ARTICLE II. Church Boards

Section 1. General Guidelines for Boards. Membership in the Church shall be required of members of boards. It is suggested that all boards meet to elect a chairperson and a clerk prior to the first Council meeting after the annual meeting. A majority of board members shall constitute a quorum. Boards shall diligently observe the guidelines of the Church bylaws, the United Church of Christ Manual on Ministry and Leaders’ Guide, and Roberts’ Rules of Order; shall submit an annual report to the Church clerk at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting. Vacancies on boards due to members’ resignation or death shall be filled by Council on recommendations of the Nominating Committee.

Section 2. The Council shall be the executive body of the Church and shall act for the Church between annual meetings.

A. Membership of Council. Members of Council shall be members of the Church and shall include the following: the pastor, moderator and vice-moderator, clerk, treasurer, financial secretary, the chairperson or a designated representative from each board and standing committee, a member-at-large, and a youth representative not older than 25 years of age. (The member-at-large and the youth representative shall be elected at annual meeting for a one-year term). The pastor shall be a voting member of Council. An interim pastor who is not a member of the Church shall be an ex-officio non-voting member of Council.

B. Responsibilities. The Council shall meet regularly, or on the call of the Church moderator or the vice-moderator, who shall be the presiding officer; the Church clerk shall serve as secretary. A majority of members shall constitute a quorum. The Council shall receive reports from all boards and committees; shall interpret the will of the Church; shall present Church goals and objectives at annual meeting; shall supervise the activities of the Church according to the Church constitution and bylaws and the United Church of Christ Manual on Ministry; shall maintain a calendar of activities of all committees; shall appoint ad-hoc committees when necessary; shall nominate a Nominating Committee to be elected at annual meeting; shall, when a pastoral vacancy occurs, name a Search Committee as elected at a special meeting of the Church (see Article VI, Section 2); shall appoint successors to serve un-expired terms of officers, trustees, and deacons.

Section 3. The Board of Trustees shall be responsible, under the direction of the Church, for all property, financial, and business affairs of the Church.

A. Membership of the Board of Trustees shall number five, one elected each year at annual meeting for a term of five years; shall be eligible for re-election after a one-year interval; shall serve as members of the Finance Committee.

B. Responsibilities. The Board of Trustees shall elect annually a chairperson and a clerk; shall meet regularly and upon the call of the chairperson. A majority of board members shall constitute a quorum. The trustees shall ensure through the treasurer, the payment of salaries and current expenses of the Church; may appoint ad-hoc committees and sub-committees as needed, such as the Parsonage Committee or the Centre Cemetery Committee. At least one trustee shall serve on any ad-hoc or sub-committee of the Board of Trustees. The trustees may grant use of Church property for private or community functions; shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, rent, lease, or transfer any real property without a call for a special meeting of the Church, at which not less than ten percent of the membership is present and voting, and at which a vote of consent shall be by two-thirds of those members present and voting; shall submit an annual report to the Church clerk at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting.

Section 4. The Diaconate is responsible for the spiritual life of the Church.

A. Membership of the Diaconate shall number six, elected for a term of three years. Two members shall be elected each year at annual meeting; may serve two consecutive terms; shall be eligible for re-election after a one-year interval. The pastor shall in addition be a voting member of the Diaconate. An interim pastor who is not a member of the church shall be an ex-officio non-voting member of the Diaconate.

B. Responsibilities. The Diaconate shall elect annually a chairperson and clerk; shall meet regularly and upon the call of the chairperson. A majority of board members shall constitute a quorum. The Diaconate shall exemplify and encourage the spiritual growth and life of the Sanbornton Congregational Church and the wider church community; shall closely cooperate with and assist the pastor in pastoral ministry, visiting the sick, the needy, the shut-ins, and supervising a fund for the same; shall assist the pastor in administering the sacraments of baptism and communion; shall greet prospective members and assist the pastor in the official reception of new members; shall encourage participation of new members in Church activities; shall provide substitute preachers when necessary; shall submit a budget to the Finance Committee by December 1; shall submit an annual report to the Church clerk at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting.