Updated 10/22/08

How We Operate And Who To Contact

In 2002 KVCC changed its Constitution and By-laws to better reflect the current congregation, its needs and its desired method of governance.  All Boards and Committees were dissolved and a structure was formed that recognized and enabled the interests, gifts and talents of individual members.  Members are encouraged to serve in areas that bring them life. This model has worked well for us.  Following is a brief description of how we operate.

CONGREGATION

The Congregation is affirmed as the primary decision making body, holding the most authority.  We have a minimum of four Congregational meetings each year, one during each quarter.  Everyone connected to the church is welcome and encouraged to attend Congregational Meetings.  We grant voice to all attending, however voting at this level requires membership in the church.  Please note that we have a broad and inclusive definition of membership that is described lower on this page.  Congregational meetings are festive and usually last less than ninety minutes.

CHURCH COUNCIL

The Church Council oversees the month to month operation of the church and develops the agenda for quarterly meetings of the Congregation.  The Council is designed as a triage body, steering items to the correct person or body within the church for action.  The Council is elected by the Congregation at the Annual Meeting in February.  Council positions include: Moderator, Vice Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer, and up to three Members At Large.  The ministers and music director are ex officio with voice but not vote.  Council meetings usually last less than one hour.  Anyone is welcome and encouraged to attend Council meetings.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Finance Committee is the only standing committee in the Church.  It deals strictly with the budget, income, expenses and investments of church funds.  It consists of the Treasurer and at least three members elected by the Congregation.  The Finance Committee meetings usually last less than one hour.  The Finance Committee meets in the fall to develop a budget for the coming year. The proposed budget is reviewed by the Council, Interest Groups, and Staff. It is placed on the agenda of our Annual Meeting for Congregational vote. In addition there is a Investment Task Force, appointed by the Finance Committee, that meets to review our investments and make recommendations to the Finance Committee.

INTEREST GROUPS

Interest Groups are the ongoing bodies that meet to share ideas and concerns about a specific area.  Active Interest Groups include: Mission and Social Action, Buildings, Grounds, Music, Worship, Education, and Fellowship. The heart of the Interest Groups is that membership is self-elected.  All members and friends of the Congregation are encouraged to serve on one or more Interest Groups.  Our philosophy is that we should put our time and energy into areas that interest us, concern us and bring us life.  Additional Interest Groups may be formed at the discretion of the Congregation or Council.

Interest Group Facilitators - The role of facilitator is not to be confused with the role of a traditional chairperson.  An Interest Group facilitator is a liaison between the Interest Group, Congregation and staff.  The facilitator hosts the Interest Group meetings and draws up the agenda with input from others.  In addition, the facilitator sees that information flows between the Interest Groups, other groups, staff and Congregation.  The Facilitator is NOT responsible for (1) recruiting, (2) getting a task finished, (3) cheerleading or using guilt to move people into action.

Task Forces

The Task Force is the single most active group within our model.  A Task Force is formed by an Interest Group, Council, staff member or the Congregation.  A Task Force is bound both by time and task.  It is expected to dissolve once a task is completed.  A Task Force reports its progress to the assigned Interest Group. A Task Force can consist one or more people who agree to complete a designated task.  A Task Force may break into groups dividing a task into more manageable units.  A Task Force may not continue onto another task nor expand its responsibilities.  Active Task Forces as of 10/22/08 are: Sanctuary Renovation, Sunday School and Youth Group, Weatherization, Quarterly Meals, Investment, Memorial Garden, Neighborhood House Ministry, and the Mission and Social Action Emergency Discretionary Fund.

Membership

We offer two types of membership.  A Full Member is one who uses this region as their primary residence and recognizes KVCC as their primary faith community.  A Shared Member is one who lives in this region part of the year or regularly visits our region for longer stays.  This member usually has another faith community where they are an active member.  The rights and responsibilities of both types of membership are the same.   Non-members are always welcome to participate at all levels of our church with the exception of voting at Congregational meetings.

How Funds Are Spent

Who decides who can spend money and how much?  We operate on a model of faith and trust here.  There is no specific amount that needs approval, yet the question is always before each body, “Do we need to collaborate with or seek permission from any other body in the church to spend these funds?”  In general, small expenditures may be made by any Interest Group, Task Force or staff member.  Discussion should take place with the Council and Finance Committee for more expensive items.  Big ticket items should come before the Congregation through the Council.  All expenditures of any size must be reported to the Treasurer and to the Congregation.  This encourages feedback and is an excellent check and balance for us.            

Procedures    

Building Usage: A copy of our building use policy, guidelines and fees may be requested from the church office by phone (518) 576-4711 or email kvcc@kvvi.net.

Weddings: Our Minister is a private contractor for weddings and should be your first contact.  You may have a wedding at KVCC using our Minister or a legally sanctioned official approved by our Council.  A deposit is required to schedule a wedding.

Member: There are no charges for building use or our minister for members.  Fees for musicians and other professionals are the responsibility of the wedding party.

Non-member: There is a building use fee charged.  Fees for the minister, musicians or other professionals in the wedding are the responsibility of the wedding party.

Baptisms:  Baptism is one of two sacraments in the United Church of Christ.  It is a commitment to become part of Christ’s Church and a promise by the Congregation to walk with you in faith.  In the case of infants or young children, Baptism is a commitment by the parents or guardians to raise their child within the Christian faith community, a formal welcome into Christ’s Church and a promise from the Congregation to shepherd this child in the journey of faith.  If you desire to be Baptized, contact our Minister at kvcc@kvvi.net or (518) 576-4525.

Scheduling: All use of rooms, tables, chairs and equipment are scheduled through the office at (518) 576-4711 or by email at kvcc@kvvi.net.  We are happy to accommodate meetings and gatherings when the calendar allows.  We ask that rooms are to be left clean, garbage emptied, recycling done, lights off, heat turned down to 58 degrees and all doors closed. 

Who To Contact For What

Ø	Liz Jaques	576-4711	Scheduling, Crier, Bulletin, Office
Ø	Betsy Whitman	576-9964	Budget, Checks, Pledges, IRS Receipt Letter
Ø	Jim Marlatt	576-9159	Council, Congregational Meetings
Ø	Carol Blakeslee-Collin	834-9810	If You Cannot Get Jim Marlatt
Ø	Karen Glass	576-2058	Mission & Social Action Interest Group
Ø	Bernie Webb	576-4684	Buildings Interest Group
Ø	Ingrid Carman	576-9050	Grounds Interest Group
Ø	Carol Blakeslee-Collin	834-9810	Sunday School, Youth Choir, Youth Groups
Ø	Milton Dudley	576-4711	Pastoral Needs, Emergencies
Ø	Jenifer Deming	576-4308	Chaplain, Prison Ministry, Horace Nye
Ø	Charlotte  Lichtenberg	576-4567	Coffee Hour
Ø	Rob Hastings	576-4686	Chancel Choir, Bell Choir, Orchestra
Ø	Betsy Stinson	576-9770	Piano And Organ, Flowers
Ø	Jean Coolidge	576-4533	Usher, Worship Assistant, Communion Preparation
Ø	Jim Marlatt	576-9159	Manse
Ø	Charity Marlatt	576-9159	Member At-Large On Council
Ø	Patricia Hurlburt	576-9351	Member At-Large On Council
Ø	John Spear	946-4851	Member At-Large On Council
Ø	Pat Anderson	576-9964	Food Pantry
Ø	Rob Hastings	576-4686	Church Fire Alarm
Ø	Church Office	576-4711	All Other Inquiries