EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONAL
ACTIONS 02-E-01
Through 02-E- 35 January 31 –
Call to Order A regular meeting of the
Executive Committee of the National Association of Congregational Christian
Churches was called to order by the Chairman, Ms. Carol L. Cole, at
Executive Committee voting
members present Thursday Evening in addition to the Chairman, were:
Hopkins, Mr. James A. Carter, Mrs.
Susan
Clarke, the Reverend Joseph Simons, Mr. Blaine H.
Dando Haaheim, the Reverend
Patricia Gierke, the Reverend Dr. Dewey E.
Ellcey, the Reverend Gregory
A. Hicks, Mr. Michael
Backus, the Reverend Dr. Roy
C. Murphy, the Reverend Alice
Absent: Arnold, Mr. Kenneth W.
Ex-Officio Executive Committee
non-voting members present were:
Heilmann, Ms. Lois A., Secretary,
present at all sessions; and Kniefel, Ms. Claudia, Moderator.
Absent: Bailey, the Reverend
Steven H. Ware, Moderator-Elect.
Also
present, representing the Leadership Team of the National Association, were:
the Reverend Dr. Thomas M. Richard, Executive Secretary; Mr. James H. Walsh, Treasurer; Mrs.
Welcome/Getting The Chairman, Ms. Cole, welcomed the
group and asked each person to
To Know You share
some information, unknown to the others, about their life.
02-E-01 VOTED:
To approve the printed Agenda with necessary changes.
Approve Agenda (Exhibit 1)
02-E-02 VOTED: To ratify the Mail Ballot concerning the
purchase of accounting
Ratify Mail Ballot software. (Exhibit 2)
02-E-03 VOTED:
(By Mail Ballot) To approve the
purchase of new accounting
Purchase Accounting software for the NA
office.
02-E-04 VOTED:
To ratify the Mail Ballot concerning the request from Dr. Richard
Ratify Mail Ballot for an additional $5,000.00
to be spent for marketing and
marketing
consultations. (Exhibit 3)
02-E-05 VOTED:
(By Mail Ballot) To approve an
additional amount of $5,000.00
Approve Additional to be added to the original
amount of $5,000.00 authorized for use
$5,000.00 for marketing
and of the NA office for
marketing and marketing consultations.
marketing consultations
02-E-06 VOTED:
To ratify the mail ballot concerning the
Ratify Mail Ballot Executive Committee
minutes.
02-E-07 VOTED:
(By Mail Ballot) To approve the
minutes of the October 4-6,
Approve October Minutes
2001 Executive Committee meeting. (Exhibit 4)
Ms.
Staff Reports Ms. Cole called attention to the
written staff reports which had been mailed to Executive Committee members prior
to this meeting. Reports had been
received from Dr. Richard, the Reverend Mr. Jackson, Dr. Olsen, and Mrs.
Rosenberg.
Dr. Richard added to his report
the visits he had made to churches and associations; Mr. Hopkins suggested that
in future reports, Dr. Olsen include the distribution of the financial gifts
given to the September 11th appeal, featuring stories about those who
responded. The Reverend Mr. Jackson
added to his report giving information of the Youth sub-committee who plan five
different events each year and do a great job as well, with the Pilgrim
Missionary Voyages. He also stated that
we have received an estate gift
designated for endowed scholarships.
Mr. Jackson said that the NA is applying for a grant from the Lily
Foundation and should know by October if this has been approved.
02-E-08 VOTED:
To accept with much appreciation, the staff reports.
Appreciation to Staff (Exhibits 5,6,7,8)
Moderator’s Report Ms.
02-E-09 VOTED:
That the fees for the 2002 Annual Meeting in
Annual Meeting $150.00 for registrations
received before May 24th, $160.00 after
Fees that date, and $165.00 for
seven meals, including the Banquet.
The designation of the Communion Offering will be submitted at the June pre-meeting.
Thanks to The Moderator,
Moderator for the 2002 Annual Meeting
and for her efforts to provide many options to attendees.
Child Care Plans The Reverend
Moderator-Elect’s Due to snow in the
Report H. Ware Bailey, was
not able to attend this meeting. He had
been in contact with Ms. Cole and had informed her that the theme of the 2003
Annual Meeting to be held in
The meeting recessed for the
evening at
All
attendees met in the lobby of the hotel at
In attendance were all of the
earlier listed attendees along with all of the office staff and representatives
of the divisions.
At 8:00am, the Reverend Dr.
Donald Olsen, Associate Executive Secretary for Missions, Church Development
and Technology, offered a presentation to help people work together more
closely and to help everyone understand our NA Church work sites. After demonstrating what is available on our
work site, and answering questions from the audience, Dr. Olsen stated that our
NA Church work site can be found at: www.nachurch.org
and again offered the help of our staff to guide people in its use. (Exhibit 9)
Thanks to Dr. Olsen Dr. Richard expressed the appreciation of
our Association to Dr. Olsen for his command of our technical programs and for
being the bearer of solutions to our problems.
Devotions Ms.
Members of the Divisions were
excused to convene their separate meetings.
Annual Meeting The Moderator, Ms.
Banner banner to be used at the Annual Meeting in June. The hand-crafted banner, designed and created
by, Alice Gant, a Fabric Artist, was greatly admired by all present who agreed
that it will add much beauty to the Annual Meeting in
Following a brief break, all
Executive Committee members with the exception of Mr. Arnold, along with Dr.
Richard, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Miesbauer, Mrs. Rosenberg, Ms. Kniefel, Dr. Hall, and
Mr. Polhemus, gathered in the National Association library to resume
meeting. Mrs.
Mrs. Dahm’s Report For this year’s Annual Meeting, all is
progressing well and with Ms. Kniefel’s excellent plans, it is anticipated it
will be a great success. In 2003, Mrs.
Meeting, it has been suggested
that we meet in
Mrs. Dahm’s the Biltmore Hotel, an
historical landmark. Air flights into
Report (Continued) excellent and it is recommended that we
accept
02-E-10 VOTED:
To accept the recommendation that the 2004 National
Accept 2004 Annual Association Annual Meeting
be held in
Meeting Site
Mrs. Dahm was unanimously and warmly thanked for her excellent efforts as our Meeting Coordinator.
Future Meeting Dates The
Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Reverend Dr.
Thursday, October 10th through Saturday, October 12th in
Thursday,
February 6th through
in
Discussion re The Chairman asked for comments
concerning efforts to use electronic
Electronic Mail mail for EC communications. A discussion took place with various members
noting difficulty they had experienced.
It was determined that as this is a new effort on our part, and with Dr.
Olsen’s help, this can be a time and cost saving endeavor.
Dr. Richards’ Report The Executive Secretary, Dr. Richard, said
that he has had success in seeking sponsors for our Annual meeting lectures and
that he feels this will be a popular way for our
churches/individuals/associations to contribute to the work of our
Association. It was suggested that we
refer to this as underwriters, not sponsors.
Dr. Richard reported on a one day
retreat that our Executive Staff took in October, 2001. With systemic changes, we can make better use
of our Leadership Team and the NA staff.
In his report Dr. Richard outlined a number of suggestions to achieve a
New Leadership Model. (Exhibit 10)
The Executive Secretary next
presented an outline of how our Leadership Team might create an exciting future
for our churches through Church Renewal.
(Exhibit 11)
Dr. Richard also noted that in
the future, it is his hope that our budget will allow the addition of an Office
Assistant to our NA staff. He outlined
the responsibilities this position would entail.
Bylaws Re: Ballots The Historian, Dr. Hall, called
attention to page 259 of the Bylaws of the Association, Section IV, item (h)
which states that ballots shall be mailed.
If we are now to send ballots electronically, this bylaw will have to be
changed accordingly.
The
Reverend
Controller’s Report The report of the Controller, Mrs.
Treasurer’s Report Mr. James Walsh presented his Treasurer’s
Report and answered questions offered.
He stated that he is most grateful to Mr.
Investment Trust At the Annual Meeting in
Seminar Company, the firm
handling our investments, will present a seminar which should be of interest to
our churches. The return on our
investments for the last quarter of 2001 was 6.9% and year to date for 2001 was
(2.4%).
02-E-11 VOTED:
To affirm the recommendation of the Personnel and
Affirm Housing Allow- Administration subcommittee to
approve the housing
ance and expense allowance and related
expense proposals for the
proposals for Executive Executive Secretary, the
Reverend Dr. Thomas M. Richard,
Secretaries the Associate Executive
Secretaries, the Reverend Mr. Phil
R. Jackson and the Reverend
Dr. Donald P. Olsen, as
brought forth by the
Association office.
02-E-12 VOTED: To accept the Resolution as
presented by the Treasurer,
Accept Resolution Mr. James Walsh, that
overspending of line items of the
Re: Operating Budget 2001-02 Operating Budget are
approved, provided that
Line Items the total Expense Budget may
not be exceeded by more
than ten percent (10%).
02-E-13 VOTED: To accept the Resolution presented
by the Treasurer,
Accept Resolution Re: Mr. Walsh, that procedures
for the withholding, collecting
Federal and State Taxes and remitting of all Federal
and State taxes are in place
and will be consistently
implemented. 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.
02-E-14 VOTED: To accept the Resolution presented
by the Treasurer,
Accept
Resolution Re: Mr.
James Walsh, that the following individuals:
James
of
Securities Treasurer; and Thomas M.
Richard, Executive Secretary,
are hereby authorized to
sell, assign and endorse for transfer,
certificates representing
stocks, bonds, or other securities
registered or hereafter
registered in the name of the
National Association of
Congregational
02-E-15 VOTED: That there be no transfer of funds
this year for the Morgan
Morgan
Park Transfer Park Endowments recognizing
the presence of nominal
of
Funds inflation.
02-E-16 VOTED: To ratify the action of the office
and approve the hiring
Approve
new Auditing of a new Auditing Firm, Reilly, Penner
& Benton LLP, of
Firm
At
transport the Leadership
Team back to the hotel.
At
Ms. Cole distributed copies of the informational
brochure which the office gives to inquiring churches. (Exhibit 12)
Proposed
Budget The Controller, Mrs.
For
Fiscal Year Budget for the
fiscal year 2002-03, which was discussed.
This Proposed 2002-03 Budget shows a 2% deficit of
($19,700).
Motion To reinstate an amount
of $87,750 for THE CONGREGATIONALIST.
There being
no second, the Motion failed.
Motion To allocate the amount
of $86,000, which would be the same amount as
budgeted for
this year, to THE CONGREGATIONALIST.
The Motion failed.
02-E-17 VOTED:
To amend the Motion to change $86,000 to $84,000 as the
Amount
to be budgeted for amount to be budgeted for THE
CONGREGATIONALIST.
02-E-18 VOTED:
To approve the Proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year 2002-
Approve
Proposed Budget 2003 as
amended . (Exhibit 13 )
The meeting
recessed for lunch at
Prayers The Reverend Dr.
Richard offered a prayer prior to the meal in memory of our Attorney and
friend, Mr. Walter Davis, and the Reverend Dr. Erwin A. Britton, past Executive
Secretary, both of whom had recently departed this life. The blessing before the meal was offered by
the Reverend
Call to Order Ms.
Congregational The
Reverend
Hymnal presentation concerning the publication of a Congregational Hymnal. The Reverend Ms. Bacon had done a great deal of research on this matter and had obtained signatures of a number of churches who had indicated interest in this matter. She had also obtained financial gifts to date, in the amount of $6,000 for this project, and would like to have a committee working with her. Ms. Bacon requested: 1. Permission from the Executive Committee to continue this project; 2. The formation of a committee to work with her (she had a preliminary meeting agenda prepared); 3. Permission to raise additional funds; and 4. Web site involvement.
The Reverend Cindy Bacon was thanked and congratulated on her work on this project thus far and the Executive Committee said they would take this under consideration.
The Reverend Cindy Bacon left the meeting.
Representatives Ashley M. Cook, Campus Minister, of
After their presentation, Dr.
Cleere and the Reverend
Necrology The Historian, Dr. Hall,
asked for guidance as to what individuals are to be incorporated into the
Necrology at the Annual Meeting. A
discussion followed.
02-E-19 VOTED: That the Necrology given at the
Annual Meeting shall usually
Necrology include clergy who have
served NACCC churches, the
Inclusions spouses of such clergy, and lay persons
who have served
as officers or members of divisions,
commissions, or
committees within the NACCC, or as officers of
regional fellowships.
The
Historian next brought up the matter of reinstating
a Library Committee. Dr. Hall offered
the following Proposal:
To create a voluntary committee for the Founders
Library with the following
responsibilities:
1. Periodically review its use
and policies
2. Encourage acquisitions
3. Make recommendations as to
its upkeep
4. Seek volunteers (including
interns, etc.) to catalog, sort, file, etc.
The Membership/Tenure would be:
1.
At least three, not more than five members, appointed
annually
by the Executive Committee
2. Membership
to include the Historian and Executive
Secretary
02-E-20 VOTED:
To approve the Proposal for a Library Committee as
Approve
Library presented by the Historian,
Dr. Hall.
Dr. Hall will present his suggested members for the Library Committee in June.
Report
of Mr. Mr. Joseph Polhemus,
Editor of THE CONGREGATIONALIST, gave his
Polhemus report saying that he is
grateful for the excellent articles he receives for publication and that
serving as our Editor is still an enjoyable experience for him. Mr. Polhemus was thanked for his continued
good work on our behalf.
The Congregational Mr. James Hopkins next gave his report on
the establishment of The
Foundation Congregational Foundation,
using Scripture from Matthew 5:13-16, “You are the salt of the earth, but if
salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?” The Statement of Purpose for the Foundation
was given:
The Congregational Foundation is
entrusted with responsibility for funding salt and light for a new century by …
Providing a catalyst for charitable
donations
Broadening the base of giving to
Congregational purposes
Encouraging and funding new initiatives
Funding the missions and dreams
of our Divisions, Commission and
Committees
Congregational
Insuring the financial stability and work of the Association in support
Foundation (Continued) of local churches
Discussion Mr. Hopkins requested
approval to continue with this project and in June to make a presentation and
ask for support via vote of the delegates.
The matter was taken under consideration to be continued later in the
meeting.
The Chairman called for a brief
break.
The meeting resumed at
Nominating Mrs.
Committee Report Committee, was welcomed to the meeting
and asked to give her committee report.
The following nominees were presented by Mrs. Walbridge:
Moderator-Elect - - - - - - - The Reverend
Dr.
Pilgrim Congregational Church
Treasurer - - - - - - - - - - - -Mr. James
Walsh
First Congregational Church
Secretary - - - - - - - - - - - -Mrs.
Pilgrim Congregational Church
Historian - - - - - - - - - - -
-Reverend Dr. Lloyd M. Hall, Jr.
Credentials Committee - - The Reverend
Giovan Venable King
First Congregational Church
Executive Committee- - - -Mrs.
First Congregational Church
The Reverend Dr. Lottie Jones-Hood
First Congregational Church
The Reverend
Congregational
Incoming Chairman Mrs. Walbridge announced that the
Reverend Paul Ray will be the
Incoming Chairman of the Association
Nominating Committee. She also
Nomination Forms announced that in the future nomination
forms will be held for two years
and that nomination
forms will be available in attendee’s packets in
and people will be
encouraged to fill them out.
Leadership Team Ms. Cole called for reports from the
members of the Leadership Team.
Reports
Congregational The
Reverend Dr.
Institute listing four goals for
this project: 1. How do we preserve the idea and the
ideal? (This is in response to the
Roozen Report); 2. To be a think tank for the Congregational
Way; 3.
To be a “moveable feast” i.e., provide learning, teaching, education,
etc. opportunities for pastoral and lay training which can be mobile enough to
reach people where they are geographically.
(Regional opportunities and on line learning); 4. To
use the NACCC National Office to house the Institute with relationships with
Olivet and
Piedmont
Colleges.
Dr. Richard
suggested that the Heritage Foundation and the Institute work together in
making future plans.
Future Plan Dr. Backus next presented a
written report on a Future Plan which would consist of a group of leaders who
serve or have served the NA, but are not presently serving in any NA leadership
position. They will do long- range
planning and evaluations on an on-going basis and be a resource to whom the
Executive Committee and/or the Executive Staff may turn. Dr. Backus listed the purposes of this group;
the rationale; its terms of service and tenure.
02-E-21 VOTED: To adopt the Proposal for a Future Plan as
presented by Dr.
Adopt
Proposal
Fraternal
Visitors Dr. Richard presented a
proposal for a Fraternal Visitors Team including
Team the Rationale for
the team and its make-up and responsibilities.
A discussion followed concerning this proposal.
02-E-22 VOTED: To accept the Proposal for a Fraternal
Visitors Team as presented
Accept
Proposal by the Reverend Dr.
Richard. (Exhibit 15)
Church
Services Ms.
Report her report next. The Advent and Lenten Devotionals are going
well and the Commission is expanding the writing and participation in this
endeavor. The Pilgrim Missionary Voyage
this year will be to
Church Services at the meeting. Churches will bring posters showing how they
relate to their
(Continued) communities.
Reverend
Thomas Miller, Dr.
Financial
Services The Reverend Dr.
Minutes Financial Services
Committee as provided by Mr. Thomas Lootens, in which it was moved that the
Building and Loan subcommittee of the FSC be merged with the Congregational
Church Development Division. During
discussion it was noted that this would involve merging a committee with a Division
which would require a change in our bylaws.
The Membership and Procedures Subcommittee was asked to investigate this
and report back in June.
Vendors,