Decision Making Policy
The church meets at least quarterly for business meetings at times and dates determined yearly by the Guidance Team. By the first Sunday of December, the Guidance Team will determine and post times and dates of business meetings for the following year. Business meetings are conducted in accordance with Roberts’ Rules of Order, latest edition. Any church member who has a motion to present is expected to submit this motion in writing at a Guidance Team meeting at least one week prior to the business meeting.
Unless otherwise specified, votes are by show of hands; majority rules. All budget votes, however, require a ¾ majority of the members present. Furthermore, the church may vote to require a larger majority for a specific vote that will take place in a future business meeting. In any business meeting, any vote may be conducted by secret ballot if a majority of the church votes to do so at that time. Unless otherwise specified, ballots will be counted in the church office by the Guidance Team leader, the church clerk, and a church member selected by the moderator. Any person present may be involved in the discussion of a motion, but only members of the church may vote.
Special business meetings may be called by giving a one-week notice. Any standing or ad-hoc team my call a business meeting. In emergencies (as declared by unanimous agreement of the Guidance Team leader, the moderator, and the Shepherd leader), less than one week’s notice will be allowed for a business meeting. Shepherds must attempt to notify all members as far in advance as possible of the emergency meeting. At special business meetings, the only business considered will be that for which the meeting was called.
Only the church may create or dissolve standing and ad-hoc teams to serve the church. Individual teams may create and dissolve sub-teams (standing or ad-hoc) charged with performing some specific duty for that team. Only church members may be elected to serve on teams. At each regularly scheduled business meeting, each team is requested to have a representative present while the following teams are required to give reports:
· Guidance Team
· Finance and Administration (must provide the church balance sheet and spending vs. budget for current year)
· Shepherds
· Other teams may report as needed