CONSTITUTION
ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON PARISH COUNCIL

MECHANICSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

 

PREAMBLE

With the general direction of the Bishop of Harrisburg and the direct supervision of the Pastor, the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Council, as a representative body for the entire Parish community, hereby recognizes its responsibility for fulfillment of the Diocesan Purpose:

“To share the experience of salvation
received from Jesus Christ in the living
Catholic tradition of Word and Sacrament,
drawing all persons into a believing,
hoping, loving and sharing community
which, empowered by the Spirit, gives
glory to the Father through Jesus,
Lord and Savior.”

ARTICLE 1 – NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Council, hereinafter referred to as the “Council”.

ARTICLE 2 – PURPOSE

Section 1

The primary function of the Council is to advise and assist the Pastor in matters relating to the spiritual and temporal aspects of the Parish.

Section 2
The Council, in union with the Pastor and in conformity with Church law and Diocesan policy, has as its responsibility leadership and liaison among all other Parish organizations. All Parish organizations shall be accountable to the Council. Therefore, the Council shall consult with these committees on progress and implementation as often as it deems advisable.

Section 3
Each Parish organization has the responsibility to establish a policy for its own area of accountability. It is the responsibility and authority of the Council to review any organization’s policy or program.

Section 4
The Council shall invite and respond to all input from the Parish. The Council shall be responsive to the concerns of the parishioners. All Council meetings shall be open to all members of the Parish. The agenda shall include time for input from any parishioners.

ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1
The Council shall be composed of fifteen (15) members plus the Pastor.
Five (5) members shall assume Council membership each year; with three (3) members elected in accordance with Article 3, Section 2, and two (2) members appointed by the Pastor.

Section 2

1. Membership of the Council will be open to any parishioner who is a practicing Catholic, at least seventeen (17) years of age and consents to be nominated or wishes to submit his or her name as a candidate. Members will then be elected from these names. An election committee appointed by the Council shall establish guidelines for the election. These guidelines shall be approved by the Council.

2. Three (3) parishioners will be elected annually to serve a three (3) year term. Two (2) parishioners will be appointed annually by the Pastor to serve a three (3) year term.

3. No member may succeed himself or herself. One (1) year must elapse between terms of office.

4. Unexpired terms of nine (9) months or more of elected members shall be filled by the person who received the next highest number of votes at the last election. Such members serving less than a term of two (2) full years may stand for a full term election following their term of office; those serving more than two (2) full years may not stand for reelection without an elapse of one (1) year between terms of office.

5. Unexpired terms of nine (9) months or more of appointed members shall be filled by appointment of the Pastor. Such members serving less than a term of two (2) full years may be appointed by the Pastor for a full term following their term of office; those serving more than two (2) full years may not be appointed by the Pastor without an elapse of one (1) year between terms of office.

Section 3

Membership on the Council shall be personal and non-transferrable.

Section 4

Eight (8) Council members present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum. A quorum is required to conduct Council business. A majority of those present is sufficient to pass any motion before the Council.

Section 5

All Council members present, with the exception of the Pastor, shall be voting members.

Section 6

Because the Pastor is canonically responsible for the Parish, he shall retain veto power over all Council decisions.

Section 7

The Council activity year shall be from November 1 to October 31, with new members taking office in November.

Section 8

Council meetings shall be held during the months of September, November, January, March, and May, unless otherwise ordered by the Pastor.

Section 9

Special Council meetings may be called by the Pastor, the Chairperson, or a majority of the Council members.

Section 10

Three (3) unexcused absences from meetings by a member in a six (6)-month period shall constitute termination of that member from the Council. Members will be excused for any personal or business reason accepted by the Pastor or the Chairperson.

After the second (2nd) unexcused absence of any Council member, the Chairperson shall contact the absent Council member relative to the absence, inquiring as to the reason for the absences and reminding the member of the provisions of this section.

After inquiry, should the member be absent the third (3rd) time, her/his membership shall be terminated by letter signed by the Chairperson.

ARTICLE 4 – OFFICERS

Section 1

Elected Officers of the Council shall be: A) Chairperson, B) First Vice-chairperson, C) Second Vice-chairperson. A Secretary shall be appointed by the Chairperson.

Section 2
The Chairperson shall:

1. Preside at meetings of Council.
2. Appoint Council representatives to attend meetings of other Parish organizations where official representation of the Council is desirable.
3. Provide leadership for programs, objectives, goals and activities for the Council.
4. Appoint, with approval of the Pastor and of the majority of Council members, such committees and delegates that are necessary to implement the objectives and goals of the Council and Parish.
5. Submit, with the approval of the Council, such reports as needed by the Pastor.

Section 3

1. The First Vice-chairperson shall:
2. Preside at meetings of the Council in the absence of the Chairperson.
3. Assist the Chairperson in all matters of Council.
4. Succeed the chairperson, if necessary.
5. The Second Vice-chairperson shall assume the duties of the First Vice-chairperson, if necessary.
6. The Secretary shall:
7. Record and distribute minutes of Council meetings.
8. Keep an updated record of attendance by Council members and inform the Chairperson when any members have been absent from two (2) meetings without excuse.

Section 4

Any vacancy in office will be filled by an election of the Council.

ARTICLE 5 – NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1

Nominations shall be made from the floor.

Section 2
The term of each elected Council officer shall be for one (1) year, beginning in October. An officer may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms.

Section 3
Election of officers for the ensuing year shall beheld at the September meeting. If there is more than one (1) candidate for any office, election shall be by secret ballot. If there is only one (1) candidate for an office, election may be by voice vote.

ARTICLE 6 – AMENDMENTS

Section 1

Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by any member of the Council.

Section 2

The Chairperson shall publish any proposed amendments to the Council at least five (5) weeks in advance of the meeting at which action will be taken and must be included in the previous month’s agenda. Every proposal must be voted on within three (3) months.

Section 3

Amendments to the Constitution shall be voted on at a regular or special Council meeting at which action will be taken if a quorum is present. A two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote will be required for approval.

Section 4

All amendments to this Constitution will become effective immediately after Council approval.

ARTICLE 7 – MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1

The Council may be dissolved by the Bishop, the Pastor, or by the Council.

Section 2

All Council records shall be maintained in perpetuity in the Parish Office.

ARTICLE 8 – STANDING MISSIONS

The standing Missions are as follows:

1. Mission of Parish Administration
2. Mission of Community
3. Mission of Education and Outreach
4. Mission of Liturgy and Worship
5. Mission of Service

Adopted:                                 May 3, 1984
Amended:                               Article 8: May 7, 1987
Amended:                               Article 3, Section 8: March 30, 1995