Conference Nominating Committee
The Working Principles
PURPOSE: “To know individuals so as to help them do worthwhile ministry in leading the conference to fulfill its vision.”
VISION: “People are our greatest resource! We see people feeling affirmed when invited to serve within the conference and we see them experiencing growth and a sense of meaning in their positions. We see strong conference bodies led by strong leaders.”
CUSTOMER: “Our customer is the leadership of the conference, both present and future.”
OUR PRIMARY TASK: “Is to link people with service opportunities in the conference in meaningful and spiritually enriching ways.”
· Know the task
· Know the people
· Invite service in affirming and hospitable ways
Invitation to Serve
The West Michigan Conference Committee on Nominations is sharing reports from agencies and committees of the conference to help you: learn about important connectional ministry, and to investigate service areas where your talents are needed.
To take a Spiritual Gifts Survey, click here. The survey is free and will help you discover your spiritual gifts
To let us know about your willingness to serve, apply on line, click the button (Coming Soon).
WEST MICHIGAN CONFERENCE AGENCY REPORTS AND DESCRIPTIONS
Annual Conference Program Committee
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: Plan/execute Annual Conference event
Responsibilities & Duties: Meetings, tasks from committee assignments and/or tasks related to the committee they represent on the ACPC (such as: Bd. of Ministries and their work on Ordination)
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: Move around week days and at this point 9:30am-1pm. But we have offered late afternoon/evening times but the current team did not need that time adjustment. That is always open.
Meeting location: Usually in Grand Rapids, but with a Bishop that actively wants to be a part of the Committee we may adjust the location. We do offer GoToMeeting/smart room options as well.
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Nichea Ver Veer Guy [email protected]
Adrian College Board of Trustees
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: Adrian College Board of Trustees
Responsibilities & Duties: Trustee for the College
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: Three
Meeting location: Adrian College
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Patrick Farver [email protected]
Albion College Board of Trustees
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: to set policy for Albion College, a institution of higher education affiliated with the UMC, and to support the administration in the implementation of said policies
Responsibilities & Duties: (see above)
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: Three board retreats a year, typically Thursday morning through Friday noon, during the third weeks of October, February and May
Our October and February meetings are now starting Wednesday afternoon for some committees.
Meeting location: Albion College
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Don Sheets [email protected]
Commission on Archives and History
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee (from ¶641, 2012 BOD):
To collect, preserve, and make accessible the historically significant records of the annual conference and its agencies, including data relating to the origin and history of the conference and its antecedents.
Responsibilities & Duties (from ¶641):
1) To encourage and assist the local church in preserving their records, compiling their histories, and celebrating their heritage
2) To provide for the permanent safekeeping of the historical records of all abandoned or discontinued churches in the bounds of the annual conference and its antecedents
3) To maintain a fire-safe historical and archival depository and to see that all items that obviously will have value for future history are properly preserved therein
4) To provide for the ownership of real property and to receive gifts and bequests
5) To nominate to the General Commission on Archives and History buildings, locations, or structures within the annual conference for designation as historic sites or heritage landmarks
6) To maintain contact with officially designated historic sites and heritage landmarks in their bounds
7) To assist the bishop or the appropriate conference committee in planning for the historical hour and other appropriate historical observance at annual conference sessions
8) To establish retention and disposition schedules for annual conference and local church records under standards or guidelines developed by the General Commission on Archives and History
9) To cooperate with and report, when requested, to the general and jurisdictional commissions on archives and history
10) To engage with other Wesleyan, Methodist, or Evangelical United Bretheren-related denominations in lifting up our joint heritage
11) To work with the ethnic congregations of the conference to develop and preserve the historical records of those congregations and antecedent conferences
12) May organize a conference historical society for the study and preservation of the history of the conference
13) May designate specific duties to the annual conference historian
Typical Meeting Dates and Number Per Year:
The CCAH usually meets three times per year, in September, April, and June.
Meeting location:
The location may vary. Often the meetings are held at Albion College (which houses the conference archives), the Conference Center, and a local church which is related to a member of the commission.
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address:
Melanie Young Work: [email protected] Personal: [email protected]
Board of Christian Camping
Think of: people with fundraising experience and nonprofit board experience. Love of camping essential.
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee:
We oversee the ministry of five sites through an executive director. We are working on major policy shifts and capital fund drives.
Responsibilities & Duties:
- a) Of the camping ministry
- Growth of the ministry. Any site should not fail to grow in ministry in at least 4 of any 5 years.
- Net revenue maintenance. Any site should not fail to produce a net revenue of not less than 3% in at least 4 of any 5 years.
- Policy. All camping ministry components shall comply with conference policies and State regulations. Further, the BCC shall provide policies under which all camping programs will be operated and all sites owned by the West Michigan Conference will be maintained and utilized. The BCC is a program agency of the conference, directly accountable to the Conference Leadership Team (CLT).
- Promote awareness of camping, and registration for events, throughout the conference, in individual churches, and beyond to the public at large.
- Ensure that leaders, servant workers, funding, training, and vision are available for the success of the whole camping ministry.
- b) Of the Board
- Communicate with the executive director, including receiving reports and input, and giving directives in terms of both policy and ad hoc decisions; a significant tool in this communication is the BCC Handbook, which is continually edited and updated.
- Communicate with other conference leadership on behalf of camping ministries, including CFA, CLT, Trustees, Communications, Treasurer, and Cabinet;
- Design an annual ministry plan, which reflects a four or five year ministry plan, and which includes goals for each site with regard to programming balance, attendance, revenue, and budget; and present this plan annually to a gathering of the representatives of site committees, district promoters, the executive director, and site directors in time for each part of the plan to be implemented. Components of the annual ministry plan are:
- a) a broad outline of programming goals
- b) a specific outline of major maintenance and facility improvement tasks for each site, as part of an ongoing facilities plan;
- c) an annual budget for both revenue and expenses, both operating and capital.
- At least annually, host a gathering to include all site committee members, district coordinators, and site directors, for the purpose of gathering input and sharing ministry objectives.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year:
Nine meetings annually, all day Saturday, at sites when possible.
Meeting location:
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address:
Jeremy Williams [email protected]
Board of Church and Society
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee:
To educate and advocate for issues of justice and peace within the conference.
Responsibilities & Duties:
To disseminate information about issues of peace with justice within the annual conference.
To administer the funds which come from the yearly Peace with Justice offering.
To administer the funds available from the Brubaker-Thompson Peace Fund.
To relate to local churches asking for assistance with social issues.
To maintain a presence at annual conference.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year:
Meetings in the fall, winter and spring, usually on Saturday mornings at the Conference Center in Grand Rapids.
Meeting location:
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address:
Amee Paparella [email protected]
Commission on Communications
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: The Communications Commission exists to support the Area Communications Director. The role of the commission is currently being reviewed.
Responsibilities & Duties: Provide assistance to the Communications Director during Annual Conference; be aware of communication needs within the conference and provide assistance and support to local churches regarding their communication needs. Members are both at large members and members representing the districts.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: The commission typically meets quarterly in August, October, January, and April.
Meeting location: Area Office in Okemos, MI with members unable to attend in person encouraged to meet virtually using their home computer or district smart room, connecting to the Area smart room. Instructions are sent with the agendas.
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Carole Armstrong [email protected]
Cooperative Ministry Committee
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: To assist the conference and cabinet in fulfilling The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church requirements and the intent of the Cooperative Ministry Policy.
Responsibilities & Duties:
- a) develop tools, guidance and other training materials;
- b) recommend strategies to appropriate conference boards and agencies;
- c) work in concert with the conference and cabinet to integrate cooperative ministry with other initiatives and priorities;
- d) make as many resources available online as possible.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year:
Meeting location:
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Jodie Flessner [email protected]
Committee on Disability Concerns
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: to serve to and educate the people that are handicapped to be able to worship with us.
Responsibilities & Duties: Provide information and support to those in need
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: We usually meet 2-3 times
Meeting location: Conference center normally but because of the distance of members trying to do something else.
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: John Huizing [email protected] or[email protected]
Area Committee on Episcopacy
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: The Committee provides support and counsel to the Bishop and interprets the Episcopal office to members of the annual conference.
Responsibilities & Duties: The Committee includes members of both the Detroit and the West Michigan conferences. It meets with the Bishop and her Clergy Assistant.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: The meetings are scheduled with the Bishop’s calendar in mind and are in the afternoon for 2 hours. Typically we meet four times a year.
Meeting location: The Bishop’s Office in Okemos.
Current Chairperson’s Name and e-mail address: Genie Bank [email protected]
Commission on Equitable Compensation (CEC)
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: The purpose of the Commission on Equitable Compensation (CEC) is to annually propose the minimum compensation schedule for clergy in various appointment categories and to assist local churches in making disciples of Jesus Christ by helping to meet minimum compensation standards for their pastors when local church resources are not sufficient.
Responsibilities & Duties: The Commission on Equitable Compensation is responsible for establishing the Guidelines for Receiving Equitable Compensation. The Commission is also responsible for creating the Equitable Compensation Application and revising it annually, as needed. It is also the Commission’s responsibility to distribute the application to previous grant recipients, the Districts, and to any other church requesting an application. The Commission also sends the application to the Conference Webmaster, so it can be placed on the Conference Website. The primary responsibility of the Commission is to receive, review, and approve Equitable Compensation grants, in conversation with the Cabinet and the Bishop. All applicants are notified if they are approved for Equitable Compensation and the amount of their grants. The Commission is also responsible for approving emergency grants and grants for pulpit supply during the year. The CEC submits a Volume One report prior to each year’s Annual Conference. The Commission is also responsible for submitting legislation to the Annual Conference each year. Included in the legislative items are the minimum compensation schedule and the Guidelines for Equitable Compensation.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: The Commission on Equitable Compensation meets a minimum of three times each year, but meets up to five times annually, if needed. We meet in late September or early October, November, and early February.
Meeting location: The September/October meeting is held at the West Michigan Conference Center on Fuller, S.E. in Grand Rapids. Additional meetings during the year are usually held via conference call.
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Nancy J. Patera, [email protected]
Board of Evangelism
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee:
The Conference Board of Evangelism exists to inform and inspire members of the West Michigan Conference to share their faith stories in a compelling way so that those who are not disciples of Jesus Christ will experience deeper forms of God’s grace.
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Jon Van Dop [email protected]
Council on Finance and Administration
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: The purpose of the Council shall be to develop, maintain, and administer a comprehensive and coordinated plan of fiscal and administrative policies, procedures, and management services for the Annual Conference.
Responsibilities & Duties: To provide leadership in the activities: the development of a budget that reflects the vision and priorities of the Annual Conference; the nurture of scriptural stewardship and the connectional spirit in the heart of God’s people; the adequate funding of Conference mandated and supported ministries; the protection and proper use of Conference funds according to the Book of Discipline; and in providing assistance to local church finance leaders in the effective performance of their duties and responsibilities.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: meeting days vary, but typically we have one meeting in each of the following months: July, October, December, January, March, at in June at Annual Conference.
Meeting location: Conference Center
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Susan Cobb [email protected]
Board of Global Ministries
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: The purpose of Conference Board of Global Ministries is well detailed in the discipline. While the scope of the work is very large, in general the purpose of the committee is to connect local churches with ministries globally – in a balanced way between urban/rural, national/international, etc.
Responsibilities & Duties: One of our main duties is block grant funding to the Districts to support local ministries–this is done annually in October. A second main duty is to itinerate missionaries when they come back to Michigan (this is a very time intensive process done by a secretary appointed by the Bishop—today that is Lynn DeMoss and wife Kay). We also support UMW Mission Schools, Volunteers in Mission and other mission opportunities
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: We meet typically 4 times per year…September, November, February and April
Meeting location: Conference Center Grand Rapids
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Lynda Zeller [email protected]
Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee:
Responsibilities & Duties:
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year:
Meeting location:
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Jeffrey Williams [email protected]
Committee on Hispanic / Latino Ministries
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: The committee:
- a) will relate to all conference agencies for the implementation of the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry as it may be adapted to meet the specific needs of the West Michigan Conference.
- b) will provide direction and leadership for Hispanic ministries of the conference.
- c) shall establish governing policies for the committee and its staff.
Responsibilities & Duties:
- a) Interpret and advocate for Hispanic ministries.
1) Secure and share information about the National Plan for Hispanic Ministries and its resources with key conference leaders and focal leaders involved In Hispanic ministries.
2) Promote the related conference Advance Special projects.
3) Find stories that will illustrate various aspects of Hispanic Ministries/National Plan being implemented and share these with local, conference, and national media as appropriate.
4) Advocate appropriate responses to issues and concerns affecting Hispanics and Hispanic ministries. Secure information about the Plan for Hispanic Ministries and its resources and share it with key conference leaders and local leaders involved in Hispanic ministries.
- b) Planning
1) Update the Hispanic population growth trends to develop or strengthen new or existing Hispanic ministries.
2) Reexamine and adjust the conference plan on Hispanic ministries for both Hispanic and non-Hispanic congregations based on the assessment and review recommended above in 6.b.1.
- c) Training
1) Provide training opportunities for lay missioner and pastor teams, (hired) Hispanic ministry coordinators, committee members, and conference and local leaders utilizing the developed curriculum resources.
2) Train Hispanic and non-Hispanic local church leaders to develop Hispanic ministries utilizing developed resources as necessary.
3) Identify and enlist Hispanic and non-Hispanic candidates interested in ordained ministry and in becoming lay missioners, lay pastors or Hispanic ministry coordinators and refer them to the appropriate conference agencies for follow-up.
- d) Securing and providing resources
1) Secure and provide educational and evangelical resources for leaders and local congregations.
2) Consult with the Conference Leadership Team in regard to the placement of the necessary personnel who may be hired by the Leadership Team in consultation with the Hispanic/Latino Ministries Committee.
3) Request the Conference Leadership Team provide the necessary financial resources to support needed personnel for specific Hispanic/Latino ministries.
- e) Monitoring, supporting, and evaluating
1) Provide a support system for leaders involved in Hispanic ministries including networking, crisis management, recognition, and affirmation.
2) The committee shall annually monitor and evaluate the progress of each specific Hispanic ministry, including where sufficient and/or appropriate resources have been assigned.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year:
- a) The committee shall meet at least four times annually.
- b) Additional meetings may be held as needed to accomplish necessary work.
Meeting location:
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Stacy Caballero [email protected]
Committee on Journal
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: The Journal Committee works with the Secretary at Annual Conference to ensure that the published minutes of the Annual Conference sessions are as accurately reported as possible.
Responsibilities & Duties: During Annual Conference the members of the Journal Committee, proof read and make corrections to the minutes taken by Conference secretary.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: In the past, there has only been one meeting for about 5 minutes – I would like at least one gathering of the committee during the beginning of Annual Conference to assure we are all on the same page – we can also do this via email.
Meeting location: At Calvin College – or email.
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Sheila Baker [email protected]
Trustees of Lake Louise Association
Think of: Camping, Retreat Ministries, Cottagers Community, preservation of natural environment
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: To serve as Trustee of 2800 acres of land with 125 cottages around the lake, a year round retreat facility and summer camping programs. The Lake Louise Board of Trustees includes persons elected from Detroit and West Michigan Conferences as well as trustees elected by the Board.
Responsibilities & Duties: To make decisions of direction, vision, mission, and core values for the Lake Louise Christian Community. To hire and offer direction and support to the Executive Director of the Lake Louise Christian Community. To ensure financial stability and viability. To promote camping and retreats at Lake Louise.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: The Lake Louise Board of Trustees meets at least 5 times a year (one an overnight planning retreat), typically on Friday or Saturday.
Meeting location: Four of the meetings are held at Lake Louise Camp and Retreat Center, with a downstate meeting in January or February.
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Deborah Johnson [email protected]
Lay Servant / Lay Speaking Ministries
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: Lay Speakers and Lay Servants are trained, committed, caring, leaders in the local churches and beyond. These individuals use their gifts to assist local congregations and other venues to spread the love of Christ and make disciples for the transformation of the world.
Responsibilities & Duties at the Conference level:
District chairpersons are automatically on the committee which meets once annually and keeps communication open through a variety of means. The conference and district lay leaders are also Ex-officio members. Members provide information concerning the classes offered such as
Locations/times, class content, and instructors. District chairpersons are also responsible for sharing updated information about changes in the program from the national level to the districts.
Meeting location:
Central location to be determined by the group and at Annual Conference (June 2014).
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Jody A. Pratt [email protected]
**J.Pratt is also the Grand Rapids District Lay Speaking/Lay Servant Coordinator
Conference Leadership Team (CLT)
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: The Conference Leadership Team (Leadership Team) shall act on behalf of the annual conference between sessions in order to give general direction, guidance, and ensure the alignment of the resources, structure and ministries in support of the mission, vision and strategic goals of the conference.
Responsibilities & Duties: Responsibilities: In addition to the above stated Purpose, the Leadership Team shall:
- a) Design a process for implementing the action strategies of the West Michigan Conference.
- b) Annually convene the leaders of the conference’s and districts’ boards and agencies to test the current conference vision, develop vision/strategic plans necessary for future changes for the conference and provide an opportunity for training and collaboration.
- c) Recommend priorities to the annual conference on a quadrennial basis.
- d) Hold the various boards and agencies accountable to the boards’ and agencies’ respective processes of visioning, planning, implementation, funding and evaluation, in accordance with the 2008 DISCIPLINE ¶610: “How are we intentionally reaching new people for Jesus Christ through our ministries?”; and “How are we helping new people grow and mature as disciples of Jesus Christ through our ministries and areas of responsibility?”
- e) Facilitate communication between the boards or agencies as they focus spiritual, human, and fiscal resources to accomplish mission and ministry goals.
- f) Ensure effective communication to and from local churches through the district and conference agencies.
- g) Appoint Task Forces as needed.
- h) Recommend to the annual conference timely changes in the internal structure of the Leadership Team, and any of its organizational units;
- i) Compile and recommend an overall budget for the program boards and agencies to the Council on Finance and Administration.
- j) Invite input as necessary from other conference leaders.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: The team shall meet at least every three months. A quorum of seven (7) voting members is required to take necessary actions. Meetings may be held in electronic forms. The bishop, the DCM or conference lay leader may call special meetings as necessary to respond to the ministry needs of the conference. Members of the team shall meet the minimum attendance requirement of being present at two-thirds (66 percent) of Leadership Team meetings. Failure to meet the minimum attendance requirement may result in being declared ineligible to serve as a member of the Leadership Team by a majority vote of the Leadership Team present and voting at a duly called meeting.
Meeting location:
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Benton R. Heisler [email protected]
Methodist Children’s Home Society Directors
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee:
The MCHS exists to provide residential placement and treatment for juveniles who have been court ordered into placement, to provide placement and supervise out of home placement for court ordered placement and to provide adoption services for children whose parents have had their parental rights terminated.
Responsibilities & Duties:
The responsibility of a board member is to set and review policy of the MCHS, to oversee the broad application of those policies and to oversee and evaluate the performance of the executive director.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year:
Board meetings are held bi-monthly. Each member will also be appointed to one or more committees which may meet quarterly, monthly or as needed.
Meeting location:
MCHS in Redford, Michigan.
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address:
Murray Brown [email protected]
New Church Establishment and Development Committee
Think of: Launching all kinds of new faith communities with some of the most creative and innovative leaders in the state.
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: Making more faith communities that make more faith communities that make more faith communities…that make more disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Responsibilities & Duties: We’re a working team that meets regularly to develop strategies for launching new faith communities all around the state in partnership with local churches. You will have homework! We usually attend the School for Congregational Development every year in August to vision and plan for the next year. For a better feel for the kinds of strategies out there, visit Path1, the church planting arm of the General Board of Discipleship: www.path1.org/strategies.php.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: We meet monthly except in December, April, June, and July from 10AM to 2PM on the first Thursday of the month.
Meeting location: Our meetings move around to different new church locations so that we get a feel of what God is up to in our conference.
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Tom Arthur [email protected]
Conference Nominating Committee
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: We communicate with each of the Boards/Agencies/and Committees of the Conference to assess their current and continuing leadership needs and then work to recruit gifted people to be elected by the Annual Conference so that the ministries of our connectional church can be effectively carried out and disciples of Jesus Christ are made for the transformation of the world.
Responsibilities & Duties: We communicate and recruit for the ministries of the connectional church.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: We meet on the second Thursday of each month from October – May from 9:30 – 3 PM and possibly once during annual conference
Meeting location: First Place at First UMC of Grand Rapids.
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Glenn M. Wagner [email protected]
Board of Ordained Ministry
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee:
Responsibilities & Duties:
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year:
Meeting location:
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: John Boley [email protected]
Board of Pension and Health Benefits
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee:
The Purpose of the Conference Board of Pensions and Health is to provide and contribute to the support, relief, assistance, and pensioning of clergy and their families, other church workers, and lay employees of the institutions, organization and and agencies within the annual conference of the United Methodist Church, excepts as otherwise provided for by the general board. (para. 639, The B.O. D. of the United Methodist Church 2012)
Responsibilities & Duties:
In the West Michigan Annual Conference, our board does this as the liaison of the General Board to the conference and by administering the policies regarding clergy welfare benefits approved by the general conference; and, by reviewing and approving proposals of our Treasurer/Conference Benefit Officer and our professional consultants, through our Health Care Committee. We oversee the maintenance of clergy service records related to eligibility for retirement, pension and health care benefits. The Board is designated by the Conference as the plan administrator and fiduciary of the conference health care program. We set health care benefits levels and funding methods including premiums rates and contributions from churches and participants so that the conference health care program remains sustainable. With the help of the Conference Treasurer, we make sure that we are in compliance with all laws concerning these matters.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year:
We meet four times per year usually during the week from 1-3:30 p.m. We meet in September, November, February and April or as needed to complete our mission. The term for each member is 8 years. There is a steep learning curve so longevity on our committee is encouraged.
Meeting location:
West Michigan Conference Center in Grand Rapids
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address:
Louis Grettenberger [email protected]
Conference Personnel Committee
Think of: employment, evaluation, support
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: To hire, evaluate and support staff employed by the Conference Leadership Team
Responsibilities & Duties: This committee shall have the responsibility of establishing and coordinating equitable employment policies for the conference program staff employed by all organizational units of the Conference; providing for the hiring, guidance, and termination criteria for all such employees hired by the several agencies of the Conference, and ensuring the establishment of effective supervision. The Committee is responsible for the administration of the grievance process for said employees; its work is carried out in consultation with the Director of Connectional Ministries to whom it provides guidance.
Further, the committee periodically reviews and updates the WMC Personnel Policy. We deal with grievances as outlined in this policy when they arise.
The personnel committee meets with each member of the conference professional staff for purposes of support and evaluation at least once a year.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: October, November, and March, usually Wednesday or Thursday in the morning. Generally 3-4 meetings per year at two hours per meeting.
Meeting location: Grand Rapids. We have been meeting either at the Conference Center or Trinity UMC.
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Ellen Zienert [email protected]
Committee on Prison Ministry and Restorative Justice
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: To empower persons in local congregations to meet the needs of prisoners, their families and returning citizens.
Responsibilities & Duties: Training (i.e., mentor), Michigan legislative issues, updates on prison and jail work, and to fulfill the purpose as stated above.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: At least 6 times per year.
Meeting location:
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Rich Moore [email protected]
Racial Ethnic Local Church Committee (RELC)
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: To support and strengthen racial ethnic churches in the West Michigan Conference and build conference-wide support for special ministries in outreach, evangelism, and discipleship with diverse people and communities.
Responsibilities & Duties:
- Keeping the vision of the ethnic local church concerns before the West Michigan Annual Conference.
- Providing guidance and resources to churches in the West Michigan Annual Conference as they minister with and to ethnic constituencies.
- Coordinating of West Michigan Annual Conference strategies related to ethnic local church concerns including general church emphases and initiatives.
- Providing a forum for dialogue among the ethnic local church constituencies, as well as with West Michigan Annual Conference agencies.
- Providing training for West Michigan Annual Conference and congregational leaders.
- Promoting and interpreting ethnic local church concerns to the West Michigan Annual Conference. This includes recommending funding for the ministries of the REL churches.
- Working with West Michigan Annual Conference to identify and nurture leaders, lay and clergy of ethnic communities.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: Shall meet at least three times a year.
Meeting location:
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Geri Litchfield [email protected]
Commission on Religion and Race
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: We will be working on encouraging local churches to look more like the communities where they are located. We hope that more cross cultural conversations can happen with every member of every United Methodist Church.
Responsibilities & Duties: We host the jurisdictional Committee on Religion and Race conference in 2016 and will be planning for this event. We attended the recent Grow the Church event to hear General Commission on Religion and Race speakers.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: Four times a year on Saturdays
Meeting location:
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Michael Johnson [email protected]
Committee on Rules of Order
Think of: Structure, Organization, Procedure
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: The Rules of Order Committee lays the foundation upon which the Conference organizes itself and enables the business of the Conference to happen in an orderly manner at the sessions of Annual Conference.
Responsibilities & Duties: Rules of Order is responsible for seeing the Plan of Organization is in conformity with the Discipline.
The Committee receives each year recommendations from Conference organizational units, local churches and individuals within the Conference for changes in the Plan of Organization and/or Rules of Order and may concur and report them to the Conference for action. The Committee every four years deals with General Conference petitions. Rules of Order makes available, in cooperation with the Conference secretary, the undated Rules which appear on the Conference website.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: 3-5 usually – mid-week
Meeting location: West Michigan Conference Center – Grand Rapids, Michigan
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Judy Coffey [email protected]
Commission on the Status and Role of Women
Think of: justice issues, advocacy, education, support
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: The mission of the Committee on the Role and Status of women is to challenge the West Michigan Conference to provide the opportunity for women to participate at all levels of the United Methodist Church in our area.
Responsibilities & Duties: While the Committee on the Role and Status of Women in the West Michigan Conference will be working this year to revitalize and define our role in the Conference the General Commission defines its objectives as: nurturing women leaders in the church, addressing gender discrimination, confronting sexual harassment and abuse and advocating for victims, raising awareness about women’s issues and opportunities, identifying institutional sexism and recommending ways to diminish it.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: To be determined by committee, plan to meet at least quarterly
Meeting location: To be determined
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Amy Latimer [email protected]
UMCOR/Hunger Committee
Think of: Hunger, Hunger relief, Hunger Education – Connection to our Disaster Response team
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: The purpose of the Hunger/UMCOR Committee is to help promote the needs that arise from Local, National and World Hunger and to support the work of the Disaster Response work that is related to UMCOR.
Brief summary of Responsibilities & Duties: The responsibilities and duties of the Hunger/UMCOR Committee are: To promote the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering that is taken in March of each year. This offering is used to underwrite the administrative work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. To help local congregations understand this work so that each congregation can be actively involved in the Hunger Ministries of the United Methodist Church and other Ecumenical Ministries.
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: We currently do not have a regular meeting date.
Meeting location:
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: Rev. Robert (Bob) Freysinger [email protected]om
Trustees of West Michigan Conference
Purpose of Agency/Board/Committee: Act as trustees for the Conference’s real property
Responsibilities & Duties: Responsible for the purchase, selling and maintenance of all conference real property
Typical meeting date and number of meetings per year: Meet four times a year in January, April, July, and October
Meeting location: West Michigan Conference Administration Building, Grand Rapids
Current Chairperson’s Name and email address: William Gehman [email protected]