ANNUAL PARISH MEETING AGENDA
The members of First Parish of Norwell are hereby notified of the Annual Parish Meeting, to be held in the Meetinghouse, Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. to hear and act upon the following items:
ITEMS TO BE VOTED ON:
ITEM 1: To act upon the acceptance of new members.
ITEM 2: To approve the report and recommendations of the Nominating
Committee.
ITEM 3: To accept the report of the Parish Committee, the reports of all other
committees and organizations as printed.
ITEM 4: To approve the report of the Parish Treasurer.
ITEM 5: To act upon the General Budget for the fiscal year 2024/2025 (beginning
July 1, 2024) as presented by the Parish Committee.
ITEM 6: To act upon the Capital Budget for the fiscal year 2024/2025 (beginning
July 1, 2024) as presented by the Parish Committee.
ITEM 7: To determine whether the Parish will amend the First Parish of Norwell
Bylaws, Article 8, Standing Committees, first paragraph, as follows:
(strikethrough words are deleted)
ARTICLE 8.
Standing committees are permanently constituted non-elected committees of the Parish. Standing committees shall include: Activities, Property Management, Pastoral Care, Religious Education, Helen Fogg Outreach, Worship and Music, and Publicity.
The Parish Committee may create additional standing committees.
All standing committees shall perform the duties usually associated with such committees and shall report to the Parish at the Annual Meeting.
ITEM 8: To determine whether the Parish will amend the First Parish of Norwell
Bylaws, Article 10, Minister, first paragraph, first sentence as follows:
(strikethrough word is replaced by bolded words)
The Minister is called by either the recommendation of a Ministerial Called
Minister Search Committee or the conversion of a Contract Ministry to a
Called Ministry.
ITEM 9: To determine whether the Parish will amend the First Parish of Norwell
Bylaws, Article 6, Section 4, as follows: (strikethrough words deleted)
Section 4. James Library and Center for the Arts Board and Charitable Trust Trustees
The Board of the James Library and Center for the Arts, hereafter referred to as the “James Board”, shall consist of nine (9) members each serving a staggered three (3) year term. A majority of the James Board shall be voting members of the Parish. The Trustees of the James Library and Center for the Arts Charitable Trust, hereafter referred to as “Trustees”, shall consist of three (3) members each serving a staggered three (3) year term. Trustees shall be appointed by the James Board, in accordance with the provisions of the James Library and Center for the Arts Charitable Trust. The James Library and Center for the Arts building, being the possession of the Parish, shall be under its general control and supervision. The James Board shall have full management of the activities of the Library and Center for the Arts, and they shall conduct the same in a manner which they consider to be in the best interests of the Parish and the general community. The Trustees shall manage the provisions of the James Library and Center for the Arts Charitable Trust. The James Board and the Parish Committee shall consult with each other on matters of mutual concern.
ITEM 10: To determine whether the Parish will amend the Bylaws of the James
Library and Center for the Arts, Articles 4 & 8, as follows: (strikethrough
words deleted, bolded words added)
ARTICLE 4. ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS
The Board shall consist of nine (9) members each serving a staggered three (3) year term. A majority of the Board shall be voting members of the Parish. The majority of the Board shall be Non-Parish Voting Members with at least one mandatory Parish Voting Member serving as the Parish Liaison and with as many as 3 additional Parish Voting Members serving on the Board. Vacancies may be filled by majority vote of the Board at any of its regular meetings after prior notice has been given.
ARTICLE 8. MEETINGS
Actions of the Board shall be taken by majority vote of those present, provided a quorum of 5 are present, three of whom must be members of the Parish. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings, but in the event of his/her absence, the Vice-Chairperson shall preside.
OTHER BUSINESS (does not require a vote):
ITEM 1: To hear a response to last year’s Annual Meeting suggestions to the Parish
Committee
Sally Turner:
Appoint a committee consisting of representatives from (at least) the Parish Committee, the Invested Funds Committee, and the Finance Committee, to:
1. Research the origin and history of our two Endowment Funds (South Scituate Fund and Fogg Family Endowment Fund).
2. Determine any restrictions pertaining to each Fund.
3. Investigate UUA guidelines regarding Endowment Funds.
4. Come back in the Parish with recommendations to ensure the ability of the Endowment Funds to support the aims and programs of First Parish into the future.
5. Consider changing the name of the Invested Funds Committee to the "Endowment Funds Committee," in order to better describe the central focus of the committee.
ITEM 2: To hear new suggestions to the Parish Committee.
ITEM 3: To offer gratitude and acknowledge service to First Parish of Norwell
May 12, 2024 N. Dexter Robinson
Norwell, Massachusetts Parish Clerk
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