How does the Board set the meeting agenda?
The Board officers meet to set the agenda on
the second Tuesday of the month, at 6pm, usually in the Stebbins
room. The Agenda Meeting is open to members.
How can members present to the Board?
Do you have a question about decision-making
at the church? An idea or issue that you'd like the Board to discuss?
We recommend that you contact the Moderator or attend the Agenda
Meeting, where members will be given three minutes each to share their
idea, question or concern. The Board Officers will help direct you to
the right place. As part our commitment to shared ministry, we aim to
empower decision-makers at the lowest level of authority. That means
that many members' concerns are handled by folks outside the Board. We
are a thriving, growing and changing congregation. This is good news,
but we understand that it's a little confusing to keep track of who
decides what! Stay tuned for more postings about this.
Can I keep up-to-date on Board activities
without going to all these meetings?
Yes! The Moderator summarizes major Board
activity in a monthly column in the church
newsletter. Approved minutes are posted on the Board Meeting Minutes
page. A paper copy of the most recent Board packet and draft
minutes are posted on the Board's board in the galley. Archives of past
packets are kept in the church office. We aim to post the packet the
Thursday before each month's Board meeting.
I am a committee chair/activity leader/lay
leader - who do I contact on the Board?
The Board organizes activities and
committees of the church into five broad categories, and assigns board
liaisons to each of the categories. Download our board liaison chart
(pdf) to see who your current board liaison is. If there is more than
one liaison listed for grouping, you may contact either individual.
How do we govern?
We are guided by several
documents:
Bylaws
of the Society  . This document can only be amended by a vote of
the membership. It articulates the roles, responsibilities, and
accountability of the membership, the Board of Trustees and committees
and describes how how major decisions are made (e.g., calling a
minister, electing the Board, and passing the annual budget).
Policy
Governance document . This is a working document, frequently amended
by the Board. It describes in detail how the Board performs the
functions authorized in the bylaws. The Governance document is long!
Newcomers to governance might want to start by reviewing our governing principles
. We are a policy board, which means that we make
policies to govern the church at the broadest possible level and set
long-term goals to fulfill the Society's mission. We delegate the
implementation of policy to our staff, through the "Senior Executive"
who is accountable for the church's operational organization,
achievements and conduct. The Senior Executive position is filled by
Rev. Greg Stewart, our Senior Minister.
Policy
Manual. Our policy manual is the collection of policies
passed by the board, and is also frequently updated.
How does the church decide on its annual
budget?
The annual budget is approved at a
congregational voting meeting, usually the third Sunday in May.
Approved and the currently proposed budgets are posted to the Budget page. Every
spring the staff present a budget to the Board at a special board
meeting (usually the first Tuesday of April). Once the Board approves a
budget, it is available to members, near the end of April. A
congregational informational meeting is held in early May. Any proposed
amendments to the Board-recommended budget must be submitted to the
Board Secretary's box one week before the voting meeting. (If you
really want to know more, check out Article III.B and IV.D.4 of the
bylaws). The Board also holds an informational meeting in the fall,
usually November, to update members on our financial health.
Board Completes Self-Evaluation.
The Board has completed its
annual self-evaluation.
Self-Evaluation . The Board has completed its annual
self-evaluation. The evaluation was based on each Board
member’s response to a survey about our work and
responsibilities. This evaluation helps us review how we are
doing and focus on things we need to improve. There will be
hard copies available of the report in the church office. If you want
more information about this process, please contact any Board member.
Read the handouts from the Fall 2008 and
Fall 2007 meetings:
Fall
2008 Board meeting handouts (5-year plan)
Fall
2007 Board meeting handouts
Check back for additional postings
to this page, including annual reports.
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