The FCM Circle of Directors conducted one of its most significant meetings February 6, 7 and 8. They acted on new governance proposals for FCM in accord with our strategic plan. The most significant change for FCM is acquiring a part-time, paid Executive Director.

This has been accomplished. Here is how it happened.

Search Committee

I made a request to FCM members to volunteer to form a Search Committee for an executive director. 7 FCM members stepped forward. Our thanks go to them. They are Mike Corso and Kathy Schuck of Northeast, Dorie Griggs and Tom Doyle of Southeast, Dianne Haulcy and Anitta Milloro of Lakes and Plains, and Zack Wheat of Northwest. The committee drew up a job description. Then 2 calls went out to FCM membership asking for candidates. Ten members came forward plus a friend of FCM who learned about the opening.

Then the Search Committee allocated the interviews to Mike, Dorie, Tom Doyle, and Diane, plus myself as an observer. This group Interviewed all 11 candidates. The interviewers used the same questions for each candidate, asked by the same interviewer. Then the interview committee assessed the written and spoken responses of each candidate using an objective assessment document.

Presenting to the Circle

The interviewers chose Madison Jones McAleese of the Southwest region as their executive director candidate to present to the Circle of Directors. Madison then spoke with the entire Circle for 2 evenings so everyone could get to know her and one another. The Circle accepted her at their meeting.

Welcome, Madison to this new and unique leadership position for FCM. We are here to support you and help you to help FCM.

New Bylaws During this productive Circle meeting, new Bylaws were voted in by the Circle. These Bylaws provide the foundation for the new FCM governance structure with an executive director. The entire text of the FCM Bylaws is available on our website.

Goodbye President, Hello (interim) Treasurer!

For me the new governance structure eliminated the office of President. I have been President in my current term for 2 years. And I held the office for two 3-year terms from 2014 – 2020. It is evident to me that FCM leadership must be executed now by other members. Our strategic plan has accomplished this goal.

Of course, I was ready to write my farewell to FCM leadership here, but a resignation by our hard-working Treasurer, Tammy Davidson, left that position open. Because I was Treasurer years ago, I have become Treasurer on an interim basis till our new treasurer is found. FCM always has surprises for us.

Please let us continue to pray for each other and for FCM. Please apply my formula of 2 X 2 4 FCM. That is 2 minutes of prayer, 2 minutes of meditation, each day for the benefit of FCM. Blessings toward you as we go forward.