Board and Elected Leaders 2022-23

Review the information gathered from our November 2022 Congregational Conversations and how it is defining our future!

The Board met in August to plan for the 2022-23 church year. With Rev. mandi huizenga, we agreed on a vision of ministry and the actions that will help move us forward.

Coming together to build community
Let’s find ourselves on a path together, renewing connections and relationships; sharing dreams through conversation; exploring and creating meaning through our shared values.

2022-23 Board goals:

• Making good on our pledge to begin holding annual Congregational Conversations with you! Conversations will take place in November. Your participation is requested – and needed – for the Board to understand your feelings about our community and wishes for programming, personal growth and connection, and maintenance of our beautiful facility. (Accomplished!)
• Participation in Leadership Development planning to develop curriculum. Volunteers are the backbone and lifeblood of this church! The Board will assist mandi and the Nominating Committee in creating opportunities for members to participate in ways that meet you where you are, now and as your relationship within the congregation evolves.
• Exploration regarding a future capital campaign. The Board will identify a facilitator to meet with and help us discern our current needs as well as how to establish a reserve fund for the long term financial health of our programs, building, and grounds.

The Board of Trustees

Monthly Board meeting agenda: The general session of all monthly Board meetings is open to all who would like to listen in. The current agenda will be posted soon before each third-Tuesday meeting on  Here’s What’s Happening, accessible from the red button mid-home page.

Our church is governed by a member-elected Board of Trustees consisting of seven positions, plus the Minister as an ex-officio member. Our elected officer trustees and trustees-at-large serve staggered two-year terms. We have a modified policy-based model of governance which frees the board to set long-range goals and create policies and procedures to cover church operations. Committees and other groups are empowered to carry out the administration and ministries of the church, using our policies as a guide.

In June 2022, by vote at our Annual Meeting, the Congregation approved adoption of new Bylaws. With updated and enhanced Policies and Procedures as well, we will continue to create and implement further changes in our policy governance journey. By communicating with and requesting input from other church leaders and our members, we aim to increase clarity and efficiency by engaging with staff, reducing overlap in current committees and teams, and redefining Board roles to better fit a refined governance structure.

Current President: Ann Arellano

Committees

Four Advisory Committees to the Board of Trustees form the backbone of our church operations. Finance, Stewardship, Personnel, and Governance are staffed by member volunteers, drawing those among us with talents and passion in a variety of areas.

Programs

Our Minister, as Head of Staff, and our Staff members engage with Teams of member volunteers to enhance our thriving, engaging programs. Within areas of Administration, Worship and Inspiration, Education and Personal Growth, Caring and Fellowship, and Justice and Advocacy, we carry out the goals and mission of the church and also are able to live our values daily in the wider community.

Other elected positions

As necessary for the roles they are asked to carry out, members of the Nominating and Ministerial Search Committees also are elected by Congregational vote.