---

Help Shape the Ministries of the Rocky Mountain Conference

As you know, the Rocky Mountain Conference is nearly a year into our three-year transition plan. One of the three main tasks of the transition period is to align our structures, policies and priorities to our primary purpose of helping local churches live out their most faithful expression of the gospel in this time of great crisis.   To that end, the Board has been reviewing each of the Board positions and asking, “How do we take this vision of truly being a force for good in the lives of our local churches and faith leaders and hardwire it into our structures and practices as a Conference?” 

In addition, as we seek to build a more life-giving and generative conference, we recognize the importance of aligning people’s gifts and skills to the particular roles that are needed. As we continue to adapt, refine practices, and create new roles on our board and committees, we are asking those eligible for second terms (or for a first full term after completing an unexpired term) to discern whether to remain in their current role, transition to a different position, or step away. While it will take a bit more time to do that discernment, it will be worth it in the long run. 

As those currently serving are discerning how they want to continue to serve the ministry of the RMC, we invite you to do the same. Please take a look at the list (which you can access via this link) of openings on boards and committees, and other volunteer opportunities. For descriptions of each of these positions, see below. 

Highlighted positions are open for nominations. Names marked with an asterisk (*) indicate individuals who are currently serving, are eligible for election to a full term or re-election to a second term, and have discerned they are willing to continue in their role. Names marked with a question mark (?) indicate individuals who the nominating committee will be asking if they are interested in serving a second term. 

If you feel called to serve or know someone whose gifts would help strengthen our connections and support our local churches, we invite you to nominate yourself or someone else (with their permission). Instructions for submitting nominations can be found at the end of this letter.

We are committed to ensuring that our board and committees reflect the diversity of the RMC, with a breadth of perspectives across ethnicity, gender, gender identity, economic status, age, ability, and geography. We will present the final slate of nominees ahead of elections at our Annual Celebration in June.

Thank you for being part of this shared work as we embody the love and justice of Jesus in all the places we serve.

RMC BOARD POSITIONS DESCRIPTIONS

Moderator– The Moderator presides at all meetings of the conference and serves as President of the RMC and chairperson of the Board. The Moderator reports acts and findings of the board and communicates the mission and priorities of the conference to the RMC membership. The Moderator serves a one-year term, eligible for a second term.

Vice Moderator– The Vice Moderator performs the duties of Moderator in case of the Moderator’s absence or inability to act. The Vice Moderator performs other duties as specified in the Bylaws or by the Board. Vice Moderator is elected to a one-year term and eligible for a second term.

Chair of the Personnel Committee – The Personnel Chair empowers the work of the Personnel Committee and serves on the board of directors. Two-year term, eligible for second term.

COM Coordinator – The COM Coordinator works with the ACM for COM to ensure the work of COM flows well. The COM coordinator reports to the board on COM activities and considers how the broader work of the conference might inform COM’s efforts. Two-year term, eligible for a second year.

New Ministry Development – The NMD Coordinator leads the grant application process, including selection of grantees and supporting oversight of those projects and programs. They will likewise support local church resourcing through grant writing workshops and helping to identify possible funding sources for capital improvements and ministry initiatives. This is a two-year term that can be renewed once.    

Association Representatives to the Board – nominated by Association. Association Representatives establish and maintain communication for mutual understanding and cooperation between the RMC Board of Directors (BOD) and the representative’s association and its churches. Additionally, each Association Representative supports the broader work of the board focused on supporting local churches: by connecting geographic Association leaders, integrating and connecting Justice & Mission efforts, resourcing churches, etc. Three-year term. Not eligible for a second term.

COMMITTEE DESCRIPTIONS

Finance Committee: This committee serves to develop a budget to present to the Board and then the conference for approval, presents recommendations to the Board regarding budget adjustments, conducts a continuing review of Conference accounting and financial management procedures, and proposes, oversees, and evaluates the management of liquid assets, and long-term assets of the Conference: the investment portfolio and capital assets. Experience in finance and accounting is helpful but not required. The Finance Committee meets as needed. These positions have a term of two years that may be renewed once.

Personnel Committee:  The Personnel Committee recommends to the Board for approval policies to set forth and clarify personnel procedures for employees of the Conference in their day-to-day services and relationships with co-workers and with the RMC as their employer, conduct a bi-annual performance review of the Conference Minister, create, and maintain, in consultation with the Conference Minister, job descriptions for RMC Employees and assure personnel policies of the Conference are fairly administered, recommend salary action for the Conference Minister to the Board for approval, and to conduct in consultation with the Conference Minister, reviews of other staff performance and make recommendations for salary and benefit for all employees. Meets as needed. Terms are two years and can be renewed.

Nominating Committee: This committee recommends individuals who possess gifts to support the network of churches comprising the RMC to roles on committees, ministry teams, and the board. The Nominating Committee presents nominees to positions of leadership for approval at the RMC Annual Celebration.

RMC Endowment Fund Board of Trustees: The Trustees of the Endowment Fund maintain the conference relationship with the professional financial managers at the UCC national setting who invest the Conference endowment as well as endowments of churches in the conference who have asked the conference to manage their endowment. This committee also authorizes disbursements from endowments in accordance with the terms of each endowment. The EF Board of Trustees meet 4 times a year. Terms are three years and can be renewed once.

Committee on Ministry (COM):  The COM supports local churches by authorizing and supporting those called to ministry in and on behalf of the United Church of Christ.  As part of the transition work this year, the COM is moving to a simplified structure, with one team supporting those who are yet to be authorized and the other focused on serving those with authorization. 

Nomination Instructions:

In a spirit of discernment, please consider whether your gifts meet the challenges and opportunities ahead in this season of transition.

If you are interested in serving or would like to nominate someone to a position with their permission, send an email to Jenny Boteler with the following information:

• Name of Nominee (along with their Association and local church, including city)

• Position of Interest, or willing to serve where gifts are most needed

• A brief description of the nominees gifts, relationship to the conference, and the communities/diversities they represent (200 words or less). 

If you have questions about any of these positions, Rev. Erin Gilmore, Transitional Conference Minister, will be glad to answer questions you have about the responsibilities or time commitments of these positions or connect you with the appropriate committee chair for more detailed explanations.

Thank you for your commitment to the ministries of the Rocky Mountain Conference,

Jenny Boteler

on behalf of the Nominating Committee