Inter-American Division
Secretaries and TreasurERS Council
COMMITTED TO THE MISSION
August 27th - September 1st, 2023
Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa
243 Tresser Boulevard
Stamford, Connecticut 06901
“To glorify God, and under the influence of the Holy Spirit, lead every convert to experience a personal and transforming relationship with Christ, enabling the believer to become a disciple in sharing the everlasting Gospel with everyone”
WELCOME
Elie Henry
President
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Leonard Johnson
Executive Secretary
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Ivelisse Herrera
Treasurer
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Special Guest Speakers
Paul Douglas
Treasurer/CFO
Gerson Santos
Associate Secretary
Karnik Doukmetzian
General Counsel
Filiberto Verduzco
Former Treasurer
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Roy Cortez
Associate Director
Auditing Service
Robin W. Kajiura
Executive Director
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Hermes Tavera
PastorGreater New York ConferenceSeventh-day Adventist Church
Travel, VENUE & Weather
Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa
243 Tresser Boulevard
Stamford, Connecticut 06901
🌐 Website
Check-In: Aug 27, 2023 4 PM
Check-Out: Sep 01, 2023 11 AM
Please observe the Check In and Out dates and times and double check your itinerary.
This modern hotel in downtown Stamford is a mile from the University of Connecticut-Stamford and 5.5 miles from the Stamford Museum & Nature Center.
Traditional rooms feature high-thread-count sheets, coffeemakers and minifridges, plus flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi.
There’s an American bistro and an upscale bar, plus indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness room and a spa. Other amenities include a business center and 27,000 sq ft of meeting space.
Weather Forecast
Expect rain and temperatures between 64° and 84°F during the dates of the event.
Current Weather
Health advisory
As of 12:01 am EDT May 12, 2023, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States. See more information.
INTERNET
Internet access will be provided and paid by the Inter-American Division. Authentication information will be provided upon arrival.
HOTEL TO AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
Please click the button below and check your GROUP and TIME you must be at Front Desk to be taken to the airport.
Insurance
Please purchase Short Term Travel Insurance with Adventist Risk Management (ARM).
This is mandatory because in the case of any eventuality the Inter-American Division is not responsible for any expense incurred.
Click the button below to go the the ARM website and obtain your insurance.
Dress
The dress code is business casual. We are going on a tour on Wednesday. Please wear a white T-Shirt or Polo, and bring comfortable shoes. The walking distances are going to be long, so plan accordingly.
Be aware of the temperature and weather changes to ensure you will be comfortable.
We have provided real-time weather information on this site for your convenience.
Meals
August 27, 2023
Registration:
Will be in the Auditorium Foyer from 3:30 - 5:30 PM
Per diem:
You will receive your per diem at the time of registration. Those who arrive after registration will receive it on Monday at noon in the auditorium.
Dinner:
Will be served at the Pavilion from 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Opening Program:
Auditorium 7:30 - 9:15 PM
August 28, 2023
Breakfast and lunch will be provided, but you will be responsible for dinner.
August 29, 2023
Breakfast and lunch will be provided, but you will be responsible for dinner.
Free Afternoon (August 29)
August 30, 2023
Breakfast 6:00 - 7:15 AM
Devotional 7:30 - 7:50 AM
Day Tour 8:00 AM
August 31, 2023
Breakfast and Lunch will be provided, but you will be responsible for Dinner.
September 1, 2023
Breakfast 6:00 - 7:30 AM
Announcements & instructions
Translation will be provided utilizing an app on your smartphones, please remember to bring headphones
Translation services are via ZOOM.
Zoom link for Plenary:
program schedule
SELECT DATE AND TRACK BELOW TO VIEW SCHEDULE AND VIDEO CONFERENCING LINK
Sunday, August 27 - OPENING SEsSION Treasurers' & Secretaries'
Meeting Room: SALON (F&E)
7:30 - 7:32 PM Prayer
7:33 - 7:40 PM Welcome Video
7:41 - 7:56 PM Greetings and Objectives
Pr. L. Johnson, I. Herrera
7:57 - 8:01 PM Special Music
Roberto Brown
8:02 - 8:04 PM Speaker Introduction
Pr. L. Johnson
8:05 - 8:30 PM Message
Pr. Elie Henry
8:31 - 8:51 PM Secretaries and Treasurers Recognition
8:52 - 8:56 PM Special Music
Verónica Izábal
8:57 - 9:00 PM Closing Prayer
Pr. Samuel Telemaque
9:00 - 9:15 PM General Information
Elizabeth Christian
monday, August 28 - TREASURers
6:00 - 7:50 AM
Breakfast - Pavilion
8:00 - 8:30 AM
Devotional - Salon E & F
Gerson Santos
8:30 - 10:00 AM
Plenary - Salon E & F
Building Trust – Why transparency and accountability are essential for the SDA Church - Robin Kajiura
Treasury Meeting Room: Salon D & C
10:15 - 11:15 AM
Our Financial System A look at some Trends - Ivelisse Herrera
11:15 - 12:30 PM
Money and God's Work - Hermes Tavera
12:30 - 2:00 PM
Lunch - Pavilion
Treasury Meeting Room: Salon D & C
2:00 - 2:15 PM
Adventist Risk Management Inc. - Daisy Taruc
2:15 - 3:30 PM
Financial Oversight - How the SDA Church Implements Transparency and Accountability - Robyn Kajiura
3:30 - 4:45 PM
GCAS 2024 Working Plan and Q & A Session - Robyn Kajiura and Roy Cortez
4:45 - 5:45 PM
Threats and Strengths of the Financial System - Filiberto Verduzco
5:45 - 6:00 PM
Final Comments and Prayer
DINNER ON YOUR OWN
monday, August 28 - SECRETARIes
6:00 - 7:50 AM
Breakfast - Pavilion
8:00 - 8:30 AM
Devotional - Salon E & F
Gerson Santos
8:40 - 10:00 AM
Plenary - Salon E & F
Building Trust – Why Transparency and Accountability are Essential for the SDA Church - Robin Kajiura
10:05 - 10:55 AM
Role of the Executive Secretary - Gerson Santos
11:00 - 11:50 AM
Reporting and Deadlines - Pedro Iglesias
11:55 - 12:30 PM
The Administrative Assistant of the Secretariat - Susy Perla-Longa
12:30 - 2:00 PM
Lunch - Pavilion
2:00 - 2:50 PM
More than Statistics - Leonard Johnson
3:00 - 3:50 PM
Secretariat Matters - Janelle Scantlebury
4:00 - 4:50 PM
Preparing for an Evaluation of the Office of Secretariat - Gerson Santos
5:00 - 5:50 PM
Secretarial Activities - Leonard Johnson
DINNER ON YOUR OWN
tuesday, August 29- Treasurers
6:00 - 7:50 AM
Breakfast - Pavilion
8:00 - 8:30 AM
Devotional - Salon E & F
Filiberto Verduzco
8:30 - 9:50 AM
Plenary - Salon E & F
Avoiding Legal Landmines - Karnik Doukmetzian
10:00 - 11:10 AM
Plenary - Salon E & F
Conflict of Interest and Statement of Ethical Foundation - Karnik Doukmetzian
Treasury Meeting Room: Salon D & C
11:10 - 12:10 PM
Money and God's Work - Hermes Tavera
12:10 - 1:00 PM
SunPlus An Integral Financial Platform - Antonio De La Mota
1:00 - 2:30
Lunch - Pavilion
FREE TIME
tuesday, August 29 - Secretaries
6:00 - 7:50 AM
Breakfast - Pavilion
8:00 - 8:30 AM
Devotional - Salon E & F
Filiberto Verduzco
8:40 - 9:50 AM
Plenary - Salon E & F
Avoiding Legal Landmines - Karnik Doukmetzian
10:00 - 11:10 AM
Conflict of Interest and Statement of Ethical Foundation - Karnik Doukmetzian
11:20 - 12:10 PM
Redemptive Membership Review - Gerson Santos
12:20 - 1:00 PM
Employee Protection Plan - Elizabeth Christian
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Lunch - Pavilion
FREE AFTERNOON
WEDNESDAY, august 30 - TREASURERS
6:00 - 7:15 AM
Breakfast - Pavilion
7:15 - 7:55 AM
Devotional - Salon E & F
Leonard Johnson
8:00 AM - ALL DAY GROUP TOUR NYC
WEDNESDAY, august 30 - Secretaries
6:00 - 7:15 AM
Breakfast - Pavilion
7:15 - 7:55 AM
Devotional - Salon E & F
Leonard Johnson
8:00 AM - ALL DAY NYC TOUR
Thursday, August 31 - TREASURERS
6:00 - 7:50 AM
Breakfast - Pavilion
8:00 - 8:30 AM
Devotional - Salon E & F
Elie Henry
8:40 - 10:00 AM
Plenary - Salon E & F
Best Practice of Organizational Governance -
Paul Douglas
Treasury Meeting Room: Salon D & C
10:15 - 11:15 AM
Money and God's Work - Hermes Tavera
11:15 - 12:30 PM
Best Practice of Financial Administration - Paul Douglas
12:30 - 2:00 PM
Lunch - Pavilion
Treasury Meeting Room: Salon D & C
2:00 - 2:30 PM
Case Studies - Juan Jose Moran
2:30 - 3:10 PM
SunPlus An Integral Financial Platform - Antonio De La Mota
3:10 - 4:00 PM
Ecclesia7 - an overview - Lorenzo Verduzco
4:00 - 4:20 PM
Innovating for the Mission - Union Treasurers
4:20 - 5:00 PM
Helping our Local Fields, A Consultation - Ivelisse Herrera
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Mobilizing Resources for the Mission - Paul Douglas
6:00 PM
Final Comments and Prayer
DINNER ON YOUR OWN
Thursday, August 31 - Secretaries
6:00 - 7:50 AM
Breakfast - Pavilion
8:00 - 8:30 AM
Devotional - Salon E & F
Elie Henry
8:40 - 10:20 AM
Plenary - Salon E & F
Best Practice of Organizational Governance - Paul Douglas
10:30 - 11:20 AM
Minutes - Janelle Scantlebury
11:30 - 12:20 PM
Unwrap the Gift - Denise Johnson
12:30 - 2:00 PM
Lunch - Pavilion
2:00 - 3:50 PM
ERS - Oscar Niño
4:00 - 4:50 PM
Mission Refocus - Samuel Telemaque
5:00 - 5:50 PM
Employee Benefit Plan - E. Henry, L. Johnson, P. Iglesias, J. Morán
DINNER ON YOUR OWN
RESOURCES & Downloads
AVOIDING LEGAL LAnDMINES
Conflict of Interest and Statement of Ethical Foundations
service committees
Event Oversight Administrators: Leonard Johnson and Ivelisse Herrera
Assistants: Susy Longa y Karen Moodie
HOUSING
Responsibility:
Hotel accommodation, Meals (Menu), meetings rooms, etc.
Members:
Liza Christian (President)
Leticia Leito
Luisa De La Mota
Transportation
Responsibility:
Coordinate transportation from/to airport for the participants and presenters
Members:
Liza Christian (President)
Giselle Brown
Tony De La Mota
Program
Responsibility:
Prepare Digital General Program.
Programs for breakout group
Members:
Susy Longa (President)
Karen Moodie
Registration
Responsibility:
Gifts for participants, badges, materials.
Token of appreciation for presenters.
Members:
Liza Christian (President)
Susy Longa
Karen Moodie
Gisselle Brown
Translation
Responsibility:
Coordinate the translators for plenaries and for breakout group
Members:
Roberto Brown (President)
Susy Longa
In addition to the persons who are participating in the council and can help with translation, two other persons are being invited to help with translation:
1. Pastor Marlon Moodie - Secretaries
2. Pastor Reynold Rodriguez – Treasurers (He resides in NY)
Technology
Responsibility:
Technology Support
Members:
Tony De La Mota (President)
Osman Longa
Prayer
Responsibility:
Coordinate prayers in plenary
Members:
Pr. Samuel Telemaque (President)
City Tours
Responsibility:
Coordinate tours for Tuesday and Wednesday. (Place to visit, tickets, transportation, etc.)
Members:
Liza Christian (President)
Abilio Cima
Leticia Leito
Juan Jose Moran
Suggestions for the city tours:
Tuesday 28th – Statute of Liberty- Guided Tour.
To consider to offer a dinner for the group that day, if the budget allows it.
Wednesday 29th - City tours (Hop on- Hop off for all participants) After that, to make a plan to leave options open for those who would like to go to the Museum of History/Central Park or go shopping. And setting a point and time for the group to meet to return to the hotel.
Health
Responsibility:
Provide Health assistance as needed
Members:
Denise Johnson (President)
Luisa De La Mota
Feedback / EVALUATION
EVALUATION QR CODE
Scan this QR Code with your cell phone and answer the Council Evaluation form.