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Delegates

Churches United In Ministry
Delegate Assembly Members
Roles & Responsibilities

The Delegate Assembly

The governing structure of CHUM is set forth in Article V of the Covenant of Churches United in Ministry. Article V states that CHUM’s organizational structure consists of a Delegate Assembly and Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall act as the legal governing body of CHUM. The Delegate Assembly nominates and elects the members and the officers of the Board of Directors. The Delegate Assembly must also approve any revisions to the Covenant, the document that empowers the Board of Directors to act on behalf of CHUM. In these ways the Board of Directors is accountable to the Delegate Assembly, the members of which are in turn accountable to the member congregations and constituencies that they represent.

Membership in the Delegate Assembly

The Delegate Assembly is made up of one or two lay representatives and one clergy representative from each member congregation. Up to twelve at-large representatives may also be appointed by The Delegate Assembly. Congregational representatives are elected or appointed by their congregation or its governing body. At-large members are nominated by the Nominating Committee of the Delegate Assembly and elected by The Delegate Assembly at its Annual Meeting. Each member of the Delegate Assembly has one vote. Members may serve an unlimited number of two-year terms.

Duties of Representatives to the Delegate Assembly

The Covenant sets out 6 primary areas of responsibility for representatives. These are:

“Represent CHUM to member congregations.” This is a critically important part of the delegate’s job description. For CHUM to be seen as part of the congregation’s ministry to the community, members must be aware of CHUM’s ministry. Ways to do this include: reporting to the congregation through newsletters, mission reports, etc. about CHUM’s work or issues of concern to those served through CHUM; helping insure the distribution of CHUM’s newsletter (Horizons) within the congregations; inviting representatives from CHUM to speak to the congregation or groups/committees of the congregation. Promote use of the CHUM Web site www.chumduluth.org for current information (i.e. Board minutes, upcoming events, new releases).
“Provide inspiration and feedback to the Board of Directors on significant issues of mission, programs and policy.” To the extent that CHUM is viewed as an important part of a congregation’s mission activity there will be concerns and interests that it will want communicated to the Board and staff. The delegate is the important link in insuring that congregational concerns are considered and acted upon.
“Help recruit volunteers and facilitate financial support from member congregations” CHUM is dependent upon volunteers to carry out its ministry. A large percentage of these come from member congregations. Volunteers also provide a direct connection between a congregation and its ministry to the community through CHUM. Congregational financial support is also very important to the survival of CHUM. Each church is asked to include CHUM as a line item in its budget to emphasize its place as a ministry of the congregation.
“Individually volunteer in some additional capacity within CHUM, such as on a program steering committee, a standing committee of the board, an ad hoc committee or task force of the board, or as a volunteer within a CHUM program.” While not everyone has the opportunity to do so, there is no better way to become familiar with CHUM than through direct involvement. It can be a personally enriching and rewarding experience.
“Nominate and elect the members of the Board of Directors, and its officers.” While the Board is CHUM’s governing body it is through this process that it is held accountable to the Assembly and, ultimately, the member congregations. Most Board members have also served as members of the Delegate Assembly.
“Approve revisions to this covenant.” The Board, and the governing responsibility which it holds, is set forth in the covenant and CHUM’s governing structure may be changed by the Assembly. The Assembly also has the power to approve new members.

Time Commitment

As might be expected the time commitment to CHUM varies widely among delegates. The commitment is to attend quarterly Delegate Assembly meetings. For church representatives there would also be the commitment to represent CHUM within their congregations.

Delegates are to become more directly involved and familiar with CHUM in ways that will bring them in contact with CHUM staff, Board members or those served through CHUM’s programs. Such involvement is often the best way to really understand CHUM’s ministry and the relationships developed through them help facilitate the two-way communication necessary to keep CHUM responsive to congregational and community concerns.