Board Committees

Responsibilities of committee chairs

• Serve as a liaison between the committee and the board and report committee activities to the board.
• Work with assigned staff members to set the meeting schedule and agenda before each board meeting, three times a year.
• Hold committee members accountable for attendance and other responsibilities.
• Serve as members of the Executive Committee.

Academic Programs Committee

Responsibilities

Responsible for oversight of program development and initiatives, review of key performance indicators and outcome measures of the academic programs, oversight of university academic structure, oversight of mission alignment in faculty lifecycle events, understanding the challenges and opportunities of higher ed, and soliciting input from faculty.

Committee recommendations brought to the board:

• Full-time faculty promotion, tenure, and tenure renewal
• Candidates for graduation
• Faculty handbook changes
• Key performance indicators, outcome measures, and trends for academic programs

Bethel staff representation: President, provost

Advancement Committee

Responsibilities

Responsible for overseeing the institution's development and fundraising strategy. Oversight of University Relations to include alumni, family and church relations activities. Oversight of the Bethel Foundation and issues related to capital campaign planning.

Bethel staff representation: President, vice president of university advancement

Faith Formation & Student Experience Committee

Responsibilities

Responsible for overseeing student experience and spiritual formation policies and initiatives across all campuses of the university.

Committee recommendations brought to the board:

• Campus ministry initiatives related to spiritual formation, Chapel, missions, and outreach
• Student life initiatives and programs, including residence life, leadership, career services, and student conduct policies

Bethel staff representation: President, vice president of student experience, vice president of inclusive excellence, lead campus pastor

Committee on Trustees

Required by bylaws.

Responsibilities

Responsible for nominations for membership, orientation of trustees, recommended board development activities, and evaluation of trustee service. Recommends revision of policy and bylaws.

Committee recommendations brought to the board:

• Nomination of new trustees
• Trustee orientation
• Evaluation of trustees
• Board development activities
• Revisions to board policies and bylaws
• Board documents

Bethel staff representation: President, vice president of advancement

Culture, Performance and Compensation Committee

Responsibilities

Responsible for establishing and overseeing the overall compensation, benefit, and performance review policies of Bethel and annually evaluates the performance of the President. Support advocacy and oversee inclusive excellence initiatives.

Committee recommendations brought to the board:

• Compensation policies
• Annual evaluation of the president’s performance

Bethel staff representation: President, vice president of people and culture

Executive Committee

Required by bylaws.

Responsibilities

Responsible for meeting to act on behalf of the board between its regular meetings.

Membership

Includes the board chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, assistant secretary, and other board members appointed by the board.

Bethel staff representation: President

Finance and Operations Committee

Responsibilities

Responsible for oversight of spending and policy decisions, tracking and analysis of administrative costs and effectiveness. Oversee investments and long-range financial planning.

Committee recommendations brought to the board:

• Spending and policy decisions, including the budget, contracts, salaries, and retirement
• Administrative costs and effectiveness
• Investments

Bethel staff representation: President, chief financial officer

Audit subcommittee

Required by bylaws. Subcommittee of the Finance and Operations Committee.

Responsibilities

Monitors the university's system of internal control, accounting policies and reporting procedures. Serves as focal point of communication between the Trustees, and outside auditors, including state and federal agencies.

Committee recommendations brought to the board:

• Selection of the audit firm and approval of the annual audit plan and fees
• Acceptance of the annual financial audit
• Internal controls, accounting policies, and financial reporting procedures

Bethel staff representation: Chief financial officer

Seminary Oversight Committee

Required by bylaws.

Responsibilities

Maintain the integrity and vitality of the seminary in keeping with its historic commitments. Provides counsel and advice to the Seminary Dean regarding personnel actions and, as requested, on curricular or co-curricular initiatives, development of financial resources, strategic planning, and relationships with Converge and its regions and churches.

Committee recommendations brought to the board:

• Candidates for seminary faculty positions

Trustee membership requirements

Membership includes the president of Converge Worldwide, the chair of the Finance and Administration Committee, a district executive minister appointed by the board chair, and an at-large trustee appointed by the chair.

Bethel staff representation: President, provost, dean of Bethel Seminary

Strategy & Innovation Committee

Responsibilities

Study and recommend policies relating to developing and monitoring the progress of the institutional strategic plan. Oversee enrollment, marketing and brand strategies and evaluation of new programs. Approve all business plans.

Committee recommendations brought to the board:

• Communications, marketing, and enrollment initiatives
• Strategic plans and initiatives

Bethel staff representation: President, vice president of strategy, innovation and partnerships, vice president of enrollment and marketing