BYLAWS

Article I
Purpose

The Parish Council of the Church of the Holy Cross exists at the behest of the Pastor to:

a) Provide advice and consultation to the Pastor in carrying out the mission of the Parish and in matters related to the Pastor’s responsibility for the effective operation of the Parish;

b) Foster communication between the Parish community and the Pastor and among the different parts of the Parish community; and

c) Promote worship and service throughout the Parish.

Article II
Membership

Section 1. All members of the Parish Council shall be registered members of the Parish.

Section 2. There shall be up to twelve (12) members of the Parish Council, who shall be appointed by the Pastor to be representatives of the Parish and Parish organizations.

Section 3. The pastor may constitute a Nominating Committee of the Parish Council, with the responsibility of securing nominations for membership and making recommendations to the Pastor for the appointment of members.

Section 4. Members of the Parish Council shall serve one two-year term, to begin on August 1 and to expire on July 31, unless a shorter term is set at the time of appointment. Terms of office shall be staggered, so that the terms of one-half of the members shall expire on July 31 of each year.

Section 5. No individual member of the Parish Council shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.

Section 6. The Pastor and any member of the religious or parish staff designated by the Pastor shall be ex-officio, non-voting members.

Section 1. Notice of all meetings of the Parish Council shall be posted in the Parish bulletin 2 weeks in advance of the meeting.

Section 2. All meetings of the Parish Council shall be open to any registered member of the Parish, with prior notification to the Chair. Members of the Parish who are not members of the Parish Council may be recognized by the Chair to address a specific agenda item. Agenda items must be submitted in writing a minimum of 3 days prior to the meeting and approved by the Pastor.

Section 3. The agenda for meetings of the Parish Council shall be set by the Chair in consultation with the Pastor. Items requested by Parish Council members for inclusion on the agenda for a particular meeting shall be submitted in writing or by electronic mail at least one day in advance of the meeting.

Section 4. A majority of the voting members of the Parish Council constitutes a quorum. Any recommendation by the Parish Council must be approved by a majority of the voting members of the Parish Council.

Section 5. Minutes of meetings of the Parish Council will be approved at the next meeting and, once approved, published for members of the parish on the website. Bylaws will also be published on the website. Minutes will also be available in hardcopy in the church office. A notice will be posted in the bulletin when minutes are available.

Article IV
Officers

Section 1. Officers of the Parish Council shall include a Chair, a Vice-Chair and a Secretary. Officers shall be elected by the first meeting in September of each year, and shall serve a one-year term.

Section 2. The Chair of the Parish Council shall prepare the agenda for all regular and special meetings of the Parish Council in consultation with the Pastor, preside at all meetings of the Council, and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Pastor or Council.

Section 3. The Vice-Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in his or her absence.

Section 4. The Secretary shall provide notice of all meetings of the Parish Council, maintain a written record of all meetings and acts of the Council, publish minutes of the meetings of the Council, and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Pastor or the Council.

Article V
Committees

Committees of the Parish Council may be established to address specific needs or objectives of the Parish. Any such Committee shall be chaired by a member of the Parish Council, but may include other members of the Parish who are not members of the Parish Council.

Article VI
Amendment

These Bylaws may be amended by the vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Parish Council and upon the approval of the Pastor.

Articles II, III, and IV amended on 9/12/06.