SRVUMC Governance

The Ad Board Executive Committee has been working on a strategic process to move SRVUMC forward into the next 3-5 years. To address the challenges ahead, the Executive Committee believes that our governance structure needs to be changed by: Reducing the number of positions Meeting more frequently

Current Governance Structure Charge Conference – primary governing body - District Superintendent presides Ad Board – administrative agency of Charge Conference Currently 25 member positions Meets every two months

Ad Board Membership Twelve positions are held by Chairs of committees or councils (two of which are open) Three positions are held by Ad Board officers (one of which is open) Two are Lay Leaders Two are Lay Members to the Annual Conference Six are paid staff

Executive Committee The Executive Committee was created a few years ago to address issues between Administrative Board meetings. Meets at least once a month or as needed. Composed of the chairs of the Administrative Board, Staff Parish, Finance Committee, Board of Trustees, Missions Council, Lay Leader, the Co-Pastors and an at-large member. The Executive Committee has no decision making authority.

Ex Com Governance Task Force For some time, SRVUMC’s leadership has been looking at ways to become a more vital congregation, i.e., Simple Church Ex Com formed a task force to investigate whether changes should be considered to restructure how SRVUMC is governed. Met with District Superintendent, who encouraged creating a more streamlined governing structure. DS recommended discussing with Los Altos UMC the changes they made.

LAUMC found that its governing board, which met quarterly: Had too many members (many of whom did not attend the meetings) Lacked accountability for decisions Lacked a hierarchy to efficiently and meaningfully conduct the church’s business Decisions of committees were “rubberstamped”. Many members attended Council meetings only to find out what was going on in the church. Decided to restructure itself - reduced substantially the number of members and meet more frequently.

Other Churches Sacramento First UMC reduced the number of Administrative Council members and meets monthly. Other UMC churches in our conference reportedly have taken similar action.

Strategic Process SRVUMC is embarking on a process to develop a strategy that will guide us for the next 3 to 5 years. Expected to take several months and will require the participation of persons who are willing to commit their time and talent to the process. The process will be carried out under the direction of SRVUMC’s governing body.

Ex Com members reached consensus that it will be difficult for the Administrative Board, as currently structured, to effectively lead the church as it moves forward over the next few years. Too many members to be an effective decision maker. Essentially a “rubber stamp” affirming decisions made by various committees. Meets infrequently, every two months. Little or no accountability.

Executive Committee Recommendation Reduce the size of the Administrative Board Change the name to “Leadership Council” Meet at least monthly, more often if required. Meetings open to all church members Report Council actions to the congregation monthly via the Messenger or other appropriate media Hold an all church meeting quarterly to communicate directly with the congregation The Council provides direction, guidance and oversight to the strategic process, and assures that the strategic plan is implemented and followed.

Council Membership The chairs of the major committees, i.e., Finance, SPRC , Trustees, and Missions Lay Leader(s) Pastors Council Chair Recording Secretary One to three at large members

Persons nominated to be Council members would be committed to passionate and active participation with their time and talent as a church leader on the Council and committed to SRVUMC’s core values, its vision, mission and goals and objectives.

Committees and other positions other than those mentioned above would be organized along the following lines: Memorials and Gifts, Endowment and Stewardship would be sub-committees of the Finance Committee. The Treasurer would be a member of the Finance Committee. Lay Members to the Annual Conference would provide input to the Council as requested. The Pastor serving on the Preschool Commission would represent the interests of the Preschool. The Pastor responsible for Adult Education and Small Groups would represent those interests.

Luke Ham, in his capacity as Youth Pastor, would represent the Youth Ministry. The Director of Children’s Ministry would represent the interests of the Children’s Ministry. The Missions Chair would represent the interests of the United Methodist Women and United Methodist Men.