Opening/Closing Date: January 29, 2025 to March 20, 2025
Description
General Council Executive (7 vacancies)
Who are the forward-looking, faithful, strategic leaders the church needs for its General Council Executive? Seven new members will be appointed to this 18-person governance body. We are seeking nominations for people who can lead and contribute to discussions of strategy, performance, and risk, guided by the Call and Vision of the United Church.
Mandate
The General Council Executive is the decision-making body for the United Church between meetings of the General Council. The General Council Executive is in covenantal relationship with the General Council, regional councils, and communities of faith. The Executive has the following authority and responsibility:
- dealing with all unfinished matters referred to it by the General Council
- dealing with all routine and emergency work of the General Council between meetings of the General Council
- establishing standing and other committees
- exercising additional authority of the General Council subject to any limitations as set by the General Council
- Acting as the legal administrator of the pension plan and amending the group insurance plans contracts
Membership
The General Council Executive is made up of 15 members elected by the General Council along with the Moderator, the immediate past Moderator, and the General Secretary. The membership of the General Council Executive aims to reflect the broad diversity of The United Church, with particular attention to its equity commitments and the presence of both lay people and ministry personnel from across the geography of the church.
Eight of the currently serving elected members will continue, along with the General Secretary, the current Moderator, and the next Moderator to be elected at the 45th General Council.
Member Skills and Experience
General Council Executive members will understand how to lead a large diverse and complex organization and be forward-looking and future-focused to realize the vision of the church in support of the strategic objectives. Members will be able to see the big picture, manage risks, and appreciate the impact of decisions on the people and communities of faith of the United Church. The Executive needs to be able to recognize who is not at the table and actively seek them out in understanding issues and the impact of decisions.
People with experience with non-profit or charitable board governance would be an asset to the Executive, as would those with an understanding of the charitable environment or the compliance context of a large complex charitable organization with significant legal and financial accountabilities.
Executive members will be committed to right relations, the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the vision of becoming an intercultural church, and the journey to becoming an anti-racist denomination.
Executive members need to be comfortable with and able to participate in electronic meetings and able to commit the time required for this responsibility.
United Church Relationship: Full member
Expectations and Term
The General Council Executive holds four regular meetings each year, customarily, at least one is held in person. Special meetings may be called as needed. Regular meetings are a minimum of two days in length. Significant reading and preparation are required for these meetings. Additional learning sessions and conversations may occur by videoconference between meetings.
Terms of appointment are for six years beginning in August 2025 with the rise of the 45th General Council until the 47th General Council in 2031.
For more information about this volunteer opportunity, please see the complete description, below.
To Express Interest
To apply for this vacancy, please express interest or nominate someone.
All submissions will be acknowledged by e-mail. If you do not receive acknowledgement, please contact Member Engagement. Incomplete or late submissions cannot be considered.
For further information or assistance in expressing interest or nominating someone, please contact:
Member Engagement
Toll-Free: 1-800-268-3781
E-mail:
Downloads
- 45-01 General Council Executive.pdf (189.42 KB) (PDF)