# common cathedral

Board Treasurer · 2026

## Support a leader through an organizational transition

![common cathedral logo](https://gideon-emmanuel.com/assets/cases/common-cathedral-logo.webp)



[common cathedral](https://commoncathedral.org/) is a Boston street ministry: a spiritual community of unhoused people, with everyone welcome to take part. It’s built on relationships and belonging.

I joined the board as Treasurer during a leadership transition. The outgoing treasurer, a friend, recommended me to the new executive director as someone who could help with the organization’s finances and systems.

The mission matters to me personally. About ten years earlier, I co-led a ministry with unhoused people in another city. I’m not an accountant, but I knew I could learn what the role needed and help a leader get a handle on the systems she had inherited.

## Build a clearer financial picture

Working alongside the executive director and our bookkeepers, I helped put the basics of financial management in place. The organization now has a budget and a monthly close that includes a budget-to-actuals review.

That meant learning the details, asking a lot of questions, and connecting the accounting to real operating decisions. What needed to be resolved before a budget could be trusted? What should happen every month? What did the director and board need to see to understand where the organization stood?

I also helped with technology and systems decisions that would make those routines easier to keep up. The goal was a few habits the organization could sustain on its own.

### The financial routine in place now

**Annual budget**

The plan the year is measured against.

**Monthly close**

The books are closed with the bookkeepers each month.

**Budget to actuals**

Each close includes a review of results against the budget.

## Be a practical partner to the executive director

The executive director led the turnaround. I took on the parts she least wanted to do. Some of the financial and organizational realities were hard, especially for someone who loved the organization and was excited to lead it. I could take on the analysis, work through details with the bookkeepers, and help turn an intimidating pile of issues into decisions we could make together.

## Explore the work

[Visit common cathedral](https://commoncathedral.org/)

## Scope of my work

Board Treasurer, working alongside the executive director and the bookkeepers.

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[Gideon Emmanuel](https://gideon-emmanuel.com/about/) · [Let’s talk](mailto:gideon.m.emmanuel@gmail.com)

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