Governance Board

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The United Methodist movement is grounded in the power of strong lay and clergy leadership.  Here at Hennepin Ave UMC we are creating a governance structure that both empowers ministry and provides strong lay oversight of governance.  

We are excited to enter God's desired future with a governance model that creates a nimble and comprehensive response to possibility.  You will find on this website a description of our model for governance, our appointed Governance Board Members, and documents intended to build engagement and understanding.


Our Streamlined Governance Board

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Bryan Carter 
Board Chair

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Sandy Christie 
Buildings & Grounds
(2 Years)

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Betsi Roach 
Buildings & Grounds
(3 Years)

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Larry Dunbar 
Finance (2 Years)

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Judy Tucker 
Finance (3 Years)

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Kristin Zinsmaster 
Spiritual Formation

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Jeff Niblack 
Staff Parish Relations
(2 years)

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Liz Buckingham 
Staff Parish Relations
(3 Years)

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Muria Kruger 
Social Justice

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Chrissy Dahlheimer 
Volunteer/Leadership Development

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Ginger Sisco 
Voice - No Vote

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Rev. Elizabeth Macaulay 
Lead Pastor

Governance Board Documents

Click on the buttons below to read the different Governance Board Documents.

Governance Board Covenant
Guiding Principles
Governance Board Booklet

Governance Board Meeting Minutes

Click on the buttons below to read the minutes from past Governance Board meetings.

July 9, 2024
August 6, 2024
September 3, 2024

Background


August 2023 -  Lead Pastor Elizabeth Macaulay introduced the concept of streamlined governance to the Executive Committee.  

August 2023 - The Executive Committee recommended that the concept be considered by the Connections Committee.

Fall 2023 -  The Connections Committee worked to understand the model, including participating in a zoom meeting with Christ Church Rochester lay leaders and their pastor to learn from their experience about transitioning to the streamlined governance model.

November 2023 – After a joint meeting with the Connections Committee, the Strategic Council approved moving forward to develop and then present the model to the wider congregation.

January 2024 - The Lay Leaders (all members of the administrative committees) met to learn about the model and to ask questions. Consensus was built to move forward with a task force authorized to start building details around the process and substance of the change.

August 2023 -  Lead Pastor Elizabeth Macaulay introduced the concept of streamlined governance to the Executive Committee.  

August 2023 - The Executive Committee recommended that the concept be considered by the Connections Committee.

Fall 2023 -  The Connections Committee worked to understand the model, including participating in a zoom meeting with Christ Church Rochester lay leaders and their pastor to learn from their experience about transitioning to the streamlined governance model.

November 2023 – After a joint meeting with the Connections Committee, the Strategic Council approved moving forward to develop and then present the model to the wider congregation.



To learn more about the Streamlined Governance Board model watch this recording of an informational meeting.


View Presentation

January 2024 - The Lay Leaders (all members of the administrative committees) met to learn about the model and to ask questions. Consensus was built to move forward with a task force authorized to start building details around the process and substance of the change.

August 2023 -  Lead Pastor Elizabeth Macaulay introduced the concept of streamlined governance to the Executive Committee.  

August 2023 - The Executive Committee recommended that the concept be considered by the Connections Committee.

Fall 2023 -  The Connections Committee worked to understand the model, including participating in a zoom meeting with Christ Church Rochester lay leaders and their pastor to learn from their experience about transitioning to the streamlined governance model.

November 2023 – After a joint meeting with the Connections Committee, the Strategic Council approved moving forward to develop and then present the model to the wider congregation.

January 2024 - The Lay Leaders (all members of the administrative committees) met to learn about the model and to ask questions. Consensus was built to move forward with a task force authorized to start building details around the process and substance of the change.

January 2024 – The Streamlined Governance Task Force, named by the Lead Pastor, set to work after the Lay Leaders meeting.

February 2024 - learning/listening sessions for the congregation were held on February 4 and 17, 2024. You can watch a recording of one of the sessions in the video above.

February 2024 – On February 25, 2024 the congregation voted to approve the model and to instruct the Task Force to create a process to implement the streamlined governance model.

March 2024 – The Task Force developed the process to create a “Governance Board” that would implement the model.

April 2024 – The Task Force’s information packet, including the documents to be used during the Governance Board application process, was made available to the congregation.

April 2024 – The Lead Pastor works with the Connections Committee to create a Selection Team to interview and recommend Governance Board candidates to the congregation for approval.