CONFERENCE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

In 2007, the matters still pending from the move of the conference offices were resolved, and staff settled
into their new digs. As operations and related expenses have become more predictable, we now see that we
have benefited from the Conference’s decision to consolidate operations in one location. As a result, the
apportionment request for 2009 to support the conference headquarters building was reduced by 5% from
2008, to $56,600. That is the lowest level in 7 years.

The trustees continue to evaluate the conference’s insurance coverage. We have received good service from
our present carrier, Church Mutual, but we are intrigued by other proposals, such as the proposal to become
an insured member of the United Methodist Property and Casualty Trust (PACT). The new board elected at
annual conference will need to decide whether to make a change at our next renewal.

We continue to have concerns about other conference properties, such as the Wesley Foundations and the
camps. It has been the Conference’s practice that their boards are solely responsible for those properties.

The historic Strother Meeting House, currently located on the campus of the Scarritt-Bennett Center,
continues to deteriorate. The Conference Commission on Archives and History, along with the management
of Scarritt-Bennett, are working to keep the building viable for future generations.

The Tennessee Conference was blessed with a generous bequest from the estate of the late Anna Birdsong
Hensley. Miss Hensley, who was 98 when she passed, was the last surviving daughter of Maud and the
Reverend Gilbert Hensley, whose 41 years of faithful service were foundational for Miss Hensley.
According to his memoir in the 1946 Journal of the Tennessee Annual Conference, “Brother Hensley never
received more than $1,200 salary, and most of the time far less than that; but like many other itinerants he
was a miracle worker, caring for his family and educating his children.”

Miss Hensley’s gift was comprised of her house and lot in the Joelton area, valued at around $70,000; and
cash of around $240,000. The house is not historic, and has required significant effort to prepare it for sale.
District Superintendent John Casey and his wife Ruth took this project on, and organized a small crew of
dedicated Christians to help them with the work. We anticipate the property will be ready for sale later this
summer. To this end, the trustees ask the Conference to authorize the sale and use of the property to fund
the Board’s operations, and to fund grants which it may approve in the future for conference entities.

We continue to grieve over the untimely death by the late Rev. David Hawkins as we remember his
leadership and service. We echo words found elsewhere in this Journal: David served with integrity, a heart
dedicated to Christ, a love for the church, and a compassion for others in need. At the same time, we
welcome Jim Allen as the new Treasurer and Director of Administrative Services. We feel confident that his
leadership in our Conference will be an asset to our many future endeavors.

As my term comes to an end on the trustees, I want to thank all the other members of this board for their
dedicated service. The conference is fortunate that many will be returning for a second 4-year term to
continue the work of this board.

Duane Reid
Chair, Conference Board of Trustees