Actions taken by the Connecticut Conference UCC Board of Directors September 2016 February 2017

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1 Actions taken by the Connecticut Conference UCC Board of Directors September 2016 February 2017 Appointments for the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors VOTED D-04 The Board of Directors appoints the following members to serve on the Executive Committee for 2016/2017: Mark Engstrom, Chair, Damaris Whittaker, Vice Chair, Paul Goodman, Moderator, Calvin Price, Treasurer, Ken Peterkin, Chair Silver Lake Board, Micki Nunn-Miller, At-Large and David Lincicome, Chair of the Finance & Budget Committee Primer for the Discernment Process VOTED D-05 The Board of Directors adopts the proposed 2017 Primer for the Discernment Process. VOTED D-13 that the Board of Directors authorizes the creation of a new Board- Designated Fund for SLCC marketing and further authorizes the transfer of $25,000 from the SLCC Capital Fund to the SLCC Marketing Fund Auditors Report-Audit Committee VOTED D-10 that the Board of Directors of the Missionary Society of CT adopts the Audited statements for December 31, 2015 for the Missionary Society of CT and the Consolidated Trust Fund submitted by Whittlesey & Hadley, PC, Auditors. Mary R. Camp Fund Grants VOTED D-11 Upon recommendation of the Executive Committee the Board of Directors authorizes the following grants from the Mary R. Camp fund: Farmington Ecumenical Elderly Housing Corp. (Westerleigh I) - $12,395 Norwalk Congregate Homes for the Elderly, Inc. (Broad River Homes) - $22,000 Erwin Home - $25,000 Davenport Dunbar Residences - $25,000 Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation - $7,095 Terryville Retirement Community (Eli Terry Retirement Home) - $20,000 Middlebury Senior Housing Associates (Woodside Heights) - $9,095 Investment Committee VOTED D-12 Upon the recommendation of counsel and the Investment Committee, the Board approves the Investment Policy revisions as presented and directs that a copy of the revised Investment Policy be appended to the minutes of this meeting Auditors Report-Audit Committee

2 VOTED D-17 that the Board of Directors of the Trustees of the Fund for Ministers adopts the Audited statements for December 31, 2015 for the Trustees for the Fund for Ministers submitted by Whittlesey & Hadley, PC, Auditors. Upon motion by Kathryn Lewis and second by David Lincicome it was VOTED D-03 The board of Directors adopts the 2017 & 2018 Authorized Minister s Compensation Guidelines for a Full-Time Call and the 2017 & 2018 Authorized Minister s Compensation Guidelines for a Part-Time Call as presented. Receipt of Staff Loans Report VOTED D-07 The Board of Directors receives the Annual Report on Staff Loans from Jane Fawcett, Director of Finance and Budget. Tax Sheltered Payments VOTED D-08 Upon recommendation of the Executive Committee the Board of Directors adopts the following policy of the Missionary Society of Connecticut regarding Tax Sheltered payments on behalf of staff members is renewed for 2017 as follows: The Director of Finance and Budget is empowered and instructed to make payments deducted from cash salary to annuity or parsonage equity or other tax sheltered funds on behalf of employees who request it, provided that the Director of Finance and Budget and Conference Minister are convinced that the programs thus supported are legal and proper. Staff Housing Allowance VOTED D-09 The Board of Directors authorizes the Director of Finance and Budget to designate as housing that part of the cash compensation budgeted for each qualifying staff member that said staff member declares in a written statement to be his/her expected housing expense in 2017, provided that such statement is submitted to the Director of Finance and Budget no later than December 31, 2016 and that the Director of Finance and Budget determines that said housing allowance is not an amount which would cause the annuity dues or tax shelter to be taxable Audit VOTED D-10 Upon recommendation of the Executive Committee the Board of Directors of the Missionary Society of Connecticut and the Trustees of the Fund for Ministers authorizes a full audit for In addition, a Compilation is authorized for the Consolidated Trust Fund OCWM Retention Rate Distribution of Monies and Per Capita Upon motion by Calvin Price and second by Max Grant it was VOTED D-11

3 Upon recommendation of the Executive Committee the Board of Directors adopts the following distribution of monies received for the year 2017 for the Connecticut Conference and the ministries of the United Church of Christ: A. Our Church s Wider Mission Basic Support monies to be divided on the basis of 50% for the Conference and 50% to the United Church of Christ nationally for distribution among the ministries according to the payment schedule adopted by the General Synod of the United Church of Christ; B. Investment income to be used entirely for Conference work unless otherwise stipulated by the donor; C. Special Support, capital and emergency appeal monies to be designated entirely to the purposes for which they were authorized. D. Per capita contributions for 2017 shall be $10 per member to be used entirely for Conference work MSC Budget Proposal Upon motion by Calvin Price and second by Kathryn Lewis it was VOTED D-12 Upon recommendation of the Executive Committee the Board of Directors adopts the 2017 Proposed Budget of $3,616,095 for the Missionary Society of CT. Our Church s Wider Mission Basic Support Goal for 2017 Upon motion by Calvin Price and second by Kathryn Lewis it was VOTED D-13 Upon recommendation of the Executive Committee the Board of Directors adopts a Our Church s Wider Mission Basic Support Goal of $1,219,610 for COLA Upon motion by Calvin Price and second by Paul Goodman it was VOTED D-14 That the Board of Directors authorizes a 1.5% COLA, effective January 1, Audit VOTED D-18 Upon recommendation of the Executive Committee the Board of Directors of the Missionary Society of Connecticut and the Trustees of the Fund for Ministers authorizes a full audit for In addition, a Compilation is authorized for the Consolidated Trust Fund TFM Budget Proposal

4 Upon motion by Calvin Price and second by Kathryn Lewis it was VOTED D-19 Upon recommendation of the Executive Committee the Board of Directors adopts the 2017 Proposed Budget of $512,624 for the Trustees of the Fund for Ministers. Upon motion by Calvin Price and second by Ginny Miller it was VOTED D-03 to adopt the resolution United in Mission and Mission as printed below. RESOLUTION Be it resolved that the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Conference of the UCC adopts the following statement of intent: Grateful for the time of discernment, we believe that God is calling our Conference to live into increased interdependence with the other two UCC Conferences of southern New England, that we make an impact by ministering and witnessing together, and that we live in a time when God is calling us to do a new thing. As of today, we commit our Conference Board, staff and designated representatives to work with our counterparts from the other two UCC Conferences of southern New England to engage in a visioning process that includes (among other things) reasonable sharing of records and information, due diligence in sharing financial information as well as cultural and operational practices, encouragement of our members, churches and Associations to participate in each other s programs and initiatives, and responding to each other s inquiries all focusing on the creation of a proposal that would be brought to a joint annual meeting of the three southern New England Conferences of the UCC in June Our time of discernment has led us to imagine that this proposal will be to create a new Conference: i) with a single Board of Directors made up of diverse members coming from the three Conferences. ii) This single Board would also act, as necessary, as the Board of Directors for each of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island Conferences. iii) The proposal would allow for the three historic and legal Conference entities of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts to remain in place; iv) The proposal may also recommend a transition to a unified budget and a new staffing structure. v) The proposal recognizes that Conference boundaries including changes in Conference boundaries are determined by vote of synod and we anticipate that if this proposal is approved by the joint annual meeting of the RI, CT and MA Conferences in June 2018, we will appeal to synod in 2019 for recognition.

5 vi) The proposal may also provide a common table for other faith communities, both historic and those coming into being, to share in common vision. We also recognize that the planning process we now begin may lead us to respond to God s call and increase our interdependence through other means. VOTED D-04 that the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Conference UCC adopts the UCC Mission and Vision Statements as presented by the UCC Board of Directors and recommends a Conference wide conversation of these statements Living Waters Award Upon motion by David Lincicome and second by Jocelyn Gardner-Spencer it was VOTED D-05 that the Board of Directors accepts the recommendation of Ms. Joelle Murchison as the recipient of the 2017 Living Waters Award to be presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting Annual Meeting Rules Upon motion by Ginny Miller and second by Paul Goodman it was VOTED D-06 that The Board of Directors approves the Rules of Procedure for the 150 th Annual Meeting. Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ Rules of Procedure for the 150 th Annual Meeting The goal of these rules is to allow for maximum participation by our constituency while keeping the meeting within reasonable time limits. 1. The Annual Meeting of the Conference conducts the business of the Missionary Society of Connecticut and the Connecticut Conference. 2. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors is the Business Committee for each meeting. 3. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to participate in the non-business plenary, forums and workshops. Those defined in Article I of the Conference Bylaws comprise the voting members for the purpose of the business session. (Bylaws may be found at in the section About Us. ) 4. All Resolutions or Affirmations transmitted to the Resolutions Committee by February 1 (Group A) will be sent to Conference churches to disseminate to their delegates for information and discussion before April 1, prior to the Annual Meeting of the Conference. 5. Those Resolutions or Affirmations submitted between February 2 & June 1 to the Resolutions Committee will be placed in Group B. These resolutions or affirmations should be a response to a compelling or urgent event, issue or concern that could not be

6 adequately addressed before the February 1st deadline. The decision to bring Group B resolutions before the body assembled at the Annual Meeting resides with the Resolutions Committee. 6. Any Church or Association may bring any other matter to the attention of the Conference for action. The request should be placed in the hands of the Registrar by April 16. If the Board of Directors deems that it is appropriate to the goals of the Annual Meeting, it will be placed on the agenda for the Annual Meeting. 7. All proposals described above, plus regular reports of the Board of Directors, and Affiliated Organizations of the Conference, plus any proposals presented by the Board, will be included in the Call to the Annual Meeting and placed on the Agenda. 8. In order to receive consideration, any matters not included in the call should be placed in the hands of the Registrar before the meeting convenes, or up until 9:00 A.M. on Saturday. The Moderator will then refer the matters to the Business Committee for consideration. 9. No new matters may be introduced on Saturday after 9:00 A.M. unless there is a twothirds vote to place such matters on the Agenda. 10. A process shall be followed whereby the Conference, by its own vote, shall determine the order in which resolutions or affirmations will be considered. 11. The following shall be the procedure for considering Resolutions and/or Affirmations coming to the floor of the Conference: a. A designated sponsor shall be allowed five minutes to speak to the resolution or affirmation. b. A designated reactor shall be allowed five minutes to respond. c. The names of the sponsor and the reactor shall be given to the Moderator at the beginning of the session in which the concern will be addressed. If the name of a reactor has not been given, the reactor s time is forfeited and the Moderator shall call for discussion to begin starting with a con speaker. d. The ensuing discussion shall alternate between pro and con speakers, each allowed two minutes for their statements. e. Pro and con speakers will be identified by standing at microphones designated as such. f. Amendments shall be in writing in triplicate. No amendments shall be made to "whereas" sections. Only one amendment to a main motion shall be considered at a time.

7 g. No speaker shall speak to the same issue twice until all those that wish to speak have been heard once, except to answer questions addressed to him/her from the floor. h. The Moderator may call for a motion to close debate when discussion is deemed as revealing no new light. When a Main Motion, Resolution, or Affirmation, has stimulated pro and con discussion, at the end of the debate the Moderator may call for a moment of silent prayer and reflection before taking the vote. i. In the event that a translation is needed, the Moderator will recognize a translator for equal time for the moving of a motion or responding to a motion. 12. The Moderator may declare a Resolution or Affirmation out of order if its sponsor is not present when it comes up for discussion and action. 13. Only materials prepared by the Connecticut Conference may be distributed in the plenary area (auditorium). 14. Media equipment is for the use only of the Connecticut Conference. 15. The Conference will stay in session on Saturday until all matters described above have been dealt with, or until 4:00 p.m., whichever is earlier. If at 4:00 p.m. there is still unfinished business, the Moderator will call for a vote on whether or not to continue for 15 minutes. If the vote carries by a two-thirds majority, the meeting will continue. If it does not carry, all matters remaining on the Agenda will be referred to the Board of Directors. The Annual Meeting will then adjourn following worship. 16. If the Conference votes to stay in session, the process described in #15 above will be repeated at 4:15 p.m. and every 15 minutes thereafter until all business is completed, or the meeting is adjourned with items leftover for later consideration by the Board of Directors. Nominations Upon motion by Kathryn Lewis and second by David Lincicome it was VOTED D-04 Upon recommendation of the Nominating Committee the Board nominates the following to serve on the Conference Nominating Committee: Class of 2018: The Rev. James Latimer, North Madison Congregational Church, Ms. Ann Jennings, Faith Congregational Church, Hartford, Mr. Bill Peltz, United Church of Rowayton Class of 2019: The Rev. Dick Allen, South Glastonbury Congregational Church, The Rev. Maria Yocum-Carlson, Second Congregational Church of Coventry, The Rev. Jackie Hall, Winchester Center Congregational Church Class of 2020: Ms. La Vette Laboy, Manantial de Gracia, West Hartford Upon motion by Kathryn Lewis and second by David Lincicome it was VOTED D-05 Upon recommendation of the Nominating Committee the Board nominates the following to serve on the Conference Resolutions Committee:

8 Class of 2018: The Rev. Alice O Donovan, Storrs Congregational Church, The Rev. Diann Bailey, First Church of Christ, Suffield, Mr. Ian Skoggard, Church of the Redeemer, New Haven Class of 2019 Mr. Alan Kendrix, Church of the Redeemer, New Haven, Mr. Charlie Pillsbury, Shalom UCC, New Haven, Ms. Elivette Mendez, Manantial de Gracia, West Hartford Class of 2020 The Rev. Elliott Munn, First Church of Christ, West Hartford Silver Lake Board Upon motion by David Lincicome and second by Calvin Price it was VOTED D-06 to approve the revisions to the Silver Lake Conference Center Board of Directors Charter as presented. Upon motion by Calvin Price and duly seconded it was VOTED D-08 Upon recommendation of the Executive Committee the Board of Directors approves the following adjustments to the approved plan to offset the 2016 MSC Unrestricted/General Fund: Use of $3795 of Board Designated Fund (MSC Contingency Fund) for the unexpected costs for the 125 Sherman Street parking lot repaving. Use of $2795 of the Strengthen the Church gifts for the Revival deficit. The planned contribution of $11,000 to the Interim Staffing Fund was reduced to $5,586. Upon motion by David Lincicome and second by Ginny Miller it was Voted that upon recommendation of the Executive Committee the Board of Directors approves the following adjustments to cover the unanticipated expenses of $75,000 for the Lodge renovation: Allocation of the 2016 surplus to the project. The use of $54,000 of Board-designated funds for capital improvements, including $20,000 designated for deferred maintenance (funds budgeted for replacing Lodge windows and other Lodge maintenance) and $34,000 of the 2014 and 2015 surplus that had been designated for capital improvements MSC Payment Schedule Upon motion by Calvin Price and second by Marilyn Kendrix it was VOTED D-09 upon recommendation of the Executive Committee the Board of Directors approves the 2017 Missionary of Society of Connecticut Payment Schedule of $3,516,469 as presented Budget-Per Capita Upon motion by Calvin Price and duly seconded it was VOTED D-10 upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee the Board of directors approves keeping the per capita contribution rate request at $10 per member.