MINUTES OF THE
EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE MEETING
AND
THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS MEETING
OF THE
NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONAL
June 25-29
2005
Through 05-E-38
And
ACTIONS 05-C-16
Through 05-C-20
Call To Order The
regular meetings of the Executive Committee and of the
Board of Directors of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches were convened on Saturday, June 25, 2005 at 8:38 A.M. in the Roosevelt Room of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown, Kansas City Missouri, by the Chairman Rev. Milton (Ed) White.
Executive Committee voting members present were:
Butman, Mrs. Anne Kniefel, Ms. Claudia
Hicks, Mr. Michael
White, the Rev.
Milton “Ed”
Van Tassell, the Rev. Wendy G. Clarke, the Rev. Joseph
Hotchkin, the Rev. Richard E. Gierke, the Rev. Dewey
Hood, the
Rev. Dr. Lottie Jones
Absent: Godard, Mrs. Betty
Ex-Officio Executive Committee non-voting members were:
Glab, Mrs. Sherry, Secretary, Mrs. Hannah Hall, Moderator, and Rev. Dick Adair,
Moderator-Elect.
There were 11 voting members of the Board of Directors present:
Hood, Rev. Dr. Lottie Jones Kniefel,
Ms. Claudia
Hicks, Mr. Michael Clarke, the
Rev. Joseph
Van Tassell, the Rev. Wendy G. Gierke, the Rev. Dewey
White, the Rev. Milton
“Ed” Butman, Mrs.
Anne
Hotchkin, the Rev. Richard E. Hall,
Mrs. Hannah Wing
Adair, the Rev. Richard
Executive
Committee Meeting 2 June 25-29,
2005
Board of
Directors Meeting
Absent: Godard, Mrs. Betty
Ex-Officio non-voting member present was Glab, Mrs.
Sherry, Secretary.
Also present were: The Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Richard, Executive Secretary;
the Rev. Dr. Lloyd M. Hall, Jr., Historian;
and Mr. Jeff Dillon, Assistant Treasurer; Mrs. Joelle
Sommers, and Mr. Dan Drea, Financial Manager.
Devotions In
lieu of a devotion the Chairman requested that we ask
for Divine Guidance through prayer. We
held hands and prayed silently. Rev.
White then closed the prayer time and we repeated the Lord’s Prayer.
Dr.
Richard asked that we keep the following people in our prayers: Harry Butman, Sue Carter and her family and
Ed Adams, who was missing his sixth meeting in 50 years, and his wife Virginia,
who are both in ill health.
05-E-19 VOTED: By consensus the agenda was approved as
05-C-16 printed, with minor
changes. (Exhibit 1) Joe Clarke asked that
Agenda in the future the time of the meeting be included on the agenda.
Rev.
Van Tassell asked the Executive Committee to help
move boxes to the display tables at lunchtime.
8:50
A.M. Mr. Jim Walsh entered the meeting.
Announcements Rev.
White asked we vote on the motion printed on the agenda:
05-E-20 That the Rev. Dr. Lloyd
Hall fill the vacant position on the
05-C-17 Executive Committee and the Board of
Directors due to the
Election resignation of Rev. Alice Murphy.
ADOPTED
by general consent
(Note: This position is for this meeting of the EC/BD
only and will provide the EC with a full compliment of 12 members.)
05-E-21 VOTED: By general consent the minutes of February
4-5,
05-C-18 2005 meeting of the
Executive Committee and the Board of
Minutes Directors were ratified as posted.
Board of Directors Minutes
05-E-22 VOTED: By general consent the minutes of the
February 25,
05-C-19 2005 telephone
conference call were ratified as posted.
Minutes
8:55 A.M.
Rev. Giovan King joined us.
Moderator’s Mrs.
Hannah Hall went through her report (Exhibit 2) with
Report recommendations.
Dr.
Richard suggested that Hannah’s list of concerns be put on the agenda for the
October meeting.
Mrs.
Hall asked for acceptance of the Annual Meeting’s Program.
05-E-23 VOTED: By general consent the Program was adopted.
Mr.
Seminars The printed list of seminar assignments (Exhibit 3) for this
Annual Meeting were brought to our attention. Rev. White informed us that the
top name under each seminar would be the facilitator. Dr. Richard asked that the following be
accomplished in the seminars: that we hear from the people in attendance and
that comments, suggestions and questions should be recorded and that the
attendees be assured that we will respond.
Moderator-Elect’s Rev. Dick Adair reported the 2006 Bible
lecturer will be William Pennell, Professor of
Preaching at Fuller Seminary. He added that there is a great host committee
and that the meeting will be a fun adventure.
Executive Dr.
Richard spoke briefly to his report (Exhibit 4).
Secretary’s Report
Dewey
Gierke suggested that churches, not individuals, should nominate leadership
members.
Dr.
Richard noted that the written reports from all of the Executive Secretaries
are in the delegates’ packets.
Executive
Committee Minutes
4 June 25-29,
2005
Board of
Directors Minutes
Treasurer’s Report Mr.
Jim Walsh brought our attention to Mr. Drea’s report
(Exhibit 5), the Treasurer’s Report (Exhibit 6) and the Auditor’s Report
(Exhibit 7).
9:50
A.M. Mrs. Hall left.
Break At
10:07 Rev. White declared a ten minute recess.
At
10:25 the meeting resumed with everyone noted above present except Rev. Giovan
King and Dr. Richard.
Treasurer’s Report Mr.
Walsh continued going over the Treasurer’s Report.
(con’td.)
Financial Manager’s Mr.
Dan Drea thanked us for the opportunity to work with us.
Report
Ass’t. Treasurer’s Mr. Jeff Dillon
had no report.
Report
Budget Sub- Rev.
Dewey Gierke presented the proposed budget and noted
Committee’s Report that
the deficit has now been reduced from $180,000 to $158,000 due to a $28,200.00
bequest.
05-E-24 VOTED: The budget was
adopted as presented.
05-C-20
11:05 A.M. Dr.
Richard returned and Rev. Alice Murphy joined us.
Development Rev. Murphy read her report
(Exhibit 9) which is included in the
Director Update delegate packets and brought our
attention to the pamphlets
also included in the packets: “Churches Speaking to
Churches”,
“The Joe Polhemus Endowment Fund for the
Congregationalist Magazine” and “The Congregational Foundation Nurtures
Acorns”.
Membership Rev. Dick Hotchkin reported we
will be voting on seven new
& Procedures member churches during the Annual
Meeting (Exhibit 10).
Report Claudia
Kniefel asked that this committee stress the
necessity of adhering to the deadline as she does not like the last minute
requests we experienced this time.
Executive Committee Minutes 5 June 25-29, 2005
Board of Directors Minutes
Lunch At 11:51 A.M. the
Chairman dismissed us for lunch.
The Leadership Team assembled for lunch and Rev. White called us to
order at 12:03 P.M. and asked Rev. Joe Clark to lead us in grace.
Dr. Tom Richard thanked us all for being here and for the work we do for the NACCC. He then presented Rev. Bill Fillebrown with a Miles Standish Society tee shirt. These tee shirts have been made for people who are 5 feet seven inches or shorter. Dr. Richard announced these shirts may be purchased. Following lunch Mrs. Hall made some announcements.
Call to Order At l:00 P.M. the Chairman called our meeting to order with all present as noted with the exception of Dan Drea, and Rev. Giovan King.
Membership Rev. Adair suggested we have a policy on the receiving of new
(cont’d.) member churches. After discussion Mike Hicks moved that the following policy be adopted:
05-E-25 1) Application for membership
Application for a) Completed in full by April 15
Membership b) Approved by Executive Committee no later than May
2) Application for Associate Membership
a) Completed in full by June 20
b) Approved by Executive Committee prior to Annual
Meeting.
Seconded
VOTED: Motion was adopted.
Dick Adair spoke to the question of potential member churches that have monies in other denominations.
1:15 Ms. Kniefel left the meeting.
Executive Committee Minutes 6 June
25-29, 2005
Board of Directors Minutes
Dr. Hall spoke to the idea and potential of Provisional Membership and moved that the following bylaw change to be brought to the delegates:
05-E-26 Amend
Bylaw Article II by adding Paragraph 7.
Provisional Churches who have expressed
serious intent to pursue member-
Membership ship in the Association may be granted Provisional Membership by the Executive Committee. Provisional members shall be eligible to participate in the investment and insurance programs of the Association; and shall have the privilege of voice but not vote in meetings of the Association. Provisional Membership shall not extend for more than 18 months. Seconded
VOTED: Motion was adopted.
Nominations & Mrs.
Anne Butman gave the report from Nominations &
Appointments Appointments Committee (Exhibit
11). She noted that Arthur Ebert has resigned from
the Investment Advisory Committee.
VOTED: The motion to accept the nominations and
appointments recommended by the committee was adopted.
Anne
acknowledged Charles Packer as the Chairman of the Nominating Committee.
P & A Rev.
Dr. Lottie Jones Hood, Chairman of the Personnel and Administration Subcommittee,
spoke briefly to her report (Exhibit 12).
1:40
Rev. Adair, Ms. Kniefel and Rev. King returned, and
Mrs. Hall left the meeting.
Heritage It
was announced that the Heritage Writers Team is working on
Writers Team some
projects and the future of this group is under discussion.
NAPF/Hope Mike
Hicks reported on the Youth Mission Project and noted that 37 youth
participated. They are currently making plans for the 2006 Annual Meeting in
California and looking at sites for the 2007 meeting in Florida. The Youth Leaders Retreat is to be held on
March 3 through March 5, 2006.
Registration for both NAPF and Hope is down this year. They are putting serious thought into
providing scholarships next year.
Executive Committee Minutes 7 June 25-29,
2005
Board of Directors Minutes
Website Access Ed
White read Dr. Walter Vernon’s letter (Exhibit 13) regarding Dr. Vernon’s
proposal to open the National Association’s website to everyone, excluding
personnel matters. A lengthy discussion
followed during which Dr. Richard suggested the Executive Committee post on the
website a tentative agenda and anyone wishing to join the meeting (conference
call), contact the chairman as to how to access the conference call. The Chairman asked that we come up with a
policy statement.
05-E-27 Dewey Gierke moved that it
shall be the policy of the Executive Committee that NAchurch.org worksite links
access be limited to those elected or appointed to serve on Boards,
Commissions, Committees or Ministry Teams.
Further that minutes of all meetings will be available on the
NAchurch.org worksite once they are ratified.
Seconded.
VOTED: Motion was adopted.
Posting of Regarding
Rev. J.D. Megason’s request, at the 2004 Annual
Minutes Meeting,
for posting minutes, it was decided this was accomplished with the previous
motion.
The
Chairman declared a break at 2:43 P.M. and the meeting resumed at 2:59 P.M.
CCD Rev.
Neil Hunt, Chairman of the Congregational Church Development Division and
members of his committee joined the meeting.
After each member of the Division introduced themselves Neil addressed
their desire for Wish List funds. He
told of the desire of this Division to have the starting of new churches become
a priority of the National Association.
He asked for assistance in finding resources. Neil continued by giving a report on the
Naples, Florida church. He then stated
they feel Building and Loan has been overlooked. CCD has oversight of Building and Loan, but
they need help in giving direction in what ways B & L can help. Neil asked that they be given the opportunity
to celebrate new churches next year during the Annual Meeting. They are putting together a new
brochure. CCD requested $100,000, over
the next three years, for the start of new churches. Dr. Richard asked CCD to take the lead with
Building & Loan and that Rev. John Carson will be the liaison. The Division members were thanked and they
left the meeting room.
Executive Committee Minutes 8 June 25-29, 2005
Board of
Directors Minutes
DFM Rev.
Kathryn Rust, Chairman of the Division for Ministry and members of her committee were invited to
speak. Rev. Rust asked for the status of the wish list for the various funds
maintained by this Division, i.e. Retired Ministers Fund and the Ministerial
Assistance Fund. The Division had asked
for $13,000.00 and Tom Richard requested them to resubmit their “plan” for Wish
List money by the October Executive Committee meeting. Rev. Rust asked that the Executive Committee
communicate with her as to when this meeting is to be held. The Division members were thanked and they
left the meeting room.
4:10
P.M. Hannah Hall and Jim Walsh left the
meeting.
The Rev.
Jim Eaton spoke to his report (Exhibit 14) and reminded us
Congregationalist he had asked
for a part time staff person to solicit advertising.
Marketing The
New Hampshire Marketing program was addressed.
Dr.
Program Richard
asked that this be given to the Communication Services Committee and that they
discuss with Mary Carson the $5,000 used for this project and others. He stated that Marketing is not a function of
the Executive Committee. Tom asked for a motion to move this project to
Communication Services since it was now time to pass it on.
Communications Mr.
Alan Seltzer, Chairman of Communication Services Committee and some of the
members of this Committee presented their report. Mr. Seltzer advised us they are going to
produce a Marketing Newsletter quarterly via e-mail. Cost for this Newsletter is to be $25.00 per
subscriber. This Committee is going to
ask for some Wish List money for “seed” money to help churches that cannot
afford an advertising program.
Networking with Congregational Church Development Division will be
developed. Tom Richard asked that other
committees and commissions meet with Communication Services to work
together. The division members were
thanked and they left the meeting room.
05-E-28 Rev. Dewey Gierke moved
that the Marketing Program, tested in New Hampshire, be given to the
Communication Services Committee.
Seconded
VOTED: Motion adopted.
Executive Committee Minutes 9 June 25-29, 2005
Board of Directors Minutes
Heritage Writers Rev.
Gierke and Dr. Richard spoke to the possible suspension of this group after
which a short discussion took place.
05-E-29 Mr. Bonn Clayton moved we
discharge the Heritage Writers with thanks.
Seconded
VOTED: Motion adopted.
DFM Dewey
Gierke suggested that Divisions do not understand their budgets and he
suggested a workshop be held for Division members. Jim Walsh informed us that Dan Drea is
meeting with them. Lottie Jones Hood
spoke to DFM’s wish list items after which a lengthy
discussion took place. Dr. Richard
suggested giving DFM some emergency money.
05-E-30 Dewey Gierke moved that
the Executive Committee designate
05-C-21 $6,500.00 out of
unrestricted administration account net assets to DFM for the prescription drug
program for retired ministers. Seconded.
VOTED: Motion was adopted.
Recess The
Chairman recessed the meeting at 5:00 P.M. for dinner.
Rev. Ed White reconvened the meeting at 7:00 P.M. All were present as previously listed with the exception of Sherry Glab, Secretary, Giovan Venable King, Joelle Summers and Dan Drea. The following minutes were taken by Ms. Claudia Kniefel.
05-E-31 Dewey Gierke moved to
accept the reports of Rev. John Carson and Rev. Dr. Donald Olsen. (Exhibits 15
& 16) Seconded.
VOTED: Motion was adopted.
05-E-32 Rev. Gierke moved that
the Executive Committee accept the suggested list of names for the New Mission
Statement Team listed below and charge them with submitting a new NACCC Mission
Statement to the Executive Committee at their pre-meeting in June of 2006: Rev. Dr. Beth Bingham, California; Mrs. Becci Dawson Cox, Minnesota; Rev. Bill Fillebrown,
Massachusetts; Dr. Betsey Mauro, Maine; Mrs. Joelle
Sommers, Wisconsin; Rev. Shawn Stapleton, Wisconsin; Mr. Arthur Voisin, Mississippi; and Rev. John Carson, ex-officio
member. Seconded
VOTED: Motion adopted.
Executive Committee Minutes 10
June25-29, 2005
Board of Directors Minutes
5:15 P.M. Dr.
Richard left the meeting
05-E-33 Mrs. Anne Butman moved
that we approve the following appointments to the Future Planning Team and
Fraternal Delegates pending their acceptance:
Class
of ’08
Rev.
Earl Crutchfield
Rev.
Dewey Gierke
Rev.
Michael Chittum
Mrs.
Laurie Kendall
Future
Planning Team
Class
of ’06
Rev.
Douglas Lobb
Rev.
Arthur Voisin
Rev.
Phil Jackson
Class of ’07
Mr.
Jim Hopkins
Mrs.
Barbara Mullen
Mr.
Noel Vanek
Class of ’08
Rev.
Neil Hunt
Mrs.
Christine Fleischmann
Mrs.
Julie Peay
Motion
seconded.
VOTED: Motion adopted.
Recess Meeting recessed at 7:30
P.M.
Executive Committee Minutes 11 June 25-29,
2005
Board of Directors Minutes
SUNDAY MORNING
Prayer Rev. Ed White asked us once again to join in silent prayer to begin the day.
2008 Annual The Revs. Paul Ray, Phil Jackson and Bill Fillebrown presented Meeting an invitation to hold the 2008 Annual Meeting in Plymouth,
Presentation Massachusetts. (Exhibit 17).They gave a thorough report of
the facilities and features of the area we might be able to use, after which a
lengthy discussion took place.
05-E-34 Lloyd Hall moved we
receive this invitation with enthusiasm and ask the meeting planner and the
Massachusetts committee to meet and bring back a plan in October. Seconded.
9:45 A.M. Rev. Giovan Venable King arrived.
Chrisitan Churches Bonn Clayton reported
he had attended the last meeting with the
Together
leaders of all denominations, but the meeting to incorporate was
postponed. There are 31 churches waiting
to join, and attending the meeting were
67 people representing 51 denominations.
Bonn thinks this group is a way of promoting Congregationalism (we have
joined for one year).
10:06 Dick Adair and Carrie Dahm left the
meeting.
Executive Committee
Minutes 12 June
24-29, 2005
Board of Directors Minutes
Bonn continued with his report that Christian Churches Together is going forward and he recommended we continue to participate. During this discussion the suggestion of forming a World Christian Relations Committee in the National Association was made. Ed asked Bonn to work up a presentation for the October Executive Committee meeting and one to give to the delegates at the Annual Meeting next year.
Chairman Ed White informed us that the Board of Governors will be meeting Tuesday evening after the host program.
At 10:29 A.M. the Chairman called for a 15 minute break.
The meeting was reconvened at 10:43 P.M. All previously mentioned were present except for Giovan and Joelle.
Advisory Committee Dr. Richard provided a handout “Business Week Special Report – May 23, 2005” (Exhibit 18) and an e-mail from Bob Brunner (Exhibit 19). After some discussion:
05-E-35 Mike Hicks moved that the Executive Secretary be directed to seek legal counsel on the Investment Advisory Committee’s recommendation to allow State Associations to become part of the Congregational Trust and, if advisable, to change the investment documents accordingly. Seconded.
VOTED: Motion adopted.
Chairman Ed White asked Dr. Tom Richard to inform the other committees, boards, etc. to publish minutes per the October, 2004 decision.
Meeting was recessed at 10:51 A.M.
TUESDAY EVENING
Call to Order Chairman Ed White called the meeting to order on Tuesday Evening, June 28th at 9:00 P.M.
Members present were Chairman Rev. White, Ms. Claudia Kniefel, Rev. Dick Hotchkin, Mrs. Anne Butman, Mr. Mike Hicks, Mr. Bonn Clayton, Rev. Dr. Dewey Gierke, Rev. Joe Clarke, Rev. Wendy Van Tassell, Rev. Dr. Lloyd Hall.
Executive Committee Minutes 13 June 24-29, 2005
Board of Directors Minutes
Also present were: Rev. Dr. Tom Richard, Mr. Don Sturgis, Rev. Giovan King, Mr. Dan Drea, Mr. Jeff Dillon, Rev. Dick Adair, Hal Frentz , Sherry Glab and Neil Hunt
Prayer Mr. Mike Hicks opened the meeting with a prayer.
Capital Fund Drive Mr. Hal Frentz was called on to speak and he told us of the need for a Capital Fund Drive.
Rev. White informed us he was going to appoint a subcommittee under the umbrella of the Executive Committee for the purpose of hiring an individual, or company, to determine the feasibility of a Capital Fund Drive in the National Association. They are to report to the Executive Committee at the October meeting the results of their finding and start time, if such a campaign is found advisable.
The committee is to consist of Rev. Joe Clarke, Representative from the Executive Committee; Mr. Tom King, Representative from the Financial Services; Ms. Carolyn Sundquist, Representative from the Congregational Foundation; Mr. Dan Drea, Financial Manager; Rev. Alice Murphy from the Foundation; Rev. Dr. Tom Richard, Executive Secretary; and Rev. Dr. Dewey Gierke, Executive Committee’s appointed liaison.
Chairman Rev. White went on to say that the personnel and sub-committee expenses are to be underwritten by the National Association using current guidelines for travel, lodging and food as expressed in the latest National Association directives, plus telephone expenses not to exceed $10,000.00 to be taken out of the Executive Committee’s designated funds.
Mr. Frentz advised us they have already started the groundwork.
05-E-36 Mr. Bonn Clayton moved that expenses not to exceed $10,000 are to be taken from the Executive Committee’s designated funds. Seconded.
VOTED: Motion adopted.
Executive Committee Minutes 14 June 24-29, 2005
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
Call to Order Chairman Ed White called the meeting to order on Wednesday Afternoon June 29, 2005 at 3:15 P.M.
Members present were: Rev. Dr. Dewey Gierke, Mr. Mike Hicks, Rev. Joe Clarke, Rev. Dr. Lottie Jones Hood, Mrs. Anne Butman, Rev. Wendy Van Tassell, Rev. Dick Hotchkin, Ms. Claudia Kniefel, Mr. Bonn Clayton. Also present were Mrs.