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ARTICLE I -NAME
The organization shall be known as the Parish Council of St. Mary, Mother of the Church, Fishkill, New York 12524.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The Parish Council shall serve as a permanent body that renders decisions, formulates general guiding policy and conducts constructive dialogue for the entire parish community, so that all can work in close cooperation as a Christian community in fulfilling the mission of Christ.
ARTICLE III - AUTHORITY
After the ratification of the Constitution by the Parish members, all decisions made by the Parish Council are forwarded to the Pastor for his consideration and approval. The Council recognizes that it is bound to observe norms established by the Archdiocese in such areas as Ecumenism and Liturgy.
MEMBERSHIP
Any adult member of the Parish, eighteen (18) years older, will be eligible to serve on the Parish Council.
The membership of the council shall be as follows:
1. Ex-Officio Members - Ex-Officio Members of the Council will include the Pastor, Parochial Vicars, Deacons, School Principal, Director of Religious Education, Chairperson of the Finance Council, and two Parish Trustees. Ex-Officio members, with the exception of the Pastor, willl have the right to vote on all issues brought before the council.
2. Elected Members - A maximum of fifteen (15) members at large will serve on the Parish Council. They should be representative of all ages, geographical areas of the Parish, ethnic groups and interests.
3. Non-Voting Members - Non-voting delagates should be appointed by any recognized Parish organization(e.g. CYO, Marian Guild, Holy Name Society, etc.). Representatives of outside organizations may be invited to future meetings by a simple majority vote of the Council.
4. Removal - Any member missing three (3) cosecutive meetings is subject to removal from the Council by simple majority vote of the Council.
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS
The officers of the Parish Council will be the President, First Vice-president, Second Vice- President and Secretary.
1. The President will conduct the meetings of the Parish Council, prepare the agenda for the meeting and bring an pertinent information to the attention of the Council.
2. The First Vice-President will conduct the Council meetings in the absence of the President and will attend any useful meetings and forums conducted that contain information important to the Council and report back to the Council. He/she may also assumes other duties as directed by the President of the Parish council.
3. The Second Vice-President will assist the President in initiating and/or directing special activities. He/she may also assume other duties as directed by the Parish Council.
4. The Secretary will record the minutes of the Parish Council meetings, see that notification of the meeting is made in the Parish Bulletin, or in the event of a special meeting, call all the members and advise them of the special meeting. He/she will also initiate and maintain a Parish Council Directory containing name address and telephone number of all persons serving on the Parish Council and the Council Committees. He/she may also assume other duties as directed by the President or the Parish Council.
ARITCLE VI - MEETINGS
The Parish Council will meet monthly, except for July and August. Dates and times for the next session will be agreed by the two-thirds (2/3) majority vote at the meeting of the previous year.
1. A Quourum for the monthly meetings, and any special meetings shall consist of a majority of the Parish Council voting members.
2. A special Parish Council meeting can be called by the President or initiated by a petition signed by five (5) elected council members at large.
3. All Council members shall receive copies of the minutes of the previous monthly meeting to the current months meeting.
4. Council meetings are open to all Parishioners. Non-members must be recognized by the President if they wish to speak.
ARTICLE VII -NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
1. The term of elected Council members will be for three (3) consecutive years, renewable based on a Nominating Committee recommendation and subsequent election by the Parishioners.
2. Yearly elections shall be held to elect one third (1/3) of the members at large on a rotating basis to conform to Article VII, section 1 of this Constitution.
3. Nominations of Council Members-at-large: The Nominating Committee shall be composed of three (3) parishioners appointed by the Parish council as provided in the By-Laws. It shall solicit nominees for election to the Parish Council.
4. Election of Council Members-at-large: The election of the members-at-large shall take place once each year by registered Parishioners completing a written ballot. Counting of the balots and publication of the results will be as provided in the By-Laws.
ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES
All committees shall be subject to control of and shall report to the Parish Council.
Standing Committee:
The Standing Committees of the Parish Council shall
be :
a. CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND COMMUNITY LIFE COMMITTEE
is concerned wih the social services provided by
the Parish.
b. SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE is concerned
with the worship and prayer life of the Parish
Community.
c. EDUCATION COMMITTEE is concerned with education
and cathechesis in all the various forms they take
in the Parish.
d. ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEEE is concerned with all
aspects of Parish administration and maintenance of
all facilities.
2. The Standing Committee Chairperson is responsible for recruiting and organizing his/her committee from Council members and other interested parishioners.
3. Standing Committee Chairpersons shall be elected from among the members of the Parish Council at the June Council meeting.
Ad Hoc Committee:
1. The Parish Council may establis from time to time
other committees deemed appropriate for achieving
specific needs as they arise.
2. Te Chairperson of tan Ad Hoc Committee may, but
need not, be a member of the Parish Council.
ARTICLE IX - RATIFICATION
Adoption of this Constitution shall be by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast at a Constitutional referenfum by Parish members. A publicised public hearing on the Constitution shall be provided at least two (2) weeks before such a referendun.
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
1. Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed
by a written petition signed by thirty (30)
registered Parishioners or by a resolution passed by
two-thirds (2/3) of the Parish Council.
2. Proposed amendemnts shall be published i the
Parish Bulletin at least two (2) weeks prior to a
date set for a ratification vote by the Parish
members.
3. Adoption of an amendment shall be by a two-thirds
(2/3) majority of the votes cast at a referendum
held for this purpose.
Approved:____Parish Council President___Date
Approved:____Pastor_____________________Date
