Board of Trustees From everyone to whom much has been given, much will

Board of Trustees From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. Luke 12:48 (NRSV)

THE Board Of Trustees OF THE LOCAL CHURCH What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think Board of Trustees?

THE Board Of Trustees OF THE LOCAL CHURCH Building Repairs? Yard Care? Phone systems & HVACs?

THE MINISTRY OF THE Board of Trustees to help the local church fulfill its mission to the community and to the world by supervising and maintaining all property belonging to the congregation so that the ministries of the congregation may be effective.

THE CONFERENCE WIG The Wildly Important Goal of the Central Texas Conference and its congregations is

THE CONFERENCE WIG To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.

SO THE CHURCH BUILDING is a TOOL that enables the local church to fulfill its Mission and Vision to Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.

A LEGACY OF PROPERTY It is the important work of the BOT to ensure that the congregation is a good steward of what previous generations have made available to them. The BOT cannot and should not interfere in the ministry program of the church, even if it means the building will be used – and wear out. The ministry of the BOT is to help provide a safe, clean, well-maintained environment in which people may come and work together to serve Christ and to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE BOT (¶¶2525 & 2526) Composed of no fewer than 3 and no more than 9 members (recommended at least 1/3 be laywomen, 1/3 laymen & 2/3 must be professing members) Divided into three classes with one third elected each year Members are nominated by the Committee on Nominations and Leadership Development or from the

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE Board Of Trustees Appointed pastor is not a voting member of the BOT unless elected as a member The members of the BOT elect their own o ffi c e r s : C h a i r, Vi c e C h a i r, S e c r e t a r y The BOT should meet at least annually at t h e c a l l o f t h e p a s t o r o r i t s c h a i rp e r s o n A majority of the members constitutes a quorum.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE Board Of Trustees Oversee, maintain, and supervise all local c h u r c h p r o p e r t y. T h i s w o u l d i n c l u d e conducting an annual inspection and annual i n v e n t o r y o f a l l c h u r c h p r o p e r t y, i n c l u d i n g the parsonage. –Set up a maintenance schedule for all equipment –Consider the merits of service contracts for large equipment (AC, refrigerators, heating systems, copiers etc.) Report annually to the charge conference o n t h e s t a t e o f t h e c h u r c h ' s p r o p e r t y, equipment, investments, and resources.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE Board Of Trustees Receive and administer all gifts made to the congregation; (unless this task is performed by another group, i.e. Endowment Committee etc. ) make certain that all trust funds of the congregation are invested properly. Develop guidelines for receiving and

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE Board Of Trustees Ensure that the articles of incorporation of the congregation are kept up-to-date. Be responsible, in conjunction with the pastor, for all use of the church buildings and grounds. Develop appropriate risk management policies.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE Board Of Trustees Ensure congregation has adequate property insurance – Go to link below for current minimum insurance requirements http://www.uminsure.org/minimuminsurance-requirements1

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE Board Of Trustees Submit to the committee on finance the annual budget requests for insurance, property maintenance and improvement, and new property purchases. Be accountable to charge conference and to the church council and/or Administrative Body

Board Of Trustee RELATIONSHIPS Charge Conference Our Connection Board Of Trustees Commit tee on Finance PPR Church Council

Board Of Trustee RELATIONSHIPS Charge Conference 1) The charge conference is the primary governing body of your church. It sets the policy and direction for all work and ministry of the church. You were elected by the charge conference to act as its agent in caring for the physical resources of the church and for all legal matters. You report at least annually to the charge conference about the state of the church’s property, equipment, investments, and resources in their care. 2) The charge conference may give you broad limits within which to act, or it may give you specific assignments in your stewardship of church facilities.

Board Of Trustee RELATIONSHIPS Church Council or Administrative Body – 1) If you are the chairperson of the trustees, you, or a trustee representative, are a member of the church council (¶252.5.e, the Discipline) and are responsible for taking the recommendations of the trustees to the church council for approval and action. 2) You are also responsible for taking recommendations and directions of the council back to the trustees.

Board Of Trustee RELATIONSHIPS SPR 1) you may provide day-to-day supervision of persons related to your work, such as the church custodian or building manager. 2) To maintain the parsonage(s). 3) You may also assist in the development of comprehensive personnel policies, including a sexual misconduct or harassment policy.

Board Of Trustee RELATIONSHIPS Finance 1) The trustees are generally empowered to spend money that has been budgeted, as they deem necessary and without further permission. 2) Consult with COF, when you anticipate a large expenditure that may affect the cash flow of the whole church budget. 3) Consult with COF, when an expense exceeds the budget or was not accounted for in the budgeting process

PROPERTY Trustees hold title to all local church property on behalf of the United Methodist Church Check your deeds for the Trust Clause (¶ 2503) Purchasing, sale and/or mortgaging property requires the approval of the pastor, district superintendent, district committee on Church Locations and Building, and Charge Conference When in doubt Check the DISCIPLINE!

Annual Schedule of Tasks Sample January–March Organize and elect officers. Review and evaluate all property and buildings. Survey and inventory contents of the safety deposit box. Conduct an energy audit. Review church’s legal status, if incorporated. Report to the church council.

Annual Schedule of Tasks Sample April–June Inventory equipment and prepare a maintenance schedule. Evaluate service contracts. Evaluate insurance coverage. Take a walking tour of all facilities to consider access for persons with disabilities. Schedule and conduct a fire drill, lockdown, or other necessary safety drills. Report to the church council.

Annual Schedule of Tasks Sample July–September Review and evaluate all buildings and property. Project your financial needs for next year’s budget. Review policies/procedures for receiving and managing wills, bequests, and trusts; review investment policy. (if BOT responsibility) Review the building-use policy. Inspect HVAC system for efficient use. Report to the church council.

Annual Schedule of Tasks Sample October–December Tour the parsonage(s) and meet with the parsonage family/families about their needs. Review year-end needs for annual reports and audit. Inventory and inspect equipment. Check all fire extinguishers. Have an investment counselor review your church’s investment policy and procedures. Report to the church council.

QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT ASK 1) Where are the deeds to all the property? Do they contain the Trust Clause? 2) Where is the MinistrySafe Policy adopted by the Charge Conf.? Is it posted? Enforced? 3) Are there building use policies that have been approved by the Charge Conference? 4) Are the Trustees reviewing Insurance Policies annually?

Resources https://www.cokesbury.com/GuidelinesTrustees-1