Transcript Transforming Governance - Plymouth Congregatonal Church

Transforming Governance
Transitional Policy Board Update
April 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 TogetherThe 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
Leadership Council
(Chairs of 6 boards & staff liaisons to
respective boards)
Leadership development and training;
orientation for boards
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
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
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Our New Governance Model
CONGREGATION
Boards
Deacons
Worship
Senior
Minister
Fine
Arts
Finance &
Admin.
Outreach
Community
Life
Spiritual
Formatio
n
Leadership Council
Chairs of 6 Boards
Staff
Associate
Ministers
Staff Liaisons
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Our New Governance Model
CONGREGATION
Boards
Deacons
Worship
Senior
Minister
Fine
Arts
Finance &
Admin.
Outreach
Community
Life
Spiritual
Formatio
n
Leadership Council
Chairs of 6 Boards
Staff
Associate
Ministers
Staff Liaisons
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Our New Governance Model
CONGREGATION
Boards
Deacons
Worship
Senior
Minister
Fine
Arts
Finance &
Admin.
Outreach
Community
Life
Spiritual
Formatio
n
Leadership Council
Chairs of 6 Boards
Staff
Associate
Ministers
Staff Liaisons
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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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back to overall structure
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
FUNCTIONS
CURRENTLY WITH
Deacons
THESE BOARDS
Wider Church Relations
Senior Minister Search and Reviews
Trustees
Personnel (Senior Minister Reviews)
Recommend Annual Budget
Legal and fiduciary responsibility for the church
Ad Hoc
Strategic Direction
Long Term Planning
Moderator
Senior Minister Reviews
PROPOSED
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
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back to overall structure
Our New Governance Model
FUNCTIONS
CURRENTLY WITH THIS
Church Council
BOARD
(Chairs of 8 Boards)
Meets monthly
Chaired by Moderator
PROPOSED
Leadership Council
(Chairs of 6 boards & Ministers assigned to
respective boards)
Helps boards collaborate their efforts to meet
priorities or goals set by Deacons
Convened by Senior Minister
Oversight of boards: Questions of
responsibility and authority answered quickly
No responsibility to or authority over boards
Resources: Drafts annual budget for boards
Information sharing only
Initiatives: Considers new activity or program
ideas and delegates to appropriate board
Nominating committee for boards
Nominating committee for boards
Leadership development and training;
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back to overall structure
Our New Governance Model
FUNCTIONS
CURRENTLY WITH
Deacons
THESE BOARDS
All worship services and schedules
Service music/choirs/instruments
Worship appointments/flowers
Worship spaces, furnishings, etc.
Sacramental life
PROPOSED
Board of Worship
Stewards
Greeters and worship hospitality
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back to overall structure
Our New Governance Model
FUNCTIONS
CURRENTLY WITH
Deacons
THESE BOARDS
Justice issues
Racism and diversity issues
American Indian initiative
Global Connections
Plymouth Community Fund
PROPOSED
Board of Outreach
Outreach
Neighborhood concerns
Poverty, Homelessness, Hunger
Ad-hoc Working Groups
Greeters and worship hospitality
Caring for Creation
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back to overall structure
Our New Governance Model
FUNCTIONS
CURRENTLY WITH THIS
BOARD Fine Arts
Gallery
Theater
Literary Witnesses
Acquisitions
Representative to Building & Grounds
Summer Music Series
Performance Events
PROPOSED
Board of Fine Arts
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back to overall structure
Our New Governance Model
FUNCTIONS
CURRENTLY WITH
Member Care
THESE BOARDS
Shared Ministry
Caring Connections
Support groups
Befrienders
Faith community nurses
Recovery Programs
Prayer shawls
PROPOSED
Board of
Community Life
Membership
New member sessions
Ambassadors
Small Groups/Fellowship Groups
Volunteer opportunities for service
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back to overall structure
Our New Governance Model
FUNCTIONS
CURRENTLY WITH
Deacons
THESE BOARDS
Sunday Forums
Scripture Study
Spiritual Enrichment
Children, Youth & Family
Church School
Confirmation
Youth Group
Peace Camp
Intergenerational Activities
PROPOSED
Board of Spiritual
Formation
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back to overall structure
Our New Governance Model
FUNCTIONS
CURRENTLY WITH
Trustees
THESE BOARDS
Building and grounds
Personnel (except Sr. Minister)
Investments and endowments
Stewardship
Ad-hoc Groups
PROPOSED
Board of Finance
and Administration
Archives
Planned 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]
John Breitinger [email protected]
Ryan Church [email protected]
Ed Curtiss [email protected]
Katie Dillon [email protected]
Dan Dressen [email protected]
Kathleen Laurila [email protected]
Catherine Shreves [email protected]
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