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

OUR MISSION STATEMENT
“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

Inter-American Divisoin of
Seventh-day Adventist Church

Leonard Johnson
Executive Secretary

Inter-American Division of
Seventh-day Adventist Church

Ivelisse Herrera
Treasurer

Inter-American Division of
Seventh-day Adventist Church

Special Guest Speakers

Paul Douglas
Treasurer/CFO

Seventh-day Adventist Church

Gerson Santos
Associate Secretary

Seventh-day Adventist Church

Karnik Doukmetzian
General Counsel

Seventh-day Adventist Church

Filiberto Verduzco
Former Treasurer

Inter-American Division of
Seventh-day Adventist Church

Roy Cortez
Associate Director

General Conference
Auditing Service

Robin W. Kajiura
Executive Director

Auditing Service
Seventh-day Adventist Church

Hermes Tavera

PastorGreater New York Conference
Seventh-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:   

CLICK HERE

Treasurers' Announcements:

CLICK HERE

 

Secretaries' Announcements:

 CLICK HERE


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 ChurchRobin 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

Conflict of Interest and Statement of Ethical Foundations

Karnik Doukmetzian (GC) - PDF Presentation

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.