Nimble in Changing Times

Nimble in Changing Times

Over the past year, CCS has been engaged in a variety of strategic planning activities. These processes have encouraged us to reflect on the future, on how to remain sustainable, on how to adapt to a changing world and a changing church, on how to connect with the people most in need of transformative diaconal education, and on how our internal structures can work more effectively.

At its November meeting, Central Council took the first steps to start implementing governance recommendations from the strategic planning process.  We are moving to a more purpose-driven, rather than structure-driven, governance model, reflecting the reality that volunteers are often more fulfilled and effective when working on focused projects than serving 2-6 year committee membership.  

Central Council will work alongside staff. Council will have specific oversight of program, finances, and connections to the wider CCS community, and staff will carry responsibility for operations of program, administration, development, marketing/recruitment, and communication. Committees that require confidentiality or continuity – such as bursary, and volunteer recruitment – will remain as standing committees of Central Council, whereas others will be on-call or will work more closely with staff on particular areas as needed.  

Lastly, the designated positions of Council will be more flexible, to adapt to the skills and gifts that are needed during a given time period.  This kind of change is often called ‘right-sizing’ of governance.  It reflects our priority to be nimble in changing times, to value the time and gifts of volunteers, and to be realistic in the number of volunteers that are available so that we do not have multiple unfilled positions in our structure. 

Central Council and staff will be supporting individual committees over the next two months to understand and live into these changes, and a full discussion will come to the CCS community at our spring AGM. 

Is this exciting to you?  Is this a time in your life to become more involved in CCS as a volunteer?  Please be in touch with Janet Ross, staff to the Volunteer Recruitment group, or Marcie Gibson as interim principal.  In December, Central Council will be considering staffing models, for post-summer 2025.