Board of Ministries
Report from September 9 Meeting
Members of ABCORI’s Board of Ministries gathered for an extended meeting on September 9 to focus on ABCORI-related financial trends and reports from two board-appointed task forces.
Executive Minister Courtny Davis Olds shared a presentation on ABCORI income and expense trends for the previous decade, including regional ministry operations and operation of the Canonicus Camp and Conference Center. The trends show that ABCORI has operated with significant deficits for those ten years, particularly from Canonicus operations. Compensation for those deficits has been made by drawing from ABCORI’s available endowment funds.
The board-appointed Purpose Task Force presented an update on its work. Chair George Barclay explained that a mission statement supplements an organization’s other documents, such as bylaws, and provides a focus for the board and staff for two or three years.
The task force proposed the following mission statement for ABCORI:
With a commitment to proclaiming good news and transforming lives, American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island (ABCORI) resources member churches; equips congregational leaders; promotes shared ministry; and serves as a prophetic voice to and on behalf of its congregations.
Following a discussion about mission statements, in general, and the proposed mission statement, in particular, the board voted to approve the statement proposed by the task force.
The board then received a report from the Property Task Force it appointed to explore “financially responsible options for stewardship of the Canonicus property” and report back with up to three feasible options. Task force chair David Coon reminded the board that the Canonicus property has generated the largest share of the budget deficits for many years and presented the board with the status of the task force’s work to date. Because the task force wants to provide as much specificity about potential costs and financial benefits as possible when it presents options for the board’s consideration, it will need more time to complete its work.
The Board of Ministries’ next meeting is a day-long retreat scheduled for October 14. Dan Hotchkiss, a long-time senior consultant for the Alban Institute who now works independently with congregations and other organizations on such issues as board governance, will facilitate the retreat. The next regular business meeting will be held on November 6.
Members of ABCORI’s Board of Ministries gathered for an extended meeting on September 9 to focus on ABCORI-related financial trends and reports from two board-appointed task forces.
Executive Minister Courtny Davis Olds shared a presentation on ABCORI income and expense trends for the previous decade, including regional ministry operations and operation of the Canonicus Camp and Conference Center. The trends show that ABCORI has operated with significant deficits for those ten years, particularly from Canonicus operations. Compensation for those deficits has been made by drawing from ABCORI’s available endowment funds.
The board-appointed Purpose Task Force presented an update on its work. Chair George Barclay explained that a mission statement supplements an organization’s other documents, such as bylaws, and provides a focus for the board and staff for two or three years.
The task force proposed the following mission statement for ABCORI:
With a commitment to proclaiming good news and transforming lives, American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island (ABCORI) resources member churches; equips congregational leaders; promotes shared ministry; and serves as a prophetic voice to and on behalf of its congregations.
Following a discussion about mission statements, in general, and the proposed mission statement, in particular, the board voted to approve the statement proposed by the task force.
The board then received a report from the Property Task Force it appointed to explore “financially responsible options for stewardship of the Canonicus property” and report back with up to three feasible options. Task force chair David Coon reminded the board that the Canonicus property has generated the largest share of the budget deficits for many years and presented the board with the status of the task force’s work to date. Because the task force wants to provide as much specificity about potential costs and financial benefits as possible when it presents options for the board’s consideration, it will need more time to complete its work.
The Board of Ministries’ next meeting is a day-long retreat scheduled for October 14. Dan Hotchkiss, a long-time senior consultant for the Alban Institute who now works independently with congregations and other organizations on such issues as board governance, will facilitate the retreat. The next regular business meeting will be held on November 6.
Report from June 12 Meeting
Members of ABCORI’s Board of Ministries met on June 12. Highlights of the meeting included:
Members of ABCORI’s Board of Ministries met on June 12. Highlights of the meeting included:
- An initial presentation by the board-appointed task force on developing a new purpose statement. After a productive discussion, the board asked the task force to consider a slight change to the purpose statement and then bring the revision back to the next board meeting.
- A set of experiences to help board members gain a better understanding of the various organizations, committees, programs, and resources related to American Baptists in Rhode Island. (Click here to test your knowledge with one of the games from the board meeting.)
- Brainstorming about possible ways to expand the format for ABCORI’s annual gathering in 2024.
Report from April 24 Meeting
Members of ABCORI’s Board of Ministries gathered on April 24 to consider their role in helping ABCORI move into the future.
Executive Minister Courtny Davis Olds shared some of her hopes for ABCORI’s future:
Board members spent time in small groups reflecting on the assets that ABCORI already has that would help the organization reach this new sense of vision. The groups identified assets such as a strong staff; ABCORI’s property; existing relationships with and among congregations; and God’s leadership.
Working in small groups, board members also considered the resources, information, and training they need in order to do their work. They identified such things as learning more about how to understand the organization’s finances; working with an outside consultant on developing more productive board practices; and gaining a better sense of current and future cultural trends.
Board members also reviewed action steps they identified during a board retreat in January and considered possible actions steps to add to that list. They also began a discussion of how to evaluate their work as a board, including progress made on the identified action steps.
The meeting concluded with reports from representatives from ABCORI committees and other organizations and staff members.
Report from March 27 Meeting
Members of the Board of Ministries met on March 27 for the first time since their election during ABCORI’s annual business meeting. (Click here for a list of board members.)
The meeting’s primary focus was an orientation for new members and a refresher for members continuing their service on the board. Members received binders with documents such as ABCORI’s bylaws, the recently approved interim board structure, and the fiscal year 2024 budget. They also heard brief summaries of the work of ABCORI committees and related organizations represented on the board.
Members approved a new Board of Ministries covenant, which outlines the responsibilities of board members and ABCORI to one another. This covenant grew out of the board’s work during its January retreat. (Click here to view the covenant.)
The board received brief updates about the two task forces it approved in January:
The board scheduled future meetings for April 24, June 12, September 9, November 6, January 20, and February 12.
Report from February 27 Special Business Meeting
ABCORI’s Board of Ministries held a special business meeting via Zoom on February 27 for the purpose of receiving the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024 from the Operations Team. (FY 2024 runs from April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024.)
The Budget Committee and ABCORI staff began work in January and sought to create a budget that clearly captures ABCORI’s expected income and operating expenses. The Operations Team received the proposed budget from the Budget Committee and then presented it to the Board of Ministries for consideration.
The board voted unanimously to present the proposed budget for FY 2024 at the ABCORI Annual Meeting on March 6.
Report from January 2023
The new year brings a new practice for ABCORI’s Board of Ministries. A brief report following each board meeting will be included in Connections. Copies of the board’s approved minutes also will be posted on the ABCORI website. It is the board’s hope that this practice will provide greater transparency concerning its work.
Board Retreat
The Board of Ministries gathered on January 21 for a working retreat focused on the theme Where Do We Go from Here?
The retreat began with a discussion of ABCORI as a faith-based, non-profit organization and ways to define the organization’s purpose. Board members offered suggestions for that purpose that ranged from connections to resources to transitions.
Following a presentation about external realities and trends that impact ABCORI, board members identified internal realities and challenges that affect the organization. They also discussed the board’s role in helping ABCORI fulfill its purpose given the current context and challenges.
During the afternoon, retreat participants turned to identifying the board’s priorities for 2023 and beyond. Suggested priorities included ABCORI’s purpose; financial situation; property usage; and structure and bylaws.
Members wrapped up the retreat by proposing action steps for the board.
Board Meeting
The board met via Zoom on January 30.
Members discussed taking action on several of the top priorities identified during the board retreat. They approved the formation of a task force that is to present a proposal for the content of a revised ABCORI purpose statement to the board in May or June. They also approved the formation of a task force to explore financially responsible options for stewardship of the Canonicus property asset and report back to the board in June or July with up to three feasible options and suggestions for next steps.
The board also discussed the priority concerning ABCORI’s structure and bylaws. Members agreed to present a proposed temporary bylaw revision to delegates at ABCORI’s annual meeting. If approved, the revision will implement an interim leadership structure to be in place until the 2024 annual meeting.
Members of ABCORI’s Board of Ministries gathered on April 24 to consider their role in helping ABCORI move into the future.
Executive Minister Courtny Davis Olds shared some of her hopes for ABCORI’s future:
- ABCORI will earn a reputation as a go-to organization for resources, expertise, assistance, and support.
- This will require ABCORI to develop new programs and resources through a process of discerning, experimenting, and evaluating—and trying again and again.
- It also will require maintaining a qualified staff.
- ABCORI will equip congregations and their leaders in new and expanding ways so that they may be engaged in vibrant and relevant ministries where they are.
- This will require ABCORI to continue establishing relationships—with congregations and with other ministry organizations.
- It also will require ABCORI to provide ministry opportunities that allow possibilities beyond what an individual congregation might be able to do.
- The ultimate goal will be proclaiming the gospel and transforming lives.
Board members spent time in small groups reflecting on the assets that ABCORI already has that would help the organization reach this new sense of vision. The groups identified assets such as a strong staff; ABCORI’s property; existing relationships with and among congregations; and God’s leadership.
Working in small groups, board members also considered the resources, information, and training they need in order to do their work. They identified such things as learning more about how to understand the organization’s finances; working with an outside consultant on developing more productive board practices; and gaining a better sense of current and future cultural trends.
Board members also reviewed action steps they identified during a board retreat in January and considered possible actions steps to add to that list. They also began a discussion of how to evaluate their work as a board, including progress made on the identified action steps.
The meeting concluded with reports from representatives from ABCORI committees and other organizations and staff members.
Report from March 27 Meeting
Members of the Board of Ministries met on March 27 for the first time since their election during ABCORI’s annual business meeting. (Click here for a list of board members.)
The meeting’s primary focus was an orientation for new members and a refresher for members continuing their service on the board. Members received binders with documents such as ABCORI’s bylaws, the recently approved interim board structure, and the fiscal year 2024 budget. They also heard brief summaries of the work of ABCORI committees and related organizations represented on the board.
Members approved a new Board of Ministries covenant, which outlines the responsibilities of board members and ABCORI to one another. This covenant grew out of the board’s work during its January retreat. (Click here to view the covenant.)
The board received brief updates about the two task forces it approved in January:
- The first task force is to present a proposal for the content of a revised ABCORI purpose statement to the board during its June meeting. Members of this task force are George Barclay (chair), Judy Butzier, and Courtny Davis Olds.
- The second task force is to explore financially responsible options for stewardship of the Canonicus property asset and report back to the board in September with up to three feasible options and suggestions for next steps. Members of this task force are David Coon (chair), Cal Lord, Bobby Nelson, Chris Wright, and Courtny Davis Olds.
The board scheduled future meetings for April 24, June 12, September 9, November 6, January 20, and February 12.
Report from February 27 Special Business Meeting
ABCORI’s Board of Ministries held a special business meeting via Zoom on February 27 for the purpose of receiving the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024 from the Operations Team. (FY 2024 runs from April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024.)
The Budget Committee and ABCORI staff began work in January and sought to create a budget that clearly captures ABCORI’s expected income and operating expenses. The Operations Team received the proposed budget from the Budget Committee and then presented it to the Board of Ministries for consideration.
The board voted unanimously to present the proposed budget for FY 2024 at the ABCORI Annual Meeting on March 6.
Report from January 2023
The new year brings a new practice for ABCORI’s Board of Ministries. A brief report following each board meeting will be included in Connections. Copies of the board’s approved minutes also will be posted on the ABCORI website. It is the board’s hope that this practice will provide greater transparency concerning its work.
Board Retreat
The Board of Ministries gathered on January 21 for a working retreat focused on the theme Where Do We Go from Here?
The retreat began with a discussion of ABCORI as a faith-based, non-profit organization and ways to define the organization’s purpose. Board members offered suggestions for that purpose that ranged from connections to resources to transitions.
Following a presentation about external realities and trends that impact ABCORI, board members identified internal realities and challenges that affect the organization. They also discussed the board’s role in helping ABCORI fulfill its purpose given the current context and challenges.
During the afternoon, retreat participants turned to identifying the board’s priorities for 2023 and beyond. Suggested priorities included ABCORI’s purpose; financial situation; property usage; and structure and bylaws.
Members wrapped up the retreat by proposing action steps for the board.
Board Meeting
The board met via Zoom on January 30.
Members discussed taking action on several of the top priorities identified during the board retreat. They approved the formation of a task force that is to present a proposal for the content of a revised ABCORI purpose statement to the board in May or June. They also approved the formation of a task force to explore financially responsible options for stewardship of the Canonicus property asset and report back to the board in June or July with up to three feasible options and suggestions for next steps.
The board also discussed the priority concerning ABCORI’s structure and bylaws. Members agreed to present a proposed temporary bylaw revision to delegates at ABCORI’s annual meeting. If approved, the revision will implement an interim leadership structure to be in place until the 2024 annual meeting.
