MINUTES OF THE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

AND

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

OF THE

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES

Comfort Suites, Peoria, Arizona

February 9-10, 2006

AGENDA ITEM	DISCUSSION/ACTION
1. Welcome Introductions	The meeting of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches was convened on Thursday, February 9, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. at the Comfort Suites in Peoria, Arizona by Chairman Rev. Milton (Ed) White.
2. Devotions	Don Sturgis gave opening devotions on February 9, 2006 Jeff Dillon gave closing devotions on February 10, 2006
3. Roll Call/ Announcements	Executive Committee voting members present were: White, Rev. Milton (Ed) White Clayton, Bonn Sommers,Joelle Sturgis, Don King, Rev.Giovan Clark, Rev. Joseph Hotchkin, Rev. Richard Van Tassel, Rev.Wendy Kniefel, Claudia Hood, Rev. Dr. Lottie Jones Butman, Anne Absent: Godard, Betty Ex-officio Executive Committee non-voting members were: Carter, Susan, Secretary Adair, Rev. Dick, Moderator Gierke, Helen, Moderator-Elect Board of Directors voting members: White, Rev. Milton (Ed) White Clayton, Bonn Sommers,Joelle Sturgis, Don King, Rev.Giovan Clark, Rev. Joseph Hotchkin, Rev. Richard Van Tassel, Rev.Wendy Kniefel, Claudia Adair, Rev. Dick, Moderator Gierke, Helen, Moderator-Elect Hood, Rev. Dr. Lottie Jones Butman, Anne Carter, Susan, Secretary Absent: Godard, Betty Rev. Dr. Lloyd Hall, Historian Also present: Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Richard, Executive Secretary Rev. John Carson, Associate Executive Secretary Jeff Dillon, Treasurer Dan Drea, Financial Manager Rev. Cynthia Bacon representing CFTS Rev. Joy Baumgartner representing CCD Willow Bascom representing the Missionary Society Jim Waechter, member of CCD EC members were reminded to use the motion slips when presenting a motion for discussion and voting.
4. Minutes of October 2005 meeting of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors	Motion #1: By general consensus the minutes of the October 5 & 6, 2005 meeting of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors were approved.
5. Minutes of December 2005 Executive Committee conference call.	Motion #2: By general consensus the minutes of the Executive Committee Conference Call on December 8, 2005, 3:00 p.m. were approved.
6. Staff Reports	6A - Karen Frazzell Accepted written reports from Church Services Commission and Commission on Youth Ministry. Liaison Wendy Van Tassell presented the report. 6B – Carrie Dahm Accepted written report on 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Annual Meetings. Motion #3: Bonn Clayton moved that we have our Annual Meeting in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 2008. Motion seconded. VOTE: Motion adopted Letter will be sent to Paul Ray notifying him of this decision. Motion #4: Bonn Clayton moved that the per diem reimbursement for non-scheduled meals at the 2006 Annual Meeting be set @ $11.00/breakfast; $15.00/lunch; $20.00/dinner (including tips), Motion seconded. VOTE: Motion unanimously adopted 6C Rev. Alice Murphy, Interim Director of Development Accepted written report. Alice reported that RSI would present the results of the Capital Campaign Feasibility Study on June 9, 2006. 6D Rev. John Carson, Associate Executive – CCD/Missionary Society Accepted written report. In addition a written report was accepted from Rev. Joy Baumgartner, Chair, Congregational Church Development. Joy reported that it is the goal of CCD to start 50 churches in the next ten years. The EC accepted a written report from Jim Waechter, a member of CCD, regarding the development of a DVD titled Three New Congregational Church Success Stories. Willow Bascom, Chair of the Missionary Society, gave a brief oral report. 6E Rev. Dr. Donald Olsen, Associate Executive – CFTS/DM/Information Services. Accepted written report. 6E1 Accepted written report from Maggie Lewis, Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (MMBB). 6F Rev. Dr. Thomas Richard, Executive Secretary Accepted written report. Tom spoke to the need to eliminate the annual YLR. It is not meeting the needs of the majority of our members. A proposal will be brought to the June EC meeting. It will be important how this message is communicated. We do not want people to look at this as a negative action. Rather a shift in the focus of youth ministry.
7. 2006 Annual Meeting	7a Rev. Dick Adair, Moderator Written report accepted. There was concern about liability insurance to cover the private boat tours. The 2006 Annual Meeting Committee will look into this matter. There was a question on when the pre-leadership meeting will discuss resources regarding websites. There will be a quiet day retreat – details are not available at this time. 7b Helen Gierke, Moderator-Elect Helen gave an oral report. She stated that plans are well underway for the 2007 Annual Meeting in Florida. There are currently 12 people who have agreed to serve on the Host Committee. Helen felt it would be helpful for the moderator-elect to be involved in the current Annual Meeting. A worksite will be created for the planning committee. 7c Sandy Freud, Chair, Host Committee Accepted written report
8.Financial	8a and 8b Jeff Dillon, Treasurer/Dan Drea, Financial Manager. Discussed and accepted combined Treasurer’s/Financial Manager’s report. 8c Don Sturgis, Budget Sub-Committee Don presented the 2006-2007 budget to support the General Operating Budget of the Association. Accepted document with suggested Budget Committee recommendations. Motion #5: Claudie Kniefel moved that a sub-committee be appointed by the EC to review the recommendations of the Budget Sub-Committee for referral to the Bylaws Committee for consideration by the EC and presentation to the body at the 2006 Annual Meeting. Motion seconded. VOTE: Unanimous approval. Motion adopted. Dick Hotchkin, Claudia Kniefel, and Joelle Sommers agreed to serve on this sub–committee to look at the recommendations. Tom Richard will serve as an ex-officio member of this committee. The Budget Sub-Committed moved that we accept the proposed budget for presentation at the 2006 Annual Meeting. Presented by committee, no second needed. VOTE: Unanimous approval. EC liaisons will conference with Division and Committees Chairs regarding the budget. The three NA Executives will set up conference calls. Motion #6: Wendy Van Tassel moved that the Executive Committee approve the recommended registration cost of $325 for the 2006 NAPF/HOPE conferences at Chapman College. Motion seconded. VOTE: Unanimous approval. Motion #7: Joelle Sommers moved that the registration fee for the 2006 Annual Meeting in Costa Mesa be $190 for full time and $50 for one day. Motion seconded. VOTE: Unanimous approval. Members of the EC are suggesting that each member of the NA leadership team consider donating a minimum of $25 towards their registration fee. 8e Sandy Freud, Host Committee The Host Committee requested approval of their recommendations for the communion offering. No action was taken because it is the opinion of the EC that the Host Committee makes this selection. 8f Jeff Dillon, Treasurer Motion #7: Jeff Dillon moved that the NA is in compliance with procedures for withholding, collecting, remitting all Federal and State Taxes. Motion seconded. VOTE: Unanimous approval by the Board of Directors Motion #8: Jeff Dillon moved that the NA engage Reilly, Penner, and Benton LLP for the annual audit. Motion seconded. VOTE: Unanimous approval by the Board of Directors
9. Historian	Rev. Dr. Lloyd Hall, Historian Lloyd presented a list of names for the EC to consider for a 2006 citation.
10. Unfinished Business and Ad Hoc Committees	10a – Annual Meeting Participation – Wendy Van Tassel Wendy reported we need to maximize the number of lay people who are accessing the NA website. We should consider posting an Annual Meeting banner on each church site. She also recommended that we advertise the forums on NA web. 10b – Capital Campaign – Drea/Clark/Murphy Two executives from Resource Services, Inc. (RSI) spent Friday morning, February 10^th, with the Executive Committee discussing the Capital Campaign and feasibility study to be presented in June. A draft of the NACCC Case for Support, February 2006 was distributed to EC members. 10c – Membership and Procedures – Dick Hotchkin Accepted written proposal for the Restoration of the World Christian Relations Commission. Motion #9: Bonn Clayton moved that the WCRC be reconstituted as called for by the Annual Meeting of June 27, 2005 as described by the report of the Membership Committee and direct Nominating Committee to fill the positions. Motion seconded. VOTE: Unanimous approval. Motion adopted 10d – Mission Statement – Becci Cox Written report accepted. Joelle Sommers was available for questions. 10e – CCT(Christian Churches Together) Gathering, Fraternal Delegates Report – Bonn Clayton Accepted written report on Fraternal Delegate visits. Bonn reported that late in March Christian Churches Together would become a formal organization. Motion #10: Bonn Clayton moved that we continue our participation in Christian Churches Together. Motion seconded. VOTE: Unanimous approval. Motion adopted. 10f – “What It Means” Publication – Tom Richard Tom distributed a revised version of the publication What It Means to Be a Member of a Congregational Church. The publication was revised by David L. Gray and Douglas L. Gray, 2005. 10g – Exhibit request – Carrie Dahm There has been confusion about the attachments listed in the minutes. Sue Carter, Tom Richard and Carrie Dahm will work out a new system. All documents are posted on the website. 10h – ICF – Patrick Shelley Written report accepted. Motion #11: Wendy Van Tassell moved that the Membership and Procedures Committee research the NACCC officially becoming a member of the ICF (The International Congregational Fellowship). Motion seconded. VOTE: Unanimous approval. Motion adopted.
11. Sub-Committees	11a – Appointments and Nominations – Anne Butmann Accepted written report. Ann reported on the difficulty in putting together a slate with so few nominations. 11b – Personnel and Administration – Lottie Jones Hood Accepted written report. 11c – Membership and Procedures – Dick Hotchkin Accepted written report of churches recommended for membership in the NACCC at the June 2006 Annual Meeting. The following churches were recommended: First Congregational Church, Morenci, Michigan Warden Community Church,Warden, Washington First Congregational Church of Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Massachusetts Sebago Center Community Church, Sebago, Maine Ione Community Church, Ione, Oregon Center Congregational Church, Atlanta, Georgia Motion #12: Dick Hotckin moved that the EC commends the work of Rev. Les Wicker of F.C.C., Naples, for his work with churches seeking affiliation with a larger fellowship. Our sincere thanks to him. Motion seconded. VOTE: Unanimous approved. Motion adopted. The NA office will follow through with commendation. 11c1 – Inactive Churches – Jim Walsh Accepted written report. 11c2 – Yearbook distribution policy change. Motion #13: By consensus the EC voted to table the proposal regarding yearbook distribution.
12. NA Commissions & Committees	12a – Communication Services Committee – Alan Seltzer Accepted written report. 12b Rev. James Eaton, Editor, The Congregationalist. Accepted written report. 12c Randy Asendorf, member of First Congregational Church, Toledo, Ohio, (associate member of Congregational Church of Sun City) asked for time with the EC to discuss The Congregationalist. He had grave concerns about the magazine and its future. Accepted written report. 12b – Financial Services – Hal Frentz Accepted written report. Three bullets were added to Hal’s report: Poised to do annual follow up to Church giving. Current year three new gift annuities have been started. Affirm work on Capital Feasibility Study. The Financial Services Committee is willing to assist with the process. 12c – Nominations Sub-Committee – Rev. Phil Jackson, Interim Chair Received written report. Motion #14: Don Sturgis moved to respond and support concerns expressed regarding the lack of diversity in various areas - Male/female, Clergy/lay people, Ethnic diversity and respectfully ask them to prayerfully reconsider nominees to the EC. Motion seconded. VOTE: Unanimously approved. Motion adopted. EC Chair, Ed White, will communicate this concern to Phil Jackson.
13. Organizational	13a – Investment Advisory Committee – Robert Brunner Accepted written report. 13b – Proposal to reduce Credentials Committee to one person Referred to committee . 13c – Proposal to reduce the EC by four members by 2007 Referred to appointed committee.
14. Closing Devotions	Jeff Dillon
15. Adjournment	The February 2006 meeting of the Executive Committee adjourned at 11:30 a.m. Friday, February 10, 2006

Recorder: Sue Carter, Secretary

To view attachments go to the NA worksite.