The Trustees

The trustees have the responsibility to see that there are adequate facilities for the mission and ministry of our congregation. The trustees are elected by the charge conference (just as other officers are) to act as our agent in caring for the physical resources of the church and for all legal matters.

In all matters the trustees receive guidance from the charge conference before acting for the church. The trustees, as well as all other committees, are accountable to the church council.

Theses are some things the trustees might do on a yearly basis:

1. Conduct an annual inventory of all real property.

2. With the Committee on Pastor /Staff-Parish Relations, conduct at least one inspection and inventory each year of the parsonage(s).

3. Inspect and inventory all equipment and set up a maintenance schedule.

4. Set up a schedule for painting and redecorating.

5. Consider the merits of service contracts on large equipment such as air conditioners, refrigerators, heating systems, typewriters, copiers, computers, and other such equipment.

6. Insure that your facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities.

7. Develop guidelines for receiving and managing wills, trusts, bequests, and other investments given to the church.

8. Contact your local utility company for an energy audit.

9. Evaluate your insurance coverage annually.

If that were not enough, they are also the ones that oversee the maintenance and repair of buildings, maintenance of grounds and equipment, purchasing of equipment, and seeing that we have adequate insurance.

When the church is the beneficiary of a will, or the recipient of a trust or other similar estate-planning tool, the trustees will receive and administer such gifts.

In a related thought, I believe it would be a great thing if each individual would consider giving something to the church when making out their will.