HISTORY
North Country Ministry (NCM) was begun as a pilot project by four major orders of Sisters in the Albany Diocese. On May 8, 1991 they presented the proposed project to the Bishop who approved and offered financial aid. He suggested that NCM begin its ministry in Warren County. Together they presented the project to the Pastors in Warren County. The pastors of Sacred Heart in Lake George, St. Cecilia in Warrensburg and St. James in North Creek agreed to affiliate with NCM’s services. The ministry began in August 1992.
NCM was conceived as a ministry to the parishes and to the larger community in these rural areas. NCM spends the proportion of time allotted to each parish as the Pastor, Parish Life Director or Pastoral Council feels is best suited to the needs of that parish. The parish communities also are the wellsprings helping the Ministry in its service to the larger community. All together they collaborate with the civic and ecumenical communities to meet the needs of the poor and disenfranchised.
From the beginning NCM has been governed by the Co-directors working in collaboration with the people and the affiliated parishes using the Mission Statement as their guideline.
Early on an Advisory Board was established representing the Diocese, the founding orders, and the priests and parishioners of the affiliated parishes. It met once a year, but has met quarterly for the past few years.
A Finance Committee was also established to help the Co-directors with the financial challenges of an expanding Ministry, especially as the initial funding commitment of the Diocese and the founding orders ended. It is composed of volunteers from the communities served.
In the Fall of 2000, to insure the vitality and effectiveness of NCM, and as part of the process of application for 501c status, a Governing Board was established with its own By-laws. It was felt that this was necessary in order to insure clarity, continuity and stability as NCM is called to meet the changing needs of this area.
In the Fall of 2001, the Governing Board decided that NCM would operate more effectively if guided by a single director. A new organizational structure has evolved and as a result, the By-laws were revised and approved at the annual meeting, June 11, 2002.
