How does the Board set the meeting agenda?
The Board officers meet to set the agenda on the second Tuesday of the month, at 5:30pm, 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 activites 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 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.
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.
|
