PROPOSED GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

Created: January 12, 2019

Updated: March 2, 2019

Territorial Acknowledgement

• I would like to begin by acknowledging that Trinity United Church is located on unceded Indigenous lands.

• The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation are recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today

• Tiohtiá:ke commonly known as Montreal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations.

• Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples.

• We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community.

Agenda

• Background• Current model of Trinity’s Governance Structure• The decision to change• What has happened so far• Working Documents

• Proposed Governance Structure

• Next Steps

• Q&A

• Appendix• Governance Structure details

Background: Current Governance Structure

• Traditional United Church structure• Official Board

• Session

• Stewards

• One Representative from the Trustees

• One M&P Committee member

• One Representative from any group the church chooses

• Creation of the Official Board Executive

Why Are We Changing

• The current governance structure is no longer valid according to the United Church Manual (2019)• Current structure is grandfathered in

• The 2018 Congregational Meeting moved that we investigate our options with the following in mind:• Desire to provide an improved, more efficient structure

• Desire to improve communications between groups

• Desire to improve decision making

• Desire to give some autonomy to groups

• Desire to be better connected to our faith, our vision, and our mission

Background: What has happened so far (1/2)

• Meetings were open to all and announced in advance• Nine meetings (June 8, June 28, Sept. 27, Oct. 18, Dec. 2, Jan. 6, Jan. 13, Jan. 20, Feb.

4)

• The latest version of the Organization Chart and Trinity Handbook are on our website • Handbook:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lgdrq9pyuftgxve/Trinity%20UC%20Handbook%20DRAFT%20v7.pdf?dl=0

• Org chart: http://trinityuc.net/docs/Trinity%20UC%20Org%20Chart%20DRAFT%20v3b.pdf

• All documents have been heavily discussed, questioned, prayed over and ultimately agreed upon, many iterations have been discussed (v7)

Background: What has happened so far (2/2)

• Members of the Governance Team have held one on one meetings with some individuals in the church and

• Has met with:• The Session (Nov. 1)• Trustees (Oct. 29)• The Stewards (Nov. 25)• Super Seniors (Nov. 6)• Official Board (Oct. 4)

• These meetings provided the background to our changes and tried to answer all questions in as much detail as was required.

• Montreal Presbytery has reviewed the proposed structure (late 2018)

Background: Working Documents

• The United Church Manual (2019): https://www.united-church.ca/sites/default/files/the-manual_2019.pdf

• The Trinity United Church Handbook (v7): https://www.dropbox.com/s/lgdrq9pyuftgxve/Trinity%20UC%20Handbook%20DRAFT%20v7.pdf?dl=0

• Proposed Organization Chart (v3a): http://trinityuc.net/docs/Trinity%20UC%20Org%20Chart%20DRAFT%20v3b.pdf

• Trustees Handbook (2016): https://www.united-church.ca/sites/default/files/resources/handbook_trustees.pdf

• Model of Board Governance (2010): https://www.united-church.ca/sites/default/files/handbook_models-board-governance.pdf

• Trinity United Church’s website: http://trinityuc.net/index.html

Proposed Church Structure

• The future

• Room to grow

• Room to focus on what you like to do

• More opportunity for adherents and friends of the church

Next Steps (1/2)

• Governance Open House, March 31

• Congregational Meeting, April 28• Congregational vote to adopt the proposed structure

• Elect the Council Chair, Directors and Ministry Leaders

• We need your nominations, see / email / drop a note:• Sheri (shericameron@rocketmail.com) or

• Gary (gtompkins@videotron.ca)

• Inform the Nakonhaka Regional Council (formerly Montreal Presbytery)

Next Steps (2/2)

• Transition• The day-to-day work of the church doesn’t change• People doing the work today will probably (if they wish) continue to do the same

work, perhaps it is called something different• Current Trustees can stay on (for a maximum of one-year) to provide a smooth

transition• Most important in areas that have legal or financial implications

• The Governance Committee will prepare info packages for committees

• Future plans• Budget opportunities• Organization Rally Day

• PUT IT IN ACTION!

Q&A

Appendix

What does all of that mean?

Sample Information Package: Trustees

• The Trinity United Church Handbook: https://www.dropbox.com/s/lgdrq9pyuftgxve/Trinity%20UC%20Handbook%20DRAFT%20v7.pdf?dl=0

• The United Church Manual (2019): https://www.united-church.ca/sites/default/files/the-manual_2019.pdf

• The Trustees Handbook: https://www.united-church.ca/sites/default/files/resources/handbook_trustees.pdf

Sample Information Package: M&P

• The Trinity United Church Handbook: https://www.dropbox.com/s/lgdrq9pyuftgxve/Trinity%20UC%20Handbook%20DRAFT%20v7.pdf?dl=0

• The United Church Manual (2019): https://www.united-church.ca/sites/default/files/the-manual_2019.pdf

• M&P: Policy, Procedures, Practices: https://www.united-church.ca/sites/default/files/ministry-personnel-committees_policy-procedures-practices.pdf

• Pastoral Relations: https://www.united-church.ca/sites/default/files/pastoral-relations_ministry-personnel.pdf

• Sexual Misconduct Prevention: https://www.united-church.ca/sites/default/files/resources/sexual-misconduct-prevention-response.pdf

• Safe Spaces for Worship and Work: https://www.united-church.ca/leadership/church-administration/safe-spaces-worship-and-work