Proposal for a Proposal for a Single Governance Single Governance

Board Board UNITED CHURCH of Christ UNITED CHURCH of Christ

FALL BOARDS and EXECUTIVE COUNCILFALL BOARDS and EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Oct-Nov, 2008Oct-Nov, 2008Governance Follow-Up Team IIGovernance Follow-Up Team II

(GFT II)(GFT II)

Proposal for a Proposal for a Single Governance Single Governance

Board Board UNITED CHURCH of Christ UNITED CHURCH of Christ

FALL BOARDS and EXECUTIVE COUNCILFALL BOARDS and EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Oct-Nov, 2008Oct-Nov, 2008Governance Follow-Up Team IIGovernance Follow-Up Team II

(GFT II)(GFT II)

Where We Left Off Where We Left Off Joint Boards – April 2008Joint Boards – April 2008

• Consensus emerged for single Consensus emerged for single governancegovernance

• One board unable to move One board unable to move forward due to sizeforward due to size

• Concerns about representation Concerns about representation and healing in response to the and healing in response to the Urgent CallUrgent Call

What Has Happened Since What Has Happened Since AprilApril

• GFT II establishedGFT II established, representatives , representatives namednamed

• Special HUGS MeetingSpecial HUGS Meeting – MN, June 2008, – MN, June 2008, with with majority and minority reports. majority and minority reports.

• Concerns & responses from Conferences, Concerns & responses from Conferences, HUGS, Joshua Generation, and others were HUGS, Joshua Generation, and others were reviewedreviewed

• GFT II meetings in July and SeptemberGFT II meetings in July and September

Executive Council ActionExecutive Council ActionGuiding the GFT II:Guiding the GFT II:

• Respond to concerns in document entitled ‘the Respond to concerns in document entitled ‘the Urgent CallUrgent Call’ . . . ’ . . .

• consider the consider the size of the proposed United size of the proposed United Church Board, Church Board,

• explore role, function and authority of the explore role, function and authority of the Executive Committee . . . Executive Committee . . .

• take seriously the take seriously the additional questions and additional questions and concernsconcerns of Covenanted Ministry Boards, of Covenanted Ministry Boards,

• bring, if possible, bring, if possible, a new proposal to the a new proposal to the meetingsmeetings of the Boards and the Exec. Council... of the Boards and the Exec. Council... fall of 2008.fall of 2008.

Reports Reviewed Include:Reports Reviewed Include:

• HUGS Meeting: Majority, Minority Reports; 32 HUGS Meeting: Majority, Minority Reports; 32 ConcernsConcerns

• Letter by 28 of the Council for Conference MinistersLetter by 28 of the Council for Conference Ministers• Letter from Steve Camp Letter from Steve Camp • Recommendations of 10 Conference Boards of Recommendations of 10 Conference Boards of

DirectorsDirectors• Reports Delivered to the GFT II from CYYAM, MRSEJReports Delivered to the GFT II from CYYAM, MRSEJ• Letters from Manz & HumphreyLetters from Manz & Humphrey• Hidden History Articles and our own Sacred Hidden History Articles and our own Sacred

ConversationsConversations• Treasurer’s Report on GFT Costs and Possible Treasurer’s Report on GFT Costs and Possible

SavingsSavings• Minutes of GFT I meetingsMinutes of GFT I meetings

Summary of ConcernsSummary of Concerns

• Changes to Historic Ways of Being ChurchChanges to Historic Ways of Being Church• Checks & BalancesChecks & Balances• Moving Too Fast Moving Too Fast • 2 or 3 HUGS Representatives (re: Ministry Teams)2 or 3 HUGS Representatives (re: Ministry Teams)• Size of BoardSize of Board• Executive CommitteeExecutive Committee• General Synod & Opportunities to Engage Mission General Synod & Opportunities to Engage Mission

broadly broadly including local churches, conferences & including local churches, conferences & ministry networksministry networks

• Legacy and FiduciaryLegacy and Fiduciary• Healing Work Healing Work • Why Didn’t the GFT II Stop?Why Didn’t the GFT II Stop?

CONCERN: CONCERN: Changing Historic Ways of Changing Historic Ways of Being ChurchBeing ChurchRESPONSE: RESPONSE: Our Historic Ways of Being Church Our Historic Ways of Being Church

Model Ongoing ChangeModel Ongoing Change

1. Each predecessor body approached 1. Each predecessor body approached nat’l structure differentlynat’l structure differently, changing , changing and evolving significantly over the yearsand evolving significantly over the years

2. 2. Many view the Many view the post 1957 structure as post 1957 structure as a congregational systema congregational system, separating , separating mission & and ecclesial structuremission & and ecclesial structure

CONCERN: CONCERN: Changing Historic Ways of Changing Historic Ways of Being ChurchBeing ChurchRESPONSE: RESPONSE: Our Ways of Being Church Our Ways of Being Church Continue to Continue to EvolveEvolve

3. In 20003. In 2000: After complete separation of ecclesial : After complete separation of ecclesial structure & mission - structure & mission - a hybrid structurea hybrid structure emerged with emerged with growing relatednessgrowing relatedness: naming : naming ministries of General ministries of General

Synod with autonomy & covenantal accountabilitySynod with autonomy & covenantal accountability

4. 4. The proposal suggests further evolution: The proposal suggests further evolution: current current ministriesministries under a under a single governing single governing body body directly accountable to a General Synoddirectly accountable to a General Synod of of electedelected delegates from local churches appointed delegates from local churches appointed by each conferenceby each conference

CONCERN: CONCERN: Checks & BalancesChecks & BalancesRESPONSE: RESPONSE: General Synod, General Synod, Collegium, Collegium, ConferencesConferences

• United Church Board (UCB) United Church Board (UCB) far more far more accountable to General Synodaccountable to General Synod than current than current autonomous, covenanted ministriesautonomous, covenanted ministries

• Program remains under leadership of 4 Program remains under leadership of 4 officers serving as peersofficers serving as peers, implementing in , implementing in program areas the strategic direction of the UCB program areas the strategic direction of the UCB in in their own distinctive stylestheir own distinctive styles

• Conferences provideConferences provide formal checksformal checks through through control control of significant nationalof significant national income (OCWMincome (OCWM););((informally informally the Council of Conference Ministers, the Council of Conference Ministers, related to the UCB through their representativesrelated to the UCB through their representatives, , through a through a corporate leadership role)corporate leadership role)

CONCERN: CONCERN: Moving Too FastMoving Too FastResponse:Response: Current Structure Evaluation Current Structure Evaluation Started 5 Started 5 years agoyears ago

The 2000 structure was evaluated a few The 2000 structure was evaluated a few years into its life. In years into its life. In 20032003 a Restructure a Restructure Evaluation Oversight Committee conducted Evaluation Oversight Committee conducted interviews & then reported to Exec Council interviews & then reported to Exec Council in Oct 2004 on 3 concerns: in Oct 2004 on 3 concerns:

- - difficulty of strategic planningdifficulty of strategic planning across the across the Covenanted Ministries,Covenanted Ministries,

- - ambiguity about relationshipsambiguity about relationships among and among and accountability between EC & Boardsaccountability between EC & Boards

- - need for clarityneed for clarity and strengthening the role of the and strengthening the role of the GMPGMP

CONCERN: CONCERN: Healing Work Needed Healing Work Needed RESPONSE: RESPONSE: The GFT II calls Executive Council The GFT II calls Executive Council to to Create a Plan and a Process for Create a Plan and a Process for HealingHealing

Hearing the concerns of all groups and Hearing the concerns of all groups and upon careful discussion, including our upon careful discussion, including our own Sacred Conversations on race: own Sacred Conversations on race: The GFT II recommends that the The GFT II recommends that the Executive Council create a plan Executive Council create a plan and process for this important and process for this important reconciling work.reconciling work.

CONCERN: 2 or 3 HUGS Representatives (re: CONCERN: 2 or 3 HUGS Representatives (re: Ministry Teams)Ministry Teams)

RESPONSE: RESPONSE: Concerns about representation Concerns about representation and and diversity have been discussed in a diversity have been discussed in a

variety of waysvariety of ways

• There will be 2 representatives from each of the HUGS; There will be 2 representatives from each of the HUGS; moreover, there will also be racial ethnic persons on the moreover, there will also be racial ethnic persons on the board who are not the named representatives of the board who are not the named representatives of the groupsgroups

• Decisions of the UCB will be made transparently by the Decisions of the UCB will be made transparently by the full full boardboard (not separate ministry teams)(not separate ministry teams)

• The The UCB must be 50% persons of color and womenUCB must be 50% persons of color and women. The . The diversity of the board diversity of the board will be comprisedwill be comprised not only of thenot only of the groups, groups, but those frombut those from conference leadership conference leadership as well. as well.

CONCERN: CONCERN: Size of the Board Size of the Board RESPONSE: RESPONSE: 85-8885-88

• Considered a board of Considered a board of 70 responding to many70 responding to many conferences, boards of directors, and some of the conferences, boards of directors, and some of the Covenanted Ministry Boards Covenanted Ministry Boards

• The GFT II The GFT II balanced smaller size with concern for balanced smaller size with concern for representationrepresentation

• The proposed board size is 85; The proposed board size is 85; 3 at-large members can 3 at-large members can be added by the UCB be added by the UCB should there be a needshould there be a need to ensure to ensure the full diversitythe full diversity of the church of the church

CONCERN: CONCERN: Executive Committee Size and Executive Committee Size and Representation Representation

RESPONSE: RESPONSE: Young Adult and At-Large Young Adult and At-Large ProvisionsProvisions

16-19 members, at least one must be a young adult: 16-19 members, at least one must be a young adult: (Note: (Note: Chair or Vice Chair of UCB and each ministry Chair or Vice Chair of UCB and each ministry

teamteam must be a person of color):must be a person of color):

• Chair and Vice Chair of UCBChair and Vice Chair of UCB• Chair and Vice Chair of each Ministry TeamChair and Vice Chair of each Ministry Team• Executive MinistersExecutive Ministers• General Minister & PresidentGeneral Minister & President• Reps of Foundation, Pension BoardsReps of Foundation, Pension Boards• Chair or Vice Chair of the Finance & Budget CommChair or Vice Chair of the Finance & Budget Comm• 1 of the Conference Ministers serving on the board1 of the Conference Ministers serving on the board• Up to 3 at-large members may be added by UCB to assure Up to 3 at-large members may be added by UCB to assure

diversity and expertisediversity and expertise

CONCERN: CONCERN: General Synod, Opportunities General Synod, Opportunities

to Engageto Engage RESPONSE: RESPONSE: Delegates Added, Opportunities Delegates Added, Opportunities

Proposed Proposed

1.1. Additional delegates: Additional delegates:• 32 HUGS delegates32 HUGS delegates, 4 from each HUGS , 4 from each HUGS

groupgroup• 30 special delegate groups 30 special delegate groups appointed by appointed by

the UCB for each Synodthe UCB for each Synod

2. 2. The proposal envisionsThe proposal envisions expanding and expanding and increasing the participation of persons increasing the participation of persons from across the church in ministry and from across the church in ministry and mission mission of the national settings of the church of the national settings of the church

CONCERN: CONCERN: Historic Legacy and FiduciaryHistoric Legacy and Fiduciary RESPONSE: RESPONSE: Donor Intent will guide & be Donor Intent will guide & be honoredhonored

• • Historic, designated funds, and the donor intent of Historic, designated funds, and the donor intent of unrestricted funds will be honoredunrestricted funds will be honored

• • Global Ministries partnerships of the UCC with the Global Ministries partnerships of the UCC with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are affirmedChristian Church (Disciples of Christ) are affirmed

• • Two affirmative votes Two affirmative votes by not less than 85% of members by not less than 85% of members present of the full boardpresent of the full board – with not less than 12 hours – with not less than 12 hours between between are required to safeguard fiduciary decisions are required to safeguard fiduciary decisions aboutabout draw rates or allocation of annual dollars from draw rates or allocation of annual dollars from restricted and unrestricted restricted and unrestricted endowment fundsendowment funds, , and from and from being swayed by a vote of passionbeing swayed by a vote of passion

CONCERN: CONCERN: Why Didn’t GFT II Stop?Why Didn’t GFT II Stop? RESPONSE: RESPONSE: This is balanced with others This is balanced with others asking for asking for the process to continuethe process to continue

• The healing work of the Urgent Call is vital and needs a plan The healing work of the Urgent Call is vital and needs a plan and process by the Executive Counciland process by the Executive Council to reach hurts more to reach hurts more widespread than governance reflectionswidespread than governance reflections

• Conferences, conference boards of directors, and Boards are Conferences, conference boards of directors, and Boards are urging urging nimble and sustainablenimble and sustainable governance governance so that we so that we better engage better engage allall of the mission of the mission togethertogether

• Each of the boards affirmed moving forward in the Each of the boards affirmed moving forward in the spring, spring, with one board having a concern about sizewith one board having a concern about size

• Issues of size, representation, and diversity have all Issues of size, representation, and diversity have all been raised and vettedbeen raised and vetted

SUMMARYSUMMARY of the Proposal of the Proposal

• Good governance principles and expanded Good governance principles and expanded participationparticipation

• Board size is 85 with provision for 3 at-large Board size is 85 with provision for 3 at-large members. 50% of the board must be persons of members. 50% of the board must be persons of color and women.color and women.

• Executive Committee must have at least one member Executive Committee must have at least one member who is a young adult at time of electionwho is a young adult at time of election

• Four people from each of the HUGS added as Four people from each of the HUGS added as delegates to General Synod delegates to General Synod

• 30 delegates added by the UCB to bring 30 delegates added by the UCB to bring more/expanded voices to Synodmore/expanded voices to Synod

• Chair or Vice Chair of UCB and Ministry Teams must Chair or Vice Chair of UCB and Ministry Teams must be a person of colorbe a person of color

• Two minority reports, primarily concerned about 2 Two minority reports, primarily concerned about 2 instead of 3 reps to the ministry teamsinstead of 3 reps to the ministry teams

• Collegium model continues with Collegium model continues with four four officersofficers• The ministry teams cannot be dissolved except by The ministry teams cannot be dissolved except by

vote of the General Synodvote of the General Synod

Timeline Moving ForwardTimeline Moving Forward

Oct/Nov 2008Approval of the model and authorization to proceed

January 2009Board/EC Chairs and Vice Chairs meet with the Collegium to finalizeany recommendations made

March 2009 Present proposed constitutional changes to Boards for approval

April 2009 Post proposed constitutional changes for churches and Synod delegates as required (60 days in advance of Synod)

June 2009 At the 2009 Synod:- Proposal presented and discussed (first consideration by Synod); including changes that will be requested to the Articles of incorporation of the Covenanted Ministries.

- Discuss and vote on constitutional changes…include language that states such changes are to become effective September or October 2011 following General Synod 2011. 2011 would be the second presentation to GS.

July 2009-July 2010 -Exec Council appoints a Governance Transition Team--Votes by conferences on constitutional changes. Ratified changes go into effect ONLY after a second consultation and approval of the overall plan by the 2011 Synod and approval of proposed Bylaw changes in 2011.

Oct 2009 - Exec Council appoints a Governance Transition Team-Votes by conferences on constitutional changes. Ratified changes go into effect ONLY after a second consultation and approval of the overall plan by the 2011 Synod and approval of proposed Bylaw changes in 2011.

March 2010 Present proposed bylaw changes to boards and Executive Council for feedback.

Fall 2010 Present revised bylaws based on feedback

Spring 2011 Proposed bylaw changes approved by Boards and Executive Council and posted for Churches and Synod delegates, (60 days in advance of Synod)

June 2011 General Synod hears the plan, with attention to the required changes in the articles of incorporation. (2nd consultation). Bylaw changes presented and voted. Assuming that the constitutional changes were ratified by Conferences, this would be reported out at Synod

June 2011 Boards meet following Synod to take action on the changes to their Articles of Incorporation

Sept/October 2011 New Governance becomes effective

Vision Guiding this Vision Guiding this ProposalProposal• The mission of God truly belongs to the whole The mission of God truly belongs to the whole

church in implementation & discernment. church in implementation & discernment.

• The governance proposal here is not so much to The governance proposal here is not so much to determine the mission as much as it is to determine the mission as much as it is to connect connect itit together, together, communicate itcommunicate it, and , and allocate allocate resourcesresources to support it across all the settings, to support it across all the settings, local, conference, national… across ministry areas.local, conference, national… across ministry areas.

• This oversight, fiduciary, strategic planning This oversight, fiduciary, strategic planning function of the board supports the relationships function of the board supports the relationships between the ministry areas that have been between the ministry areas that have been fractured in the current structure.fractured in the current structure.

ACTIONSACTIONS

For Executive Council and Boards of CM’sFor Executive Council and Boards of CM’sThe ________ Affirms the Proposal of the The ________ Affirms the Proposal of the

Governance Follow-Up Team as a sufficient Governance Follow-Up Team as a sufficient basis for the restructure of the national basis for the restructure of the national setting;setting;

Reports the following recommendations, if any, Reports the following recommendations, if any, supported by a majority vote, for possible supported by a majority vote, for possible modification of the Proposal; and modification of the Proposal; and

Authorizes its chair and vice-chair to meet with Authorizes its chair and vice-chair to meet with their counterparts to reconcile, if possible, their counterparts to reconcile, if possible, any differences in the actions of all four any differences in the actions of all four Boards and the Executive Council as a basis Boards and the Executive Council as a basis for the preparation of proposed Constitution for the preparation of proposed Constitution and Bylaw amendments for consideration at and Bylaw amendments for consideration at the 2009 Spring meetings.the 2009 Spring meetings.

Additional Action for the Additional Action for the Executive CouncilExecutive Council

The Executive Council authorizes the continuance The Executive Council authorizes the continuance ofof

the Governance Follow-Up Team II through June,the Governance Follow-Up Team II through June,2009 and asks it to prepare proposed Constitution2009 and asks it to prepare proposed Constitutionand Bylaw amendments for consideration by theand Bylaw amendments for consideration by theBoards and the Executive Council in March, 2009;Boards and the Executive Council in March, 2009;Communicate the proposed changes broadlyCommunicate the proposed changes broadlythroughout the Church; throughout the Church;

and facilitate church-wide conversation about theand facilitate church-wide conversation about theproposed structural changes in order to prepare proposed structural changes in order to prepare

thethechurch for deliberation and decision at Generalchurch for deliberation and decision at GeneralSynod in June 2009.Synod in June 2009.