A convention of delegates, known as the Annual Meeting, are the highest constituted authority in the Conference. The Conference Board is the agent of the Annual Meeting in implementing a ministry that promotes the missional vitality of our churches and brings the gospel to all peoples within the East Coast Conference.
Annual Meeting
A convention of delegates, known as the Annual Meeting, are the highest constituted authority in the Conference.
As the highest deliberative and decision-making body of the Conference, the Annual Meeting approves the admission and dismissal of congregations, elects or calls persons to leadership positions, approves the budget, receives and approves reports, amends the Constitution and Bylaws, conducts other business as may properly come before it, and makes decisions necessary to the mutual work of the Conference, affiliated institutions, and the ECC, as provided in the Bylaws.
Each member congregation and affiliated agency/association is entitled to send delegates to the Annual Meeting. Delegates serve for the duration of their term, commonly one year, should the Annual Meeting be recalled into a further session for any reason. The Annual Meeting is held in spring each year in late April/early May.
For more information on the allocation of delegates for your church, agency, or association, click here.
Conference Board (Executive)
The Conference Board is the agent of the Annual Meeting in implementing a ministry that promotes the missional vitality of our churches and brings the gospel to all peoples within the East Coast Conference. The Conference Board is responsible to the Annual Meeting for its decisions and actions. The Superintendent is an ex-officio member of the Conference Board.
The Conference Board assumes its responsibility as agent of the Annual Meeting through a Policy Governance Model, serving with an emphasis on (a) outward vision rather than internal preoccupation, (b) encouragement of diversity in viewpoints, (c) strategic leadership more than administrative detail, (d) clear distinction of board and chief executive roles, (e) collective rather than individual decisions, (f) future rather than past or present, and (g) proactivity rather than reactivity.
The Conference Board assumes stewardship of articulating the vision for and monitoring the mission progress of the Conference. Board members serve in three year terms, and may be elected to a subsequent term (maximum of 6 years). The Conference Board allows for 9-14 elected members who are nominated and elected to 3 year terms, one third being elected annually. The Board has three standing committees: An Executive Committee (Conference Officers), Staff Relations Committee, and Finance Committee. The Board generally meets quarterly on a Saturday.
Conference Board Members (Alphabetical)
Name, Church Membership, Year of Election
Rev. Pat Croasmun, Easton, CT (2021) – mVice Chair
Rev. Howard K. Burgoyne – Superintendent (ex-officio)
Rev. David Guertin, Halifax, PA (2019)
Rob Go, Arlington, MA (2022)
Eric Gutterson, Arlington, MA (2020) – Board Treasurer
Vivian Hart, E. Northport, NY (2019) – Board Secretary
Ezer Lee, Arlington, MA (2022)
Rev. Ancy Post, Englewood, NJ (2019)
Michael Ravelo, Washington Depot, CT (2020)
Rev. Leah Roth, Rochester, NH (2020)
John Sheen, Great Neck, NY (2022)
Michel Williams, Washington Depot, CT (2020)- Board Chair
Board of Nominations
The Board of Nominations serves the Annual Meeting by prayerfully selecting qualified candidates for each office to be filled each year, by working to prepare a ballot for presentation to the Annual Meeting. The Board is composed of three laypersons and three clergypersons who serve for terms of three years, electing one third to the board annually.
**If you would like to nominate a candidate or refer yourself for service, please click here.**
Diversity Policy
It is the policy of the East Coast Conference Board that the voting membership of all Conference Boards, Commissions, Task Forces, Regional Teams and affiliated agency boards should reflect the diverse human character of the membership of the Conference churches and their members, to demonstrate the justice and glory of God’s Kingdom and to enrich the counsel, life and witness of the Church by embracing all the gifts and graces God gives for leadership and service.
In preparing the slate of candidates for each of these entities, the Board of Nominations shall consider the existing composition of that board in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, race, spiritual gifts, and fields of expertise.
Board of Nominations – Members (Alphabetical)
Name, Church Membership, Year of Election
William Croasmun, Easton, CT (2022)
Lisa Olsen, Berlin, CT (2021)
Steven Bang, Englewood, NY (2024)
Rev. Peter Nielsen, E. Northport, NY (2019)