers, Executive Committee, and General Council was appropriate and proper.

b) An agenda-setting procedure has been proposed by Vice-President Marilyn Kulieke and a resolution form introduced which should make it easier for Councilors to become involved in the agenda process as well as providing for advance notice of resolutions where desired.

c) Since early this year each society has been requested to submit its annual census of members in accordance with past practice. As of this writing over half have responded but a significant number have not. No doubt the vents of the last year are partly to blame. I will provide exact figures at our next meeting.

Best wishes,

Brent