Constitution And By-Laws
Holy Trinity Parish Council
Article I – Name
The name of the Council will be known as Holy Trinity Parish Council in Somerset, Ohio.
Article II – Purpose
Section 1: Purposes
The council shall study, plan, coordinate, execute, and support the spiritual and temporal programs for the parish. It shall also implement the recommendations of the Most Reverend Bishop and the Pastor. This Council encourages participation in community affairs, whenever possible and ecumenically feasible, with the Pastor’s recommendation and/or approval.
It will endeavor to discover in the parishioners intellectual and technical abilities to be used for advantage of the parish and community.
Section 2: Powers
1. The Parish Council shall exercise powers appropriate to its functions and as specified in Canon Law, the Constitution and By-Laws and subsequent amendments established by the Council itself.
2. The Pastor has authority from the Bishop and the universal law of the Church to decide and act on behalf of the Parish (Canon #532). The Parish Council works closely with the pastor and is a consultative body that assists the pastor in fulfilling his responsibilities.
3. Although the pastor is not obligated to follow the counsel of the Parish Council, the pastor should not act against such advice, especially when there is consensus, unless there is an overriding reason. When acting contrary to its counsel, the pastor should provide an explanation to the Parish Council regarding the reasons for his decision.
4. If in the event there is a difference of mind between the Pastor and the Parish Council in a matter of major concern that cannot be solved to the satisfaction of both parties, recourse can be made to the Bishop or Provincial of the Dominican Order by either party.
Article III – Membership
Section 1:
The members shall be active, practicing Catholic members of this parish at least 21 years or older.
Section 2:
Membership in the Council requires attendance at all regular meetings of the Parish Council. Any member absent three consecutive regular council meetings, without having notified a council member that he must be absent, shall have his present membership automatically terminated.
Section 3:
The Parish Council membership shall consist of:
1. The Pastor and eight elected council members.
2. Appointed Members: those selected by the Parish Council to serve the
unexpired term of elected members.
Article IV – Nominations and Elections
Section 1: Council Members
Election of members shall be done by majority vote of the parish. Elected members will serve a three year term and will be installed at the first meeting in January.
Section 2: Officers
Election of President, Vice-President and Secretary will be held in May.
Section 3:
In the event of a tie vote, a run-off vote by the council will be held.
Section 4:
In the event an elected office is vacated, with the exception of the presidency, nominations shall be accepted from the floor at the next general meeting of the council. Election by ballot will be held at that meeting.
Article V – Duties Of Officers
President:
1. Preside and conduct all meetings of the Council, whether regular or special.
2. Serve as Ex Officio member of all Council Committees and Protem Committees.
3. Cooperate with all Chairmen of Committees in the appointment and/or selection of Committee members.
4. Appoint special committees.
Vice-President:
1. Assist the President in the performance of his duties.
2. Assume the duties of the President in his absence, and assume the office of President in the event it is vacated prior to termination of office.
3. Assume special responsibilities as designated by the President or the Council.
Secretary:
1. Faithfully keep a true record of all proceedings (Minutes) of the Parish Council at the regular and special sessions; and supervise the publication of these minutes in the parish bulletins.
2. Maintain an updated record of the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and terms of office of all Council members.
3. Maintain an attendance record of all Council membership, noting the duly excused, and those absent without reporting; bring to the attention of the Council those members who fail to attend three consecutive meetings.
4. Receive and file all Council business correspondence.
5. Declare all Council correspondence under proper meeting procedure, whether old or new business.
6. Attend to such correspondence as is delegated by the President or Council.
7. Mail or phone, as needs warrant, announcement of regular meetings should time or place differ from established procedure; also notify Council members of special meetings.
Article VI – Parish Organizations
Section 1:
The established Parish Organizations are the Rosary Alter Society, Home and School Association, Athletic Association and School Advisory Board.
Section 2:
Each Parish Organization may send one representative to the Parish Council meeting.
Section 3:
Each Parish Organization shall be self-sustaining. The use of funds shall be determined by the members. A financial report shall be submitted each September 1 to the Finance Committee.
Article VII – Meetings
Section 1:
Regular meetings of the Parish Council shall be the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00.
Section 2:
Special meetings may be called by the Pastor or President or by the majority of the Council members.
Article VIII – Rules of Order
Section 1:
The Parish Council shall make no legislation pertinent to the work of the Council Committees that has not first been discussed and accepted by the specific Committees.
Section 2:
Voting members of the Council are: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Pastor and elected members.
Section 3:
When a quorum is present a minimum of 5 votes is required for any motion that is in order. A quorum for all meetings will consist of a majority of the voting members.
Article IX – Amendments
Section 1:
Amendments to this Constitution and By-Laws may be proposed provided notice of the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing at least ten (10) days prior to a regular Council meeting.
Section 2:
Amendments will become part of the Constitution and By-Laws, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been read at two consecutive meetings and passed by a two-thirds vote of the members present.
Article X – Committees
Section 1:
In order to effectively fulfill the purpose of the Parish Council, Committees are established to determine total parish needs and their fulfillment, to distribute projects and programs, and to obtain the best insight into these projects and programs and their resolutions.
Section 2:
Each Committee, at its discretion, may employ the talents of needed personnel, even outside the parochial bounds, to fulfill its work. It may be that the extra-parochial personnel may require approval for consultative work by reason of person at expense. Such approval must be given by the Council.
Section 3:
The following Committees are established:
1. Liturgical – The duties of the Committee will be to provide and train sufficient lectors and commentators, altar servers, junior and senior choirs, and Eucharistic ministers. This Committee will be responsible for the fulfillment of all liturgical requirements and implement all new diocesan directives concerning all religious activities.
2. Finance – This Committee is responsible for the financial administration of the parish. It will prepare annual budgets for the operation of the parish based upon actual and projected income and cost. It will also prepare quarterly and annual financial reports. After July 1st a complete breakdown of income and expenditures. After January 1st a condensed breakdown of income and expenditures.
3. Maintenance – This Committee shall be responsible for all parish property, buildings and land, and shall make recommendations to the Council for repairs, constructions and improvements.
4. Religious Education – This Committee shall be responsible for all religious education and activities. This will include CCD, RCIA, etc.
5. School – This committee shall be responsible for all school activities at HTS.
6. Fellowship – This includes all social and religious groups and activities such as the Rosary Alter Society and committees to be formed as needed.
Section 4:
Council Committees shall send a representative to all meetings or send a written report summarizing the committee’s activities.