Elected Committees

  • The Parish Committee is the governing body of the church. It is composed of a 7 person board (including the Treasurer) for a three-year term. It attends to overall policy decisions and financial matters. Drawing on congregational polity, it convenes the congregation to make major policy decisions.

    As the governing board, the Parish Committee:

    • develops administrative policy

    • is accountable for the business affairs of the congregation

    • is trustee of the property of the congregation

    The Parish Committee appoints Standing Committees and other committees as necessary, and fills vacancies by appointment until the next annual meeting. They report their year's actions to the Parish at the annual meeting. Minutes of monthly meetings are posted in the Parish Hall. Meetings are typically held on the third Tuesday of each month. Any member of the church is welcome to attenCommittee Membersd, and "Members Time" is made available for members to raise issues directly with the committee.

    Committee Members are elected by the Parish Committee for a 3-year term.

  • The Finance Committee is responsible for the management of the church's financial resources. It is composed of 5 members, elected on a rotating basis for three-year terms.

    To finance the operating budget, the Finance Committee runs the Canvass to raise funds from the members each year. It sets the canvas goal, evaluates the results, and provides a full analysis in the Every Member Canvass Report. The Finance Committee works with committees of the congregation to develop the annual budget, which is referred to the Parish Committee and voted on by the membership.

    Committee Members are elected by the Parish Committee for a 3 year term.

  • The Invested Funds Committee oversees the invested funds of the church to provide growth of capital, protect against inflation, and provide a consistent payment stream to support the needs of the church. The work of this committee is based on Management of Invested Funds Guidelines established by and approved by the Parish. It is focused on the very long-term health and hopes to sustain the church for another 375 years.

    The Invested Funds Committee consists of seven voting members: five serving a four-year term, one member elected annually by the Finance Committee from its members, and one member elected annually by the Parish Committee from its members. No individual shall be nominated for or appointed to the Invested Funds Committee unless he or she meets the requirements for voting membership of First Parish of Norwell, has been a member for three years, and has previously served on an elected or standing committee.

    Committee Members are elected by the Parish Committee for a 4-year term.

  • The Nominating Committee is elected by the membership of the congregation. The designated Chairperson is a former member of the Parish Committee or a former Chairperson of a Standing Committee. The Nominating Committee draws enthusiastic people and their talents into the life of First Parish. They identify prospects and interview and answer questions of potential nominees for offices to be filled. At each Annual Meeting of the church in June, the Nominating Committee presents a slate of nominees to the membership, for a vote. In addition to Committees, the following Officers are also elected by the Parish: Moderator, Deputy Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer, Collector, and Auditor.

    Committee Members are elected for a 4-year term.

  • The James Library and Center for the Arts, owned by First Parish and only two doors away from the church, is housed in an historic Italianate building in Norwell Center. Open to the public for use by anyone in the wider community, the free lending library for adults and children offers a current collection of popular fiction and non-fiction, classics, and collections focused on local history, art, music, and gardening. As a community arts center, the James offers concerts, music lessons, art exhibits, meeting spaces, and a range of cultural events to the entire South Shore community.

    The nine James' Board members are chosen annually by the Parish. They receive and expend fund income from the church, but have a separate budget, and raise funds independently. The James' Board provides an annual financial report and a report of their activities to the Parish. The James' Board of Directors usually meet the fourth Tuesday of each month at the library and members of the Parish are welcome to attend.

    The nine James' Board members are chosen annually by the Parish. They receive and expend fund income from the church, but have a separate budget, and raise funds independently. The James' Board provides an annual financial report and a report of their activities to the Parish. The James' Board of Directors usually meet the fourth Tuesday of each month at the library and members of the Parish are welcome to attend.

    Committee Members are elected by the Parish Committee for a 3 year term.