EXPERIENCING THE B+E+S+T CONFERENCE

[May 25, 2023]  Each year, members of the B+E+S+T Association (an acronym for Bishops Executive Secretaries Together) gather together from around the world for a highly anticipated conference designed especially for "BESTies."  The provinces of The Episcopal Church take turns hosting the annual event, and this year, the conference was held in Province VIII, Portland, Oregon earlier this month.  Nani Carroll, who is Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick's Executive Assistant since March, attended the conference. Bishops from Province VIII were in attendance, including Bishop Bob (below fourth from left) who served on the Panel of Bishops.

​"The conference was the perfect place for me to meet others, and to really learn the ins and outs of what it means to be the 'Bishop’s Executive Assistant,'” said Nani.  "There are so many things that are unique to this position, as well as learning about the Episcopal Church as a whole. Having this resource has already come in handy in my daily work."  ​

On their website, B+E+S+T is described as "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."

"It’s a safe place, of like-minded, professionals to network and share resources as well as other support." - Nani Carroll

​Pictured above is Nani in the front row (blue jacket) with Province VIII "BESTies." In the back is the Rev. Scott Gunn, from the Diocese of Southern Ohio and Executive Director of Forward Movement.

Founded in 1986, two former Bishops of Hawai'i played a key role in B+E+S+T's formation.  At the time, the Presiding Bishop was the Most Reverend Edmund Browning, and former Bishop of Hawai'i. His assistant was the Reverend Richard S. O. Chang, who would also become the Bishop of Hawai'i later.  Noting that there was an organization for almost every group of persons associated with the Episcopal Church except Bishops’ Secretaries, Marlene Elacqua (Albany) dreamed of creating one.  She contacted Father Chang about the possibility of forming a network of Bishops’ Secretaries.  The Presiding Bishop liked the idea and funded the exploratory meetings led by Marlene.  In 1988, the first B+E+S+T meeting was held in San Francisco, with Bishop Browning present.

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Sybil Nishioka, Editor
Photos:  Nani Carroll, B+E+S+T Facebook page, Emily Davenport