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Center for Spiritual Living
(A Nonprofit Religious Corporation Herein Called “Church”)
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I – Preamble
The Bylaws of this Corporation are adopted for the purpose of prescribing and defining the means and methods by which this Church, its Membership, its Core Council and its officers shall function and carry out their respective duties, obligation and purposes. The provisions herein contained shall govern and control the means by which any and all actions to be taken by or on behalf of this Church shall be accomplished. In the event that the specific provisions of the Bylaws do not cover any purpose or action that may be deemed necessary or for the best interest of this Church, resort shall be had to the applicable provisions of the corporation statutes of the State of California.
The name of this Corporation is the First Church of Religious Science, of Bakersfield, California doing business as Center for Spiritual Living, Bakersfield.
ARTICLE II – Affiliation, Purpose, and Offices
Section 1. AFFILIATION
This Church is affiliated with the United Church of Religious Science, doing business as the United Centers for Spiritual Living, a nonprofit religious corporation, an international church denomination, and exists for the purpose expressed below in Section 3, and further for the purpose of worship, and for teaching the principles of Science of Mind as expressed by Ernest Holmes and taught by the United Church of Religious Science. This Member Church acknowledges that it has been chartered by the United Church of Religious Science as an affiliated church for such purpose and that it has been created under its sponsorship and guidance.
Section 2. COMMUNICATIONS
This Church shall keep the United Church of Religious Science generally informed as to its affairs.
Section 3. PURPOSE
The United Church of Religious Science is a spiritual movement dedicated to awakening and supporting the conscious experience and expression of every person’s inherent Divine Nature through teaching and practicing the Principles of the Science of Mind.
Section 4. POLITICAL POLICY
This Church shall in no way be active in carrying on propaganda nor in any other manner attempt to influence legislation. In addition, this Church shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
Section 5. PRINCIPAL OFFICE
The Core Council shall establish the principal office for the transaction of the business of the Church and may change the principal office from one location to another within the community served by this Church. Notice shall be mailed to each Church Member of a new address of principal office at least ten days prior to such change being made and to the United Church Home Office.
Section 6. DISSOLUTION
The Member Church was instituted and created under the authority of the United Church. As a Member Church thereof, its status as a Member Church of the United Church shall be terminated upon disaffiliation or dissolution.
It is intended that congregant rights to assets of a terminating Member Church be protected. Therefore, in the event of membership termination, any assets of the Member Church remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities as required by law, shall be transferred to the United Church of Religious Science.
ARTICLE III – Members
Section 1. APPLICATION OF MEMBERS
Any person, at least 18 years of age, may become a Member upon making written application wherein that person asserts that they are committing themselves to personal spiritual growth and to supportive active membership in the Church. Individuals shall hold membership in only one Member Church.
Section 2. MEMBERSHIP CONFIRMATION
Membership in this Church shall be considered active following application of the prospective member and subsequent confirmation by the Core Council.
Section 3. MEMBERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY AND PRIVILEGES
A. To uphold the teachings and principles of Science of Mind and to embrace the values, vision and standards of our Spiritual Community.
B. To attend the religious and social functions of the Church.
C. To contribute to the financial support of the Church.
D. To attend and vote at the membership meetings of the Church.
E. To hold office and act on committees.
F. To support the Community with their gifts and talents, and as possible, participate in the projects and ministries of the Community.
Section 4. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
Membership in this Church shall be automatically terminated by death, resignation, withdrawal, or transfer of membership to another Church of Religious Science.
The Core Council of this Church shall have full power and authority to terminate the membership of any person or persons due to one of the actions below:
A. Any Member where the records show that for a period of one year or more there has been a complete lack of interest, either materially, or from the standpoint of participation in the services and/or affairs of this Church.
B. Any Member who has clearly demonstrated opposition to the purpose of this Church or to its teachings and vision. Any terminated member shall be notified of such action in writing.
Section 5. MEMBERSHIP RECORD
The Secretary of the Core Council shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, a true, complete and fully up-to-date record containing the names and addresses of all Members of this Church. It shall be the duty of the secretary to promptly record in the minutes all new Members of this Church, when confirmed by the Core Council, and to delete therefrom all terminated Members upon the adoption of a resolution to terminate. Such record shall establish membership of record for all purposes and shall be available for inspection by any Member of this Church at a reasonable time.
Section 6. YOUTH MEMBERS
Persons through 17 years of age may be admitted to Youth Membership in this Church in the manner prescribed in Section 1 above, which membership may be terminated as provided in section 4 above. Youth Members shall not have voting power, but may have such other responsibilities and privileges of membership as the Core Council may establish from time to time.
ARTICLE IV – Meetings of Members
Section 1. PLACE OF MEETINGS
All meetings of Members shall be held either at the principal office or place of worship of this Church, or at any other place within the City of Bakersfield which may be designated by the Core Council.
Section 2. ANNUAL MEETINGS
The annual membership meeting date shall be established by the Core Council. At such meetings, Core Council members shall be elected, reports of the affairs of the Church shall be considered, annual financial reports shall be reviewed, the next annual budget may be presented, and any other business transacted which is within the powers of the Members.
Notice of each annual meeting shall be given by public announcement at the public meetings of the Church on not less than two consecutive Sundays preceding the date of such meeting, or by written notice mailed at least 21 days prior to such meeting.
Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings of the Members may be called at any time by the Minister, by the presiding officer of the Core Council, by a majority of the members of the Core Council, or by ten percent or more of the Members of this Church. Notice of special meetings shall be given in the same manner as for annual meetings of Members. Notice of any special meetings shall specify, in addition to the place, day, and hour of such meeting, the general nature of the business to be transacted. Unless special meeting notice is properly given, the meeting will be considered an unofficial meeting and any matters of business acted upon or transacted will be considered null and void.
Section 4. QUORUM
Twenty percent (20%) of those Members-of-record present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting.
Section 5. ADJOURNED MEETING AND NOTICE THEREOF
Any Members’ meeting, annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the Members present.
When any Members’ meeting, either annual or special, is adjourned for thirty days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Where any such meeting is adjourned for less than thirty days, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of the time and place of the adjournment or of the business to be transacted other than by announcement at the meeting at which such adjournment is taken.
Section 6. VOTING POWERS
At any annual or special meeting, each Member of record shall be entitled to one vote, except in the election of Core Council members, which is provided for below in this Section 6. At any meeting of members, persons of record who shall have become Members of the Church less than sixty days prior to the date of such meeting shall be entitled to attend and to participate in discussion, but shall not be entitled to cast a vote. A person who has not fulfilled the Membership Responsibility and Privileges outlined in Article III, Section 3 for more than one year prior to the annual meeting shall be determined inactive and not have voting rights at any Member meetings.
At any election of Core Council members, nominations shall be received as provided in Article V, Section 7 of these Bylaws. Each Member shall be entitled to cast a total number of votes equal to the number of positions on the Core Council to be filled at such meeting, casting one vote (but not more than one) for each nominee of his choice up to the number of nominees required to fill such positions. Elections for Core Council members shall be by ballot. The nominees receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected. In event the number of nominees equals the number of positions to be filled, election may be accepted by acclamation.
Section 7. PROXIES PROHIBITED
Every Member entitled to vote or execute consents must do so in person and not by agent of proxy, and no proxy shall be valid.
ARTICLE V – Core Council
Section 1. GENERAL
The Core Council shall direct, manage and conduct the business and affairs of the Church in a manner consistent with these Bylaws and the law of the State of California. In its working to accomplish the purpose of the Church, the Core Council shall exercise or have under its authority all corporate powers.
The Core Council shall have the right to sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any personal property of the Church, when it is deemed to be in the best interest of the Church. It may also lease or otherwise utilize the real property, land and/or buildings of the Church. However, it may not sell, convey or transfer the real property of the Church, in particular the principal place of worship or the parcels adjacent or bordering thereto, unless it is given approval by a majority vote of the Members at a regular or special meeting.
As set forth in these Bylaws, the Core Council shall elect, appoint, employ and remove the officers, agents, employees and representatives of the Church and fix their compensation and the scope, nature and course of their respective duties and authority, except that of the Minister, defined in Article VII.
The emphasis of the Core Council's activities shall be on goals, objectives, strategies and policies. It will hold the Minister accountable for the implementation of planning and policy decisions. It will establish other volunteer groups and look to these groups for operational planning, policy recommendations and two-way communications between itself and the Church Members.
Section 2. ROLE OF THE CORE COUNCIL
The role of the Core Council includes but is not limited to:
A. Mission. The Core Council, including the Minister, is responsible for formulation of the Mission Statement. The Core Council facilitates and establishes, together with other leaders in the Church, the Church’s Mission.
B. Planning, Policies, Procedures. The Core Council sets the direction of the Church, establishes policies to guide the operation of the Church and retains its Minister, through whom the policies and plans are fulfilled.
C. Financial Development. The Core Council is responsible for insuring that the Church is adequately financed to fulfill its objectives and obligations.
D. Monitoring. The Core Council is responsible for monitoring the operational process of the Church to insure the achievement of its goals and objectives.
E. Ultimate Authority. The Core Council is ultimately responsible to the Membership of the Church. Core Council members represent the Membership of the Church as a whole and they have a responsibility to think and act on their behalf.
Section 3. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Core Council may appoint an Executive Committee, which shall be composed of the corporate officers and Minister for the purpose of transacting its business. Executive Committee meetings may be called by any Member thereof, upon notice to the members of the Executive Committee of the time and place of such meeting. Minutes shall be kept of each meeting of the Executive Committee which shall be read at the next regular meeting of the Core Council and any action considered for ratification. A majority of the authorized number of members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 4. COMMITTEES
The Core Council may appoint such committees as it may deem appropriate and necessary in order to carry out the work and purpose of this Church, and may confer upon them such authority, powers and duties as it may deem appropriate, provided that the final responsibility and duty for management of the affairs, assets, properties and employees of this Church may not be delegated and shall rest upon the Core Council.
Section 5. NUMBER AND QUALIFICATIONS OF CORE COUNCIL MEMBERS
The authorized number of Core Council members, including the Minister of the Church as set forth in Section 6 below, shall be nine (9), unless changed by amendment of these Bylaws. The Core Council may elect to function with seven (7) or eight (8) members until the next annual meeting or until interim appointments are made.
Only those persons meeting the following requirements shall be qualified for election or appointment as Core Council members:
A. The person must be a loyal, financially supportive and active Member of this Church.
B. The person must be willing to accept the responsibilities of membership of the Core Council.
C. The person must have no close relatives or live-in relationships with an employee of the Church, or with other members on the Core Council serving a concurrent term.
D. The person must have successfully completed a certificated course in Science of Mind. If persons are not available for nomination that have completed a certificated course, special consideration shall be given to persons who are enrolled in or have completed a lesser amount of class work.
E. Except for the Minister, no Core Council member may receive compensation from this Church.
F. The person must have been a Member of this Church no less than six months prior to nomination for election or appointment to the Core Council.
Section 6. CORE COUNCIL MEMBER ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE
The Minister of this Church shall be a voting member of the Core Council, and shall have all the other powers and duties of a Core Council member, and shall hold such position throughout his tenure. He shall not be required to be elected to or fill any other office.
The remaining Core Council members shall be elected as provided for in Article V, Section 7, and shall serve for three years, with the option to be re-elected without limit to the number of consecutive three-year terms.
New Core Council members shall be nominated as provided for in Section 7 below, and shall be elected at each annual meeting of Members to fill the offices made vacant.
All Core Council members, unless they resign or are removed, shall hold office until their respective successors are properly elected.
Section 7. NOMINATION OF CORE COUNCIL MEMBERS
A reasonable time prior to each annual meeting of Members, the Core Council shall select a Nominating Committee of three to five members (one of whom shall be the Minister) who may be, but need not be, Core Council members. The Committee shall proceed to prepare a slate of nominees for election as Core Council members, one or more nominees for each vacancy to be filled. Such slate shall be nominated by the Committee when nominations are called for at the annual meeting. Further nominations, if any, shall be received from the floor. Persons nominated from the floor must be present at the election meeting and meet the required qualifications of Core Council members set forth in Section 5 above.
Section 8. TERMINATION OF A CORE COUNCIL MEMBER
A Core Council Member may be terminated by the adoption of a resolution to terminate by majority vote of the members of the Core Council. The Core Council also may by resolution declare vacant the office of any Core Council member for the following reasons:
A. A Core Council member who fails to perform his assigned duties as a Core Council member of the Church or who has demonstrated a lack of interest and participation in the services and/or affairs of this church.
B. A Core Council member who is absent for three (3) consecutive meetings without valid excuse granted by the Core Council.
C. A Core Council member who without valid reason ceases to be a tithing Member of the Church from the financial point of view.
Notice shall be sent to the terminated Core Council member regarding such action taken by the Core Council. A Core Council member so removed from office shall have the right to appeal such action to the Membership of the Church at the next annual meeting or a special meeting called for this purpose.
Section 9. VACANCIES
Vacancies in the Core Council occurring before the expiration of any regular term of office may be filled and successor to such office appointed for such unexpired term by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Core Council, provided, however, that a Core Council member so appointed shall hold office only until the next regular annual meeting of the Church, at which time the Membership shall fill the vacancy by an election provided for in Article V Sections 5, 6 and 7 above.
Section 10. PLACE OF MEETINGS
In the absence of any other designation, regular meetings of the Core Council shall be held at the principal office of this Church. The Core Council, by resolution or by consent of all its members, may also designate any other place within or without the City of Bakersfield as a place of regular meeting. Special meetings of the Core Council may be held either at the principal office or at another place so designated.
Section 11. ORGANIZATION MEETING
The Core Council shall elect a President immediately following the annual meeting, at which time his duties begin. The first regular meeting of the Core Council shall be held within thirty (30) days following the date of the annual meeting, at which time the Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer will be elected.
This newly organized Core Council shall then proceed with any new business necessary at this first meeting, including establishing meeting dates for subsequent Core Council meetings.
Section 12. REGULAR MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the Core Council shall be held at least monthly, unless good reason is given to skip a meeting for one month. The day and time of these meetings shall be determined by the Core Council.
Section 13. SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings of the Core Council for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the President or the Minister, or if they are absent or unable or refuse to act, any two Core Council members, or ten percent of the Membership of the Church by petition.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings and specific purpose shall be delivered personally to each Core Council member or sent to each Core Council member by mail addressed to him at his address as it is shown upon the membership record of this Church, at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the time of the holding of the meeting. Such notice is not required when all current Core Council members, including the Minister, are present when the decision is made for a special Core Council meeting, in which case special meetings may be called with the mutual consent of all members.
Section 14. QUORUM: NO PROXIES
A majority of the authorized number of Core Council members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the Core Council members present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Core Council, unless a greater number is required by law or these Bylaws. Any action taken or authorized by the Core Council members shall be taken or authorized only in person and not by agent or proxy, and no proxies of Core Council members shall be valid.
Section 15. REIMBURSEMENT
Core Council members and members of committees may receive reimbursement for expenses as may be fixed or determined by resolution of the Core Council.
Section 16. OPEN AND CLOSED MEETINGS
All Core Council meetings are open to the Church’s Membership; however, attendance at any meeting or part of any meeting of the Core Council may, at the Core Council’s option, be limited only to the Core Council members or may include such others as it may choose to admit.
Section 17. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The Core Council’s responsibility to manage the business affairs of the Church is primary and absolute over any individual Core Council member’s personal benefits. Except as specifically permitted below, no business transactions shall be entered into between the church by the Core Council, and any person who is a member or a member-elect, of the Core Council, or any entity in which such person or any member of such person’s immediate family have an opportunity for financial gain.
The Church recognizes that in specific instances or on unique matters, it may be in the best interest of the Church to enter into a business transaction of the type otherwise prohibited above. Such a transaction may be permitted if:
A. The Core Council complies with all provisions of State law relating to transactions between a corporation and a Core Council member; and
B. The Core Council is fully apprised of the fact that the proposed transaction is of the type otherwise prohibited above, and such disclosure is set forth in the minutes; and
C. The Core Council finds and records in its minutes that the proposed transaction:
1. is particularly unique or advantageous to the Church, and
2. is upon terms and conditions which the Core Council believes to be either not available or more favorable to the Church than would be available in a similar transaction between the Church and any other party.
Section 18. RECALL OF CORE COUNCIL MEMBERS
The Church Membership has the authority to remove for cause any or all members of the Core Council, except the Minister (provided for elsewhere), provided due notice is given at any annual or special membership meeting called for that purpose as per Article IV, Section 3 above, upon an affirmative two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and qualified to vote. If a vacancy occurs by reason of such action, such vacancy may be filled at such meeting by nomination made form the floor and voted upon by the Membership present and qualified to vote.
ARTICLE VI – Officers
Section 1. OFFICERS
The officers of this Church shall be the President and Vice President, who shall be elected by the Core Council from among its membership, and a Secretary and Treasurer, who may but need not be members of the Core Council.
Section 2. ELECTION
The officers of this Church shall be elected annually by the Core Council, except for vacancies as provided for in Section 5 below. Each officer shall hold his office until he shall resign or shall be removed or otherwise disqualified to serve, or his successor shall be properly elected and installed.
Section 3. COMBINATION OF OFFICES
Any two or more offices, other than the offices of President and Secretary, may be combined.
Section 4. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION
Any officer of this Church may be removed, with or without cause, by a majority of the Core Council, at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written or verbal notice to the Core Council, or the President, or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of the notice or at any later time specified therein.
Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. In the event written notice is not received within ten days of verbal notice, the verbal resignation shall become effective.
Section 5. VACANCIES
A vacancy in any office shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining Core Council members.
Section 6. PRESIDENT
The President shall lead all policy-making groups and shall, subject to the control of the Core Council, have general supervision of the business affairs and the properties of this Church. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Core Council and the Members, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be required of him from time to time by the Core Council. The President shall be a voting member of the Core Council.
The President, along with another officer shall be one of the signatories for all contracts and legal documents. The Minister may not hold office as President of the Core Council.
The President may appoint committees, except those of an ecclesiastical nature, as he may be authorized to appoint by the Core Council from time to time, and define the duties of such committees. In all administrative matters, except those of an ecclesiastical nature, the President shall be responsible for maintaining open communications and relations with the United Church of Religious Science.
In areas of Church Core Council business, the Secretary of the Church shall be responsible to the President of the Core Council.
Section 7. VICE PRESIDENT
In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice President shall perform all the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have the powers of, and be subject to, the same responsibilities and authority as apply to the President. The Vice President shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed to him by the Core Council or by the Bylaws. In the absence or inability of the Vice President to act, the Core Council shall select a president pro tempore.
Section 8. SECRETARY
The Secretary of the Core Council shall be in charge of the Corporate Seal. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office or such other place as the Core Council may order, a book of minutes of all meetings of the Core Council and Members, with the time and place of holding, whether regular or special, and if special, how authorized, the notice thereof given, the names of those present at the Core Council meetings, the number of persons present at Members’ meetings, and the proceedings thereof.
As hereinabove provided, the Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of this Church the Membership Record showing the names of the Members and their addresses.
The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the members of the Core Council required by the Bylaws or by law to be given, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Core Council or by the Bylaws.
Section 9. TREASURER
The Treasurer of the Core Council shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct accounts of the properties and business transactions of this Church, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital and surplus. The books of accounts shall be open at all reasonable times to inspection by any Core Council member. The Treasurer shall cause to be prepared and to make available to the Members, an annual financial statement, including a balance sheet and statement of income and expense, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and shall make a report of such at each annual meeting of the Members. All financial records should be reasonably accessible to any Core Council member, preferably in the principal office of the Church.
The Treasurer shall deposit or cause to be deposited all monies and other valuables in the name and to the credit of this Church with such depositories as may be designated by the Core Council. He shall disburse or cause to be disbursed the funds of the Church as may be ordered by the Core Council, shall render to any member of the Core Council, whenever they request it, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of this Church, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Core Council.
ARTICLE VII – The Minister
Section 1. ROLE OF THE MINISTER – SUMMARY
The person holding the position of Minister has three major roles throughout the tenure including:
A. Ecclesiastical head of the Church with exclusive rights for Ecclesiastical matters.
B. Administrative Executive Officer, managing the day-to-day operations of the Church and reporting to the Core Council.
C. Member of the Core Council.
Section 2. AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER
The Minister shall have and exercise all of the powers, ecclesiastical duties, and prerogatives usually accorded to the clergy as set forth in the Ministerial Code. This includes the planning and conducting of all religious services; the planning, teaching, and supervising of all classes of instruction, both certificated and non-certificated; and the leadership, supervision, and conduct of the activities of all practitioners, other ministers, organizations and groups within this Church, and of religion, educational, counseling, fellowship and worship activities of this Church.
As the Administrative Executive Officer reporting to the Core Council, the Minister is responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the Church and overseeing the activities of all paid and volunteer staff, including the Church Secretary, in order to carry out the policies, goals and plans adopted by the Core Council. The Minister also is responsible for keeping the United Church of Religious Science generally informed as to the affairs of the Church.
Section 3. CALL TO THE MINISTER
Except as otherwise expressly provided for, the terms under which the Minister shall be retained shall be set forth in a written Letter of Call agreed to between the Core Council and the Minister. The terms shall be specified and may be for a definite term and may provide for incentive compensation of the Minister. The Member Church shall deliver an executed copy of the Letter of Call to the Office of Growth, Education, and Ministries of the United Church of Religious Science.
The Letter of Call under which the Minister is retained shall provide that the Minister may be terminated only in accordance with the procedure provided for in Section 5 of this Article.
Section 4. VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTER
When the office of the Minister becomes, or is expected to become, vacant for any reason, the Core Council of the Church shall appoint a Selection Committee consisting of a least three (3) Core Council members and four (4) members of the congregation. The Core Council shall also designate one of those appointed as chairperson of the Committee. The Committee shall proceed to contact the United Church of Religious Science and work within the defined guidelines of candidating as provided by the Office of Growth, Expansion and Ministerial Support to fill such vacancy. The Committee shall present the name and qualifications of the person selected to the Core Council, which shall attempt to employ the Minister by arranging for the terms and compensation mutually agreeable.
Section 5. TERMINATION OF THE MINISTER
Notwithstanding any provision of the Letter of Call or acceptance or any other agreement or understanding, the employment of the Minister shall be terminated without liability by action of the Members of this Church as provided in this section. Employment of the Minister may be terminated by adoption of a resolution so to terminate by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Members present and qualified to vote at a special meeting of Members called for such purpose. No proxy votes will be accepted or validated. Notice of the time, place and purpose of this special meeting must be provided as set forth in these Bylaws.
Notice of any meeting to terminate the services of any Minister shall be given to the Office of Growth, Expansion and Ministerial Support of the United Church of Religious Science, so that a representative may attend and be heard at the meeting. All past monies owed to a Minister shall be paid promptly at the time of termination.
Section 6. RETIREMENT PLAN
This church shall promptly pay all dues, assessments and fees as may be required for the participation of the Minister or Ministers of this Church in the Retirement Plan for Clergy of the United Church of Religious Science, or other retirement plan of the Minister’s choosing, as well as other benefits as agreed upon in the Letter of Call, notwithstanding any other agreement.
Section 7. SALARY AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
The salary and benefits provided to the Minister of this Church are fixed by the Core Council.
If either the Core Council or the Minister desire any change in the terms of employment, including the salary and compensation of the Minister, the party desiring the change shall submit to the other party by certified mail the changes desired. If a satisfactory agreement is not reached within sixty (60) days, the President of the Core Council shall appoint, with the approval of the Core Council, an Arbitration Committee consisting of three (3) members of the Core Council and four (4) active Members of the Church to determine the terms of employment of the Minister. This Arbitration Committee shall come to a decision within thirty (30) days, and the Committee’s decision shall be firm and binding to all parties concerned, and their decision regarding the terms of employment of the Minister shall be retroactive to the date of initial request.
Section 8. CATEGORIES OF MINISTERS
Senior, Associate, and Assistant Ministers shall serve as stipulated in the Ministerial Code. Letters of Call and terms therein shall be prepared and approved by the Core Council. The following categories of Ministers may serve at this Church:
A. Minister: A person who has met the requirements of the Ministerial Code and has been licensed as a Novitiate or Licentiate, or who has been Ordained as a Minister of Religious Science.
B. Senior Minister: A Minister under a Letter of Call, supervising all other Ministers on staff in the Church.
C. Co-Minister: If a Letter of Call is issued to Co-Ministers, they are considered of equal status. The Letter of Call shall define the respective duties and be maintained in a current status.
D. Associate Minister: A Licensed or Ordained minister, who is serving a church with the right of succession if the Senior Minister retires, resigns, dies or otherwise vacates the position. The Associate Minister serves under the supervision and jurisdiction of the Senior Minister. A written job description must accompany the Letter of Call.
E. Assistant Minister: A Licensed or Ordained minister who is serving a church with the right of succession under the Senior Minister. The Assistant Minister serves under the supervision and jurisdiction of the Senior Minister. A written job description must accompany the Letter of Call.
F. Staff Minister: A minister serving under a Letter of Call to perform specific duties of an administrative, pastoral, music, youth, education or other specified ministerial duty as outlined in the Letter of Call. The staff minister shall be under the supervision and jurisdiction of the Senior Minister, and whether salaried or not must be approved by the Core Council.
ARTICLE VIII – Policies and Procedures
Section 1. BYLAWS
These Bylaws form the basic policies for structure and function of this church. All other policies and procedures are the responsibility of the Core Council.
Section 2. POLICY FORMULATION
Policy formulation is the task of members of the Core Council and committees, and professional staff members. It is a cooperative effort in which each group brings its special insights, experience and skill to bear on the task. It involves the identification of policy needs, formulation of policy options and consideration of policy options.
Section 3. POLICY DETERMINATION
Policy determination is the responsibility of the Core Council alone. This responsibility derives from the legal status of the Core Council. Core Council actions establish policies and directions for the total organization.
Section 4. POLICY IMPLEMENTATION
Policy implementation is the responsibility of the paid and volunteer staff. Once established, policies are carried out by the staff. Others may be involved and assist in implementation, but the staff is ultimately responsible via the Minister to the Core Council to see that policies are carried out.
Section 5. POLICY MONITORING
Policy monitoring is the responsibility of the Core Council, Committees and professional staff members. Staff is responsible for periodic performance reporting on implementation, and policymaking groups are responsible for making judgments concerning the efficacy of implementation and determining future policy actions as appropriate.
ARTICLE IX – Miscellaneous
Section 1. CORPORATE SEAL
This Church shall have a Corporate Seal, containing the exact name of this Church and the date and State of incorporation.
Section 2. CHURCH FINANCES
The financial support of the Church shall be by voluntary offerings, pledges or gifts, and from such other sources and activities as may be proper and in keeping with the purposes of the Church.
No fixed membership dues shall be charged but all Members shall be afforded opportunity to pledge a tithe toward the expenses of the Church.
Section 3. INSPECTION OF CORPORATE RECORDS
The membership record, the books of account, and the minutes of proceedings of the Members and of the Core Council, and of the Executive and other committees of the Core Council, shall be open to inspection by any qualified representative of the United Church of Religious Science, or at any mutually agreeable time by any Church Member, upon a written request that includes a statement of responsible purpose that has the approval of the Core Council President.
Section 4. CHECKS, DRAFTS, OR OTHER PAYMENTS
All expenditures of Church funds shall be evidenced by documentation approved by the person or persons authorized by the Core Council to approve such expenditures. All checks, drafts or other orders for payment of money shall be co-signed by two of the authorized signatories, as shall be designated by the Core Council.
Section 5. EXECUTION OF CONTRACTS
The Core Council, except as in these Bylaws otherwise provided, may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract, or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of this Church. Such authority may be general or limited to specific instances; and, unless so authorized by the Core Council, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to make any agreement or create any obligation which shall bind this Church, or to pledge the credit of this Church, or to render it liable for any purpose or in any amount.
Section 6. INSPECTION OF BYLAWS
This Church shall keep in its principal office for the transaction of business the original or a copy of the Bylaws, as amended or otherwise altered to date, certified by the Secretary, which shall be open to inspection by Members at all reasonable times.
Section 7. CONSTRUCTION AND DEFINITIONS
Unless the context otherwise requires, the general provisions, rules and construction and definitions contained in the applicable statues of the State of incorporation shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of the forgoing, the masculine gender includes the feminine, the singular number includes the plural and the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes a corporation as well as a natural person.
Section 8. NO LIABILITIES
No Core Council members, Officers, nor Members of this Church shall be personally liable for the debts, liabilities or obligations of this Church.
Section 9. AUDIT
An Audit Review of the financial books and records of the Church shall be conducted annually by a financially knowledgeable person appointed by the Core Council. An audit by an accountant of record shall be conducted only when deemed necessary by the Core Council or the Membership. Results of the annual audit shall be presented to the Membership at the annual meeting.
Section 10. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rule of Order Newly Revised shall govern this church in all cases to which they are applicable and not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the Church may adopt.
ARTICLE X – Amendments
A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of Church members of record present at any annual or special meeting called for that purpose is necessary to amend, repeal or add to these Bylaws.
Recommended new Bylaws or Amendments to existing Bylaws must be submitted to the United Church of Religious Science Core Council for ratification, and must be so ratified before becoming effective.
These Bylaws were adopted and effective the 16th day of March, 2008.
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