Diocesan Policies – Executive Committee Policies

(adopted June 2016)

The Church is not a building; it is the Body of Christ, a people gathered and sent by God to live in the world as a sign, instrument and foretaste of the Kingdom of God. The Household of God is composed of the baptized, not bricks and mortar. Thus, as church, a congregation may be able to exist and serve faithfully without a dedicated building. Nevertheless, property and facilities usually play a valuable role in the life and ministry we share as church. As a result, much of a congregation’s energy and resources can find themselves concerned with property matters. It is important, therefore, to make sure that our buildings and property contribute to, rather than hinder or distract from, the vibrancy and sustainability of the Diocese and its congregations.

Among the chief responsibilities of diocesan leadership and congregational officials alike is the stewardship of our assets and resources. It is their responsibility to ensure that decisions about property and facilities are directed toward enriching or expanding mission and ministry. Included in this charge is the need to administer, protect, or enhance assets for the sake of supporting or resourcing future initiatives consistent with the vision and vocation we share as a diocese.

To this end, Executive Committee policies relating to property and buildings shall be interpreted and applied in conformity with the following principles provided that, in the event of any inconsistency between this policy and any other policy, this policy shall prevail:

• Property and buildings are a means by which to carry out the mission entrusted to the church.
• Decisions about the acquisition, modification, and sale of property and buildings are based upon how these actions further the mission that all of us share as a diocese.
• All property and buildings in the Diocese are owned by The Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Algoma. The Executive Committee manages the financial assets of the Diocese, including those realized from the sale of property.
• Congregations, particularly their officials, manage the use, maintenance, and upkeep of the property and buildings committed to their charge.
• Significant financial expenditures on the property or facilities of a congregation are approved by the Executive Committee, drawing on the advice of the Deanery Officials working with the congregation. Likewise, depending on their nature, significant alterations to the property or facilities of a congregation are approved by either the Bishop or Executive Committee.
• The Archbishop Wright Fund exists to provide funding to assist congregations with their property and buildings under the policies established by the Executive Committee.

APPLICATION FORM – LOANS FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS

DOA – Capital Projects – FORM

(November 2006, revised January 2015)

Policy

1. A parish requiring a loan from the Fund will prepare a “Loan Application Request” to the Synod office.

2. The Parish will include with the Loan Application Request:

a) A schedule of Project cost financing for which the loan is requested comprising:

– one-half cash on hand (minimum); and

– one-half loan from the Fund (maximum or $100,000 whichever is less)

– one-quarter pledges (secured)

to secure a loan from the Fund

b) Comparative financial statements (statements of incomes & expenses and balance sheets, the latter if available) for the five year period immediately preceding the year of the loan request;

c) Comparative financial statements of incomes and expenses (forecast) for the year of the loan request and the succeeding four years (which include the monthly blended principal and interest payments on the loan from the Fund for the period immediately following the time of completion of the project);

d) Appropriate narratives/assumptions made to explain changes from past actual figures to those figures shown in the forecast.

3. The Executive Committee will decide for or against the loan request. (The Executive Committee may recommend modifications of the loan request to the Parish; if acceptable to the Parish, then the Parish would indicate its approval to the Executive Committee).

4. If the loan request is approved by the Executive Committee, the Parish will prepare the “Undertaking for Repayment of Loan” and submit it to the Synod office.

NOTE: Various forms as mentioned above may be obtained from the Synod Office

Guidelines

Factors to be reviewed by the Parish, the Investment Committee, Diocesan Officials, and the Executive Committee, but not to be limited to, are:

1) The age of congregation. Is there a good mix of young, involved couples and other members on a fixed income? Is the income of the Parish fairly evenly spread out, or are two or three members the main donors? What happens when the chief donors move or die? Will this cause financial hardship?

2) Is there a broad base for fund-raising or is it the focus of a few members who will eventually burn out? Will the repayment of loans become the chief focus of the congregation?

3) What Level of ministry is required? Will it be full-time or a shared ministry? Should a change of ministry be required, will it create a financial hardship for the congregation with regards to interim ministry, or moving of personnel, etc.?

4) By attempting to pay back the loan amount(s), will this necessitate not paying other obligations such as stipend, etc.? Will this in turn force the congregation to apply to the Diocese for forgiveness of loans, reduced ministry or shared ministry?

5) Most importantly, is this a one-industry area? Is there diversity of employment? If the major employer shuts down, will there still be a sound economic base available to sustain the givings needed by the congregation to meet its financial obligations?

6) Is the project under the leadership of a strong, charismatic clergy? If so, what happens financially to the parish should this person be transferred or move on, or burn out?

7) Would it be beneficial for the members of the Investment Committee to meet personally with the congregation? (Quite frequently, what you read on paper and what you experience in person or two very different perspectives.)

(Revised September 2005, updated 2014)

Cemeteries, like all Church property in the diocese, are owned by the Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Algoma. The local Incumbent and Wardens, that is the Officers of the Parish, act as agents of the Synod in managing the affairs of the cemetery. A Cemetery Board or Committee is often appointed to carry out the actual day-to-day management of the cemetery. The Board or Committee, however, is assisting the Incumbent and Wardens in doing this, and responsibility rests with these Officers of the Parish.

A cemetery must be operated in conformity with the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act 2002. This includes filing an Annual Report with the Cemeteries Regulation Unit of the Ministry of Government Services. These are some provisions of this Act and its Regulations that parishes operating cemeteries should be aware of are:

– “Cemetery” means land set aside for the interment of human remains. Human remains include ashes. Cremated remains can be interred on church property, so long as the site is first established as a cemetery. The Ministry can check their records to establish whether a particular site has been registered as a cemetery in the past. There is a small fee to re-establish a site as a cemetery, and reporting requirements must be met.

– If human remains are routinely scattered on the same spot, that site must be established as a cemetery. Scattering gardens need to be properly licensed and fall under the regulations governing care and maintenance funds. Parishes are advised to keep records of where ashes are scattered.

– Where human remains (including ashes) are interred outside of designated cemetery land, the place of interment then becomes a “burial site” and is subject to the regulations governing unapproved burial sites. Compliance would require the area to be delineated by boundaries and be established as a cemetery.

– The process for closing a cemetery can be lengthy. Closure requires that all remains must be disinterred, and all remains and related artefacts must be moved to an approved cemetery. If it is in the public interest to do so, the land may then be decertified, and re- registered with the Land Registry Office. Other requirements include inserting a notice in newspapers declaring that any person having an interest (which may include interment rights holders, relatives, and native people) may submit to the Registrar any objection. They have the right to appeal and this can go to a tribunal.

– Municipalities do not automatically take over a cemetery. The Registrar may apply to a judge to declare a cemetery abandoned, in which case the municipality would take over. The onus is on the owner to prove that care and maintenance can no longer be provided.

– The Act requires that the operator of a cemetery interring bodies establish a Care and Maintenance Fund. Only interest from a Care and Maintenance fund can be used. Provided that it is not contrary to the public interest, a cemetery owner may apply for an exemption from the requirement to establish a Care and Maintenance Fund, or for a reduction in the required amount. To make this application, the owner must have the support of the local municipality, to whom responsibility for care and maintenance would fall if the owner proved unable to fulfill these responsibilities.

– If the operator is interring only cremated remains, there is no requirement to collect Care and Maintenance Funds. However, if fees are charged, a Care and Maintenance Fund must be established and contributions must be made to it. It is also up to an owner to maintain the cemetery in perpetuity. So if there is no care and maintenance fund set up, a problem could arise if, for instance, a church with a cemetery closed.

– The current Act, passed in 2002, removed the previous requirement that Care and Maintenance Funds be held by a Trust Company or Credit Union.

– Fees for markers are set out in the regulations, except for flat markers of a prescribed size. Such fees must be deposited to the care and maintenance fund.

(march 2005, Revised December 2005)

1. A chapel is a place of worship that, when it is so designated by the Bishop, does not have all of the normal responsibilities of a congregation.

2. To be a chapel, the building would require a patron parish or organization who would assure that the building would be maintained, all expenses met, and adequate insurance coverage carried. Where there is not some group to fulfill the role of patron, the building should be closed.

3. All chapels will be under the general supervision of an incumbent appointed by the Bishop.

4. Worshippers in a chapel may, in some cases, with the permission and at the direction of the Bishop, gather in an annual meeting to consider the affairs of the chapel and to elect a steward to work with the incumbent and the patron parish in furthering the best interests of the chapel. In such a case, a second steward may be appointed by the incumbent.

Disadvantages of being a Chapel:

1. Chapels normally do not have the resources for regular Sunday worship, the conduct of worship by a cleric, or the levels of supervision needed for program and activities.

2. Future decisions about the use or disposition of the chapel are in the hands of the patron parish or organization, Diocesan Executive Committee, and the Bishop.

3. Givings to a chapel would not normally be eligible for an Income Tax Receipt. Gifts to a patron parish would be eligible for a Tax Receipt but would also be subject to diocesan apportionment.

4. Chapels are ineligible to elect delegates to Synod (Collegiate Chapels excepted).

5. A Chapel is not simply a congregation in a stage of closing. A chapel needs a clear purpose, be it pastoral, historical, communal, or geographical.

Definitions:

A congregation is a worshipping community that is a component of a parish that:

a. is self-reliant with respect to its share of incumbency (or has approved grant assistance),

b. provides full pastoral care,

c. meets its obligations beyond the parish,

d. cares for its own buildings and properties,

e. normally has the expectation of Sunday worship, and

f. elects delegates to Synod through parish procedures.

A chapel is a place of worship that:

a. has a patron parish or a patron organization that assures all obligations are met for property, buildings, upkeep, and insurance,

b. has no regular expectation of services by a clergy person,

c. has its future resting with the patron parish or organization, the Executive Committee, and the Bishop,

d. is under the care of an incumbent assigned by the Bishop (usually from the patron parish), and

e. may elect a steward and hold an annual meeting to advise the patron parish, incumbent, and Executive Committee

Mission Points and Out Stations: A mission or an out station is a worshiping community that:

a. has an incumbent appointed by the Bishop,

b. expects to grow,

c. meets its own obligations within and beyond the parish or which has its obligations

within and beyond met by a sponsoring congregation,

d. cares for its own buildings and properties or has its buildings and properties cared for by a sponsoring congregation,

e. normally has the expectation of regular worship, although not always on a Sunday,

f. elects delegates to Synod through parish procedures

Principles:

1. All donations to the Anglican Church for ongoing work are eligible for a tax receipt, and

are subject to apportionment.

2. The apportionment is payable by the congregation or the religious charity which issues the tax receipt.

3. All churches that receive monies must exercise full financial transparency and accountability to the Bishop, the deanery officials, the Synod, and the Executive Committee

4. Collegiate Chapels are those attached to educational institutions in which the Incumbent is appointed and licensed by the Bishop, and which pay for the physical maintenance and operational costs of the Chapel, and the stipend of the Chaplain. Collegiate Chapels may hold Annual Vestry Meetings and be represented by Synod delegates

Church buildings: alterations, furnishings, and the sanctuary (October 1993)

Alterations to the sanctuary of a Church building and / or its furnishing require the permission of the Bishop. The Bishop’s permission is also required for the introduction, alteration, or removal of stained glass windows.

Closure of Church Buildings (November 2006)

There is a distinction between the closure of a church building, and the dissolution of a congregation which is governed by Canon H-G on the Establishment and Dissolution of Congregations and Parishes. This policy refers to the physical closure of the church building, the dispersal of its assets, and its deconsecration and setting apart for other uses.

General

1. When a congregation wishes to close, it shall first consult with the Territorial Archdeacon and Deanery Officials to consider other options.

2. When a congregation wishes to close, it shall hold a special vestry meeting called in accordance with the Canons of the Diocese of Algoma.

3. A motion of closure shall be passed and recorded in the minutes. This motion must pass by a two-thirds majority of voters qualified to vote at a vestry.

4. The motion of closure shall be copied to the Territorial Archdeacon, the Deanery Officials, and the Diocesan Treasurer for inclusion on the Executive Committee agenda.

5. The Executive Committee shall consider the proposal to close, and if it approves of the congregation’s decision, the closure will proceed.

6. The congregation may then hold a Service of Thanksgiving for the work and ministry that had gone before in the church.

7. After all the assets have been dispersed, the Territorial Archdeacon, acting on the Bishop’s Mandate, shall deconsecrate the church.

8. Once this closure process is completed the now vacant church building and real property with it should be disposed of by sale as quickly as possible except where the deanery officials decide to make an exception to this because of the particular circumstances relating to that building. (section 8 added February 2013)

Procedure

1. The wardens shall remain in office until the assets of the church have been dispersed, and the building sold or otherwise disposed of.

2. The wardens shall work with the Deanery Officials to oversee the dispersal of assets, the sale or disposition of the building, and other tasks necessary under this policy.

3. If there are no wardens, or if there is a vestry of less than six persons, the Deanery Officials shall carry out the tasks required in this policy.

Financial Matters

1. The wardens shall pay any outstanding invoices, and shall then change the address for accounts such as hydro, fuel, and insurance to that of the Diocese of Algoma.

2. The wardens shall send to the Treasurer of the Diocese of Algoma the contents of all bank accounts, as well as all financial books and records.

3. The Treasurer of the Diocese of Algoma shall set up a reserve fund with the balance of the congregation’s funds, out of which shall be paid any remaining or ongoing bills.

4. Insurance shall be kept in place until the building is sold or otherwise disposed of, to be paid from the fund noted in #3 immediately above.

5. The Treasurer of the Diocese of Algoma shall recover costs associated with the payment of bills, over and above the amount existing in the fund mentioned in #3 above, from proceeds from the sale of the building and land.

6. The Executive of the Diocese of Algoma may also recover, from the sale of the building and land, the amount of the debts assumed by the diocese in its financial records in the ten-year period preceding the year of closure including the year of closure.

7. The wardens, and if there be none, the Deanery Officials, shall make provision for the safeguarding and security of the church building while it is vacant.

Other Books and Records

1. The vestry books, registers of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and burials, the minute books, and other non-financial records shall be transferred to the Diocesan Archives at Algoma University.

Other Assets

1. An inventory shall be made of all church contents such as furnishings, linens, memorials, stained glass, office equipment, etc. This inventory shall also show where they are dispersed.

2. If the altar and font are not dispersed to another church, they shall be burned unless there is a reverential use.

3. In the consideration of the dispersal of memorials, any remaining family of the donors should be consulted if they can be found.

4. The disposition of a congregation’s remaining assets, after all financial obligations have been met, up to an amount of $25,000, shall be determined by the Deanery Officials in consultation with the wardens.

5. In deciding as to the disposition of assets, the Deanery Officials and the wardens shall take into account:

a. any requests from the incumbent, wardens, or vestry of the continuing congregations of a multi-point parish that the assets be transferred to them;

b. any significant associations or links between the closed congregation and the continuing congregations of the parish;

c. the respective contributions of the congregations or parish, and the Diocese, to the acquisition of the assets in question; and

d. other financial support provided by the Diocese to the parish concerned.

6. All remaining funds shall be paid to the Diocese of Algoma.

Deconsecration

1. Once the church has been cleared of all contents, it should be deconsecrated, on Mandate of the Bishop of Algoma.

(March 2019)

1. An inventory shall be made of all church contents such as furnishings, linens, memorials,
   stained glass, office equipment, etc. This inventory shall also show where they are dispersed.
2. If the altar and font are not dispersed to another church, they shall be burned unless there is
   a reverential use. If the altar or font is made of stone, then the item should be buried.
3. In the consideration of the dispersal of memorials, any remaining family of the donors should be consulted if they can be found as to whether or not the family desires the return of a memorial gift.
4. The disposition of a congregation’s remaining assets, after all financial obligations have been met, up to an amount of $25,000, shall be determined by the Deanery Officials in consultation with the wardens.
5. In deciding as to the disposition of assets, the Deanery Officials and the wardens shall take into account:
   • any requests from the incumbent, wardens, or vestry of the continuing congregations of a multi-point parish that the assets be transferred to them;
   • If any remaining family of the donors desires the return of a memorial gift, and if a continuing congregation of a multi-point parish does not want the gift, then either the family pays a fair market value for the return of the gift or the family consults with CRA to determine the tax implications of receiving back a memorial gift for which the family received an income tax receipt. The family would be responsible for showing compliance with CRA requirements for the return of a memorial gift.
   • any significant associations or links between the closed congregation and the continuing congregations of the parish;
   • the respective contributions of the congregations or parish, and the Diocese, to the acquisition of the assets in question; and
   • other financial support provided by the Diocese to the parish concerned.
6. All remaining funds shall be paid to the Diocese of Algoma.

(February 2013)

Church buildings that have been formally closed, or church buildings that are only used seasonally, should be properly locked and otherwise secured to prevent trespass and damage.  The exception to this requirement is church buildings in those congregations where it is a matter of local custom to leave church buildings unlocked on principle and where, in the judgment of the Deanery Officials, the congregation wishes to continue this custom.

(February 2008)

Background:

Canon H-3: THE ERECTION OF CHURCHES states:

Approval for buildings and structural alterations:

1. No Church, rectory or other building may be erected until:

(i) the site of the proposed building has been conveyed to the Synod or the Bishop of the Diocese; and

(ii) the plans, specifications, and statements of local or other contributions have been submitted to and considered by the Archdeacon and Regional Dean, who will submit them, if necessary, to the Bishop and the Executive Committee for their approval.

2. This canon applies to all structural alterations or improvements in churches, rectories, or other buildings, and the rearrangement of church or chancel furniture.

Accordingly, “The Diocese is, by virtue of its incorporating statute, the legal owner of all assets of the Anglican Church in the Diocese so that in legal terms, Parishes, as such, do not have legal title to any assets.” (Ken Lawson, the Chancellor, by letter dated November 24th, 2003)

Therefore, it is imperative that any acquisition, construction, renovation, or repair expenditure exceeding $25,000 be only undertaken by a Parish with approval of the Executive Committee and in accordance with the following policy.

Policy to govern major property expenditures undertaken by parishes

1. Parish requests Architect to provide “preliminary drawings and budget.”

2. Parish resolves scope and cost of project.

3. Parish prepares and submits “Property Matters Request Form” to Synod office with a copy of “preliminary drawings and budget.”

4. Synod office submits “Property Matters Request Form” to the Executive Committee for approval.

5. Upon approval of the Executive Committee, the Synod office requests Architect to prepare Tender Documents.

6. Architect provides copies of Tender Documents to Synod office and to Parish for review.

7. Architect advertises requesting tenders.

8. Synod office officials and Parish representatives to be present at tender openings

and selection of successful contractor.

9. Change orders to the contract or to the project made only on approval of Parish and Synod office.

10. Parish appoints appropriate Parishioner to ensure project cost does not exceed approved budget.

(March 2004)

1. Mortgages involving parish property must be signed by the Diocese (The Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Algoma) as the title to all property in the Diocese is held by the Incorporated Synod.

2. Normally, in day to day mortgage transactions, a person signing a mortgage is not only pledging the security of the property being mortgaged but is also signing a personal covenant to repay, so that in the event that there is a default and the realization of the security does not result in a sufficient amount of money to repay the loan and related costs, the lender is in a position to sue the mortgagor for any deficiency. This personal covenant to repay is a standard part of any mortgage document.

For obvious reasons the Diocese cannot be in a position where it is obliged on a covenant to repay with respect to every mortgage given by a parish for a loan. It is diocesan policy that when the Incorporated Synod gives a mortgage it strikes the personal covenant in the mortgage. The effect of this is that all the diocese is giving with the mortgage is the security. If there is a default, the lender would be entitled to realize on the security of the real estate, but would not have any other recourse against the Incorporated Synod.

This should be made known to any prospective lender at the outset of any discussions regarding the obtaining of a loan.

3. Incumbents and Wardens of Parishes should be mindful of their own personal liability. Often the Incumbent and Wardens will be required to sign the mortgage document or some other loan document or documents in the course of a parish loan. If they are required to sign such a document it should be made clear in the document that they are signing “without personal liability”.

Note: Extract from a Letter from the Chancellor in regard to mortgages (March 2004)

“The Diocese, by virtue of its incorporating statute, is the legal owner of all assets. As a result, if a mortgage is to be given on real estate involving a parish church or other church property, the mortgage must be signed by the Diocese. Normally a person signing a mortgage pledges the security of the property and signs a personal covenant to repay, so that in the event that there is a default and the realization of the security does not result in a sufficient amount of money to repay the loan and related costs, the lender is in a position to sue the mortgagor. It is Diocesan policy that when the Diocese signs a mortgage, it strikes the personal covenant in the mortgage. If there is a default, the lender would be entitled to realize only the security of the real estate. This should be made know to any prospective lender.”

(February 2013)

The Property Committee is a sub-committee of the Executive Committee. It is made up of members of the Executive Committee elected by the Executive Committee.

The Property Committee deals only with urgent property matters with a spending limit of $50,000 per application. The Executive Committee has delegated to the Property Committee the power to either grant approval on behalf of the Executive Committee or to hold the matter over for consideration by the Executive Committee itself.

Process for the Purchase of Property at the Parish level

1) A Vestry Motion approving of the purchase is required. It should be noted that title to all property in the Diocese is held by The Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Algoma. The Diocesan Canons recognize only congregational Vestries. Some parishes have what are called ‘Parish Vestries’, but these are a matter of local custom and convenience and have no standing under the diocesan Canons. If the title to the property is to be held by the Diocese for a single congregation in a multi-point parish, the approval of that congregational Vestry is needed. If the property is to be held by the Diocese for all of the congregations in the parish, then the approval of each of the congregational Vestries is needed.

2) A Vestry Motion approving of the use of any money held in Trust for the Parish by the Diocese when that money is being used for the purchase.

3) Deanery officials’ approval of steps one and two.

4) Executive approval of steps one and two.

5) The purchase is made in the name of “The Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Algoma”.

8) The offer to purchase is faxed to the Synod Office at 705-946-1860 for signatures and is then faxed back.

9) The parish retains a lawyer who handles the purchase.

10) Signing authorities for The Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Algoma are:

a) The Bishop of Algoma or Commissary

b) The Diocesan Treasurer, Chancellor, or Registrar

11) The parish’s lawyer couriers the legal documents to the Synod Office (619 Wellington St. East., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, P6A 2M6) for signatures.

12) The Synod Office couriers back the required documentation with a cheque “in trust”.

13) The lawyer completes the transaction and sends all documents to the Synod Office for safe keeping in the property records.

(February 1995, updated 2015)

a) That the proceeds of any Rectory sales be held in a separate account so that they may be more easily identified, and that normally they be used for the benefit of the parish concerned as set out below.

b) That the Capital from, such Rectory sale Funds be normally spent for purposes of the parish’s Capital Expenditures only, which may include acquisition of a new rectory at a later date. Such expenditures are subject to approval from the Executive Committee.

c) That the investment of any such Rectory Sale Funds be in accordance with the Diocese of Algoma Act, 1953.

d) That wherever possible a portion of the investment earnings, equal to the increase in the housing component of the consumer radix be capitalized on an annual basis.

e) i) That the parishes be allowed to regularly draw the remainder of such investment, if so desired, for the purpose of meeting the cost of housing, or paying a living allowance to the incumbent.

ii) In the case of an assisted parish the remainder of such investment earnings be drawn for the purpose of meeting the cost of housing or paying a living allowance to the incumbent.

iii) Where such income disbursements are proposed or requested for other purposes the approval of the Executive Committee will be required

(November 2013)

That an Unused Lands and Buildings Commission be established on the following terms:

Mandate:

a) To produce and maintain an inventory of property held by “The Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Algoma” that is not being used, and is most unlikely to ever be used, for Church purposes.

b) To recommend the disposition of property and buildings on this inventory and to make the necessary arrangements for its sale or transfer by other means such as a transfer to the local municipalities or to volunteer heritage groups. The final decision on the sale or transfer of such property is to be made by the Bishop and the Officers of “The Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Algoma” or a majority of the Officers if not all are available for consultation. These designated Officers of the Corporation are the Chancellor, the Registrar, the Executive Archdeacon, and the Treasurer.

Membership:

The members of the Commission shall be the Dean (Chair), the Chancellor, and a person appointed by the Bishop. The members of the Commission may invite others to work in collaboration with them on various matters.

Cost:

The expenses of this work will be paid through existing and future revenue from property sales. It will be self-funding.

Reporting:

The Commission will work in consultation with the Treasurer and will report to the Executive Committee through the Treasurer.

Term:

Two years at which time the Executive Committee will review the Commission’s (a) mandate, (b) performance, (c) membership and may then continue the Commission for a further period of time, make such modifications to the Commission as the Executive Committee considers appropriate, or dissolve the Commission.