Montreat Center's Chairman of the Board proposes stronger community ties

Walter Baker, the newly elected Chairman of Montreat Conference Center’s Board of Directors, places strengthening ties between the board and the Montreat community high on his list of priorities for the coming year.  “I want to develop a closer relationship between the board and the community of Montreat,” he said when asked about plans for his 1-year tenure as chairman.  “For example,” he explained, “next July, at the time of the conference center’s Patrons dinner, I plan to call a meeting of the executive committee.  At that time, we’ll host an event for the entire community that will provide us with an informal opportunity to get better acquainted.”  He went on to also suggest the revival of the community practice of inviting board members to visit in private homes.  “The concept,” he said, “is to have the conference center’s non-resident board members be as much a part of the community as possible while they’re serving on the board.”  The Montreat Conference Center Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from synods and various ministry divisions within the Presbyterian Church (USA), as well as at-large members, and although some of these representatives maintain residences in Montreat, many come from other areas of the country.

Conference center president George Barber agreed that stronger community ties would give board members an opportunity to learn more about what residents’ expectations are for the conference center’s mission and future.  Referencing his earlier report to the board, Barber referred to the relationship between conference center, college, and community in Montreat as a 3-legged stool.  “It takes all three legs to keep the stool standing,” he said.  “I think Walter’s focus on the community is a solid step toward maintaining that healthy balance.”

Baker became affiliated with Montreat Conference Center through his involvement on the Mission Support Services Committee for the Presbyterian Church (USA).  “My vision for Montreat [as Chairman of the Board],” he said, “is to continue providing quality programs for all who seek revitalization and rest in a quality atmosphere, close to nature and close to God.”  Expressing a sense of satisfaction that he is able to at least move Montreat “a few millimeters” toward that vision during his year as chairman, he continued, “I look forward to working with the president and his staff at Montreat.  Over the past few years, when I’ve been at Montreat for meetings, I’ve always been impressed by the high quality of the people who work here.”

Baker resides with his wife, Susan, in Mound, MN, a suburb of Minneapolis.  He has two grown children and a new granddaughter.  A graduate of the University of Minnesota, he is a lawyer and spends a great deal of time volunteering.  At the conclusion of the board meeting at Montreat, the Bakers were rushing to catch a flight to India and Pakistan, where they will spend time working with the Presbyterian Church in those countries.

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