MINUTES OF THE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

AND

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

OF THE

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES

 

June 21-23, 2007

 

AGENDA

DISCUSSION/ACTION

Thursday, June 21, 2007, 6:30 p.m.

1.  Welcome/Roll Call

Chairman Rev. Richard Hotchkin convened the meeting of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches on Thursday, June 21, 2007, 6:30 p.m.

 

Executive Committee voting members present were:

Rev. Richard Hotchkin (Chair)                                      

Claudia Kniefel                                     Joelle Sommers            

Edith Bartley                                         Rev. Casey vanderBent            

Don Sturgis                                           Rev. Wendy Van Tassell

Bonn Clayton                                        Rev. Joe Clarke

Anne Butman                                        Rev. Neil Hunt

Rev. Bobbie Chapman

 

Board of Directors voting members:

Rev. Richard Hotchkin (Chair)                                                  

Claudia Kniefel                                     Joelle Sommers                        

Don Sturgis                                           Edith Bartley                            

Rev. Casey vanderBent                         Rev. Wendy Van Tassell

Bonn Clayton                                        Rev. Dr. Lloyd Hall

Rev. Joe Clarke                                    Dr. Helen Gierke, Moderator    

Anne Butman                                        Rev. Neil Hunt

Rev. Bobbie Chapman

Rev. William Fillebrown, Moderator-Elect

                       

Also present:

Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Richard, Executive Secretary

Dan Drea, Financial Manager               

Jeff Dillon, Treasurer

Susan Carter, Secretary

 

2.   Opening Devotions

Opening devotions given by Wendy Van Tassell. 

 

3.  Agenda

Reviewed agenda.

 

MOTION #1: Moved by Joe Clarke, second, that we approve the agenda for the June 21-22, 2007 EC meeting with the following additions:

·      Communication Services will meet with EC at 11:30.

·      Missionary Society would like to meet with EC – time not determined.

·      Diana David will meet with EC first thing on Sat. a.m.

·      The EC has not voted on presenting the Knightsville Church of Rhode Island to the Delegates. This action will need to be taken.

VOTE:  Motion adopted

4.  Vote on acceptance of Knightsville-Franklin Congregational Church of Rhode Island

MOTION #2: Moved by Bonn Clayton, second, that we recommend Knightsville-Franklin Congregational Church of Cranston, Rhode Island for acceptance into the NA.

VOTE:  Motion adopted.

5.  Minutes

MOTION #3:  Moved by Casey vanderBent, second, that the minutes of the May 22, 2007 EC conference call be approved.

VOTE:  Motion adopted

6.  Moderator’s Report

Moderator Dr. Helen Gierke gave an update on the 53rd Annual Meeting of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches.  It is going to be a good meeting.  The new hymnals are ready and will be shared with delegates.  Bible Lecturer, Dr. Richard Ward, is going to use the hymnal for all his lectures. She asked liaisons to remind Division presenters to keep reports short with a focus on vision.  Do not repeat the written report.  We have some wonderful learning events.

 

Dr. Gierke announced a change in the Monday evening program.  It was simply too expensive to take the entire group to the beach.  Logistics became insurmountable.  Instead we will have an evening of music and magic.  Complete information will be in packets.  She is excited about the Bible Lecturer Dr. Richard Ward.  He’s a wonderful speaker, preacher and teacher.  The new hymnal will be used for the Opening Worship on Sunday.  Tuesday night closing will be lead by CFTS with table communion. Helen reminded EC members that they should be in attendance at the Meet the Team Open Forums. This is an opportunity for attendees to meet with EC members in a very informal way.

Friday, June 22, 2007, 8:30 a.m.

7. Sub Committee Reports

1.  Nominations Committee – Anne Butman

MOTION #4: Moved by the Nominations Committee, second, that Rev. Beth Faeth, Peoples Congregational, Baypoint, be appointed to CCD.

VOTE: Motion adopted

2.  Personnel & Administration – Transitions a little rocky at NA office.  It will take time to smooth things out.

3.  Membership and Procedures -   2 changes to Articles.  One to vote on and one to be presented this year.  14 new churches will be presented to Assembly for membership in the NACCC.

4.  Budget – Don Sturgis distributed membership data with giving.  We need to have more support from our member churches. Discussed establishing membership dues.  Suggested some sort of required financial contribution.  This would require an Article change.  Must be presented to Assembly this year for vote in 2008.  Do not need specific language but intent.  The language needs to be inclusive but not so specific that you would be locked into it.  Referred to Membership and Procedures Committee.

 

8. Ad Hoc Committees

1.  Event Planning – not ready for report.  Defined assignment: a new process for planning NA Annual Meeting.

9. Executive Report

1.  Dr. Tom Richard, Executive Secretary -Written report accepted. 

2.  Don Olsen – no report

3.  John Carson – no report

10.  Division Reports

1.  CFTS – Rev. William C. Lange, Chair.  Written report accepted.

2.  Division for Ministry – Barbara J. Mullen, Chair.  Accepted written report.

3.  CCD – Joy a. Baumgartner, Chair.  Accepted written report.  In addition, CCD met with EC and shared a couple of concerns.

·         Building and Loan – loosely connected to CCD and no one seems to understand it.    Looking at a partnership.  Need clarification of interest from Building and Loan that goes into Operating Fund.  Would like EC to revisit this situation.

·         CCD is working on a new mission statement.

·         Plan to enlist alumni to help develop new churches.

·         The learning event sponsored by CCD at this year’s Annual Meeting is Rekindling the Mainline: New Life Through New Churches.  The presenter is Rev. Stephen Compton.

·         Feel need to revisit term limitations of leadership and staff.

 

11.Capital Campaign

Diana David met with EC.  Just ending the quiet phase and going into the public phase.  Still recruiting for regional team members.  Right now we are at $1.5 million.  We have 24-25 asks that are still out. Our contract with RSI officially ends with this meeting.  They have offered a new contract that totals $121,000.  The Implementation Committee has reviewed the contract and is proposing that the EC approve this contract.  $121,000 based on 32 physical contact days(does not include daily phone contacts). This only covers the NA, not the individual church covenant. Extra days would be $4,000 per day.

 

MOTION #5 – The Implementation Committee moved that the Executive Secretary re-sign with RSI for a continuation of services as set out in the contract extension, funds not to exceed those presented in the contract.

VOTE:  Motion adopted unanimously

12.  Moderator Elect

Rev.Bill Fillebrown, Moderator Elect – 2008 Annual Meeting.  .  Vision for meeting has come out of Regional Association.  Theme: Thy Will Be Done, The Pilgrimage Continues. Presented draft of the agenda for the meeting. Would like to see a record number of churches at this meeting.  Host committee has done an amazing job.

13.  Treasurer’s Report

Jeff Dillon, Treasurer.  Audit has been complete. Accepted written Treasurer’s report for year end March 31, 2007.

14.  Communication Services

Communication Services joined the EC at 11:30 a.m. 

·         CS members met with Jim Eaton, Editor of the Congregationalist, and feel encouraged about the future of the magazine.

·         They praised Claudia Kniefel as a model of what a liaison should be. Asked liaisons to talk with groups re “How can we tell the story”

·         In addition to the two devotionals currently published they are considering a year round online devotional.

15. Financial Services

Art Wallach, Chair – accepted written report.  Members of the Financial Services Committee met with EC members. FSC made DVD to let churches know what the services of FSC are to the local church.  Title: You Are Not Alone – an Introduction to the Financial Services Committee. Will be contacting Moderators of NA churches to let them know it is available.  Will plan to post it on the NA website.

 

Presented three motions to the EC:

1.        The Financial Services Committee (FSC) recommends to the EC that the Association Newsletter be emailed by the National Association Office to all NA churches and their members who are on the NA email roster or are added to the email roster.

2.       The FSC expressed concern that income from the Investment Trust is insufficient to cover the budget deficit and that the EC should annually direct the Investment Trust of the dollar value of the income needed for the General Operating fund and that the net growth of asset values should be at least 2% above inflation.

3.       The FSC recommends that the EC stress to the Leadership Team members the need for them to encourage their own churches to contribute to the NA General Operating Fund and suggest that as a minimum it be at the Fair Share level.

No action by EC.

16.  Congregationalist

Jim Eaton, Editor – Accepted written report. Now includes NA News (4 pages).  Now have Editorial Board and part time publisher position on NA staff.  New ideas:  Articles will be searchable on web.

17.  Missionary Society

Rev. Dr. Leo D. Christian, Chair.  Have two concerns they would like acted on today.

1.       Budget Committee sit down with Missionary Society to work some funding out and come back in the fall.

2.       Great disasters have cut into income for Missions.  Would like to reinstate appeals for funds. Need to have opportunity to remind people of commitment to Missions.

EC has agreed that the new Budget Committee will meet with Missionary Society to discuss budget issues.

 

MOTION # 6 – Moved by Neil Hunt, second by Joelle Sommers, that the Budget Sub Committee, Treasurer, Financial Manager,  together with our 3 executives,  comprise a study committee to find a way forward for our fundraising and have a suggestion by September 2007 for our meeting in October.

VOTE:  Yes -7; No 3

 

4 p.m. adjourned

SATURDAY, June 23, 2007, 8:30 a.m.

18.  Future Meetings

2008 – Plymouth MA

2009 – Milwaukee, WI -   ICF will be there in parallel with our meeting.  We will have a crowd of internationals at our meeting.

2010 – no prospects in mind.  Claudia is checking into the possibility of Alaska.

19.  Request by MAACC

MOTION #7 – Bonn moved, second, that the Executive Committee support and authorize the waiver of registration fees for all Sunday attendees (not Delegates)  at the NACCC 2008 Annual Meeting to be held at Plymouth, MA.

 

VOTE:  Adopted  unanimously.

A proposal to waive the fee for all volunteers will be acted on at the Fall 2007 meeting of the EC.

20.  Church Services

Becci Cox, Chair – accepted written report.

21.  Other

Tom Richard was asked to report on the grant program created in memory of his brother who passed away recently.  The family has created a grant program available to churches with musical ministries.

22.  Congregational Institute

The Congregational Institute is currently developing new curriculum for the lay ministry program.  Attachment.

23.  Hymnal

Each attendee at the 2007 Annual Meeting will be given a new hymnal.  The EC commends the Hymnal Committee for the excellent job they did in creating a high quality hymnal for the NA.

24.  Unfinished Business

24a. Fee for Service – three primary areas were addressed:

1.     Search Committee

2.     Churches in conflict

3.     Visits made to churches by someone from NA office.

 

 This will be on the agenda Tuesday.

 

24b.Reference Books – Need to have available in printed format in addition to having it online.

Motion #8 – Moved by Joelle Sommers, second, that the Annual Reference Book is placed online with the office staff having the ability to print, for a fee, individual copies.

VOTE: Motion adopted

25.  Staff handbook

Staff Handbook referred to P & A Committee for review.

26. Green Team

Would like EC to create a small team that will look at systems that generate energy.  Will be appointed at Tuesday meeting.  Casey and Wendy are interested in serving on this committee.

27. Introduction of new staff

Tom introduced Carol Taylor, Youth Coordinator.

28. Proposed Bylaw change

Motion #9 - Membership and Procedures Committee moved that the proposed bylaw change relating to the already proposed change to the Articles of Association (Article III.  Membership Section 1) be presented to the body at the Annual Business Meeting 2007.

VOTE:  Motion adopted

30.  Adjourned

Dick Hotchkin closed with prayer.

Recorder:  Susan Carter, Secretary

 

MINUTES OF THE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

AND

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

OF THE

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES

 

June 26, 2007

 

AGENDA

DISCUSSION/ACTION

1.  Welcome/Roll Call

Outgoing Chairman Rev. Richard Hotchkin convened the meeting of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches on Tuesday, June 26, 2007, 3:45 p.m.

 

Executive Committee voting members present were:

Rev. Wendy Van Tassell (Chair)                                   

Claudia Kniefel                                     Joelle Sommers            

Edith Bartley                                         Rev. Casey vanderBent            

Don Sturgis                                           Bonn Clayton                           

Rev. Neil Hunt                                      Rev. Bobbi Chapman

Harry Holz                                            Rev. Earl Crutchfield

Dr. Lowell Linden

 

Board of Directors voting members:

Claudia Kniefel                                     Joelle Sommers                        

Don Sturgis                                           Edith Bartley                            

Rev. Casey vanderBent                         Rev. Wendy Van Tassell

Bonn Clayton                                        Rev. Dr. Lloyd Hall

Rev. Neil Hunt                                      Rev. Bobbi Chapman

Harry Holz                                            Rev. Earl Crutchfield

Dr. Lowell Linden

                       

Also present:

Rev. Richard Hotchkin (past EC)           Anne Butman(past EC)

Rev. Joe Clarke (past EC)

Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Richard, Executive Secretary

Dan Drea, Financial Manager               

Jeff Dillon, Treasurer

Susan Carter, Secretary

 

2.   Elections

Dick Hotchkin asked for nominations for EC Chair.  Wendy Van Tassell was nominated.  There were no additional nominees.

Motion #1 – Neil Hunt moved, second, that Wendy Van Tassell be approved as the Chair of the Executive Committee for 2007-2008.

VOTE: Motion adopted

 

Wendy Van Tassell assumed the role of Chair and asked for nominees for the position of Vice Chair.  Neil Hunt was nominated.  There were no additional nominees.

Motion #2 – Don Sturgis moved, second, that Neil Hunt be approved as the Vice Chair of the Executive Committee for 2007-2008.

VOTE:  Motion adopted

 

3. Fee for Service Structure

The Fee for Service Committee (Wendy Van Tassel, Joelle Sommers and Don Sturgis) presented their recommendations to EC for “Fee for Service” structure.  It will be reviewed by the NA staff and returned to the EC for a vote.

4.  Board of Directors

Motion #3 – Moved by Bonn Clayton, second, that the officers of the Executive Committee be the officers of the Corporation.

VOTE:  Motion adopted

5.  Assistant Treasurer

Motion #4 – Moved by Casey vanderBent, second, that Richard Bauzenberger be reappointed to the position of the NA Assistant Treasurer.

VOTE: Motion adopted

6.  Thank you

On behalf of the Executive Committee members, Wendy thanked outgoing EC members Dick Hotchkin, Joe Clarke, and Anne Butman for their dedication to the NA as members of the EC. 

7.  2010 Annual Meeting

The Southwest Inter Mountain Association has extended an invitation to our National Association to hold the 2010 annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.  Carrie Dahm will proceed with an initial exploration and report to the EC in October 2007.

8.  Foundation Employee

The Foundation has decided not to add an additional part-time person.  They would, instead, like to add an additional 5 hours per week onto the current position of Diana David.

Motion #5 – Moved by Casey vanderBent, second, that monies from the Lydamar Reese Fund be used to pay Diana David an additional 5 hours per week for up to $15,000 for marketing for NACCC to be repaid by the Capital Campaign funds.

VOTE:  Motion adopted

9.  October EC Meeting

The Executive Committee will meet October 25-27, 2007 in Milwaukee, WI.  The meeting will convene at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 25, 2007 and adjourn no later than 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 27, 2007.  Carrie Dahm will work on the location.

10.  EC Assignments

Wendy handed out the EC assignments for 2007-2008:

 

Budget Subcommittee

Donald Sturgis, Chair

Neil Hunt

Joelle Sommers

Jeff Dillon

Kenneth Arnold

James Walsh

(Staff – DAD, TMR, DPO, JDC)

 

Membership and Procedures

Edith Bartley, Chair

Bonn Clayton

Harry Holz

(Staff – TMR & JDC)

 

Nominations and Appointments

Claudia Kniefel, Chair

Bobbie Chapman

Earl Crutchfield

Sue Carter, Ex Officio

(Staff – TMR, DPO & JDC)

 

Personnel and Administration

Casey vanderBent, Chair

Wendy Van Tassell

Lowell Linden

(Staff – TMR)

 

Corporate Division Members

Congregational Church Development – Earl Crutchfield

Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies – Casey vanderBent

Division for the Ministry – Lowell Linden

Missionary Society – Joelle Sommers

 

Liaison Assignments

Building & Loan – Harry Holz

Church Services Commission – Edith Bartley

Communication Services Committee – Claudia Kniefel

Congregational Foundation – Harry Holz

Credentials – Not necessary

Financial Services Committee – Joelle Sommers

Investment Advisory – Donald Sturgis

Nominations, NA Officers – Bobbie Chapman

World Christian Relations – Bonn Clayton

Youth – Neil Hunt

 

11.  Comments from Chair

Wendy Van Tassell shared her vision for the Executive Committee:

·         Approachable and Accessible

·         Support and be involved in our local churches

·         Faithful followers of Christ

·         Use our gifts

·         Hold each other accountable

·         Our relationship with each other not be strictly business.  We should be able to share our personal trials and joys and hold each other up in prayer.

12.  Green Team

Wendy Van Tassell and Casey vanderBent will discuss the Green Team and put together a draft of the purposes and goals to share with EC members.  Team assignments will be made in October.

13.  Adjournment

The EC meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

Recorder:  Susan Carter, Secretary