MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
	OF THE
	NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
ACTIONS 03-C-1 Through 03-C-30	Milwaukee, Wisconsin February 6-8. 2003
Call to Order	A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches was called to order by Chairman Rev. Dr. Roy Backus at 6:00 P.M. February 6, 2003 in the Aviator Room of the Best Western Midway Hotel /Milwaukee/Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Prior to the meeting the Committee joined for dinner in the hotel.
	Board of Directors voting members present , in addition to the chairman were: Carter, Mrs. Susan Jones-Hood, the Rev. Lottie Dando Haaheim, the Rev. Patricia White, the Rev. Milton “Ed”
	Clarke, the Rev. Joseph	Hicks, Mr. Michael
	Gierke, the Rev. Dr. Dewey	Simons, Mr. Blaine H.
	Murphy, the Rev. Alice	Ellcey, the Rev. Gregory A.
	Bailey, the Rev. Steven H. Ware Bentley, the Rev. Donald L Absent: Eckert, Mrs. Ellen Present at all Sessions: Glab, Mrs. Sherry, Secretary. Also present were the Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Richard, Executive Secretary; Mr. James H. Walsh, Treasurer; Mrs. Marina Rosenberg, Controller, Rev. Dr. Lloyd Hall, Jr., Historian, Mr. Donald Miesbauer, Assistant Treasurer, Rev. Paul Ray, Chairman of the Nominating Committee and Mrs. Mildred “Millie” Gardner member of same.
Devotions	Devotions were given by Mrs. Marina Rosenberg. She shared a devotion she had written for the NACCC Lenten Devotions.
Welcome & Introductions	Chairman Rev. Roy Backus welcomed everyone and asked us each to introduce ourselves.
03-C-01	VOTED: by general consent to approve the Meeting Agenda with the noted changes. (Exhibit 1)
03-C-02 Ratify Mail Ballot	VOTED: to ratify the Electronic Ballot concerning the October 11-13 Board of Directors.
03-C-03 Ratify Mail Ballot	Mrs. Susan Carter moved we approve the minutes of October 11-13 Board of Directors Meeting as corrected. Seconded and adopted. (Exhibit 2)
Board of Directors Minutes	2 February 6-8, 2003
03-C-04 Motion to Strike	Concerning the minutes of the December 19, 2002 Executive Committee Telephone Conference, Rev. Alice Murphy moved we strike the amendment to the motion #02-E-50 made by Rev. Donald Bentley. Seconded and adopted.
03-C-05 Replacement Motion	Rev. Gregg Ellcey moved to replace the motion (#02-E-50) with “Remove the last paragraph from the job description “An individual serving as Executive Secretary and/or Associate Executive Secretary may serve up to ten (10) years combined and shall not be eligible to serve thereafter.”” Seconded and adopted.
03-C-06 Ratify Mail Ballot	VOTED: To ratify the electronic ballot concerning the December 19, 2002 Executive Committee Telephone Conference minutes. (Exhibit 3)
03-C-07 Staff Reports	VOTED: To accept the staff reports from Dr. Tom Richard. Dr. Donald Olsen and Mrs. Marina Rosenberg as printed. (Exhibits 4, 5, 6)
Treasurer’s Report	Treasurer Jim Walsh introduced David Grotkin, our CPA, and gave the treasurer’s report (Exhibit 7).* Marina Rosenberg spoke to the subject of fund raising (Exhibit 8), expressing the idea of the Leadership Team helping raise the funds. Rev. Joe Clarke suggested Marina send letters to churches regarding the raising of funds before the church budgets are made up. Jim concluded “revenue is where we need support”. Mr. Jim Walsh then presented the report entitled “Investment Trust Performance Summary” (Exhibit 9). Marina spoke on Part IV Annual Meeting Budget and Fees.
Board of Directors Minutes	3 February 6-8, 2003
03-C-08 Annual Meeting Registration Fee	Rev. Ed White moved the Executive Committee empower the Executive Secretary, treasurer, moderator and controller to establish the 2003 adult annual meeting registration fee not to exceed $150.00. Seconded and adopted.
The Congregationalist	The report from Joe Polhemus was acknowledged. (Exhibit 10)
Historian’s Report	Rev. Lloyd Hall presented his report (Exhibit 11). Rev. Hall pointed out the information contained in his final paragraph explaining the nomination of individuals for citations and the process is now being put into place.
Personnel & Administration	Postponed for Executive Session
Membership & Procedures	Postponed to next day.
Credentials	No report.
Investment Advisory Committee 03-C-09	Marina Rosenberg spoke to the proposal from the Investment Advisory Committee (Exhibit 12). After discussion the proposal “That the IAC include at least six members, with approximately 2/3 from the greater Milwaukee community, and approximately 1/3 from other states in which there are National Association member churches; to be appointed for a one year term, not to exceed a total of 10 years” was adopted by general consent. Rev. Joe Clarke moved the appointment of Tim Roberts, First Congregational Church, Burlington, Iowa and Jim Bullard, Pilgrim Congregational Church, Pomona, California to the Investment Advisory Committee. Seconded and adopted.
Financial Services 03-C-10	It was reported the Financial Services had held a conference call on January 28, 2003. In regard to long term care, there is a need for 10 people to sign up for this benefit. A link describing this program will be on the web site and a representative will be at the June meeting. (Exhibit 13) Blaine Simons moved that we approve Financial Services’ recommendation that we engage in the NML long term care plan and offer it to local churches. Seconded and adopted.
Board of Directors Minutes	4 February 6-8, 2003
Nominating Committee Report	Rev. Dr. Paul Ray, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, was welcomed and asked to give his report (Exhibit 14). The following nominees were presented by Rev. Ray:
	Moderator-Elect Mrs. Hannah Hall Plymouth Congregational Church Racine, Wisconsin
	Treasurer Mr. James Walsh First Congregational Church Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
	Secretary Mrs. Sherry Glab Pilgrim Congregational Church Pomona, California
	Historian Rev. Dr. Lloyd M. Hall, Jr. Plymouth Congregational Church Lansing, Michigan
	Credentials Committee Rev. Norman Rust
	South Paris Congregat’al Church South Paris, Maine
Assistant Treasurers Nominating Committee Recommendation Nominating Committee Procedure Recommendation Board of Directors Minutes Incoming Chairman Thanks to Rev. Ray	Rev. Ray advised us that after consultation with Mr. Walsh there is the understanding that there be an Assistant Treasurer appointed who will be in training to assume the position the following year. The Nomination Committee recommends that two assistant treasurers be appointed by the Executive Committee, namely Mr. Don Miesbauer and Mr. Jeff Dillon. It is agreed that Jeff Dillon will train to assume the position of Treasurer. Mr. Dillon is from the Milwaukee area and the committee feels he is well qualified. Further, the Nomination Committee recommends that the Executive Committee consider a change in procedure for future Nominating Committees as follows: The committee be nominated early in the Annual Meeting proceedings and do most, if not all, of their work at the meeting. 5 February 6-8, 2003 This should be phased in over the next two-year period, with nominations due prior to the annual meeting, and perhaps even solicited during the meeting itself. This would negate the need for coming together in February, if most of the work could be accomplished at the Annual Meeting. This would be a significant saving of funds by the Association, and would help us to become more fiscally reasonable. This should not hinder the Committee from doing business in February by conference call, and/or through the secure web site of the NACCC. Rev. Ray announced Rev. Dr. Steven Peay will be the Chairman next year. He then expressed his special thanks to the Executive Committee for their thoughts and prayers and informed us he is fully recovered. Chairman Rev. Dr. Backus thanked Rev. Ray for his report and stated the report was accepted by the Executive Committee. Rev. Backus then asked for discussion on the recommendations from the Nominating Committee. At the conclusion of the discussion the consensus was that it was worthy of presenting to the delegates. Rev. Steven H. Ware Bailey, Rev. Donald Bentley and Rev. Paul Ray will work out the details of the presentation.
CCD Report CFTS Report Division for Ministry Report Missionary Society Report Mrs. Dahm’s Report 2005 Annual Meeting Site	Rev. Neil Hunt, Chairman, presented his report (Exhibit 15). Rev. Casey vanderBent reported the program has doubled the number of participating students and they have seven or eight who will be interviewing in June. The new Dean is the Rev. Dr. Don Olsen. The Division, with Dr. Olsen, is making a considerable effort in reconnecting with students. Rev. Alice Murphy reported they had held a conference call on 10 February 2003. (Exhibit 16 ) Rev. Patti Dando-Haaheim reported. (Exhibit 17) Dr. Richard presented Mrs. Carrie Dahm’s report regarding the 2005 Annual Meeting Proposed Site – Kansas City, Missouri. (Exhibit 18). There was some discussion as to the correct dates. This subject will be taken up later in the meeting.
03-C-11 Appoint Assistant Secretary 03-C-12 Per diem at Annual Meeting 03-C-13 Verification of Federal and State Taxes Board of Directors Minutes 03-C-14 Operating Budget Line Items	The Chairman called for a brief break. The meeting resumed with all of the above mentioned present with the exception of Rev. Paul Ray. Rev. Patti Dando Haaheim moved the recommendation of the Secretary and appoint Mrs. Carol Cole, Church of the Messiah, Los Angeles, California, as Assistant Secretary for the Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, VOTED: to accept Jim Walsh’s recommendation that the per diem amount of $11.00 (breakfast), 15.00 (lunch) and $20.00 (dinner) be allowed. Rev. Gregg Ellecy moved we accept the verification of the National Association’s Controller, Mrs. Marina Rosenberg, that we are in compliance with procedures for withholding, collecting and remitting all Federal and State taxes. Periodic review of this procedure will be made and it will be reported to the Board of Directors within 90 days of the close of the calendar year that this responsibility has been fulfilled for the prior year. Seconded and approved. 6 February 6-8, 2003 Rev. Gregg Ellecy moved that overdrafts of the line items in the Fiscal Year 2003-2004 Operating Budget are approved provided that they do not exceed the total expense budget by ten percent (10%). Seconded and approved.
03-C-15 Approve Auditing Firm 03-C-16 Housing Allowance and Expense Proposals for Executive Secretaries 03-C-17 Appointment of Assistant Treasurers 03-C-18 Morgan Park Transfer of Funds	Rev. Alice Murphy moved we engage the firm of Reily, Penner and Benton, LLP, for the annual audit (May 2003). Seconded and approved. (This firm was used last year and proved to be very satisfactory. Their bid for this year is $12,450.00.) Mrs. Sue Carter moved we accept the recommendation of the Personnel and Administration subcommittee to approve the housing allowance and related expense proposals for the Executive Secretary, the Reverend Dr. Thomas M., Richard, the Associate Executive Secretaries, the Reverend Dr. Donald P. Olsen and one yet to be named, as brought forth by the Association office. Rev. Gregg Ellcey moved the adoption of the recommendation of the Nominating Committee Mr. Don Miesbauer and Mr. Jeff Dillon be appointed Assistant Treasurers. Seconded and adopted. Rev. Alice Murphy moved that there be no transfer of funds from earnings to endowment principle of the three Morgan Park Endowment Funds (CFTS, CCD and Hurting Churches). Seconded and approved. (Exhibit 19)
03-E-19 Cash Shortages	Rev. Ed White moved that in light of current cash shortages within the unrestricted net operating fund, the Executive Secretary, Treasurer and Controller are hereby authorized to borrow from other NACCC investment funds, on a short-term basis, such amounts needed to finance day-to-day operations of the Association. Such borrowings are subject to monitoring by the Executive Committee. Seconded. After a lengthy discussion it was adopted. Out of the discussion came the decision that the method of communicating such actions with the Executive Committee would be via the work site.
Board of Directors Minutes Congregational Institute	7 February 6-8, 2003 Rev. Dr. Steven Peay, Chairman, stated the committee would bring a finalized report in June.
Ad Hoc Committee Leadership Team	Rev. Alice Murphy, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Maintenance of an Open Leadership Model presented her report. (Exhibit 20) A discussion of the report followed.