of
MOUNT CROSS LUTHERAN
CHURCH
102 Camino
Esplendido
Camarillo,
California 93010-1717
S1.01. The fiscal year of the congregation shall be
from January 1 through December 31. The congregational year shall be from
February 1 to January 31.
S1.02. An annual meeting shall be held on or before
February 1 of each year.
S1.03. A special congregational meeting may be called
by the pastor, the Congregational Council or the president of this
congregation, and shall be called at the written request of twenty-five percent
(25%) of the voting members. The call for each special meeting shall specify
the purpose for which it is to be held and no other business shall be
transacted.
S1.04. Notice of all congregational meetings shall be
made at the worship service on the two consecutive Sundays immediately
preceding the meeting date and notice given by mail to all voting members at
least ten (10) days prior to the meeting.
S1.05. Ten percent (10%) [see C.10.04] of all voting
members of the congregation shall constitute a quorum.
S1.06. The pastor shall submit his or her annual
report to the congregation at the annual meeting and such interim reports as
pastor considers necessary or appropriate or upon special written request of
the Congregational Council or Executive Committee.
S1.07. Other reports shall be made at the annual
meeting of the congregation by:
a. Congregation's treasurer
b. Financial secretary
c. Recording secretary
d. Commissions, task forces, and any ad hoc
committee
S1.08. The Congregational Council shall, at the
annual meeting of the congregation:
a. Submit a report of all insurance and bonds in
force, and
b. Submit a statement of all assets and
liabilities of Mount Cross Lutheran Church.
S2.01. The Congregational Council shall meet monthly.
S2.02. The agendum at regular council meetings may
include the following:
a. Devotions
b. Period for study of the life and work of the
church
c. Roll call and action on excuses for absences
d. Reading of minutes of last meeting
e. Receptions of petitions, correspondence and
communications
f. Report of pastor(s)
g. Report of the treasurer
h. Report of commissions, task forces and any ad
hoc committees
i. Other reports
j. Unfinished business
k. New business
l. Adjournment
S2.03. At the first meeting in February of each year
the council shall elect:
a. President of the congregation
b. Vice-president of the congregation
c. Recording secretary of the congregation
At the first meeting
in February the Council shall appoint a Treasurer and Financial Secretary.
S2.04. Officers shall be elected for a term of one
year and may be re-elected for one additional term only.
S2.05. The pastor and the officers of the
congregation shall constitute the Executive Committee.
S2.06. Duties
of Officers
a. The president shall preside at meetings of
the congregation and the congregational council.
b. The vice-president shall preside in the event
of the president's inability to serve.
c. The recording secretary shall keep accurate
minutes of all meetings of the congregation and of the council in a volume to
be preserved permanently in the archives.
d. The financial secretary shall receive and
keep a record of all income from contributing members and other sources.
e. The treasurer shall keep the books of account
of the congregation and shall receive from the financial secretary all funds
and disburse them on proper orders, making monthly remittance of benevolence
receipts to the treasurer of the synod.
f. The treasurer and the financial secretary
shall issue each month a written report of all financial transactions to the
congregational council and to the congregation.
S2.07. Surety and Bonds. All financial officers shall
give corporate surety, in amounts determined by the church council, for which
the premium shall be paid by the congregation. Fidelity coverage provided by
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America shall be deemed a fulfillment of
this requirement.
S2.08. Lutheran Magazine. The council shall
provide in the annual budget for the costs of a subscription to The Lutheran
for each home of members.
S3.01. At its first meeting in each congregational
year (February 1 to January 31) the Congregational Council shall appoint as
many standing commissions as the local and wider concerns of the congregation
require.
a. Each such commission and/or task force shall
be composed of one or more members of the council and other voting members of
the congregation.
b. Although appointed by and responsible to the
Congregational Council, these commissions shall be recognized as representative
of the interests of and performing essential services for the congregation as a
whole.
c. The commissions exist to facilitate and
oversee the functions of the congregation as outlined in Chapter XIV and
Chapter XV of the Constitution.
d. The duties of all commissions shall be
assigned by the council along with such instructions as in the council's
judgment are in the best interest of the congregation.
e. All actions of commissions shall be subject
to review by the council.
S3.02. The council shall elect an annual auditing
committee of three members, none of whom may be a member of the council or the
finance committee or the executive committee in compliance with Chapter XIII
Section C13.03 of the Constitution.
S3.03. Election of Council members shall take place
at the Annual Meeting. [see C12.01]
S3.04. In November of each year the Nominating
Committee shall announce the slate for council members.
S3.05. Other nominations can be made from the floor
of the congregational meeting.
S3.06. Announcement of all nominations for
council membership shall be made orally to the congregation on no less than two
Sundays prior and shall be included in the congregational newsletter or other
written notice at least ten days prior to the day council members are elected.
S3.07. Election of council members shall be by secret
written ballot.
S3.08. Newly elected council members shall be
installed by the pastor on Sunday before Feb. 1.
S3.09. New council members take office at the
February council meeting.
This policy is based on the belief that 1) in
the day-to-day performance on the job site certain misunderstandings,
disagreements, hurt feelings do occur in the best of business families and 2)
both employer and employee needs a place to air grievances, large or small, and
3) small disputes or anxieties can usually be settled amicably if resolution is
attempted early enough.
S4.01. Definitions: The following
terms shall mean:
a. "Employer"
shall refer to the Congregation of Mt. Cross Lutheran Church, which vests its
authority over all employment matters in an elected Congregational Council.
This Council is accountable to the Congregation.
b. The
term "Employee" shall mean any person who enters into an
employment agreement with Mt. Cross Church to perform certain enumerated tasks
for pay.
c. The
term "Manager" shall refer to an elected or appointed person
who has been placed in a supervisory position by his or her contract to direct
and oversee specific employees in the performance of their appointed tasks.
d. The
term "Employment Arrangements" shall refer to:
(1)
a job description, outlining the scope of one's duties;
(2)
an executed Employment Agreement containing the terms and conditions
of employment and a description of this labor
policy; and
(3)
the right to appear before a mediation board to hear all grievances and
misunderstandings.
S4.02. A
Mediation Board shall be established to aid in employee conflicts and/or
problems. This Board is to be called into session only on an "as
needed" basis.
a. The
Board shall hear each side of a conflict separately and together in an effort
to suggest remedy or solutions acceptable to both parties.
b. The findings of the Board shall be
confidential and all facts learned therefrom are to be kept as a sacred trust.
c. If
the Board efforts break down or fail, either or both aggrieved persons may
appeal to the Congregational Council which, sitting as an impartial tribunal,
shall render a decision which is final upon all parties.
d. No
person shall be dismissed from employment without having an opportunity to
appear and be heard by the Congregational Council.
S4.03. The Mediation Board shall consist of three (3)
persons to be elected by the Congregation at the annual meeting. The term of
office shall be one year and members shall serve on an "as needed"
basis. Employees and current members of Council shall not be eligible to serve
on the Mediation Board.
S5.01. The
congregation shall adopt annual goals which reflect its desires for spiritual
growth and progress both in the congregational family and in the community.
Such goals are to be evaluated according to the dictates of Holy Scripture.
Any questions or
misunderstandings as to meaning or interpretation of these By-Laws shall be
resolved by:
1. Interpreting according to appropriate
chapters in the Constitution.
2. Informal discussion with members of council's
Constitution Committee and pastor.
3. By seeking assistance of synod.
4. Robert's Rules of Order, latest edition,
which shall be the governing parliamentary law of the congregation.
[Approved at the
Annual Meeting, January 23, 2000]
S7.01. Any pastor
called to serve Mount Cross Lutheran Church shall either:
a) already be a trained Stephen Leader, or
b) be informed that upon accepting a call to
serve Mount Cross she or he will be sent, at the congregation’s expense, to a
Stephen Ministry Leader Training Course at the earliest possible opportunity.
S7.02. All full or part time members of the church staff be encouraged to attend the Stephen Minister Training Course at their earliest convenience.
-- A --
Mount Cross Lutheran Church
Annual Meeting of the Congregation
January 19, 2003
RESOLUTION TO IMPLEMENT THE MISSION ENDOWMENT FUND
(Mission and Ministry Fund)
WHEREAS, Christian stewardship involves the faithful management of all the gifts God has given to humankind -the created world, the gospel, life, time, abilities, money, including accumulated, inherited and appreciated resources; and
WHEREAS, the scriptural principle of proportionate giving, to return to the Lord a portion of the gifts God has first given to his beloved children, is both a privilege and an appropriate response in all times and circumstances; and
WHEREAS, Christians can give to the work of the church through bequests in will, assignment of life insurance, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder and other trusts, assignment of certificates of deposit, and transfers of property such as cash, stocks, bonds and real estate; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of Mount Cross Lutheran Church to encourage, receive and administer these gifts in a manner consistent with the loyalty and devotion to our Lord expressed by donors and in accord with the policies of this congregation:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this congregation in meeting assembled on January 19,2003 approve and establish on the records of the church a new and separate fund to be known as THE MISSION ENDOWMENT FUND (hereafter called the "FUND" of the Mount Cross Lutheran Church 102 Camino Esplendido, Camarillo, California 93010-1717; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the purpose of this FUND is to enhance the mission outreach of Mount Cross Lutheran Church apart from the general operation of the congregation; that no portion of the income generated by the FUND shall be used for the annual operating budget of the congregation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mission Endowment Fund Committee shall be the custodian of the FUND in regards to disbursements, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a Plan of Operations will be set forth in regards to the administration and management of the FUND by the Endowment Task Force in time for a congregational meeting in April, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the money for this fund will come from the line item 14.4 under "Assets" in the budget as well as those designated line items which have been marked for the endowment fund.
-- B --
Mount Cross Lutheran Church
Special Meeting of the Congregation
April 27, 2003
AMENDMENT TO THE CONGREGATIONAL BYLAWS
Mission Endowment Fund
A Mission Endowment Fund, whose purpose, governance and operational procedures shall be defined by special resolution adopted by the congregation, shall be established.
The endowment fund is to provide the means and structure for members who have the ability and desire to benefit Mount Cross Lutheran Church through charitable giving that is consistent with its mission of witnessing to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ on both a local and global level. The purpose of the Endowment Committee is to enable Mount Cross Lutheran Church to promote funding of specific needs that support its mission and ensure its financial stability. The committee will seek to provide a perpetual source of income to benefit five current categories (not in order of importance):
1. Missions: local, regional and world projects.
2. Education: college and seminary scholarships.
3. Children and Young
Adult Ministry.
4. Worship and Music: support for the worship life of Mount Cross.
5. Capital Projects: major renovations and building of new facilities.
The committee shall consist of five members, all of whom shall be voting members of Mount Cross Lutheran Church. Except as herein limited, the term of each member shall be three (3) years. Upon adoption of this resolution by the congregation, it shall elect five (5) members to the COMMITTEE: two (2) for a term of three (3) years: two (2) for a term of two (2) years, and one (1) for a term of one (1) year. Thereafter, at each annual meeting, the congregation shall elect the necessary number for a term of three (3) years. No member shall serve more than two consecutive three (3) year terms. After a lapse of one (1) year, former COMMITTEE members may be re‑elected. A pastor and the president and/or vice president of the church council shall be advisory members of the COMMITTEE. The church council of the congregation shall nominate the COMMITTEE, which shall report at the annual congregational meeting in the same manner as other offices and committees. In the event of a vacancy on the COMMITTEE, the church council shall appoint a member to fill the vacancy until the next annual meeting of the congregation, at which time the congregation shall elect a member to fill the term of the vacancy.
The COMMITTEE shall meet at least quarterly, or more frequently as deemed by it in the best interest of the FUND.
A quorum shall consist of three (3) members. When only three (3) members are present a unanimous vote shall be required to carry any motion or resolution.
The committee shall elect from its membership a chairperson, recording secretary and financial secretary. The chairperson, or member designated by the chairperson, shall preside at all committee meetings.
The recording secretary of the COMMITTEE shall maintain complete and accurate minutes of all meetings and supply a copy thereof to each member of the committee. The recording secretary shall also supply a copy of the minutes to the church council.
The church office will keep a complete collection of the minutes, and the minutes will be available to the successors of the COMMITTEE.
The financial secretary of the COMMITTEE shall work with the congregation's treasurer in maintaining and coordinating complete and accurate accounts for the FUND 'and shall sign checks and all other necessary documents on behalf of the congregation in furtherance of the purposes of the FUND. An appropriate person or a certified public accountant shall audit the books annually, and the person shall not be a member of the COMMITTEE.
The COMMITTEE shall report on a quarterly basis to the church council and at each annual meeting or duly called special meeting of the congregation. At the annual meeting, the COMMITTEE shall render a full and complete audited account of the administration of the FUND during the preceding year .
The COMMITTEE may request other members of the congregation to serve as advisory members and, at the expense of the FUND income, may provide for such professional counseling on investments or legal matters as it deems to be in the best
interest of the FUND .
Members of the COMMITTEE shall not be liable for any loses which may be incurred upon the investments of the assets of the FUND except to the extent such losses shall have been caused by bad faith or gross negligence. No member shall be personally liable as long as he or she acts in good faith and with ordinary prudence. Each member shall be liable only for his or her own willful misconduct or omissions, and shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any other member. No member shall engage in any "self dealing" or transactions with the FUND in which the member has direct or indirect financial interest and shall at all times refrain from any conduct in which his or her personal interests would conflict with the interest of the FUND.
All assets are to be held in the name of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (or other brokerage or financial institution), for the benefit of the Mount Cross Lutheran Church Mission Endowment Fund.
Principal And Income
The COMMITTEE shall determine what is principal and income according to accepted accounting procedures. Income may include realized and unrealized capital gains in the portfolio.
Gifts and bequests to the fund shall accumulate until principal amount of $100,000.00 is achieved, after which the income generated from the investment of the principal may be expended.
Distribution Of Income
Income from the FUND shall be distributed annually and at such other times as deemed necessary or feasible to accomplish the following purpose:
The distribution of income for the year may be given to a minimum of usually two (2) or up to five (5) of the following categories: missions, education, children and young adult ministry, worship and music and capital projects. The congregation may submit requests to the COMMITTEE each year for the distribution of the endowment fund income. If no requests are received, the COMMITTEE will decide which category, or categories, should be funded according to the COMMITTEE'S best judgment. The endowment distribution will be publicized in the church bulletin, church newsletter and at the annual meeting.
After requests have been submitted, by the pre-determined dateline, and the , COMMITTEE has recommended programs for support, the recommended programs will be approved by the church council for funding, according to the guidelines established by the congregation.
Total disbursement of income from the FUND need not occur annually if, in the judgment of the COMMITTEE, total annual disbursement of income is not recommended.
Distribution Of Principle
When, in the opinion of the COMMITTEE, circumstances are so dire and of such an emergency nature that the future of the congregation is at stake, and that the only recourse seems to be the use of the FUND principal, the COMMITTEE may, upon two- thirds majority vote, recommend such authorizing action to the congregation.
Management of funds will be by an independent foundation, outside of Mount Cross Lutheran Church. The COMMITTEE'S recommendation for the foundation will be presented for approval to the church council. The independent foundation shall be reviewed annually.
Amending The Resolution
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any amendment to this resolution that will change, alter or amend the purpose for which the FUND is established shall be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the members present at an annual meeting of the congregation or at a special meeting called specifically for the purpose of amending this resolution.
Disposition Or Transfer Of Fund
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in the event Mount Cross Lutheran Church ceases to exist either through merger or dissolution, disposition or transfer of the FUND shall be at the discretion of the church council in conformity with the approved congregational constitution and in consultation with the bishop of the synod to which this congregation belongs at such time. Consultation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America may be desirable for continuation of Mission Endowment Fund obligations.
Adoption Of
Resolution
This resolution,
recommended by the church council and accepted by the congregation at a legally
called congregational meeting, is hereby adopted.
Mount Cross Lutheran Church
By: Members of the Committee for the Endowment Fund: Luanne Crockett, Jesus Duran, Eric Goehner, Stephanie Golnik, Jodell Johnson and Paul Reigstad.
Dated this 6th day of April, 2003
(Please note that these are just some specific examples to help clarify
what each category covers, it is in no way meant to limit the categories. Each
category may pertain to other ministries not listed.)
Missions
Local:
RAIN Project
CATS
St. Columba's food
pantry
California Youth
Authority
Regional:
Lutheran Social
Services
Habitat for Humanity
Teen Challenge
Lutheran Border
Concerns
World:
Supporting an ELCA
missionary
World Hunger Appeal
Lutheran Disaster
Relief
Church World Service
(they sponsor the CROP walk)
Education
College and seminary scholarships
Stephen Leadership training
Children and Young
Adult Ministry
Camp scholarships
Sending youth to synod, regional, or national gatherings
Supporting youth servant trips
Training for Sunday school teachers and youth leaders
Worship and Music
Purchasing new or upgrading old instruments
Incorporating arts into worship which may include helping to purchase banners or new paraments
Upgrading sound technology to used in worship
Capital Projects
major renovations
and building of new facilities seems self-explanatory
-- C --
Mount Cross Lutheran Church
Endowment Fund
June 2003
The purpose of this Investment Strategy and
Policy is to specify the goals and objectives concerning the investment
portfolio of Mount Cross Endowment Fund. The Endowment Fund's portfolio
consists of socially responsible investments (listed under the Socially Responsible
Investment Guidelines).
Each fund has a
unique background and purpose, which is described be]ow. In genera], this
Investment Strategy and Policy seeks to outline an attitude and phi]osophy that
will guide the management of the Mount Cross Endowment Fund toward the desired
results.
The Investment Strategy and Po]icy of Mount Cross Endowment Fund is:
1. To seek and select investment opportunities, which promote social and economic justice, life and human dignity in a manner that, is consistent with the overall vision and mission of Mount Cross Lutheran Church.
2. The endowment fund is to provide the means
and structure for members who have the ability and desire to benefit Mount
Cross Lutheran Church through
charitable giving
that is consistent with its mission of witnessing to the message '"t ~ of
salvation through Jesus Christ on both local and global level. t ~
3. To preserve and
grow each funds' principal annually.
Background &
Purpose Of Funds
1. The Endowment Fund started with anonymous
donations to Mount Cross Lutheran Church for the purpose of an Endowment Fund.
2. The fund's purpose is to annually generate interest income to support the missions of Mount Cross Lutheran Church in the following: The committee will seek to provide a perpetual source of income to benefit five current categories (not in order of importance):
a. Missions: local, regional and world projects.
b. Education: college and seminary scholarships.
c. Children and Young Adult Ministry.
d. Worship and Music: support for the worship life of Mount Cross.
e. Capital Projects: major renovations and building of new facilities.
Each Fund should be invested for the
long-term, but each fund requires a particular distribution schedule.
1. The fund requires an annually distribution of interest income to meet the requested needs of the congregation or 5%. The principal is intended for long- term growth.
The fund has a specific asset allocation
Asset Class
|
% of Portfolio |
U.S. Equities
|
45-75
|
Fixed
Income/Bonds
|
25-55
|
Both U.S. and foreign equities require a mixture of large and small cap stocks in order to reach the investment goal. Neither fund will acquire more than 5% of any class or single issuer of securities. Neither fund will position more than 20% of the portfolio in anyone industry group {United States Government securities not included).
Each fund is restricted
from engaging in the following:
1. Options or futures contracts, for hedging purposes only.
2. Margin transactions.
3. Non-rated commercial paper.
Consistent with ELCA social statements. (eg., not supporting alcohol, tobacco, gambling, Weapons of Mass Destruction, or environmentally destructive practices, hope to promote good labor and environmental practices and community investing)
The congregation may hire one or more Investment Manager(s) to achieve investment goals and objectives. Each Investment Manager must adhere to the following responsibilities:
1. The Investment Manager must follow the
Investment Strategy & Policy Statement.
2. The Investment Manager must keep the congregation informed in writing of a particular Investment guideline he/she believes should be altered or changed. The Investment Manager must report to Mount Cross Endowment Fund Committee quarterly (in writing) the progress of each fund.