Constitution of the St. Edward Board of Total Catholic Education


PREAMBLE:  STATEMENT OF MISSION AND VISION

As members of the Board of Total Catholic Education of St. Edward Church we recognize our responsibility to encourage and assist our fellow parishioners to continue their faith formation from the “cradle to the grave.”


ARTICLE I - NAME

Section 1 - name
The name of this advisory body shall be:  St. Edward Board of Total Catholic Education, hereinafter referred to as the Board.


ARTICLE II  - PURPOSE & FUNCTION

Section 1 - purpose
The purpose of the Board shall be to advise the Pastor of St. Edward’s. 

Section 2 - function
The Board shall seek to initiate educational programs for parishioners of all ages.


ARTICLE III – LEADERSHIP

Section 1 – Pastor
By virtue of his appointment by the Bishop, the Pastor has the final responsibility for the total educational ministry in the parish.  The Pastor must participate in planning for this ministry and ratify decisions regarding it before implementation can begin.

Section 2 – Administrator(s)
The Pastor delegates his responsibility for the educational ministry to the parish educational administrators – the Principal and the CCD Coordinator as initiators and implementers of policy.

Section 3 – Board
The Board offers counsel to the pastor; thereby assisting him in policy formation for all parish educational programs.


ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 – number
There will be nine (9) elected members on the Board.

Section 2 – age
Each Board member must be twenty-five (25) years old and a registered, practicing Catholic parishioner of St. Edward Church.

Section 3 – vision and concern
Each Board member has vision and concern for the total Catholic educational needs of the parish.

Section 4 – time commitment
Each Board member shows willingness to make a time commitment to the work of the Board.

Section 5 – skills
Each Board member possesses or is willing to learn skills needed for consensus decision making and communication.

Section 6 – not an employee
Board members may not be an employee of any educational program under the direction of the Board.

Section 7 - by ballot
Election to the Board will be by ballot.  Each year three (3) members will be elected by parishioners.

Section 8 – length of term
The term of service on the Board will be three years.  The term begins in July and ends in June three years later.  Each year three members will be replaced.  Board members may be re-elected for another three year term.

Section 9 - resignations
All resignations from the Board should be submitted in writing at least one week in advance of the next meeting of the Board.

Section 10 – vacancy
A vacancy arising from death or resignation will be filled at will by the Pastor.

Section 11 – ex officio members
In addition to the nine (9) elected members, ex officio members of the Board will be:  the Bishop, the Pastor, the Principal, and the CCD Coordinator.


ARTICLE V – NOMINATIONS & ELECTION

Section 1 - nominations
All parishioners will be given an opportunity to nominate parishioners.  This effort will also include nominations for the Parish Council.  Each year in April nominations will be solicited from parishioners at large.   To facilitate this process the Pastor or his designee will prepare a nomination sheet including pertinent information concerning the Board.  This nomination sheet will be distributed at Mass and in pew nominations will take place at that time. 

Section 2 - election
After nominations have been conducted the Pastor or his designee will contact each possible candidate and ask if the nominee will agree to place his/her name on the ballot.  The election of three new members will take place in May/June at Mass.

Section 3 – results of election
The results of the election will be recorded in a memo which will be sent to all candidates on the ballot.  The names of those elected will be published in the bulletin.


ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS

Section 1 - officers
A Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary will be elected by secret ballot at the first meeting after the annual election. 

Section 2 – term of office
Each officer will serve for one year and may be re-elected.

Section 3 - functions of officers
a.    The Chairperson shall preside at all regular and special meetings of the Board.  The Chairperson serves as a member of the School Advisory Committee.  S/he may be asked to attend Parish Council Meeting as needed or requested.
b.    The Vice-chairperson shall perform all the duties of the Chairperson when s/he is absent or unable to act.  The Vice-chairperson serves a member of the School Advisory Committee.
c.    The Secretary shall maintain a written record of all acts of the Board, conduct, receive and dispose of all correspondence as directed, preserve all reports and documents committed to his/her care.

Section 4 – vacated office
In the event that the Chairperson must vacate his/her term of office, the Vice-chairperson shall assume the office of Chairperson until the term expires.  In the event that the Vice-chairperson or Secretary must vacate his/her term, the said vacated office shall be filled by an election of the Board.


ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS

Section 1 - frequency
Meetings of the Board will be held bi-monthly. 

Section 2 – quorum
A simple majority of elected and ex-officio members at any meeting shall constitute a quorum.

Section 3 – attendance
The Board meetings are open to parishioners/parents/faculty.  At the end of the meeting the Chairperson will open the floor to anyone wishing to address the Board.  At least one meeting each quarter shall be open to all parents/guardians and parishioners.  Board members may invite any committee/organization or other to attend the meeting and make a report.

Section 4 – confidentiality
Much of the business of the Board is confidential and therefore must be treated as such.  Board members are also delegates of parishioners and should help them to understand the operation and scope of the Board and other pertinent information.

Section 5  – special meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Pastor when a matter affecting the general welfare of any educational program is in question.  A special meeting is permitted where necessity demands, or the changing laws of the diocese make it necessary.  Also it is recommended that when there is a change in Pastor a special meeting be called with the new appointee or the Bishop’s delegate.

Section 6  – All Councils meeting
On occasion the Board will meet in conjunction with the Finance Council and Parish Council.  This All Councils meeting will facilitate communication between the Councils & the Board and the sharing of information and planning for future events and goals.  The Pastor will preside over the All Councils meeting.


ARTICLE VIII – DECISION MAKING & CONSENSUS

Section 1 - consensus building
Participating in the Board’s decision making process through consensus,
calls for a definite procedure for Board members.
a)  A thorough investigation of all facets of the issue should be undertaken
      individually or by a committee.
b)  With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, every effort should be made to achieve a deep
      understanding of the issue, using whatever talents and expertise are available
      within the Board.
c)  Full participation by Board members – open forum discussions of the issue should
     then take place; each member should be invited to express reasons why he or she
     takes a given position.
d)  The collective opinion, or consensus, should then be called for and provided.
e)  When Board members work with the consensus model, they must provide concrete
      reasons why they agree or disagree with a proposed action.

Section 2 - role of the individual Board member
a)  Analyze his/her own position as thoroughly as possible before the meeting,
      realizing that the task is incomplete until the missing pieces are supplies by other
      members of the Board.  Each person has a part of the truth.  To accomplish this
      well, one should have the agenda and proposal under study several days prior to
      the meeting.
b)  Recognize an obligation to express his/her own opinion and explain it fully so that
      other members will have the benefit of all members’ thinking.
c)  Recognize an obligation to listen to the opinions and feelings of other members and
      to be ready to modify his/her position on the basis of logic, understanding and
      sensitivity.
d)  Avoid conflict-reducing techniques such as voting, compromising or giving in to
      keep the peace, realizing that differences of opinion are both acceptable and
      helpful.  By exploring differences, the best course of action will gradually become
      apparent.  Consensus begins only when members are listening and open to all
      possibilities.

Section 3 - results of consensus
Consensus incorporates the realization that:
a)  The decision is being made in the most acceptable under the circumstances.
b)  The decision represents areas of agreement rather than disagreement.
c)  No one side of faction has been “defeated.”
d)  The welfare of the entire parish has been considered; and
e)  Each member of the group can consequently live with the final recommendation.

Section 4 - benefits of consensus
Resolving issues by consensus means that:
a)  Emphasis has been placed on people and consideration has been given to their
      growth of faith.
b)  Everyone has had an opportunity for input.
c)  The resulting conclusions should be beneficial in some degree to all members.
d)  Everyone affected should be comfortable with the conclusion.

Section 5 - obstacles to consensus
a)  Rigidity in one’s opinions.  Strong opinions and closed mindedness make
      consensus nearly impossible.
b)  Aggressiveness.  A hostile suspicious attitude toward contrary opinions and a
      determination to “win” the discussion eradicates the possibility of consensus.
c)  Smothering, interrupting or over-talking others and expressing impatience with the
     dialogue can serve to cut short the process of consensus.  Such behavior may
     indicate a lack of openness to change or masks a fear of conflict.

Section 6 - how consensus is different than compromise
a)  Compromise is achieved by “mutual concessions” each person settles for
      something less than what is desired.  Consensus is “general agreement” and since
      each person’s position is respected and fully heard, the emotional climate is far
      better.
b)  There is also a relational difference between consensus and compromise.  The
      process of consensus tends to create closer relationships in a group, building group
      solidarity.  Persons usually favor consensus over compromise because individuals
      and their gifts are recognized, creativity is encouraged and there are no losers.

The Board’s use of consensus model is most authentic when used in the context of prayerful discernment and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.


ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES
 
Section 1 – formation of additional committees
At any time additional committees may be formed if necessity requires them, be they temporary or becoming a Standing Committee of the Board.  New committees should operate under a constitution and have a clear understanding of how it relates to the Board and other committees.

Section 2 – St. Edward School Advisory Committee
This Committee will assist the school to become the best it can be.  Its efforts promote the good that is already accomplished and find ways to improve the areas that are lacking and need revision.  The implementation of all policies, ideas and initiatives of the Committee are brought to the Board for approval.

The Advisory Committee will consist of seven (7) selected members.  These include:   two members of the faculty;  a member of the school staff;  a member of the Parents Club;  a parent of a non-Catholic student, and two members of the Board. 


ARTICLE X - OTHER ADVISORY COUNCILS OF THE PARISH

Section 1 – Finance Council
The Finance Council plans for and monitors the financial health of St. Edward Parish.  They recognize that sources of income translate into financing the ministry of the parish.   They offer counsel and guidance to the Pastor on those issues which affect the financial well-being of the parish.

Section 2 – Parish Council
The Parish Council attempts to find new ways to encourage parishioners to become involved in and with the Catholic Faith.  This is accomplished by initiating new organizations and ministries within the parish to involve as many parishioners as possible.


ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS OR CHANGES

Section 1 - amendments
Amendments to the Board constitution may be made:
a)     after a study by a special committee of Board members;
b)      thereafter informing all absent Board members when the amendment is to be
         made;
c)     by consensus of the Board members.

Section 2 - changes
Changes in the constitution of this Board will be considered adopted or voided in whole should the law of the diocese, synod, bishops’ conference, or the Canon Law make contrary rulings to any of the proceedings or practices of this Board is set forth above.


ARTICLE XII – DEVELOPING POLICY
   
Section 1 - process on developing policy:
The idea/issue for a policy can be generated in a number of ways:
-    proposed by a member of the Board
-    proposed by a parent or member of the parish
-    proposed by the Pastor
-    proposed by the Principal
Once the idea/issue has been suggested it is brought to the Board for discussion and evaluation.

If the idea/issue receives a consensus from the Board and is accepted by the Pastor,
the idea/issue is appropriately worded and then implemented.


This Constitution was amended on February 26, 2009.


Three constitutions, the Board of Total Catholic Education, the Finance Council and the Parish Council, were modified so that each possessed: 
1) a similar arrangement of content;
2) a similar Article content so that each board/council operates in a similar fashion;
3) an understanding of the interdependence of these three advisory bodies.