A. The Moderator shall preside at all meetings of the Congregation and of the Church Council. The Moderator shall serve as the lay leader of the Church, working with the Minister(s) to insure the smooth operation and progress of the church. The Moderator shall be an ex officio member of all boards and special committees.

 

B. The Assistant Moderator shall preside in the absence of the Moderator and shall be an ex officio member of all boards and special committees. The Assistant Moderator may be delegated to perform specified functions as defined by the Moderator and approved by the Church Council.

 

C. The Treasurer shall, ex officio, be a member of the Board of Trustees, and shall serve under the direction of this Board. The Treasurer shall perform such duties relative to the income, disbursement and investment of funds as shall be prescribed by the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer shall be prepared to present a current financial statement to all regular meetings of the Church Council.

 

D. D. The Clerk shall keep an accurate record of all business meetings of the Congregation and of the Church Council; and an accurate roll of the church members, including additions and changes of status of members, baptisms, marriages, deaths and funerals. The Clerk shall keep this information in a Membership Records book which shall be the property of the church and available at all times for the use of the church, the Minister(s) and the church officers. An annual summary of all such changes shall be provided to the Church Council during their November meeting, in concert with the Board of Deacons annual review of members who are recommended for Inactive Member status. [Amendment of 5/22/05]

ARTICLE II  Professional Staff

Section 1: There shall be adequate professional staff to meet the needs of the Congregation.

"Professional Staff" shall be defined as Ordained Clergy and licensed or commissioned ministers who are employed at least half-time by the church.

Section 2: The Senior Minister: Under the supervision of the Church Council, it shall be the duty of the Senior Minister to:

A. Spread the Word of God among the members and in the community generally; care for and conduct services of public worship; perform the normal pastoral services for members, including but not limited to weddings, funerals, baptisms, and visitations;

B. Act as the chief administrative officer of the church, responsible for the performance of or delegation of supervisory responsibilities of all staff members, professional and non-professional. This shall include the responsibility to recommend to the Church Council the dismissal of any staff member except the ordained clergy;

C. Act as a non-voting member of the Church Council and an ex officio member of all Standing Boards and committees;

D. Perform other specific duties as outlined in the Procedures Manual.

Section 3: Other Professional Staff: The duties of other professional staff shall be
such as are set forth in their respective job descriptions and agreed upon
at the time of their call, and are outlined in the Procedures Manual.

Section 4: Resignation of the Professional Staff

A. Members of the professional staff shall give a minimum of sixty (60) days notice of resignation. This requirement may be waived by action of the Church Council.

B. The resignation shall be unconditional in form and shall be delivered to the Moderator who shall immediately notify the Church Council. The Council may call a special meeting of the Congregation to inform the members.

Section 5: Dismissal of the Professional Staff

A. If, after consultation with the Staff-Congregational Relations Committee, any group of fifty (50) or more active members desire the resignation or dismissal of a member of the professional staff, they shall submit to the Church Council a written, signed statement of their reasons. It shall be the duty of the Council to investigate and evaluate the charges and take appropriate action as seems best to the Council.

B. If by a majority vote of the members present and voting, the Church Council recommends dismissal, the Moderator shall call a special meeting of the Congregation, at which time the recommendation of the Council shall be presented to the members.

C. Upon a majority vote of those active members present and voting in favor of termination, the staff member’s term shall expire immediately. Sixty (60) days’ base salary plus payment for unused vacation time in the current year shall be granted as termination pay. No other compensation shall be granted.

Section 6: Vacancy

A. In the event of a vacancy on the professional staff, a committee shall be appointed by the Church Council whose duty it shall be to nominate a qualified replacement.

B. The committee shall be under the supervision of the Church Council and shall bring its selection to the Council for action. The Council shall take the matter to the Congregation for action.
 

ARTICLE III  Meetings

Section 1: Congregational Meetings

A. Annual Meeting: The program year shall begin with the Annual Meeting in May and end with the succeeding May Annual Meeting. The Congregation shall hold its annual meeting in May of each year to elect officers, members-at-large of the Church Council, members of the Standing Boards, and the elected members of the Endowment and Financial Advisory Committee. At the time, the members shall receive written annual reports from the Standing Boards and the profession-al staff, and shall review and evaluate the work of the previous year, and conduct such other business as may properly come before the meeting. [Amendment of 5/22/05]

B. Budget Meeting: The fiscal year shall begin on January 1 of each year and end on December 31 of that year. Members of the Church Council and the Senior Minister shall hold a meeting in the fall to set financial and program goals for the Congregation for the ensuing year; a congregational meeting shall be called in January of each year to adopt a budget and consider other such business as may properly come before the meeting. [Amendment of 5/21/06]

C. Special Congregational Meetings: Special meetings of the Congregation shall be called by the Church Council as may be needed, or upon the request to the Moderator by twenty (20) active members of the church.

Section 2: Church Council and Standing Boards

A. The Church Council and the Standing Boards shall meet at least ten (10) times annually.

B. Special meetings of the Church Council and of the Standing Boards shall be held at the request of the Senior Minister, the Moderator, or the presiding officer of that Standing Board, or upon the request of any three (3) members of the Council or that Standing Board.

C. All regular meetings of the Church Council and the Standing Boards are open to all active members of the Congregation, and members are encouraged to attend and voice their concerns.

Section 3: Notice of Meetings: Notice of the time and purpose of all meetings of the Congregation shall be printed in the Tower Chimes or sent by mail to all active members at least one (1) week in advance, and shall be announced from the pulpit the previous Sunday. Regular meetings of the Church Council and the Standing Boards shall be announced in the Tower Chimes and in the Sunday Bulletin.

Section 4: Quorums and Voting:

A. Congregational Meetings:

1. Fifteen percent (15%) of the active members of the church, as declared by the Clerk, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Congregational meeting.

2. A majority affirmative vote of the active members present and voting shall suffice for ordinary business. For the calling of professional staff, amending the Constitution and Bylaws and all matters pertaining to the purchase, sale, transfer or encumbrance of real property of the church (Art. III of the Constitution) there shall be a two—thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the active members present and voting for any action to be taken.
 

3. Only active members eighteen (18) years of age or older shall vote on questions of legal status, financial obligations and the disposal or acquisition of real property.

 B. Church Council Meetings: [Amendment of 1/30/05]

1. One-half of the designated Church Council members, rounded up to
the next full number, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business at any Church Council Meeting.
2. A majority affirmative vote of the members present and voting shall
suffice for ordinary business.

C. Standing Boards Meetings: [Amendment of 1/30/05]

1. One-half of the elected board members, rounded up to the next full
number, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at
any Standing Board Meeting.

2. A majority affirmative vote of the members present and voting shall
suffice for ordinary business.

ARTICLE IV Church Council

Section 1: The delegated authority of the membership between congregational meetings shall rest with the Church Council whose duty it shall be to:

A. Provide leadership for the setting and implementing of the goals and policies of the church;

B. Subject to the will of the membership,

1. Supervise and evaluate the work of the professional staff;
2. Supervise and coordinate the work of all Standing Boards, committees and organizations of the church in keeping with the stated purpose of the church.
3. Appoint members of Boards and Committees, from nominees proposed by the Nominating Committee, when vacancies occur on Boards and Committees.  [Amendment of 5/22/05]

Section 2: The membership of the Church Council shall consist of:

A. At least three (3) members-at-large;

B. The elected officers of the church, namely the Moderator, the Assistant Moderator, the Treasurer and the Church Clerk; the Immediate Past Moderator; the presiding officer of each Standing Board, or their designated representative; the President of the Women’s Fellowship.

C. The professiona1 and administrative staff of the church shall have voice but no vote. No paid staff member shall serve as an elected member of the Council.

Section 3: Operation of the Church Council

A. The presiding officers of the Standing Boards shall provide communication between the Church Council and their respective Boards.

B. The Council shall appoint a Staff – Congregational Relations Committee. The duties of this committee shall include:

          1. Conducting regular performance reviews prior to December each year, and recommending continuing or changing salaries and other compensations for all paid staff for the following year's personnel budget proposals;
          2. Seeking and interviewing applicants for paid staff positions (not including Professional Staff) and making recommendations to the Church Council for hiring persons believed best suited and qualified for these positions;
          3. Maintaining good communications with staff and between staff and congregation; and
          4. Promoting mutual accountability of staff and congregation for church life and health. [Amendment of 5/22/05]

C. The Council shall appoint other such special committees as may be needed to accomplish its work. These committees shall be responsible directly to the Church Council.

D. The Council shall appoint a Nominating Committee following the guidelines in Article VI of these By-Laws.

E. The Council shall appoint lay delegates to the Western Association and the Rocky Mountain Conference of the UCC, number subject to the Constitution & By-Laws of the Western Association and Rocky Mountain Conference, and following the guidelines in Article VIII of these By-Laws.
 

ARTICLE V The Standing Boards

Section 1: Subject to the will of the Congregation and its delegated authority to the Church Council, responsibility for the regular life and work of the church shall be divided among six (6) Standing Boards:

The Board of Deacons,

The Board of Trustees,

The Board of Christian Education,

The Board of Mission and Outreach,

The Church Growth Board, and

The Fellowship Board.

General areas of responsibility for each Standing Board are stated below.

Section 2: The presiding officer of each Standing Board, who shall be elected by each Board at their first meeting following the Annual Meeting, shall be responsible for the organization of his/her respective Board, and, drawing on the general membership, the appointment of such committees as may be necessary to carry out its work. [Amendment of 5/22/05]


Section 3: Responsibilities of the Standing Boards

A. The Board of Deacons shall be concerned with all matters concerning the spiritual life of the church and certain membership issues. Responsibilities shall include:
          1. Working with the Minister(s) and other boards and committees of the church, this Board shall handle the details of regular and special worship services; the shepherding of those in need of special care; and the promotion of spiritual growth within the congregation;
          2. Receiving applications for Associate Members of the church and making recommendations with the minister for such membership, as noted in Article IV (Membership) of the Constitution; and,
          3. Reviewing in November each year a list of those members who, for a period of one (1) year have not attended the church's worship and not contributed to its support, and after considerations of circumstances and in consultation with the minister and the financial assistant, recommending at the November meeting of the Church Council the transfer of these members from the active to the inactive membership. Such inactive members may be reinstated as active members upon the recommendation of the Board and approval by the Church Council. [Amendment of 5/22/05]


B. The Board of Trustees shall be responsible for all matters concerning the financial aspects of the church, its property and its operation. To this end the Board shall, each fall, prepare a budget for the ensuing year and appoint a Stewardship Committee to raise the necessary funds. The presiding officers of this committee shall be members of the Board of Trustees.

C. The Board of Christian Education shall be responsible for the Christian Education of people of all ages. They shall maintain a regular Church School for younger children; conduct a Youth Ministry, including a confirmation class and a program of youth activities; present opportunities for adult education; and supervise the maintenance of the Library Resource Center.

D. The Board of Mission and Outreach shall be responsible for informing, educating and leading members of the congregation in ministry to our church, community, conference, and world, and working closely or as a unit with the Stewardship Committee to achieve a greater commitment of time, talent, and possessions for the accomplishment of ministry.

E. The Church Growth Board shall be responsible for fostering a welcoming Christian environment, making our church known to people in the community, and facilitating continuous church growth.

F. The Fellowship Board shall be responsible for maintaining and promoting activities that promote fellowship among all members and friends of the church.

Section 4: Number of members on the Standing Boards

A. The Board of Deacons shall have at least nine (9) members.
B. The Board of Trustees shall have at least nine (9) members.
C. The Board of Christian Education shall have at least seven (7) members.
D. The Board of Mission & Outreach shall have at least seven (7) members.
E. The Church Growth Board shall have at least seven (7) members.
F. The Fellowship Board shall have at least five (5) members.
G. Consideration shall be given to the appointment of one Senior High School youth as an

Ex officio member of each of the Standing Boards.
 

ARTICLE VI  Nominating Committee

Section 1: Members

A. The Church Council shall make all appointments for members of the Nominating Committee.

B. Members of the Nominating Committee shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years. They may be re-appointed but may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.

C. The Church Council shall appoint one of these six members to be the presiding officer.

Section 2: Duties of the Nominating Committee

A. Present to the Annual Meeting in May of each year a slate of nominees for Officers of the Church, members-at-large of the Church Council; members of the Standing Boards, and the nominees for the elected members (in consultation with the Board of Trustees) of the Endowment & Financial Advisory Committee. [Amendment of 5/22/05]

B. Throughout the year, present to the Church Council for its consideration nominees to fill vacancies that may occur;

C. Maintain a complete record of persons elected or appointed to official positions in the church and the dates of their service.

ARTICLE VII Endowment & Financial Advisory Committee
 

Section 1: Members

A. The Endowment and Financial Advisory Committee shall have five members, which shall include the chair of the Board of Trustees, the Church Treasurer, and three (3) other members elected at large from the active membership of the congregation.

B. The term of each member elected at large shall be three (3) years, with the exception of the first three years after the adoption of the Resolution establishing the Endowment Fund. During that period, members will be elected for staggered terms of office, as stipulated in the Resolution. No member shall serve more than two consecutive three (3)-year terms. After a one-year absence from the Committee, former Committee members may be re-elected.

C. 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 fulfill the term of the vacancy.

Section 2: It shall be the duty of the Endowment & Financial Advisory Committee to:

A. Assist The Board of Trustees of First Congregational United Church of Christ in the investment and management of the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ Endowment Fund. This Committee shall operate within the parameters of the Resolution (adopted by the Congregation on October 27, 2002) establishing that Fund.
 

ARTICLE VIII  Delegates
 

Section 1: Members

A. The church Council shall make all appointments for official church delegates to the Western Association and Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Church of Christ.

B. To be appointed as a lay delegate, a person must be an active member of FCC as defined in this Constitution.

Section 2: Duties

A. The responsibilities of lay delegates shall be:

a) to represent FCC at the Annual Meeting of the Western Association, and at the Annual Meeting of the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Church of Christ;

b) to report to the Congregation of FCC significant news and events in the Association and Conference, particularly as learned at the Annual Meetings.

B. Lay delegates shall serve for a minimum of two years, and a maximum of three years (consecutively).

C. Expenses of lay delegates for the purpose of attending meetings of the Western Association and of the Rocky Mountain Conference shall be reimbursed by First Congregational Church, within the parameters specified in the FCC Travel Reimbursement Polices.
 

 

ARTICLE IX Elections, Terms, Vacancies

Section 1: Election: At the Annual Meeting in May of each year, the active members of the church shall elect the Officers of the Church, members-at-large of the Church Council, presiding officers and members of the Standing Boards, and members of the Endowment & Financial Committee.

Section 2: Terms:

A. All officers of the Church shall serve for one (1) year, and may be re-elected to office provided that none shall serve in the same office for more than five (5) consecutive years.

B. Council members-at-large shall serve a term of three (3) years, with approximately one-third retiring each year. Such retiring members-at-large may be re-elected to Council, but may serve as members-at-large for no more than two (2) consecutive terms of three years each.

C. Members of the Standing Boards shall serve a term of three (3) years with approximately one-third of the members retiring each year. Retiring Board members may be re-elected to the same Board, but may serve only two (2) consecutive terms, unless an exception is approved by the Church Council. Retiring Board members may be elected to another Board. The exception shall be newly-created Boards, which will elect members as follows: One for a term of three (3) years, one for a term of two (2) years, and one for a term of one (1) year. Thereafter, at each annual meeting, the congregation shall elect one member for a three (3) year term.

Presiding Officers of the Standing Boards are elected for a one-year term, and may be re-elected to their office, but may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms as presiding officer.

D. All Officers, Council members, Board and committee members shall hold office until their successors are elected or appointed.

E. No person shall serve in more than one elected position at the same time, unless an exception is approved by the Church Council (with the exception of the elected members of the Endowment & Financial Advisory Committee, who may serve in one elected position in addition to their service on The Endowment & Financial Advisory Committee).

F. Six (6) months or more in office shall be considered as one year.

G. At its Annual Meeting in May, the membership shall be asked to confirm in office those appointed by the Church Council to complete unexpired terms.
 

 

ARTICLE X Amendments
 

Proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws shall first be submitted in writing to the Church Council. Council shall consider such amendments no later than two Council meetings following the date of submission, and shall respond to the submitter no later than one month following the Council meeting in which the item was considered. If by a majority vote for the members present and voting, the Church Council deems the proposal to be consistent with the mission and goals of First Congregational Church, written notice of the proposed amendment shall be published in the Tower Chimes or sent by mail to all active members, along with the recommendation of the Church Council and the proposed time and place of the congregational meeting, at least one full week prior to the meeting, and shall be announced from the pulpit the Sunday preceding the meeting. A favorable vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the active members present and voting at the congregational meeting shall be required to amend the Constitution and Bylaws.

ARTICLE XI Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of this Church.

As revised: May 20, 2007
 

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