Faces of Grace: Rob McDonald, Treasurer

Mar 4, 2020 | Updates

Rob is the volunteer Treasurer at Grace and works in the office most mornings. As a former teacher and certified accountant, Rob enjoys using his skills. Part of being a member of the church is offering gifts of time, talent and treasure – together these encompass stewardship. Rob embodies all three as the keeper of the gifts of treasure, and by offering his time and talent.

Giving Back

When Rob retired, he wanted to use his skills to give back and enjoys it. Known for his attention to detail and dry sense of humour, Rob says, “People don’t suddenly dry up when they become seniors.” Being a volunteer also gives him a “flexibility” that is uncommon when one is an employee.

A Custodial Role

Being the Treasurer means providing transparency and accountability. It is a “custodial role,” Rob says. “I ensure Grace’s finances are in order.” This means prioritizing what can be done and calling on volunteers, such as members of the finance committee, to complete additional tasks.

Responsibilities of the Treasurer

The Treasurer’s responsibilities include:

reporting to government agencies such as the Canada Revenue Agency
ensuring procedures and controls are in place
generating financial statements and reports
developing a budget and overseeing committee budgets
attending finance committee meetings and special projects
running payroll
generating tax receipts
ensuring finances run smoothly, from payroll, to recording offerings, to managing bills

Staying Current and Convenient

Being current and convenient is important, Rob says. While people used to rely on the envelope system, making cash or cheque offerings, now they want more options. “An increasing number of people don’t have cheques, don’t carry cash and can only donate online, through pre-authorized payments, or using an electronic device,” Rob says. Others travel, are home-bound, or can’t always make it in.

Online Giving Launched in 2019

In 2019, Rob set up an account for Grace through Canada Helps, which offers online donation tools for Canadian charities. This launched in December, is on the website under the “Donate” heading, and is especially useful during the sudden changes due to COVID-19, and is the online giving option used alongside 3 in 1 Worship Episodes.

Rob has also ordered a debit machine that will be set up in the office for debit and credit card offerings, and purchases of things such as workshops and book studies.

Giving Options Are Personal

Everyone has a different financial situation, needs, and requests, Rob says. This means people make offerings in multiple ways. What the offering options are has been a frequently asked question at Grace for some time, and more so during the pandemic.

Current giving options:

Pre-authorized offerings (allows automated bank withdrawals – please email Rob for details at robm@gracecalgary.org)
Credit Card/PayPal – use the Canada Helps online giving option through the Donate tab on the Grace website (Tax receipts are issued by Canada Helps)
Cheques – these can be mailed into the office, with your Grace envelope or with a note stating your envelope number (please do not mail cash)
Legacy giving in a will or donations of securities (tax efficient). If interested, please contact Rob.