transforming governance transitional policy board update april 27, 2014 1
TRANSCRIPT
Transforming Governance
Transitional Policy Board UpdateApril 27, 2014
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Why Transform our Governance Structure?
• Governance Identified as a Strategic Priority in 2010-15 Strategic Plan
“How We Work Together- The congregation will organize itself in ways that encourage wider participation by the members and that are geared toward taking action, effectively utilizing the talents and experiences of members and staff.”
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Governance Work to Date
• Ad-hoc Governance Committee 2010 -2013
Assessed current structure – what was and was not working
Learned about best practices from other churches and non-profits
Established the values and philosophy to undergird the new structure
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Governance Work to Date
• Challenges with current governance structure
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Governance Work to Date
• The new framework will:
Clarify the decision-making process
Separate strategy & policy from ongoing operations
Develop a system of accountability
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Our New Governance Model
• Our new governance model is spiritual- grounded in our faith, our religious tradition, and our core values.
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Our New Governance Model
• New structure creates a sacred space for strategic and long-term planning
• Two bodies with distinct functions:
One focused on the future (strategic goals, establishing policy, long range planning, etc.)
One focused on ongoing ministry and ensuring goals met by coordinating activities of the boards.
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Our New Governance Model
New Deacons
In regular conversation with the congregation to serve and represent their views
Primary spiritual, legal and fiduciary body of the church
Responsible for long-term and strategic planning and goal setting
Develop policies and a system of accountability to monitor that goals are being met, within articulated boundaries
Leadership Council(Chairs of 6 boards & staff liaisons to
respective boards)
Leadership development and training; orientation for boards
Helps boards collaborate their efforts to meet priorities or goals set by Deacons
Oversight of boards: Questions of responsibility and authority answered quickly
Resources: Drafts annual budget for boards
Initiatives: Considers new activity or program ideas and delegates to appropriate board
Nominating committee for boards8
Our New Governance Model
Leadership Council
Chairs of 6 Boards
Staff Liaisons
Boards
WorshipFine Arts
Finance & Admin.
OutreachCommunity
LifeSpiritual
Formation
CONGREGATION
Deacons
Senior Minister
StaffAssociate Ministers
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Our New Governance Model
Leadership Council
Chairs of 6 Boards
Staff Liaisons
Boards
Worship Fine Arts
Finance & Admin.
Outreach Community Life
Spiritual Formation
CONGREGATION
Deacons
Senior Minister
StaffAssociate Ministers
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Our New Governance Model
Leadership Council
Chairs of 6 Boards
Staff Liaisons
Boards
WorshipFine Arts
Finance & Admin.
OutreachCommunity
LifeSpiritual
Formation
CONGREGATION
Deacons
Senior Minister
StaffAssociate Ministers
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Work Yet to be Done & Timeline
• April-December 2014: Transitional Policy Board completes work, new by-laws written
• By December 2014: Election of new ‘Deacons’ (Policy Board) members, approval of new by-laws
• December 2014: New ‘Deacons’ (Policy Board) starts and boards transition to new model prior to June elections
• June 2015: New Structure in place, Annual Meeting elections reflect new model
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Our Covenant
“We covenant with you, O God, and one with another, and do bind ourselves in your presence to walk together in all your ways, according as you are pleased to reveal yourself to us in your blessed word of truth.”
–Based on the Salem Covenant of 1629
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Appendix
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Our New Governance Model
Congregation
Call clergy
Elect Deacons and board members
Approve strategic plan, annual budget, major undertakings
Accept or reject bylaws changes
Sell the building/close the church
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back to overall structure
Our New Governance Model
New Deacons
In regular conversation with the congregation to serve and represent their views
Primary spiritual, legal and fiduciary body of the church
Responsible for long-term and strategic planning and goal setting
Develop policies and a system of accountability to monitor that goals are being met, within articulated boundaries
PROPOSEDFUNCTIONS CURRENTLY
WITH THESE BOARDSDeacons
Wider Church RelationsSenior Minister Search and Reviews
Trustees
Personnel (Senior Minister Reviews)Recommend Annual BudgetLegal and fiduciary responsibility for the church
Ad Hoc
Strategic DirectionLong Term Planning
Moderator
Senior Minister Reviews 16
back to overall structure
Our New Governance Model
Leadership Council(Chairs of 6 boards & Ministers assigned to
respective boards)
Helps boards collaborate their efforts to meet priorities or goals set by Deacons
Oversight of boards: Questions of responsibility and authority answered quickly
Resources: Drafts annual budget for boards
Initiatives: Considers new activity or program ideas and delegates to appropriate board
Nominating committee for boards
Leadership development and training; orientation for boards
PROPOSEDFUNCTIONS CURRENTLY
WITH THIS BOARDChurch Council
(Chairs of 8 Boards)
Meets monthly
Chaired by Moderator
Convened by Senior Minister
No responsibility to or authority over boards
Information sharing only
Nominating committee for boards
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Our New Governance Model
Board of Worship
PROPOSEDFUNCTIONS CURRENTLY
WITH THESE BOARDSDeacons
All worship services and schedulesService music/choirs/instrumentsWorship appointments/flowersWorship spaces, furnishings, etc.Sacramental life
Stewards
Greeters and worship hospitality
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Our New Governance Model
Board of Outreach
PROPOSEDFUNCTIONS CURRENTLY
WITH THESE BOARDSDeacons
Justice issuesRacism and diversity issuesAmerican Indian initiativeGlobal ConnectionsPlymouth Community Fund
Outreach
Neighborhood concernsPoverty, Homelessness, Hunger
Ad-hoc Working Groups
Greeters and worship hospitalityCaring for Creation 19
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Our New Governance Model
Board of Fine Arts
PROPOSEDFUNCTIONS CURRENTLY
WITH THIS BOARDFine Arts
GalleryTheaterLiterary WitnessesAcquisitionsRepresentative to Building & GroundsSummer Music SeriesPerformance Events
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Our New Governance Model
Board of Community Life
PROPOSEDFUNCTIONS CURRENTLY
WITH THESE BOARDSMember Care
Shared MinistryCaring ConnectionsSupport groupsBefriendersFaith community nursesRecovery ProgramsPrayer shawls
Membership
New member sessionsAmbassadorsSmall Groups/Fellowship GroupsVolunteer opportunities for service
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Our New Governance Model
Board of Spiritual Formation
PROPOSEDFUNCTIONS CURRENTLY
WITH THESE BOARDSDeacons
Sunday ForumsScripture StudySpiritual Enrichment
Children, Youth & Family
Church SchoolConfirmationYouth GroupPeace CampIntergenerational Activities
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Our New Governance Model
Board of Finance and Administration
PROPOSEDFUNCTIONS CURRENTLY
WITH THESE BOARDSTrustees
Building and groundsPersonnel (except Sr. Minister)Investments and endowmentsStewardship
Ad-hoc Groups
ArchivesPlanned giving
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More Information
For additional information:Transforming Governance Webpage:
http://www.plymouth.org/about/transforming_gov.php
Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.plymouth.org/about/TransitionalPolicyBoard.FAQ.3.pdf
Reach out to Transitional Policy Board Members:
Lani Bennett [email protected] Breitinger [email protected] Church [email protected] Curtiss [email protected] Dillon [email protected] Dressen [email protected] Laurila [email protected] Shreves [email protected] Siska [email protected]
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