Ways and Means Committee

      Gimli and Area Catholic Churches Ways and Means Committee

                                                      Terms of Reference

In 2018, the parking lot across the street from St. Michael’s Church was put on the market by the previous owner, Imperial Oil.  The parking lot had been used by the church for many decades through an arrangement with Imperial Oil.  It was purchased by the Archdiocese on behalf of the parish for a price of $142,000.  A Ways & Means committee was struck to start fundraising activities to pay for the land and look for possible future uses.  As the debt continued to be paid down, and the needs of the churches evolved the committee mandate has evolved too.  The Committee now oversees many administrative and operational functions of our churches, St. Michael’s, St. Benedict’s, Precious Blood and Our Lady of the Lake, as well as many different land holdings.   The following represents terms of reference on how our committee exists, it’s authority, who it reports to, it’s mandate, how committee members are recruited, voting procedures, how meetings are conducted, amongst other points.

1)     A ways and means committee was established in 2018 by Father Mike Nwoso to pursue uses of the parking lot other than for parking.  This was changed to a church finance committee in 2023 by Father Stan Gacek due to pressing financial needs of the churches.  As the role of the committee has now expanded to undertake various administrative, financial and operational needs, in 2025, it was renamed to Gimli and Area Catholic Churches Ways and Means Committee.  It exists and receives its mandate from the parish priest.

2)     The mandate of the committee is to oversee the financial affairs of St. Michael’s and mission churches and raise money to pay off the debt to the Archdiocese, whatever the cause of the debt may be, from the purchase of the parking lot, and, undertake much needed major repairs to the churches, lands, rectory and other assets.

3)     Members of the committee are recruited to fill positions on the committee as needs grow.  Members will be from St. Michael’s parish starting with our parish priest and representatives of each of Our Lady of the Lake and St. Benedict’s.  Members of the committee are recommended to and approved by existing committee members. It may include members of the P.P.C.

4)     The Chair will be one of the trustees of St. Michael’s, or the Priest if he should desire to hold that position himself. Sub-committees are created by the committee with Chairs appointed as the committee deems necessary to carry out its mandate effectively.  Sub-committees are:

-        Finance

-        Fundraising

-        Real Estate and Land Holdings

-        Public Relations/Communications 

-        Governance, Planning & Strategy

-        Facility Administration

-        Program Development and Delivery

5)     The Chair and Co-Chair positions are filled or confirmed at an annual  meeting in the last three months  of every year, first by nominations from the floor and secondly confirmed by consensus.

6)     Terms for Chair and Co-Chair will be for three years.  There is no limit on the number of terms.

7)     Committee meetings will be held as per Robert’s Rules of Order with the exception that, in line with parish pastoral council norms, decisions are made on a consensus basis.

8)     Minutes will be recorded for all meetings and posted on the St. Michael’s Parish Gimli website.

9)     A report on committee activities will be created on an annual basis.

10)  A report will published in the church bulletin four times per year summarizing financial results to date, as well as verbal presentations to those churches requesting one.

Minutes Sept 19, 2026