IOWA CONFERENCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING June 8, 2012

Transcription

1 IOWA CONFERENCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING June 8, 2012 Members Participating: Gregg Buchanan, Bob Deranleau, Adam Dirks, Tammy Ebensberger, Joyce Fisher, Sharon Guffey-Lewis, Byron Henn, Bill Howie, Joel Love, Dave Nelson, Marilyn Sargent, Paulette Upton, Karl Whiteman, Jane Willan, Brian Wohlhuter Absent (with prior notice): Ryan Brooks, Lynne Busch, Deborah Gage, Larry Hanon, Lynette Spicer Absent (without prior notice): Carl Vass Also Present: CM Pleva, ACM Stoik, James Robbins, Stephanie Haskins The Board of Directors met in Room 226 of the Joseph Rosenfield Center on the campus of Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. ACM Stoik led the Board in opening prayer. CM Pleva introduced James Robbins, the new Treasurer for the Conference, and Stephanie Haskins, a candidate for election to the Board of Directors. He also announced that in addition to Larry Hanon, board members Lynne Busch, Bob Deranleau, Deborah Gage, Byron Henn and Marilyn Sargent will be leaving the Board after today's meeting. Approval of Minutes BOD Nelson/Sargent to approve the minutes of the meeting of March 24, 2012 as presented. Receipt of Reports The Board received the following reports: 1. Financial reports for the period ending April 30, 2012; 2. The Audited Financial Statements for the years ending December 31, 2010 and 2011; 3. A preview of the report to be delivered by CM Pleva to the Annual Meeting of the Conference; 4. An update on the status of a potential relationship between the Iowa Conference and the Evangelical Church of Bremen (Bremische Evangelische Kirche) in Germany; 5. A report that the Foundation of the Iowa Conference UCC has received a determination from the Internal Revenue Service that it is an exempt organization. Agenda for Annual Meeting CM Pleva presented the proposed agenda for the business portion of the Annual Meeting. Discussion of the agenda followed. BOD Whiteman/Guffey-Lewis 1. To approve the proposed agenda as presented, with the following additions: June 8, 2012, Page 1

2 a. Provision for establishment of a quorum and b. Provision for separate votes to be taken on the amendments to the articles of incorporation and the bylaws; and 2. To recommend to the Annual Meeting that the agenda so amended be adopted. Compensation Guidelines CM Pleva presented the proposed Compensation Guidelines for He reported that the Guidelines have been reviewed and approved by the Authorized Ministry Commission and that the Commission recommends they be adopted. BOD Henn/Buchanan to approve the proposed Iowa Conference Compensation Guidelines for 2013 and to recommend to the Annual Meeting that they be adopted. Approved unanimously. Nominations The Board received the nominations report as follows: Slate of Nominees for Election by the Iowa Conference Annual Meeting 2012 Presented by the Iowa Conference Nominating Committee Board of Director Officers: Moderator: Jane Willan, Burlington, Zion UCC (Authorized Minister) (AM) Assistant Moderator: Tim Ensworth, Waterloo, First Congregational UCC (AM) Board of Directors At-Large Members: Class of 2015 (3-year term) Sharon Guffey-Lewis, Anita, Congregational UCC (AM) (2nd term) Board of Directors Association Representatives (Class as Designated ): Central Association: Joel Love, Reinbeck, Union Congregational UCC (AM) (2nd term) (2015) Eastern Iowa Association: Stephanie Haskins, Maquoketa, United Church of Christ (AM) (2013) Northeast Association: Patti Aurand, Mason City, First Congregational UCC (AM) (2013) Carolyn Boogerd, Ackley, St John s UCC (lay) (2014) Erik Breddin, Cedar Falls, St Paul s UCC (AM) (1st term) (2015) Northwestern Association: Karl Whiteman, Milford, Union Memorial Church (AM) (2nd term) (2015) Southeastern Association: Carl Vass, Danville, Olds UCC (AM) (2nd term) (2015) Mayflower Home Board of Trustees: Class of 2015 (3-year term) Suzanne Cooner, Grinnell, Conesville UMC (lay) (1st term) June 8, 2012, Page 2

3 Don Schild, Grinnell, UCC Congregational (lay) (2nd term) General Synod Delegates: Class of 2013: Ken Bickel, Dubuque, First Congregational UCC (AM) Class of 2015: Lindsey Braun, Latimer, Immanuel UCC (AM) Jane Buck, Lowden, Zion UCC (lay) Pam Burtnett, Schleswig, United Church of Christ (lay) Matt Hunt, Keokuk, St Paul UCC (lay) Reva Karstens, Whiting, First Congregational UCC (AM) Crystal McCormick, Davenport, Edwards Congregational UCC (lay) Tony Portero Paff, Council Bluffs, St John s UCC (AM) Elizabeth Savage, Denmark, Denmark Congregational UCC (lay) Brian Wohlhuter, Minden, The United Church of Christ (AM) Vacancy to be filled Continuing to Serve: Board of Directors (Associations): 2013 Northwestern Bill Howie, Manson, UCC Congregational (AM) 2013 Southwestern Brian Wohlhuter, Minden, The United Church of Christ (AM) 2014 Central Adam Dirks, Urbandale, Urbandale UCC (lay) 2014 Eastern Iowa Tammy Ebensberger, Clinton, Community Congregational UCC (lay) 2014 Northwestern Joyce Fisher, Sioux City, First Congregational UCC (lay) Board of Directors at Large: 2013 Central Lynette Spicer, Ames, Ames UCC (lay) 2013 Southeastern Paulette Upton, Burlington, Zion UCC (lay) 2014 Central David Nelson, Des Moines, Plymouth Congregational UCC (lay) 2014 Central Ryan Brooks, Des Moines, Ankeny UCC (lay) Appointed Treasurer Jim Robbins, Mapleton, St Peter s UCC (lay) General Synod Delegates: Class of 2013 David Boogerd, Ackley, St John s UCC (AM) Liz Colton, Oskaloosa, St Paul Congregational UCC (AM) Bob David, Cedar Rapids, First Congregational UCC (lay) Joyce Fisher, Sioux City, First Congregational UCC (lay) Samantha Fistler, Eldora, First Congregational UCC (lay) Linda Hanson, Ames (AM) Paul Johnson, West Des Moines, Grinnell UCC (AM) Elizabeth Manning, Maquoketa, United Church of Christ (lay) Beatrice Rendon, Urbandale, Urbandale UCC (lay) BOD Ebensberger/Upton to approve the nominations report and to recommend to the Annual Meeting that the persons so nominated be elected. Vacancies on the Board of Directors June 8, 2012, Page 3

4 BOD Deranleau/Guffey-Lewis to receive the resignations of Byron Henn and Lynne Busch and to declare the positions on the Board of Directors of Byron Henn, Lynne Bush and Deborah Gage vacant as of the end of the Annual Meeting. Pathways Program CM Pleva informed the Board that the Iowa Conference has been in discussion with the Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ about participating in that Conference's program of theological education for lay people and those seeking authorization for ministry. This program is called Pathways. A discussion of the program followed. CM Pleva presented a proposed term sheet for a contract with the Southeast Conference and asked the Board to authorize the Conference to enter into a contract based on Model A in the term sheet. BOD Whiteman/Ebensberger to authorize the Conference Minister to enter into a contract, on behalf of the Iowa Conference, with the Southeast Conference for participation in the Pathways program and to take any and all actions necessary or helpful to the implementation of such contract and program. Ames New Church Start CM Pleva presented a brief report on the status of the potential new church start in Ames. No action is called for at this time, but CM Pleva wanted to alert the Board that it may be necessary to call for a special meeting in the future to act on plan approval and funding proposals. Jens A. Carstensen Family Endowment Fund BOD Deranleau/Love to amend the Carstensen Family Endowment Policy of the Iowa Conference to change the paragraph beginning Starting in 2012 to read as follows (additions in bold and underlined font): Starting in 2012 we will entertain proposals which hold promise to enrich the life and vitality of the Iowa Conference in common expressions (rather than accrue mainly to the benefit of any one local church or small group of persons). The Board will give particular priority to projects which are forward looking and designed to better equip the church to relevant witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These proposals may originate within the Board, or with any group of three or more local churches or authorized ministers having standing in an association of the Iowa Conference. To be considered for funding, the grant proposal must be intended to move the conference into a more relevant and robust future. Grant proposals will ultimately be authorized and approved by the Board of Directors. Initial screening of outside proposals will be conducted by a Screening/Recommendation Committee made up of program staff, one or two Board members and one or two at large members. The Screening/Recommendation committee will be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Iowa Conference. BOD Nelson/Whiteman to approve the following procedure for consideration of grant applications from local churches. June 8, 2012, Page 4

5 Invitation for Grant Proposals Jens A. Carstensen Family Endowment Fund The Board of Directors, per their authorization to utilize income from the Carstensen Family Endowment for the purposes of the ministries of the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ as the governing officers and directors of said conference deem most appropriate hereby solicit proposals for funding. The Board has adopted the following over-arching principle for usage of these funds: We will entertain proposals which hold promise to enrich the life and vitality of the Iowa Conference in common expressions (rather than accrue mainly to the benefit of any one local church or small group of persons). The Board will give particular priority to projects which are forward looking and designed to better equip the church to relevant witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These proposals may originate with any group of three or more local churches or authorized ministers. To be considered for funding, the grant proposal must be intended to move the conference into a more relevant and robust future. The Board will consider a first round of grants later this year and is now soliciting proposals to be received no later than October 15, The Board will consider grants of up to $5000 each and may, in aggregate, fund projects totaling up to $25,000 during this first round. Final awarding of grants will be made at the Board s meeting in January, Copies of the entire Carstensen Family Endowment policy are available upon request from the Iowa Conference office. No particular form is required to make application, but requests which engage the imagination and seem to hold potential for lasting impact will be more favorably considered. The granting process will be competitive, and the decision of the Board of Directors will be final. For additional information speak with any member of the Board of Directors or Conference staff. BOD Deranleau/Nelson to approve two requests for grants from the Jens A. Carstensen Family Endowment Fund as follows: 1. For funds in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for use during the program year to provide a stipend for a person to act as coordinator for the CCPE program, and 2. For funds in an amount not to exceed $4,000 for use during the program year to provide a stipend for a person to act as coordinator for the 2030-Iowa Network for support of young/first call clergy. June 8, 2012, Page 5

6 Annual Meeting Reconfiguration BOD Sargent/Whiteman to authorize the bifurcation of the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Iowa Conference with a program meeting to be held on June 7 and 8, 2013 and a business meeting on October 19, 2013 or at such other dates as the Board of Directors shall determine. Meeting Dates CM Pleva announced the dates for subsequent meetings of the Board of Directors as follows: August Planning retreat (location TBA) October 27 Des Moines (Plymouth Congregational UCC) January 12 WebEx April 6 Des Moines (Plymouth Congregational UCC) There being no further business to come before the Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 11:45. Gregg Buchanan, Secretary June 8, 2012, Page 6