Presbyterian Life & Witness Board

Voting Members

At Large:

1. 18 members divided among two classes shall be elected to serve a four-year term and may be re-elected for one additional four-year term.
2. For the first PL&W board, 9 members shall be appointed for 2 year terms, and 9 members to 4 year terms to allow for staggered classes.
3. Also for the first PL&W Board, no fewer than four of the elected members shall come from the Unification Commission, divided among the two classes, to support implementation of Unification and to provide continuity.

Ex-Officio members w/ voice, vote:

1. The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and Executive Director of PL&W
2. Moderator(s) of the General Assembly

Ex-officio Members (voice, no vote):

1. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation President or their designee: shall serve as ex officio on the PL&W Board with voice but not vote. Participation shall include engagement in all meetings and access to all materials for both open and closed sessions.
2. The current moderator/chair or their designee of the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy
3. Board of Pensions President or their designee
4. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation President or their designee
5. Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program President or their designee
6. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation President or their designee
7. The current moderator of the Churchwide Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Women or their designee

Corresponding Members (voice, no vote):

1. 1 member from the Racial Equity Advocacy Committee
2. 1 member from the Advocacy Committee for Women and Gender Justice
3. 1 member from the Advocacy Committee for LGBTQIA+ Equity

The PL&W Board shall be authorized to complete certain work on behalf of the General Assembly between assemblies. Authority shall be limited to the following:

1. Oversight and support of the Stated Clerk, including performing reviews on behalf of the Assembly;
2. Oversight and support of the Moderators of General Assembly;
3. Collaborating with the Administrative Services Group, the A Corporation Board and the SC/ED to address budget requests that would result in a significant change to the General Assembly-approved operating budget.

All members of the PL&W Board shall be seated as corresponding members of the General Assembly.

1. Ensure alignment of PL&W’s work with the General Assembly’s mission priorities and directives;
2. Ensure that directives from the Assembly are effectively implemented and reported;
3. Support the SC/ED as they lead the implementation of Assembly directives within PL&W, including reviewing and adapting priorities and strategies, and aligning resources to fulfill mission goals;

1. Ensure the careful stewardship of resources;
2. Support the staff-led budget development process, including clarifying ministry priorities and strategies;
3. Forward recommended budgets to the General Assembly for approval;
4. Recommend the GA per capita apportionment to the General Assembly;
5. Approve any changes which would result in a significant change to the General Assembly approved operating budget;
6. Ensure the accountability of PL&W to the General Assembly through regular reviews of financial, human resources, and program planning;
7. Collaborate with the A Corp Board as needed regarding:
   1. Personnel procedures and compensation guidelines for PL&W staff
   2. Property Matters
   3. Legal Matters
8. When the PL&W Board recommends a budget to the General Assembly, the budget documentation shall include: 
   1. a plain-language summary of any ministry categories or programs that have been eliminated, substantially restructured, or reduced by 25% or more since the previous General Assembly, including the date of each such decision and the PL&W Board vote by which it was authorized; 
   2. a statement of whether any such changes were made in response to Commissioner Resolutions or GA directives, and if so, whether those resolutions or directives were honored; and 
   3. notification of significant program changes anticipated in the upcoming biennium. 

1. Support the SC/ED and staff to ensure effective planning for upcoming assemblies, including scheduling, program coordination, and site logistics;
2. Review and approve, in consultation with the GA Moderator(s) and SC/ED, the General Assembly’s program, business and worship planning;
3. GA Committee Support;
4. Receive reports and provide feedback and/or recommendations from permanent committees, special committees, standing committees, and advocacy and advisory committees;
5. Provide necessary linkage to the General Assembly for those entities needing access to complete their work.

1. Provide critical guidance and input to PL&W through the SC/ED;
2. Provide counsel and support to the SC/ED as they carry out their responsibilities;
3. Forward to the GA recommended nominations and/or appointments to ecclesial and General Assembly-related executive leadership roles within PL&W;
4. Monitor and ensure accountability and support for the work of the SC/ED; including reporting the completion of the evaluation of the work of the SC/ED to the General Assembly.
5. Monitor and ensure accountability and support for the work of the Moderators of General Assembly

1. Ensure collaboration and communication with relevant committees and Agency/entity boards, including the SC/ED;

2. Ensure collaboration and communication with relevant committees and Agency/entity boards, including the SC/ED;

   1. present the agency's current mission roadmap and priorities; 
   2. receive structured feedback on the agency's responsiveness, service quality, and alignment with mid council needs; 
   3. address concerns mid council leaders wish to raise regarding agency programs, practices, or governance.

   The SC/ED shall prepare a written summary including a description of how mid council input has been or will be incorporated into agency planning. This summary shall be submitted to the PL&W Board and included in the agency's biennial report to the General Assembly. Virtual participation options shall be provided.

1. In order to ensure collaboration and connection, the PL&W Board shall send a representative to each of the following:
   1. A Corporation Board
   2. Board of Pensions
   3. Foundation Board of Trusteees
   4. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation Board
   5. Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program
2. Representatives shall make regular reports to the PL&W Board about the work of the agencies and the PL&W Board’s collaboration with them.
3. Requests for the PL&W Board to send representatives to other boards, committees, commissions, or special committees shall be addressed by the PL&W Board as requests occur.