Board of ACPE, Inc.Governance Restructuring

A Draft Study Document

Some History about the Process

January, 2009 the ACPE Board created a taskforce to carry out a

self-study of organizational structure (SOS) and expenses.

Fall, 2009 regional presentations of SOS findings;

recommendations and feedback solicited.

Historical Process of this Study Document, Cont’d.

Fall, 2009 With feedback from Regions, ACPE Board voted to

implement the Phase One Recommendations on immediate cost containment items. Two examples were:

Eliminating print newsletter and moving to E-Newsletter (actual savings: $3500.00)

Eliminating Past President Position (actual savings: $4500.00)

Work Group on Association Governance and Organization

November, 2009 Work Group on Association Governance and

Organization formed Motion # 51, Fall 2009 Board Minutes

September, 2010 Work Group presented Study Document to Board Board voted to take Study Document to Regions

The Work Group

Three Tasks

Clarify expectations and structures related to management and leadership of ACPE professional staff

Determine organizational value of representative basis for ACPE Board, Commissions and Committees

Research benefits and losses in regard to decreasing number of regions in ACPE

ACPE Board Offers

Developed a new Mission/Vision/Values Statement for discussion and feedback

Developed a Study Document for governance restructuring

Consideration of a New Mission/Vision/Values Statement for

ACPE

The ACPE Board is proposing a new Mission/Vision/Values Statement for

ACPE.

Old Mission Statement

“The Association For Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., (ACPE) is a professional association committed to advancing experienced-based theological education for seminarians, clergy and lay person of diverse cultures, ethnic groups and faith traditions. We establish standards, certify supervisors and accredit programs and centers in varied settings. ACPE programs promote the integration of personal history, faith tradition and the behavioral sciences in the practice of spiritual care”

The New Mission Statement

“To advance and advocate for experience-based and professional theological and

spiritual care and education.”

The Old Vision Statement“As the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. we will be distinguished

as the premier provider of clinical pastoral education and recognized by the United Stated Department of Education:

Encouraging creative response to the changing context of spiritual care in the communities we serve;

Modeling professional competence, integrity and high ethical standards; Sustaining a welcoming organizational culture in which members are

encouraged to learn and grow; Embracing diversity, collaboration, and accountability on a national and

international level; and Prophetically advocating for excellence in pastoral education and the

practice of spiritual care.”

The New Vision Statement

“To be the premier global provider of professional spiritual and theological

education by setting standards, certifying educators, accrediting centers and

providing continuing education.”

ACPE Values

Spirituality Transformative Processes Transparency Advocacy Diversity

ACPE Values

Spirituality Maintaining clear identity as an organization with spiritual and

theological foundations Including theological and spiritual reflection in all philosophy and work

Transparency Collaborating and cooperating at all levels Clear accreditation and certification processes Fostering mutual accountability in all matters Members participating in decision-making

ACPE Values Transformative Processes

Striving for excellence in education Integrating personal and professional identity Upholding professional competence Maintaining highest ethical accountability Engaging in creative and generative dialogue Truth-telling

Advocacy Strengthening professional collaboration Advocating for quality theological and spiritual care Intentionally mentoring members to become leaders

Diversity Commitment to racial, sexual, social, religious and cultural inclusion Valuing scholarship from a variety of perspectives Embracing power sharing

Why Change Governance?

ACPE, Inc. is an evolving organization in a changing world of institutional and financial pressures. A new Governance will:

Empower ACPE to grow and develop as an organization Make ACPE more cost effective and more fiscally responsible. Empower leaders to be more creative and collaborative Increase representation and make communication more

effective Enhance decision making processes

Why Change Governance?

The new governance structure ensures: cross-fertilization of new learning and best practices financial sustainability consistency and accountability across organization productive growth Optimal utilization of volunteer leaders more efficient decision making creativity and the enhancement of community

Key Benefits of the Proposed Governance Changes

Further the work of ACPE, Inc.Engage in leadership of the organization

Through input and feedback Through specific tasks and work

Create new avenues for feedback and inputCreate development opportunities for

members to become leaders

Consideration for Governance ChangesConsideration for Governance Changes::Commissions and CommitteesCommissions and Committees

Three Commissions continue to relate directly to the Board Accreditation Commission Certification Commission Ethics Commission

Make Standards a Commission Standards and Professional Practices Commission

Proposals for Governance Changes:The Board

A Board of Directors with 7 appointed leaders: Serve as the organization’s legal decision-making body Provide vision and planning Oversee planning and policy development Provide financial oversight Provide Executive Director oversight Oversee public relations and development Oversee the internal work of the organization

Estimated savings: $29,000 - $34,000 +

Proposals for Governance Changes:The Board

The Board of Directors would be chaired for the first two years by the ACPE President Elect.

The third year and following, the Board will elect a chair from among its membership.

Positions of ACPE President and President Elect will be eliminated.

The Executive Director will report to the Board Chair and is ex officio.

Leadership Council Convener is a member of the Board The Board will meet face to face at least once per year

and utilize email and utilize email and teleconferencing for more frequent communications.

Proposals for Governance Changes:The Leadership Council

Comprised of 22 members: In consultation with RANC, produces slate of potential Board

members for ACPE membership vote. Creates and plans programs Suggests and create program policy Plans and implements public relations initiatives Proposes budgets and supports fundraising Creates and assigns subcommittees, task forces, work groups Facilitates organization-wide communication Gathers regional input on issues and actions Collaborates with the Board to maintain/enhance the mission Embeds the values of the organization

Proposals for Governance Changes:The Leadership Council

Membership is comprised of: Regional Chairs (9) Regional Directors (9) Clinical Member (1) REM Representative (1) Graduate School of Religion Representative (1) Endorsing Body Representative (1) The Operating Officer (ex-officio) The Financial Officer (ex-officio)

Proposals for Governance Changes:The Leadership Council

Elects a convener and recorder from its members.

Meets by teleconference and at the annual meeting only, without a travel budget

(Estimated Cost: $1,000.00)

Proposals for Governance Changes: The Executive Director

Serves as the “face of the organization” Hired by and accountable to the Board Carries out the vision of the Board Oversees the work of the Operating Officer and Executive Financial

Officer Authorized to hold Commissions accountable to their budgets. Attends to long-range planning Oversees issues related to professional ethics Represents ACPE, Inc. with cognate groups and accrediting bodies

Proposals for Governance Changes: The Operating Officer

Formerly known as “The Associate Director” Reports to the Executive Director Leads day-to-day operations of ACPE, Inc.,

including all HR duties Coordinates certification and accreditation

processes Maintains accreditation with USDOE

Proposals for Governance Changes: The Financial Officer

A new, paid (1/4 time) position Reports to the Executive Director Attends to financial issues of the organization Prepares financial reports for board, council, and

membership Arranges for annual audit

Estimated Cost: $20,000.00

ACPE at a Glance

Time Line for Study Document and Governance Proposals

Fall 2010 – Present Study Document to Regions

November 2010 – Board considers feedback from Regions and makes a proposal for governance changes to be voted on in Spring of 2011

Time Line for Study Document and Governance Proposals

December 2010 – The proposal for governance changes is published in ACPE E-News

Spring 2011 – Membership votes on governance changes at ACPE National Meeting