Clergy Spouse Handbook - Wisconsin Conference United Methodist ...

HANDBOOK 2010 submitted.docPage 6 of 51 PagesPART IChapter 1MOVINGThe Wisconsin Annual Conference has used Graebel Moving & Storage (founded in Wausau) asthe primary mover of household goods and office materials to new pastoral appointments forover 20 years. Pastors may request the use of an alternate professional mover that meets theConference EEOC and insurance standards, etc. Because we arrange for direct billing to theMoving Director, the Conference Treasurer pays all approved invoices. That means that ourpastors are not required to pay large bills before their moving van is unloaded. After the move iscompleted, charge-backs for excess weight, packing costs, etc. are calculated and the ConferenceTreasurer bills the pastor. On the other hand, pastors who have less to move may want to do aself-move. The Moving Director must approve self-moves in advance. The pastor usually paysfor those costs and then requests reimbursement for truck & equipment rental fuel, tolls, andpacking materials. Receipts must accompany reimbursement requests for personal expenditures.Conference Moving Policy is stated in Section 20.0.0 in the Conference Journal. Among theimportant provisions is the requirement that the pastor pay the cost for weight over 12,000pounds. The somewhat greater weight and packing allowances for pastor couples are stated inthe policy. The Cabinet may also stipulate a dollar limit on interstate and international moves.Section 20.2.1 of the policy states the assumption that “. . . the pastor shall sort and discard manyitems of questionable value before moving.” It is also says, “The pastor is responsible for his/herown packing. A $200 packing allowance is available to each pastor. Unused packing allowancemay apply to overweight costs.” (Section 20.2.2) There are several other cost-saving restrictions.In particular, large and /or bulky items such as boats, riding mowers and snow blowers, fragileitems, grandfather & grandmother clocks, and grand pianos are likely to incur mandatorysurcharges and weight add-ons that will be charged-back to the person moving. Unlike corporateand governmental moves, we do not pay professional movers to wrap and pack dishes, packboxes, etc. If those services are needed the pastor will be charged.Because there is great variety in the circumstances of pastoral moves and changes in the movingindustry, it is important to inquire about a possible move as early as practical. The DS and theConference Moving Director are persons to consult.For further information, contact the Conference Moving Director. He is listed in the ConferenceDirectory and Conference Journal. E-mail MovingDirector@WisconsinUMC.orgChapter 2ADJUSTING TO NEW JOBSClergy and many other occupations are part of systems that require periodic moves to differentlocations. The trailing spouses experience career and job challenges. The trailing partners mayend up under employed or unemployed. Family roles and responsibilities must be faced.Financial needs are real. Yet, we must trust in God, set career goals, and be flexible.