Administrative Board

Responsibilities

1. Conduct work in covenant with the Pastor, Ministries, and standing committees, in accordance with the By-Laws. 
2. Under the direction of the Congregation, and except as provided otherwise, the  Administrative Board has jurisdiction over the church’s financial affairs, always subject to the laws of New York State. These duties include but are not limited to:  

• • Establishing an annual budget, a stewardship campaign, adjusting the budget as necessary, and carrying it out.
  • Authorizing disbursements of funds, as determined by the Ministry Plan and requested by the Ministries.  
  • Directing the Treasurer to make periodic financial reports available to the Ministries and the Congregation. 
  • Managing all insurance, tax filings and issues, pension and similar staff contributions,  investments, legal and regulatory concerns, etc. with assistance from the Treasurer.
  • Directing the Treasurer to use Reserves as needed to make up any shortfalls in the Budget. 
  • Managing the Designated Funds as shown in the chart on the last page of these Guidelines. 
  • Reviewing, recommending, and implementing changes to the church’s technology. 

3. Hold business meetings at least quarterly that are open to all church members.  Portions of meetings dealing with confidential personnel matters will be closed to non-members. 
4. Make decisions by consensus; that is, find “common ground” that all members can accept. In the rare case that a vote must be taken, majority approval (4 members) is required for action. 
5. Create sub-groups and recruit additional volunteers to support specific functions and tasks where special expertise or additional volunteers are needed to carry out Admin. Board objectives efficiently and effectively. These sub-groups are currently: Finance,  Audit, Collectors, Personnel, Membership, Nominating, Fundraising, Historians,  Pastor/Parish Relations, and Bylaws. 
6. Employ, evaluate, discharge, and set the conditions and terms of employment of all non-pastoral church staff, with recommendations from the Personnel Committee in concert with the Pastor. (Article V governs the pastoral call). 
7. Launch Search Committees as needed to carry out the call process. 
8. Determine which local and area conferences, associations, councils, scout organizations, etc. shall have representation from church members. 
9. Review, and propose church policy for congregational votes, based on ministry team recommendations.  
10. Collect input from the Ministry Teams to draft the annual Ministry Plan for approval by the Congregation at the Annual Program Meeting. 
11. Receive recommendations from the Bylaws Committee and make recommendations to the congregation for a vote as needed.