GBOPHB Launches Redesigned CCPI
Web Site
For Immediate Release
February 19, 2008
Contact: M. Colette Nies, Managing Director, Communications
(847) 866-4296 or cnies@gbophb.org
Evanston, IL—The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (General Board) launched the redesigned Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI) Web site today, enabling online pledges. The launch occurs as the General Board celebrates 100 years of providing U.S. pensions—CCPI is the first step in extending the pension reach to those outside the U.S. conferences.
The Web site project team, headed by Central Conference Pensions’ managing director Dan O’Neill, has prepared the site in collaboration with United Methodist Communications (UMCom) headquartered in Nashville.
“We are eternally grateful to UMCom for helping us get the word out about the CCPI since April 2005. The new Web site accepts online campaign pledges, facilitating fund-raising efforts,” said O’Neill. “Packed with videos, news and personal stories, the new Web site continues to make CCPI information and resources accessible to a global audience.”
General Secretary Barbara Boigegrain remarked, “Providing retirement financial security to central conference clergy is an important goal of the General Board. This Web site will foster awareness of CCPI fund-raising efforts, as we share the goal of helping central conference clergy afford the basic necessities of life in retirement.”
The Web site contents are informational and educational:
- History and the goals of the initiative—click “About the CCPI”;
- Personal accounts from central conference retired clergy and surviving spouses—click “Personal Narratives”;
- News about the initiative, updates and information on pilot projects and donations, and examples of the difference CCPI is making—click “News and Announcements”;
- Answers to frequently requested information about CCPI—click “FAQs”; and
- A form for submitting questions about CCPI—click “Contact Us.”
To learn more about CCPI or to explore the new Web site, visit www.ccpi-umc.org.
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About the Central Conference Pension Initiative
The Central Conference Pension Initiative is designed to become a long-term solution and a foundation for retirement security for dedicated church leaders who would otherwise have little or nothing to support them when their careers in ministry end.
There are 66 annual and provisional annual conferences in 38 countries outside the United States. The complexities of local law, cultures, history and traditions in these diverse areas present a variety of challenges in establishing pension programs. A pilot project is under way in Liberia and one is set to begin in Mozambique in January 2009. CCPI continues to explore ways to expand pension assistance to additional conferences.
About the General Board
The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits is a not-for-profit administrative agency of The United Methodist Church, responsible for the general supervision and administration of the retirement, health and welfare benefit plans, programs and funds for more than 74,000 clergy and lay employees of the Church.
The General Board is the largest faith-based pension fund in the United States and ranks among the top 100 pension funds in the country. As a socially responsible investor, the General Board is actively involved in shareholder advocacy, proxy voting, portfolio screening and community investing. This year, 2008, is the General Board’s centennial year of caring for those who serve.
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