One of Canada’s foremost experts in philanthropy has been appointed interim director of General Synod’s Resources for Mission Department, the group charged with promoting stewardship and developing partnerships throughout the church.
Monica Patten, chair of the Resources for Mission coordinating committee, will take up the position in January. She succeeds Vianney (Sam) Carriere who has served as interim director and director since 2010. The Rt. Rev. Rob Hardwick, bishop of Qu’Appelle and a member of the committee, will succeed her as chair of the coordinating committee.
Ms. Patten, who lives in Ottawa, is the retired president and chief executive officer of Community Foundations of Canada. She is a recipient of the Order of Canada and the Anglican Award of Merit. She has served two triennia as chair of General Synod’s Financial Management Committee.
Resources for Mission encompasses the General Synod’s annual giving opportunities, stewardship education and development, planned giving and major gifts, and other initiatives.
Mr. Carriere’s resignation as director and Ms. Patten’s appointment as interim is in recognition of the changing needs and directions of the department. Mr. Carriere’s term was meant to solidify the department as a team and formulate guiding principles under which it would go forward.
A recent operational review of the department noted that Mr. Carriere had achieved those goals, and that the department is now poised to benefit from leadership with expertise, a track record in fundraising and development, and that is grounded in the life of the church.