Draft Constitution Of St. Teresa's Parish Pastoral Council
Article 1: Name
Section 1
" The name of the organization shall be "The St. Teresa's Parish Pastoral Council" hereinafter called "The Council".
Article 2: Purpose
Section 1
" The purpose of our Parish Pastoral Council shall be: to encourage understanding and cooperation among clergy, pastoral ministers and parishioners in harmony with our Parish Mission Statement as follows: "The mission of St. Teresa's Parish is to know and love God and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through the example of a community of love and service and through the example and in the spirit of the life of St. Teresa of Lisieux."
Section 2
" To study and review pastoral, diocesan and community needs under guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Section 3
" To provide a forum through which any parishioner may express his/her view concerning matters of pastoral concern.
Section 4
" To involve as many people as possible in the faith life of the Parish through prayer, existing societies and special committees.
Section 5
" To encourage the Parish to exert a Christian influence on the community at large.
Section 6
" To elect appropriate representatives as delegates for inter-parish and/or diocesan councils and to promote and cooperate with all diocesan programs.
Article 3: Membership
The Council will consist of -
Section 1
" The pastor and Pastoral minister(s), Pastoral Worker(s) and/or Co-ordinator of Youth Ministry.
Section 2
" Twelve Council members, ten to be elected from among the registered members of the parish community and who are eighteen years of age or older and two to be elected/appointed by Youth Group under the direction of the Pastoral Youth Minister and/or Pastor. Each year, three or more adults will be elected at a meeting of the Parish Assembly to replace the outgoing number.
Article 4: The Parish Assembly
Section 1
The Parish Assembly is composed of the registered members of the Parish.
Section 2
Meetings of the Parish Assembly shall be presided over by the Chairperson of the Council.
Section 3
Notice of a meeting of the Parish Assembly and the agenda shall be published in the Parish Bulletin and posted at the Church entrance at least fourteen days prior to the date of the meeting.
Section 4
For the purpose of a meeting of the Parish Assembly a quorum shall be constituted when not fewer than fifty (50) members are in attendance.
Section 5
The Parish Assembly shall meet at least once a year on or before May 31st for the purpose of:
- Reviewing major plans and policies for the administration of the parish before it by the Council;
- Considering any other matter placed before it by the Bishop or his representation, the Pastor;
- Amending the Constitution as required; and/or,
- Considering any matters raised by ordinary members;
- Electing new Council members to replace the outgoing number.dasfjk lksadjf sdfksdaj fksdf sdf ds ksdjfksd fksdfjdsjfkdsjfksdjfk
Article 5: Elections
Section 1
Elections for the Council members shall be held annually during the month of May.
Section 2
Nominations forms will be enclosed in the Parish Bulletin four weeks prior to the election and repeated if necessary.
Section 3
The retiring members shall create the nominations committee.
Section 4
Names of accepted nominees and a brief personal history will appear in the bulletin a week prior to the election.
Section 5
To be nominated one must be eighteen years of age or older except for the two youth members who must be of high school age.
Section 6
Everyone in the Parish of high school age or over is eligible.
Section 7
Voting shall be by secret ballot at a meeting of the Parish Assembly.
Section 8
The Nominations Committee shall supervise elections and the members shall count the ballots.
Section 9
The Nominations Committee will notify all candidates of the names of the successful candidates. The names of the successful candidates will also be publishes in the Parish Bulletin.
Article 6: Tenure
Section 1
Subject to Article 6 (3) below, the term of office for elected members of the Council shall be three years and for youth members shall be one year.
Section 2
No elected member of the Council shall serve more than two terms after which the member shall be ineligible for election for one year.
Section 3
Since the Council was appointed in 2004 all but four shall stand down effective 2007 on a volunteer basis and/or by lottery, to be replaced with four adult members who will serve for three years. In 2008 the four original members appointed in 2004 will stand down to be replaced by four elected members. Both youth members will stand down in 2006 to be replaced with two elected/appointed members who will serve for one year.
Section 4
If vacancy occurs in the elected membership of the Council, the Council will appoint the runner up in the election. If there was no runner up, the members shall appoint a qualified person to complete the unexpired term. Such unexpired terms shall count as a full term for the purpose of Section 3 above.
Section 5
Whenever the Council receives a new Pastor, the Council shall lose its office and cease to function until it is re-appointed by the new Pastor or re-elected. The incoming Pastor shall be requested to either re-appoint the Council or call an election within six months of his installation. If an election is called, the three elected members receiving the highest number of votes in the said election shall remain in office for a two-year term. The three elected members receiving the next highest number of votes in the said election shall remain in office for a one-year term.
Article 7: Executive
Section 1
The membership of the Council shall elect the executive.
Section 2
The executive shall be elected at first meeting following the annual election for new members to the Council.
Section 3
The Executive of Council shall include:
- The Pastor
- A Chairperson
- A vice-Chairperson
- A Secretary Section 4 No member shall hold the same executive position for a period longer than one year, unless re-elected to that position by at least a two-thirds majority vote of the Council.
Article 8: Duties of Officers
Section 1
The Pastor shall be an ex-officio member of every standing or special committee of the Council.
Section 2
The Chairperson shall conduct all meetings of the Council. He/She shall be an ex-officio member of every standing or committee of the Council.
Section 3
The Vice-Chairperson shall conduct the meetings of the Council in the absence of the Chairperson.
Section 4
The Secretary shall record the minutes of the Council meetings and circulate them among the members. The Secretary shall also maintain a comprehensive file of all the minutes and correspondence pertaining to the business of the Council. The Secretary shall post one copy of the more recent Council meeting on the Parish Bulletin board.
Section 5
Ordinary members shall attend Council meetings and take part in council discussions. They shall vote on issues as required and undertake other functions as required by the Council.
Section 6
The immediate past Chairperson shall assist the Chairperson by providing advice needed to ensure continuity in the direction of Council activities.
Article 9: Committees
Section 1
The administration of the Parish pastoral affairs will be co-ordinated through a series of standing and/or special committees, which may be established by the Council as required.
Section 2
A finance Committee and a Building Committee shall be established by the Council.
Section 3
The Council shall appoint a Chairperson for each standing or special committee. A candidate for the position of committee Chairperson will be selected by committee members and submitted to the Council for appointment. If a committee is unable to select a candidate or a new committee is being established, the Council may seek and appoint a Chairperson.
Section 4
Each committee shall develop terms of reference for its operations. These terms of reference will be submitted to the Council and appended to the Constitution. These may be amended as required by the applicable committee. Amendments will not be seen as an amendment to the Constitution, but will be submitted to the Council for ratification.
Section 5
The Chairperson of standing or special committees shall determine the number of committee members required and arrange for their appointment. He/She shall direct the activities of the Committee and report to the Council on the progress of committee activities.
Article 10: Meetings
Section 1
Regular meetings of the Council shall be held each month, except July and August. Other meetings may be convened by the Pastor or the Council Chairperson at their own discretion or when requested to do so in writing by three ordinary members of Council.
Section 2
A quorum for a meeting of the Council will consist of two-thirds or more of the elected members.
Section 3
Council meetings shall always be open to all members of the Parish and every effort will be made to publicize the date of the meeting in advance.
Section 4
If a consensus on any matter cannot be reached and a vote is therefore necessary, two-thirds of the members of the council shall constitute a majority. The Pastor shall not be eligible to vote.
Section 5
An agenda shall be prepared one week prior to the meeting and delivered to each Council member. In addition, the agenda will be posted on the Parish Bulletin board. Submissions should be made to the Chairperson.
Article 11: Authorities
Section 1
The authority of the Bishop of the Diocese is hereby recognized as final.
Section 2
In this parish the authority of the Bishop is vested in the Pastor. The authority and leadership role of the Pastor is hereby recognized.
Section 3
The dignity and role of the parishioner is hereby recognized.
Section 4
The pastor shall have veto power over the advice of the Council; the Council, by a two-thirds majority vote, has recourse to the Bishop on those matters vetoed by the Pastor.
Article 12: Amendments
Section 1
Amendments to this Constitution may be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the Council and adopted by the Parish Assembly for submission to the Bishop.
Section 2
Any proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be published in the Parish Bulletin and posted at the Church entranced at least fourteen days in advance of the meeting of the Council at which the amendment is to be considered and voted upon. The parishioners may voice their opinion prior to the vote.
Article 13: Funds
Section 1
The Parish Pastoral Council does not hold funds.
