Board Governance

(Reviewed and Updated May 2024)

Guiding Principles

• Principles of Grace-FULL conversations and Holy Manners will be adhered to at all times.
• “Levels” of governance should be minimal – a “relatively-flat” organizational model should work the best in terms of overall effectiveness.
• Every aspect of governance & leadership should be as open & transparent to the Congregational membership as possible – except, of course, for certain personnel matters which are mandated as confidential.
• Emphasis should focus on a structure that encourages and enables all members to participate in one or more meaningful ways in areas where they feel comfortable contributing.
• To the extent feasible, all members should participate in one or more of the Board Committees, working Teams or Task Groups — whichever best suits their talents & interests.
• In all cases, committee and group ‘chairs’ and leaders can be either singular (eg: “Chair”) or plural (eg: “Co-Chairs”).
• In every aspect of governance and leadership, we must always remain flexible.

See Grace’s Governance Policy for more details. The Policy provides clarification of important details such as: the composition of the Board, Board Executive, and Congregational Officers, voting privilege restrictions, and quorums for Board and Congregational meetings.

Definitions – As per the United Church Manual

Please refer to the United Church Manual 2025 at this link: The Manual, 2025

For more info, please contact the church office.