Moving Information for Clergy
of the Wisconsin Conference-The United Methodist Church

View the:
2004 Moving Rules and Policies of the Wisconsin Conference
Rule Revision that Changes the Timeline for Clergy Appointment Moves (Effective 2004)

Specific questions may be directed to MovingDirector@WisconsinUMC.org.

District Superintendent's Moving Request Form

To:      Wisconsin Conference Pastors and Families Moving in 2005
From:  John E. Moffatt
Date:   May 2005
Re:      IRS Form 1099 and Packing Information

IRS 1099. [Lisa King, Director of Finance and Administration, asked that I pass this along.] After December 31, 2005, you will be receiving an IRS Form 1099 from the Conference Finance Office reporting the amount of moving expenses paid by the Conference on your behalf, less any reimbursement for excess moving costs that the Finance Office has received from you by December 31, 2005. This amount is to be included in your gross income for income tax purposes and, subject to certain limitations, qualifies as a deduction. If you have questions or concerns about this, please contact the Conference Finance Office directly.

DAMAGE CLAIM DEADLINES. Claims for damage to a building (walls, doors, etc.) should be made no later than THIRTY (30) days after your move.

Claims for damaged household goods must be made within NINETY (90) days after you move.

In either case, you must contact the mover's office and request the appropriate claims form. (For Graebel Movers, call 1-800-373-4281.)

CONFERENCE CHARGE-BACK RATE FOR 2005. Based on the average of our professional moves in 2004, the excess weight charge-back rate for loads over 12,000 pounds (15,000 pounds for clergy couples) in 2005 is 29¢ per pound.

PICKING THE RIGHT BOX. Talking with the General Manager at Graebel's Wausau Office earlier this year, I learned a bit about boxes.

1. If you have stored cartons in a humid basement or garage where they could get damp, they may have lost their full strength. Use them for light-weight items and alert movers with markings like "Do Not Stack."
2. New boxes made from corrugated cardboard containing recycled paper may not be as strong as you expect. Learn to look at the round Box Manufacturer's Certificate (BMC) printed on the bottom of corrugated cartons. You will find results from the Burst Test [Mullen Burst Test] for stacked cartons, or the newer Edge Crush Test. Each tells the maximum strength or weight capacity for boxes made from that particular kind of corrugated cardboard. Internet users can find more information about each test. Just go to Google and type in the test name.

GETTING BOXES FROM STORES. [Our $200.00 packing allowance has not increased and the cost of cardboard has risen. Here is a way to make your allowance go farther. If you try it, please let me know which locations(s) you contacted and how it worked. jem] A tip from an evaluation survey told me that Wal-Mart stores may be a good source for boxes. This is how one Wal-Mart store does it. Go to the Lay Away Desk a couple days before you need the boxes. They ask for 48-hours notice. Ask them to save boxes for moving. They will probably ask for you name and a phone number. The two times I did this, they called to tell me when the boxes were ready. In return, the store may also ask for a donation to some charity (e.g., Wisconsin Children's Hospital) at the time you pick up the boxes. You may be allowed to request two cartloads of boxes at a time. When they restock shelves, boxes are folded and placed on edge into a cart. They seem to make an effort to include a good variety of sizes and weights. Having several of the same kind of box can be helpful for books, etc. I have also been told that because customers do not always returned to pick up cartons, some Wal-Mart stores are reluctant to save cartons.

MOVE REPORT AND EVALUATION SURVEY. Starting in 2005, I will send a Move Report letter to people using a professional mover a few days after the invoice has been reviewed and approved. That report will include dates, actual weight and cost information, allowance data, and tell whether (and how much) you will be asked to reimburse the Conference for excess weight or packing costs.

A copy of our annual Moving Evaluation Survey and return envelope will also be enclosed.

Moving Evaluation Survey
This survey is interactive. You can complete the survey on your computer and then print it out.

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