B+E+S+T is a professional association of members who have a desire to keep on top of emerging trends and technologies and the willingness to share expertise with each other across Provinces. Members helping members is how we share best practices, tips and tricks with each other at our Annual Conference each spring, as well as personal connections (phone calls, emails), providing a network of resources to one another.
B+E+S+T Members,
It has been a hot (literally hot!) minute since our 2024 Conference, and I wanted to connect with you and introduce you to YOUR current B+E+S+T Board and share a few other bits of information.
At the 2024 Conference we elected a new Vice President, Emily Davenport of West Missouri, and a new Member at Large, Jessica Lee of Louisiana. With the election of Emily as our Vice President that left our Secretary position open, and I have appointed as Secretary, Marlys Fratzke of South Dakota to fulfill that vacated term. We will hold an election for a B+E+S+T Secretary at our 2025 Conference in St. Louis, MO.
Please help me welcome our new B+E+S+T Board members!
In addition, I have asked Sandra Beld of Tennessee and the Rev. Michelle Danson of Colorado to continue as our communications person and B+E+S+T Chaplain. I express my thanks and gratitude for your service!
As always, you can find your B+E+S+T Board members with our contact information on the B+E+S+T Website with Province Representatives along with a multitude of information.
Another item I ask for your consideration is for YOU, our amazing B+E+S+T Membership, to consider serving on a task force that helps us think about how we “do” conferences. I know that many of you are well versed in hosting and planning conferences within your diocese, and some of you find that to be one of the highlights in your career. If this is you, PLEASE contact me! I am pulling together a small group of B+E+S+Ties for a Conference Task Force and if you are interested, I would love to hear from you! I also would love to hear if you have any ideas—but are not interested in serving on the task force. My email, text, and phone are ALWAYS open and available to you! (kdunn@epicenter.org; 936-366-5506)
Finally, I know that as an Episcopal community we are in the midst of transition that is full of excitement! (Congratulations Presiding Bishop Elect Sean Rowe!) While I love the excitement, I am also keenly aware how these changes can also breed anxiety and an added layer of stress in our unique position in supporting our Purple Shirts. Please reach out to your fellow B+E+S+Ties and allow us to be the community of support to you—not only professionally but in all ways share and welcome support. You do not work in a silo or a vacuum!
My B+E+S+T to each of you,
Kathy Dunn, President, Diocese of Texas
YOUR B+E+S+T Board:
Kathy Dunn, President, Diocese of Texas
Emily Davenport, Vice President, Diocese of West Missouri
Janet Adam, Treasurer, Diocese of Long Island
Marlys Fratzke, Secretary, Diocese of South Dakota
Jessica Lee, Member at Large, Diocese of Louisiana
Sandra Beld, Communications, Diocese of Tennessee
Jillian Smith, 2025 Conference Co-Chair, Diocese of Missouri
Janet Brinkworth, 2025 Conference Co-Chair, Diocese of Indianapolis
Holly Davis, Past President, Diocese of Western Louisiana
The Rev. Michelle Dandon, Chaplain, Diocese of Colorado
As an incorporated 501(c)(3) association, B+E+S+T empowers our members through networking and education to value our ministry and to support the ministry of our bishops and the wider church.
We are over 30 years strong – In 1988, our first conference was held in San Francisco with initial funding and support from Archbishop Edmond Browning. There were approximately 60 members at that first conference.
With a current membership of approximately 130, our members are the primary administrative support persons for active bishops of the Episcopal Church. Guest members include the primary administrative support persons for active bishops in the Anglican Communion (outside of TEC) and any denomination in communion with The Episcopal Church (TEC).
Our association is supported mainly by our bishops, the national church (ex: Presiding Bishop’s office, Church Pension Group, etc), and our members.