BYLAWS OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Transcription

1 BYLAWS OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST (FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE FIRST TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY OF ST. LOUIS) PREAMBLE Honoring our past, open to new possibilities for the present, and hopeful for the future of our fellowship, we are a people in covenant with the LordCreation and with one another; and do bind ourselves in the presence of God, to walk together in all the ways in which God may be revealed to us. ARTICLE I LEGAL STATUS We are the First Congregational Church of St. Louis, Missouri, United Church of Christ, a Religious Association organized under the laws of Missouri and tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code through our affiliation with the United Church of Christ. MEMBERS Members will be received by letter of transfer, by reaffirmation of faith, or by profession of faith in accordance with the rituals and practices of the church. Members may resign by notice in writing to the clerk or by letter of transfer upon approval of the church council. The clerk will keep and maintain a list of members. It is the duty of every member to support the church financially as they are able and by their presence at its services of worship. Any member who does not attend worship for a period of one (1) year, or for other good cause, may, at the discretion of the church council, be removed from membership. ARTICLE II ORDAINED STAFF - 1 -

2 When a vacancy occurs in an ordained staff position (other than those serving in an interim capacity), the council will appoint a search committee of seven (7) members fairly representative of the congregation. The search committee will elect its own chairperson and recording secretary. Working in close cooperation with the St. Louis Association Committee on Ministryof the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ and its representatives, the search committee shall present a candidate to the council. If the council adopts the recommendation of the search committee, the council shall present the candidate to the membership for approval at a meeting of the congregation. Ordained staff (other than those serving in an interim capacity) may be called upon the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of the members assembled in annual or special meeting. Proposed terms of the call agreement will be provided to each member at the meeting prior to voting. Before a call may be extended to any clergy person, the Missouri Mid-South Conference must confirm that such person currently holds standing in the Association, or will be granted standing upon acceptance of the call. Failure of ordained staff to maintain such standing will result in their immediate dismissal. In all other events, ordained staff, except for those serving in an interim capacity, may be dismissed only by majority vote of the congregation assembled in annual or special meeting. The senior minister(s) will convene and preside at meetings of the church staff, and shall supervise and support the church personnel, including providing direction on responsibilities and performance, all in accordance with the church s personnel manualpolicies, as it may be amended by the council from time to time. The senior minister(s) may consult with the church s personnel liaison in supervisory and performance matters for church staff. The senior minster(s) is an ex-officio member of the church council and all committees of the church with voice but without vote. Other ordained, licensed or commissioned staff will be ex-officio members (with voice but without vote) of such committees to which they may be assigned. The senior minister will conduct or provide for the religious services of the church, preach the Gospel, administer the sacraments, and care for the spiritual welfare of the Congregation, in addition to such other duties and responsibilities as may be agreed to and accepted between the senior minister and the church. ARTICLE III CHURCH COUNCIL Between meetings of the congregation, all policies and affairs of the church, other than calling or dismissing ordained staff (except those serving in an interim or non-pastoral capacity), will be established and governed by a council of twelve (12) members elected by the congregation assembled in an annual meeting. The slate nominated for electioncouncil shall be elected by the members to counciland shall consist of the four officers of the church, the four chairpersons of ministry teams, and four council members at large. Terms of office shall be as follows: for an officer, until the next annual meeting of the congregation following his or her election and his or her respective successor is elected and - 2 -

3 qualified; and for a council member who is not an officer, until the third subsequent annual meeting of the congregation following his or her election and his or her respective successor is elected and qualified. Persons who have been church members for one year or longer shall be eligible for election to council. Neither members of the staff nor their family members will be eligible for election to the council. Immediate family membersmembers of the same household should not serve on council simultaneously. Officers may, if nominated, be re-elected for one (1) one-year consecutive term in the same officer position and serve for up to four (4) consecutive one-year terms as a member of the Executive Committee (including service in any officer position); however, members who served as an officer and/or member of the Executive Committee for four (4) consecutive terms will not be eligible for re-election as an officer or Executive Committee member for a period of one (1) year following the end of such term; however, such individual may be elected a member of council for one additional term without such one-year waiting period. Officers appointed to serve the remaining term of an officer who leaves prior to completion of his or her term will be treated as if they are completing their first elected term. Elected members of the council may, if nominated, be re-elected for one (1) consecutive term; however, members re-elected to the council for a second term will not be eligible for re-election for a period of one (1) year following the end of such second term. Council members appointed to serve the remaining term of a retiring council member who leaves prior to completion of his or her term will be treated as if they are incompleting their first elected term. The council will meet at least six (6) times per yearonce every two months, or more frequently as may be necessary to transact the business of the church. Eight (8) council members will constitute a quorum. Council members may participate in council meetings by electronic media, including telephone and videoconferencing, and may vote by written proxy delivered to another council member and presented at the meeting. Council meetings shall be open to members, but the council may by majority vote close all or any portion of a meeting to discuss and vote on matters that the council deems of a confidential nature. OFFICERS Moderator. The Moderator will preside at all meetings of the congregation, the council, and the executive committee. The Moderator, or, in his or her absence, the Moderator s designeevice Moderator, or, in the absence of both, another council member designated by the Moderator, will execute all legal documents on behalf of the church and, together with the senior minister(s), will be spokesperson for the congregation unless the church council by resolution appoints another member or members for a particular purpose

4 Vice Moderator. The Vice Moderator will preside at all meetings of the congregation, the council, and the executive committee in the absence of the Moderator and, will serve on the nominating committee, and will perform such other duties as may be required by the council or executive committee from time to time. Clerk. The Clerk will give notice of the annual and any special meeting of the congregation and will record and maintain, for inspection by any member, minutes of all meetings of the congregation, church council and executive committee, along with a record of all resolutions, policies and procedures duly adopted, as well as all legal records of the church. The clerk, or the Clerk s designee, will execute letters of transfer of membership and such other documents as instructed by the council. The clerk will report to the council any noteworthy correspondence received by the church. Treasurer. The Treasurer will supervise the receipt and disbursement of church funds, maintain the financial records of the church and report the financial condition of the church to the council as it may direct and to the members at each annual meeting of the congregation. The Treasurer will present the proposed budget for the coming year to the members at each annual meeting of the congregation and will report confidentially to each member the record of their contributions in such manner as may be determined by the council and required by law. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The officers of the church will constitute the executive committee. The executive committee, working in conjunction with the senior minister, will: implement, evaluate and, subject to the approval of the council, update or amend the strategic plan for the church, prepare the agenda for council meetings, and remain apprised of and engaged in the policies and affairs of the church. With the approval of the council, the executive committee will appoint members to fill council and ministry team vacancies, and may appoint such additional members, with voice but not vote, as may be necessary to assist it from time to time in performing its duties. The executive committee in conjunction with the personnel liaison will meet with and review the performance of all called ordained staff at least annually and make such other decisions and perform such other tasks as it may be assigned by the council. MINISTRY TEAMS The nominating committeemission of the church will nominatebe guided by four (4) ministry teams of five (5) members each, as follows: (1) Mission and Outreach; (2) Worship and Education; (3) Membership and Fellowship; and (4) Stewardship and Administration. Persons who have been church members for one year or longer are eligible to serve on a ministry team. Ministry team members shall be elected by the congregation at an annual - 4 -

5 meeting and shall covenant to serve the congregation. Ministry teams shall perform such duties as may be assigned them, but no ministry team or subcommittee shall have legal authority to act on behalf of the council or membership of the Church. Each year, every ministry team shall elect a Chairperson for the followingcoming year, and shall send the name of that Chairperson to the nominating committee as the team s recommendation for nomination to council for the followingthat year. The Chairpersons so nominated will, unless the nominating committee unanimously votes otherwise, be nominated to council for election at the next annual meeting of the members. If the nominating committee unanimously votes otherwise, the council will act as the nominating committee to complete the proposed slate. Elections to each of the ministry teams shall be for three-year terms, and may be renewed once, for a total of six years of service. New ministry team members may be appointed ad interim by the executive committee as necessary to fill vacancies or in order to more effectively manage the business of the church. Each ministry team will meet at least six (6) times a yearonce every two months, or more frequently as may be necessary to perform its duties. Each ministry team will record and maintain minutes of its meetings, which minutes shall be immediately made available to the executive committee and distributed at the next meeting of the council. A majority of the membermembers of each ministry team will constitute a quorum. Each ministry team, with the approval of the council, will have the power to create and appoint such additional sub-committees from the membership of the church for such term and purposes as may be necessary or appropriate. Working in consultation with the senior minister and other staff, each ministry team will, within its designated area of responsibility, (a) plan and offer ministries and programs, (b) deliberate, monitor, review, evaluate and propose policies and actions to the council, and (c) plan for and develop congregational support, both financial and through direct activities. These areas of responsibility, include, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, the following: - 5 -

6 WORSHIP AND EDUCATION: Christian Education, including the selection and coordination of curriculum, teachers, speakers, childcare, and other educational events; The church s regular and special services of worship; and The spiritual development of the congregation. MEMBERSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP: Recruiting, training and supporting new members and evangelism generally; Promoting and supporting the church within the wider community; Promoting and coordinating fellowship activities of the congregation; Developing and supporting programs for pastoral care, visitation of members and for all members spiritual and physical health; Implementing the Extravagant Welcome of the United Church of Christ; MISSION AND OUTREACH: All financial and/or other support provided by the church to Our Church s Wider Mission (OCWM) and other organizations, programs, entities or individuals as often as necessary, but no less frequently than annually and make a report of such recommendations and review to the congregation at its annual meeting; The ecumenical and interfaith activity and relationships of the church with other religious organizations; Fellowship opportunities with the wider community STEWARDSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION: The annual budget for the congregation, which shall be prepared in consultation with the other ministry team chairs and the designated representative of programs recognized pursuant to the provisions of ARTICLE IV, which budget, upon approval of the church council, will be presented to the congregation at each annual meeting; Investment and endowment or reserve fund policies for the church s financial resources; The church s real and tangible personal property, and its legal, ecclesiastical and historical records; All fundraising activities of the church, including annual stewardship efforts, special fund development, and planned giving; and The church s employees and personnel policies

7 SPECIAL COMMITTEES AND DESIGNEES Nominating Committee: The nominating committee will consist of the called ordained staff, the Vice Moderator, and three (3) other members of the congregation not currently serving in an elected position. The nominating committee will be appointed by the executive committee with the approval of the council. Personnel Liaison: A personnel liaison will be a member not serving an elected position of the church nominated by the senior minister(s) and the executive committee and approved by the council to (a) advise the executive committee regarding personnel matters relating to the senior minister(s) and (b) advise the senior minister(s) in staff supervision, performance and support. Delegates and Representatives: The executive committee will appoint with councilrecommend for the approval, of council members of the congregation to serve as delegates to Association and Conference meetings, and to ecumenical and interfaith meetings. Others: The council may from time to time approve other special committees to carry out the mission and business of the church. The purpose of these committees, their duration, reporting and governance shall be documented in the minutes of the council meeting at which such committee was approved. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS Members will be nominated for election to the church council and ministry teams by the nominating committee. Nominees shall be presented to the congregation at the annual meeting for election by the members. In addition, any two (2) members of the congregation present at the annual meeting may nominate one (1) or more members for election to any position or office. If there are more nominations than positions to be filled on the church council or any ministry team, the vote will be by written ballot and the nominated members receiving the most votes will be elected until the class is filled. If two (2) or more persons nominated receive the same lowest number of votes needed for election, the congregation will vote again, eliminating the member with the least number of votes in each successive election until one (1) of those nominated receives a majority. With respect to the officers and ministry team chairpersons, if there are two (2) or more nominations for the same position, the vote will be by written ballot, eliminating the member with the least number of votes in each successive election until one (1) of those nominated receives a majority. ARTICLE IV - 7 -

8 RECOGNIZED PROGRAMS A recognized program of the church shall be any continuous and special program of activity for or on behalf of the congregation or the wider community that has been recognized by the church council in accordance with this Article. Any group of members whothat seeks to have a program become a recognized program of the church shall submit a statement of the program s intended mission and purpose, along with any organizational documents and a projected budget for its activities, to the church council for review. If the church council determines that the mission and purpose of such program is consistent with those of the church and that the financial needs of the program may be met within the church s budget or by some other suitable means, the church council may recognize such program and assign responsibility for its oversight to one of the Ministryministry teams. ARTICLE V CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the congregation will be held on a date to be determined by the church council, but an annual meeting for any year must be held no later than January 31 st in January of the immediately following year to be determined by the church council. At this meeting the membership will elect the council members and officers for the following year, and vote on the proposed budget for the following year; provided, that the proposed budget will be made available to the congregation before the meeting as soon as reasonably practicable after its approval by the council. Other church business requiring a vote of the congregation may also be presented at this meeting. Written notice of the meeting will be given by the clerk to every member either (a) by hard copy postmarked not less than thirty (30) days nor more than sixty (60) days in advance of the meeting date, or (b) by publication in the church newsletter mailed or ed to each member at such member s last known address not less than thirty (30) days nor more than sixty (60) days in advance of the meeting date. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the congregation may be called by the church council or upon the written request of ten (10) members in good standing. Written notice by first class mail of a special meeting of the congregation, stating the business to be transacted, will be given by the clerk to every member either (a) by hard copy postmarked not less than fifteen (15) days in advance of the meeting date, or (b) by sent not less than fifteen (15) days in advance of the meeting date, in each case to such members last knowknown address. Quorum. Fifty (50) members will constitute a quorum for annual and special meetings of the congregation. No voting by proxy or participation by electronic communications will be allowed for meetings of members of the congregation

9 ARTICLE VI ROBERT S RULES OF ORDER All meetings of the congregation will follow the most recently published edition of Robert s Rules of Order. Meetings of the church council and other committees may record actions by consensus; however, if two (2) members request that Robert s Rules of Order be followed, such committee or the church council will conduct the meeting accordingly. AMENDMENTS Amendments to these bylaws may be made with the approval of two thirds (2/3) of the members assembled in annual or special meeting; provided, howeverthat the text of the proposed amendments must be approved by council and sent to members at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the meeting date, as provided in Article V; and provided further, that any amendment to the provisions of these bylaws relating to the dissolution of the corporation shall, or to the distribution of its assets upon dissolution pursuant to the following provision, will require the affirmative vote of ninety percent (90%) of the members assembled in annual or special meeting. DISSOLUTION In the event of the termination and dissolution of The First Congregational Church of St. Louis, its remaining assets will be distributed to the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ. Adopted this day of, at a meeting of the congregation by the following vote: in favor, and against. James GoodwinJon Tiede, Moderator Darci Madden, Clerk - 9 -