USG changed its governance structure beginning on July 1, 2014. Under the current governance structure, the Board of Trustees has responsibility for all church committees and activities. That means that the Board is responsible for everything having to do with running the church, from RE programs and worship to removing the snow and paying the bills. With that scope of responsibility, it is hard for the Board to be able to focus on the big picture of how we live out our mission. And it can be complicated for our many dedicated volunteers to know how to get things done or who to go to with their ideas.

The Board approved a revised governance structure on April 22, 2014 (the text of the motion approved by the Board is below). Under the new structure, the Board will be responsible for strategic direction, high-level guidance and oversight. Regular, day-to-day operations will be managed by a Ministry executive team, which will include the Minister, two lay leaders, and the Church Administrator. The Ministry executive team will follow policies adopted by the Board, and there will be close collaboration between the Ministry executive team and the Board.

What will this mean to you? Probably most people will not see much difference, except that we hope it will be easier to get things done. The same committees, councils and people who are doing the work now will continue to do it. A member of the Ministry Executive Team will serve as the liaison to each committee and council, so it will be clear who to go to if you need to get something done. Members of the Ministry Executive Team will be meeting with committees and councils starting in July to discuss going forward. This will be a work in progress, and we will be looking for your thoughts, suggestions and feedback on how to make this work best.

If you have questions or want more information, you can contact Andrea Parry at aparrysjm@gmail.com. More detailed written materials will be coming.

Motion approved by the Board: That the Board delegate to the Minister, supported by a team of staff and lay leaders, the authority to manage the regular operations of the church (1) in accordance with the high-level guidance and strategic direction provided by the Board, (2) pursuant to policies adopted by the Board, and (3) in consultation and collaboration with the Board and others performing the function of governing the church.

Governance and Ministry Task Force: Treva Burger, Linda Brunn, Gloria Guldager, Beth Lazer, Kent Matthies, Scott Murray, Marina Patrice Nolan, Linda O’Gwynn, Andrea Parry (chair), Dennis Strain.