General Assembly Council Task force recommends against proposal to incorporate Presbyterian Disaster Assistance The Layman Online Friday, April 25, 2008 LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The task force appointed to study the benefits of incorporating Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) on Wednesday recommended against proceeding with the incorporation. Additional resources Special Report: After Katrina Special Report, Part 2: After Katrina PDA Sits on $12 Million in Relief Funds PDA Envisions Mega Corporation: Locals Say They Do It Better The Rev. Joseph Johnson of Evergreen Presbyterian Church in Dothan, Alabama, and chairman of the task force said during a morning meeting of the General Assembly Council at the Brown Hotel that "we are not convinced that the hopes and advantages … will be realized sufficiently by incorporation to warrant the expense, and time necessary." The GAC planned to discuss the recommendation in meetings Thursday and bring it back to the floor for potential action Friday. On Wednesday, the task force recognized the multiple challenges and expenses involved with incorporation as they heard from legal and financial counsel. Among the concerns raised were increased accounting and administrative expenses, inefficiency, risk management, unreliable funding sources and financial management capabilities. Insurance and risk management costs were cited to possibly be as high as $221,000. The expense of creating and maintaining the incorporation, the task force decided, proved higher than anticipated. Discussing the merits of incorporation, task force members asked two questions: 1. How does the Presbyterian Church (USA) as a denomination respond effectively to disasters. 2. Is incorporating the PDA the best way to respond? There also was concern that the GAC seemed to believe that incorporation of the PDA was a good idea and was wondering why it had taken as long as it has. Rev. Johnson told The Layman Online that the task force had met three times since November 2007. The Layman ran a series of articles critical of the fact that the PCUSA has spent only $12 million of the $23 million raised in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina, Wilma and Rita more than two years ago and that local churches informally networking were more effective in responding to victims of the storms.

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