DUCC Structure

Coordinating Committee

The Coordinating Committee, as the title suggests, performs a coordination function and has some responsibilities like those of an Executive.

Current Members:

Vicki McPhee – Chair

Helen Reed – Treasurer

Denise Davis-Taylor – Secretary

Ted Dodd – DOTAC Representative

Deborah Laforet – Communications Cluster

Marlene Britton – Member-at-Large

Jen Dresser – Member at Large

Melanie Ihmel – Member at Large

Eric Tusz-King – Staff Liaison

**The bylaws at the top of the page carry the roles and responsibilities of each of the members on the Coordinating Committee.

Communication Committee

The Communication Committee carries on important functions to assist with key DUCC goals of staying connected and informed. The Committee is charged with responsibility to:

Envision and initiate projects and on going work to enhance communication with and among the DUCC community,
Encourage communication within the Regions,
Oversee DUCC News, the DUCC website and the DUCC Card Secretary.

Members:

The newsletter editor, the webminder, those who facilitate social media platforms, our card secretary, and the one who oversees the DUCC members database are all part of this committee. The DUCC staffperson resources the committee.

DUCC News Editor

The purpose of the newsletter is to keep those in United Church diaconal ministry connected and informed. The content of reflects a diversity of experience and views on diaconal ministry. The Editor is responsible for developing a vision for the DUCC News, imagining ways to enhance its role in strengthening and supporting DUCC.

DUCC Webminder

The purpose of the DUCC website is to make available information on all aspects of the DUCC community. Among the audiences using the site are DUCC members, diaconal ministry inquirers, church volunteers involved with ministry candidates, families and friends of diaconal students and church personnel learning more about diaconal ministries. The webminder is responsible for keeping the website up to date and addressing any technical issues.

Representative to DOTAC

The Representative and an Alternate to DOTAC are chosen at National Gatherings. The representative’s term is usually eight years (the period between two World DIAKONIA assemblies). The DOTAC Representative is on the Coordinating Committee and shares regular reports there and to National Gatherings. For more information, see the bylaws at the top of the page.

Representative: Ted Dodd (Term is up as of September 2024)

Alternate: Deborah Laforet

Advocacy Committee

The Advocacy Committee will represent the DUCC community with the structures of the larger church and will monitor and assess policies and issues that impact Diaconal Ministry in The United Church of Canada.

Archives Committee

The Archives Committee oversees DUCC’s records, historical documents and artifacts, and ensures that they are properly retained and accessible for member and public access.

Nominations Committee

A Nominating Committee will recruit, orient, support and thank volunteer members of DUCC and representatives of DUCC on other bodies.

A regionally based DUCC working group, some gather around the table in Winnipeg and others join in by phone.