St. Pauls - Council

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St. Pauls - Council

Governance

In keeping with one of the distinguishing features of the United Church of Christ, St. Pauls is entirely self-governing. In 1989, St. Pauls replaced its Session form of government with a streamlined Church Council. Utilizing a "bottom-up" governing structure, the St. Pauls Bylaws vests all governing authority in the Congregation, which it then delegates to the Church Council and the Pastoral Staff. The Church Council membership (see below) consists of four officers, the Chairs of the 13 Standing Committees, and five "At-:Large" members, and governs St. Pauls jointly with the {Staff} through its committees.

St. Pauls officers serve staggered two-year terms and may be reelected to two additional consecutive terms. Council chairs and at-large members serve one three-year term, also on a staggered basis. While they may not be reelected to a second term in the same capacity, they may stand for election to the Council in a different capacity. All nominations for Officer and Council vacancies are made through an independent Nominating Committee (see below) that meets annually to recommend a slate of officers and St. Pauls members to fill vacant Council officers. The President has authority to fill vacancies that occur between Congregational annual meetings.

The Congregation meets annually in February to elect Council members and representatives to various affiliated agencies, and to approve the St. Pauls annual budget. The Council meets monthly with the exception of December, July and August. Standing Committees meet either regularly or as needed to complete their work. In addition, the Council or its Standing Committees may appoint task forces to address specific issues.

Normally, these task forces have a specific mission and, therefore, a finite period of time to complete that mission. Any St. Pauls member in good standing is eligible to serve on the Church Council. St. Pauls non-members, also known as Friends of St. Pauls, may serve on any Standing Committee or task force, but may not be elected to the Church Council. The Pastoral Staff and the Youth Education Director are ex-officio members of the Council and serve as staff liaisons to the Standing Committees and task forces.

Church Council Members

COUNCIL POSITIONS	COMMITTEE DESCRIPTIONS	COUNCIL MEMBER NAMES E-mail Addresses
OFFICERS OF THE CONGREGATION
President Chair, Executive Committee	The Executive Committee is empowered to act in emergency situations between Council meetings. It monitors strategic planing, budgetary matters and acts as the church’s personnel committee.	Lorne Frank* This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vice President Chair, Strategic Planning Committee	The Strategic Planning Committee engages in long-range strategic planning for St. Pauls every five years or as needed and determined by the Council.	Char Damron* This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Treasurer Chair, Finance Committee	The Finance Committee prepares the annual operating budget for Council and Congregational review. Oversees the church's investment and endowment funds.	Frank Mynard* This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Secretary		Don Camp* This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Adult Education	The Adult Education Committee creates and executes education programming in accordance with the assessed needs of the adult members/friends of the Congregation.	Ryan Soard This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Communications	The Communications Committee assesses the Congregation’s communications needs and oversees policy, including oversight of St. Pauls website and other communication vehicles such as Now You Know and the Weekly Bulletin.	Doug Black* This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Congregational Life	The Congregational Life Committee creates and executes programs and events that foster a sense of community within the Congregation.	Jan Bail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Facilities	The Facilities Committee assesses and plans for necessary maintenance and upkeep of all St. Pauls facilities.	Bev Petrunich This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Outreach and Benevolence	The Outreach & Benevolence Committee identifies and encourages the external ministries of St. Pauls. Oversees Congregation’s benevolence giving and prepares annual benevolence budget. Fosters external ministry volunteer opportunities.	Tim Nowack This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Stewardship	The Stewardship Education Committee oversees, plans and executes the annual stewardship campaign to sustain St. Pauls programs and activities.	John Sanders* This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wider Church Relations	The Wider Church Relations Committee serves as St. Pauls’ denominational liaison. Oversees policy for sustaining positive relations with the United Church of Christ, as well as the Chicago Metropolitan Association of the UCC, the Illinois Conference of the UCC, and Advocate Health Care.	David Mussatt This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Worship	The Worship Committee assesses and provides policy oversight of all worship services and music programming of St. Pauls.	Lynn Dykstra Davis This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Youth Education	The Youth Education Committee oversees policy for all St. Pauls youth education programs and activities.	Craig McCroskey
MEMBERS AT LARGE
		John Courtney This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
		Jeff Johnson
		Lois Basil* This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
		Melanie Harris
		Karen Johnson This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Transitional Senior Pastor	The Transitional Senior Pastor serves as a voting member of the Council and the Executive Committee.	Benjamin R. Bishop* This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

* denotes Executive Committee member

Nominating Committee

Meeting annually in the fall, the Nominating Committee prepares a slate of candidates for all elected St. Pauls offices for approval by the Congregation at its annual meeting. Advises committee chairs of individuals who express interest in sitting on St. Pauls standing committees and recommends to the President the names of individuals to fill vacancies occurring between Congregational annual Meeting. Membership on the Nominating Committee is restricted to St. Pauls members in good standing for at least one year and who do not currently serve as elected officials of St. Pauls, with the exception of the President, who serves ex-officio. For more detailed information, refer to St. Pauls Bylaws.