After 12/2/13 Elders Meeting

Tropical Sands Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

CONSTITUTION
Revised December 2, 2013 PREAMBLE We, the members of Tropical Sands Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, chartered and incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida, as a Corporation not for profit, do adopt this constitution on this ___ day of __________, 2013. This constitution takes precedence over all other constitutions previously adopted by the congregation. 1. We affirm our faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Gospel accounts of Christs ministry as the sufficient guide to faith and practice, and that the mission of this congregation is to profess faith, proclaim hope and practice love. 2. Tropical Sands Christian Church is affiliated with and is an integral part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. Since the congregation was established as a mission of First Christian Church, West Palm Beach, Florida; The Florida Christian Missionary Society, Ocala, Florida (now the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in Orlando, Florida); and the United Christian Missionary Society, Indianapolis, Indiana (now the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in the United States and Canada): it shall observe in perpetuity an attitude of good-will cooperation and support toward these entities or their legal successors. 3. All elders, pastors, and diaconate represent the entire Tropical Sands Christian Church body, and congregants in all services are encouraged to participate in church-wide activities. 4. An attitude of Christian good-will shall be maintained at all official meetings of the congregation and its organizations. Roberts Rules of Order will be deemed applicable where needed to provide structure or negotiate conflict. 5. This congregation shall maintain an attitude of good-will towards all other religious organizations and shall work for the unity of all Christians.

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ARTICLE I-MEMBERSHIP The membership shall consist of all who voluntarily associate themselves with the congregation by confession of faith in Jesus Christ and by water baptism, either in this or some previous congregation. Members who reside outside of Florida on a seasonal basis may be members of both this and their out-of-state congregation. In the tradition of our founders regarding the pious unemersed, we accept as valid a professed baptism from another Christian body, even where said baptism differs from our tradition. ARTICLE II- ORGANIZATION SECTION A - The Congregation, TSCC Governing Board, Legal Corporation, Board of Elders , and Diaconate 1. Tropical Sands Christian Church, Inc. is and shall remain congregationally organized, every member having voice and one vote in all of its congregational meetings. An (80%) majority of those members of the congregation present and voting is final. The congregation, through duly elected officers of the Corporation, as hereinafter defined, shall have the sole right to buy, sell, and encumber real property in the congregation's name. 2. The officers of the congregation shall be: a Moderator, who shall preside over all congregational meetings, a Vice-Moderator, who shall preside in the absence of the Moderator, Treasurer, and Financial Secretary. These officers shall also serve as officers of the Tropical Sands Christian Church Governing Board (hereinafter referred to as the Governing Board). These officers may succeed themselves except the Moderator shall be limited to three (3) successive one (1) year terms. The Treasurer and Financial Secretary may succeed themselves and are not subject to term limits. The Recording Secretary shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Moderator, and shall be a non-voting member of the Governing Board. All officers shall serve on an annual basis. 3. Additional non-voting positions in the congregation, such as clerk or historian, may be added and defined at the discretion of the Governing Board. These positions shall be held by members of the congregation who may also be members of the Governing Board. 4. The Governing Board shall be the administrative and policy making body of the congregation subject to the will of the congregation, and shall submit to the congregation such major matters as the election of congregational (and Governing Board) officers, members of the Board of Elders and members of the Diaconate. The Governing Board shall prepare an annual budget to be submitted at the scheduled annual meeting. The Governing Board may take and exercise authority to purchase, sell or encumber property not in excess of ten percent (10%) of the fair market value of the property of the corporation. Any encumbrance or loan against/of the property greater than 10% must be approved by a 90% majority of those present and voting members at a regularly scheduled or specially called congregational meeting.

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5. The Board of Elders shall endeavor to provide the spiritual leadership of the congregation in conjunction with the pastors. The leadership of the Board of Elders will be elected within the board itself. Three members of the Board of Elders will serve as members of the Governing Board. One member of the Board of Elders will serve as Directing Elder of the Diaconate. The Board of Elders will endeavor to discern Christs will in all church matters and provide for the sharing of the Lords Supper during all appropriate church worship services. Further duties/responsibilities are defined in the covenants. 6. The Diaconate members shall endeavor to provide the support needed to ensure the successful performance of all authorized church functions, worship services, physical property maintenance, and member care, under the guidance of the Directing Elder. The Diaconate shall elect three members to the Governing Board prior to the first meeting of the Governing Board in the new fiscal year. SECTION B - Legal officers of the Corporation 1. The legal officers of the Tropical Sands Christian Church Corporation shall be the Moderator of the Governing Board, who shall serve as the President of the Corporation, the Vice-Moderator of the Governing Board, who shall serve as Vice-president of the Corporation, the Recording Secretary of the Governing Board (a non-voting member as per Article II, Section A2) who shall serve as Secretary of the Corporation, the Treasurer of the Governing Board who shall serve as Treasurer of the Corporation, and the Financial Secretary. 2. These officers of the Corporation are hereby empowered to sign all legal documents under the seal of the Corporation, but shall do so only upon specific instruction of the Governing Board. Refusal of any officer to sign as instructed may be sufficient grounds for removal from office upon vote of the Governing Board. If the legal document involves encumbrance, purchase, or sale of property greater than 10% of fair market value (as per Article II, Section A4) congregational approval must be obtained. 3. The Moderator shall serve as registered agent for the Corporation.

4. Directors, officers, pastors, associate pastors, and approved volunteers shall be included on the general liability insurance policies of the Tropical Sands Christian Church.

SECTION C - The TSCC Governing Board 1. The members of the Governing Board shall consist of the Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, three (3) elders, three (3) members of the diaconate, and the Senior Pastor of the congregation. If the Senior Pastor cannot be present, he/she will notify the Moderator and designate an associate pastor who may vote at Governing Board meetings. No pastor assigned to serve the congregation shall hold any other office on the Governing Board. 2. A quorum at all meetings shall consist of a majority plus one (1) of the voting members
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of the Governing Board. 3. The Governing Board can address a change in board size and structure if deemed necessary. A change in structure or size requires a super majority vote. (A super majority vote is defined for the current board size as an excess of 75%.) If the Governing Board has a change in size it must maintain an odd number of voting members. Changes in size or structure must be approved no less than 90 days prior to the end of the operating year and will take effect in the following operating year. 4. All members of the Governing Board, except for pastors and the Moderator (as noted in Article II Section A2), are limited to three (3) years of continuous service and shall take a minimum one (1) year sabbatical before being eligible to return to the board as a voting member. Persons holding the office of Treasurer or Financial Secretary may remain in office without sabbatical. If those persons choose to take a sabbatical from the Board while retaining their positions, the elders will nominate and the congregation elect an Associate Treasurer and/or Associate Financial Secretary, who will present financial reports and vote at Governing Board meetings. 5. The three (3) elders and three (3) diaconate members shall provide active leadership in planning and organizing all ongoing activities of the Church's worship, education, outreach, and nurturing activities as necessary to support the Church's Mission Statement: Profess Faith Proclaim Hope Practice Love

6. To help ensure representation of a cross-section of the congregation, no two members of the same family shall serve as voting members of the Governing Board at any given time.

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ARTICLE III ELECTION OF OFFICERS SECTION A - Nominations and Elections 1. The Chair of the Board of Elders shall appoint a nominating committee from the elder membership at the beginning of the church organizational year. The committee shall be responsible for nominations of positions as identified in Article II above and including representatives to the Regional and General Assemblies of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Christian Manor board members. The committee shall endeavor to represent the diversity of the congregation in the slate of elders, deacons and officers. 2. All nominees for the ensuing year shall be elected at the annual congregational meeting by secret ballot, from a list of nominations submitted by the nominating committee, presented at least two weeks before the election. To be elected, a nominee must receive a minimum of 80% of the congregational votes cast. The schedule for receiving suggestions for nomination and election is presented in Covenant Article V Section B1. 3. The annual business meeting held for the purpose of approving the budget and the annual congregational meeting held for the purpose of election of officers shall be held at times deemed convenient to members at all Sunday services, as recommended by the Board of Elders and approved by the Governing Board. 4. Offices left vacant by resignation, termination or inability to serve in any elected positions as defined above may be filled by appointment by the Board of Elders until the next annual election. No position shall be left unfilled for the purpose of filling that position with an unelected nominee or delaying the nomination selection process. Vacancies left by nomination delay or oversight must be subjected to congregational vote at some later date. ARTICLE IV - The Ministers/Pastors 1. The ministers/pastors of the congregation shall perform the duties which usually pertain to that office, and as spiritual administrators of the congregation, shall be ex-officio members of all organized groups, auxiliaries, and committees. The Senior Pastor may vote on all matters before the Governing Board. At the discretion of the Senior Pastor, a designated Associate Pastor may vote at Governing Board meetings that the Senior Pastor is unable to attend. The minister or his/her designee shall present a written report at each monthly meeting of the Governing Board summarizing the activities of the pastoral staff on behalf of the Tropical Sands Christian Church. Specific content of said report will be at the request of the Governing Board, but not including information of a private or confidential nature. 2. The Senior Pastor shall be chosen by the congregation as hereinafter provided:

a. A representative Pastoral Search Committee of five (5) church members nominated by the Board of Elders and elected by the Governing Board shall confer with the regional minister of the Christian Church in Florida and be responsible for (and unanimous in their decision for) recommending a prospective Senior Pastor to the Governing Board.
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b. The Board of Elders shall consider the unanimous recommendation from the pastoral search committee and, if approved unanimously, shall recommend the prospective Senior Pastor to the Governing Board. Upon Governing Board approval, the recommendation shall be presented to the congregation for approval by secret ballot. It shall be the policy of the congregation to consider only one prospective Senior Pastor at a time. c. The recommendation of the Board of Elders and the Governing Board for the position of Senior Pastor must be acceptable to a plurality of 90% of members present and voting in a regular or special meeting of the congregation before the call may be extended. Associate Pastors must be approved by the Senior Pastor and 80% of the Board of Elders. A congregational vote shall not be required to hire or dismiss Associate Pastors. d. The term of the Senior Pastor shall continue for as long as the Senior Pastor and the congregation are working together for the Kingdom God, and may be terminated by either Tropical Sands Christian Church or the Senior Pastor upon ninety (90) days written notice. A written statement setting forth the salary to be paid and other conditions of the offer shall be made in triplicate: one copy for the Senior Pastor, one for the Treasurer, and one for the permanent file in the church office. e. The Associate Pastor(s) will report directly to the Senior Pastor. The Senior Pastor may temporarily suspend, with pay, an Associate Pastor from congregational duties for the good of the associate or of the congregation, but termination will require a majority vote of the Governing Board. The Senior Pastor must report said suspension in confidence to the Moderator and Chair of the Board of Elders within 48 hours. f. The Governing Board shall have the power and authority to temporarily suspend any and all duties of any minister. Such significant action shall be preceded by involvement of the Board of Elders and the minister involved to insure that all parties clearly understand the situation and the impact of said suspension. Such an action by the Governing Board shall require approval by a super majority (greater than 75%) of voting members. Such temporary suspension of duties will require immediate involvement of the Regional Minister and a written plan developed within fourteen (14) days to resolve the issue(s). The Governing Board by majority vote may extend the deadline. Pastoral salary and benefits must be continued until and unless termination or resignation goes into effect. g. If the Board of Elders determines to recommend termination of the employment of the Senior Pastor, this must be passed by a super majority (greater than 75%) of the members of the Board of Elders. A recommendation from the Board of Elders to terminate the employment of a Senior Pastor must be passed by a super majority (greater than 75%) of the voting members of the Governing Board. The Governing Board must notify the Christian Church in Florida Regional Minister within two (2) business days of the vote. The congregation must be notified of the recommendation of termination no later than the Sunday following said recommendation. h. A recommendation of the Governing Board and the Board of Elders to terminate the employment of the Senior Pastor must be approved by 80 percent of the members of the
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congregation present and voting in a special meeting of the congregation. The congregation, the Senior Pastor and the Regional Minister shall be notified two weeks prior to that meeting. ARTICLE V Meetings and Amendments SECTION A - Frequency of Meetings 1. At least one meeting of the congregation shall be held annually. No new items may be initiated in a congregational meeting prior to action by the Governing Board. Items to be considered must be presented to the Moderator one (1) week prior to the regular Governing Board meeting preceding the congregational meeting. The Board, by simple majority vote, shall approve or reject said items. 2. Special meetings of the congregation may be called by the Moderator or Senior Pastor. When approved by the Governing Board, special meetings may also be called by written petition of at least twenty-five (25) members of the congregation. Such special meetings will be limited in agenda to the specific issue generating the call for such meetings. For the purpose of such congregational meetings, a majority shall be defined as 80% plus of the voting members present. 3. Notice of the annual or special meeting of the congregation shall be announced in regular worship service on at least two (2) Sundays prior to the meeting, and notification of all members shall be made by phone, E-mail, or regular mail. The Governing Board, at its discretion, may call a special congregational meeting with less than two (2) weeks notice if in their judgment the situation is of an urgent nature. A vigorous effort to notify the congregation must be made in such an event. 4. The Moderator shall refrain from voting, except in case of a tie vote.

SECTION B - Constitutional Amendments 1. This Constitution may be revised or amended by the Governing Board at any time but must be submitted to and approved at a congregational meeting as per Article V Section A 1 and 2 above. 2. It is strongly advised that this Constitution shall be completely reviewed at least every five (5) years, but shall remain in effect until a revision is made.

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SECTION C - Distribution of Tropical Sands Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Property upon Dissolution Tropical Sands Christian Church shall hold, own and enjoy its personal and real property, subject to the right of reversion in the event of dissolution, to the State of Florida Disciples of Christ Corporation as provided below: Dissolution means the complete disbanding of Tropical Sands Christian Church so that it no longer functions as a corporate entity or as a congregation. Dissolution will be deemed to have occurred if: a. The Tropical Sands Christian Church Governing Board in official action votes to dissolve Tropical Sands Christian Church as a church or upon termination of regular worship services for more than twelve (12) consecutive Sundays. OR b. The Governing Board calls a pastor who is not affiliated with or sanctioned by the Disciples of Christ denomination. OR c. Official action taken by the Governing Board to withdraw from the Disciples of Christ denomination or to attempt to make Tropical Sands Christian Church independent from the Disciples of Christ denomination. Upon the dissolution of Tropical Sands Christian Church, its property shall be applied, distributed and transferred to the State of Florida Disciples of Christ Corporation or its successors. This distribution shall be made pursuant to a plan of dissolution formulated by the Tropical Sands Christian Church Board of Elders. Upon dissolution, the Tropical Sands Christian Church Moderator is authorized to sign all necessary documents to convey the Tropical Sands Christian Church property as herein provided.

SECTION D Effective Date Changes to the Tropical Sands Christian Church Constitution originating with this document shall apply as of the ratification date and shall not be construed as applicable prior to that date. Recording Secretary Date Moderator Date Senior Pastor Date

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BY-LAWS AND RULES OF OPERATION FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND PROCEDURE OF THE TROPICAL SANDS CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA
Revised December 2, 2013

PREAMBLE This document is designed to enable the orderly functioning of the congregation and the Governing Board. It also contains responsibilities for the Board of Elders, for the Diaconate and regarding the storage and maintenance of church records. It may be revised or amended by a simple majority vote of the members of the Governing Board present and voting in regular or special session provided that all members shall have been notified by regular mail, E-mail, or phone of all proposed changes at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, or that such proposed amendments have been read at a previous, regular meeting of the Governing Board and all active members have been advised of the proposal. The volunteer staff of Tropical Sands Christian Church is acknowledged as an integral part of the operating staff. Assignments and tasks for the volunteers are to be supervised and managed by the primary operating staff, as recognized by the Governing Board of Tropical Sands Christian Church. ARTICLE I - The Church Year The fiscal year of the congregation shall be January 1 to December 31. The organizational and programmatic year shall be July 1 to June 30. ARTICLE II Officers SECTION A - Election of Officers 1. The election of officers of the Congregation, Governing Board, Board of Elders and the Diaconate shall be a provided for in Article III, Section A of the Constitution. 2. Dismissal of any officer of Tropical Sands Christian Church for cause shall be as described below in Section C, item 6. SECTION B - Duties of Officers of the Congregation and Governing Board 1. The Moderator shall fulfill the usual duties of such office and shall preside over regular and called meetings of the congregation and the Governing Board, appoint committees or task groups as directed by the Governing Board, prepare agendas, and work closely with the Senior Pastor. The Moderator shall be an ex-officio member of all task groups or committees of the Governing Board. 2. The Vice-Moderator shall preside in absence of the Moderator and fulfill such other
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duties as may be requested from time to time by the Moderator. 3. The Recording Secretary shall keep minutes of all Governing Board and Congregational meetings and furnish a copy to the Moderator of the Governing Board and Senior Pastor and deposit one copy in a permanent file on the church site. The Recording Secretary shall be responsible for said permanent file being maintained up-to-date and available for historical reference as needed. The permanent file should also contain all legal documents such as charter, articles of incorporation, proof of state registration, property ownership documents, etc. 4. The Financial Secretary shall receive, record and deposit in an approved bank all funds passing through the congregations treasury. A minimum of two people are required to count and record all funds received. The Financial Secretary shall give a copy of bank deposits to the Treasurer on a weekly basis and shall not be empowered to write checks in the name of the congregation. At appropriate times during the year, the Financial Secretary shall provide contributors with a record of their offerings in a format acceptable to the Internal Revenue Service. 5. The Treasurer shall keep books of account for the disbursement of all congregational funds in a manner mutually agreeable with the Governing Board. Invoices/expenses that in the Treasurers judgment are questionable/unusual will be reviewed with the responsible party for an explanation, then brought to the Governing Boards attention as needed at its next regular meeting prior to payment being authorized. Expenditures of a confidential nature shall be reviewed with the Chair of the Board of Elders for authorization. A monthly current financial statement shall be furnished to the Governing Board and the church office at every scheduled Governing Board meeting, and at the annual congregational meeting. SECTION C - Organization and Duties of the Elders and Diaconate 1. There shall be a minimum of thirteen (13) and a maximum of nineteen (19) elders. The elders shall be elected for a term of three (3) years by the congregation. As nearly as possible, one third (1/3) of the elders shall be elected annually. Following the completion of a three (3) year term, each elder shall take a one (1) year sabbatical from the Board of Elders before standing for re-election to the Board of Elders. An elder on his/her (1) year of sabbatical may serve at the Lord's Table as a substitute for a standing elder. The elders shall elect their own Chair and Vice-Chair each year after the annual meeting of the congregation. The methods and means for this election shall be published to the congregation, and voting (by the elders) will be by secret ballot. These officers shall be responsible for arranging the orientation of new elders, the weekly schedule for presiding at the Lord's Table, and the scheduled or called meetings. Except in the case of spouses, multiple members of a given household or family shall not serve simultaneously on the Board of Elders. 2. Other duties of the Board of Elders may include but are not limited to: a. Select three (3) elders to serve on the Governing Board as required in Article II Section A5 of the Constitution. The methods and means for this election shall be published to the congregation, and voting (by the elders) will be by secret ballot. b. Select the elder responsible for serving as Directing Elder of the Diaconate as required in
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Article II Section A5. c. Minister to the congregation as Christ's shepherds and lead congregants in service to Christ. d. Manage the ministry of Tropical Sands Christian Church and assist the pastor(s) as needed on matters concerning the conduct of public worship. e. Review where appropriate the effectiveness of church programs for promoting the spiritual growth and evangelistic witness of the Tropical Sands Christian Church congregation. f. Assist the pastors as needed in the administration of all worship services. g. Make provision to fill the pulpit in the event of a vacancy in the office of Senior Pastor and take full charge of all services for which the pulpit is not filled during a vacancy. h. Assist the pastors in reconciling, as needed, any conflicts within the congregation. i. Give counsel and comfort to the poor, the sick and afflicted. j. Encourage all Sunday School and missionary services. k. Assist the congregation in the reception of new members. l. Prevent the misuse of authority by the pastors, board members, diaconate, fellow elders or officers of Tropical Sands Christian Church m. Serve communion at least monthly to congregants who welcome communion and are confined to home, nursing homes or hospitals. n. Upon request, act as spiritual advisor to the Tropical Sands Christian Church pastors and assist the Staff Liaison Committee as needed. o. Maintain the confidentiality of all private interactions with pastors and/or congregants. 3. There shall be a single Diaconate consisting of a minimum of eighteen (18) and a maximum of thirty (30) members. The Diaconate members shall be elected for a term of three (3) years by the congregation. As nearly as possible, one third (1/3) of the Diaconate shall be elected annually. Following the completion of a three (3) year term, each Diaconate shall take a one (1) year sabbatical from the Diaconate before standing for election to any other church office. A Diaconate on his/her (1) year of sabbatical may serve as a substitute for a standing Diaconate. 4. The Elder functioning as Directing Elder of the Diaconate shall be responsible for arranging the orientation of new Diaconate, the weekly schedule for serving during Sunday morning worship, and for arranging meetings. He/she shall mentor and encourage the accomplishment of the diaconate duties which include but are not limited to those identified in Article II Section A6. 5. The Elders shall establish a Staff Liaison Committee to monitor the well-being of the relationships among church staffers and the congregation. This committee, in cooperation with the ministers, shall report on a monthly basis to the Elders and to the Governing Board on a quarterly basis or as needed.

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6. The duly elected Board of Elders shall have the power and authority to remove from office any Elder, Diaconate Member, or Officer of Tropical Sands Christian Church determined by the Board of Elders to have engaged in nonfeasance, misfeasance, conflict of interest, breach of confidentiality or any act deemed to be against the best interest of Tropical Sands Christian Church. The removal of any person(s) found to have engaged in such conduct shall require a vote of a super majority (greater than 75%) of the sitting elders. ARTICLE III - Finance 1. Upon approval of the Governing Board, associates may be appointed to both the Financial Secretary and the Treasurer. Professional help, voluntary or paid, may also be secured if deemed necessary but each officer shall remain fully responsible for the accounts. 2. The Treasurer will ensure that the Tropical Sands Christian Church insurance policy covers liabilities for all officers, pastors, and approved volunteers. 3. The Treasurer shall maintain records and provide reports regarding the Permanent Endowment Fund, the policy for the Fund having been approved by congregational vote on December 19, 2004. 4. The Treasurer shall prepare for Governing Board approval a list of all persons, including the Moderator and the Treasurer, to be authorized to perform financial transactions on behalf of Tropical Sands Christian Church and its affiliated ministries such as Disciples Men, Disciples Women, and Endowment Fund. Transactions types include check issuance, credit cards, echeck, ACH, inter-fund electronic transfers, and other means of fund transfer as may be appropriate. The list of persons presented will identify the type of fund transfers each person is allowed to perform. The Treasurer will further identify for Governing Board approval the procedure to be followed (number of signatures required, credit card limits, etc.) for each type of transaction allowed for each account. All Tropical Sands Christian Church financial records are subject to an audit at any time at the discretion of the Governing Board. 5. The Governing Board shall consider on an annual basis whether an independent audit of all accounts, by an outside firm, is advisable. ARTICLE IV Facility Manager 1. The position of Facility Manager, as approved by the Governing Board on November 12, 2012, shall include but not be limited to the following duties: a. b. Oversee and direct facility operations Assist in maintaining rolls of the members of the congregation with the date each member joined Tropical Sands Christian Church, date of birth, date of death as applicable, and date of baptism as applicable c. Assist the Financial Secretary in maintaining and preserving appropriate accounting and contribution records for a minimum of seven years while
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maintaining the confidentiality of such records ARTICLE V - Meetings SECTION A - Governing Board Meetings 1. The Governing Board shall meet monthly at a time and date established by the board. Cancellation or re-scheduling shall be at the discretion of the Moderator and upon 24 hours notice to all Governing Board members and notification to the congregation via email and announcement at worship services. All diaconate, elders and congregational members are encouraged to attend any and all open board meetings. All voting will be limited to Governing Board members. 2. The Moderator is authorized to close all or part of a meeting of the Governing Board to go into executive session for purposes of confidentiality. 3. Special meetings of the Governing Board may be called by the Moderator or Senior Pastor, or shall be called by the Moderator upon the written request of three (3) or more members of the Governing Board. At least two (2) days notice of a special Governing Board meeting must be given to all board members by mail, telephone or email. If the meeting is open, the congregation email list should be used for notification of the special meeting. 4. A simple majority plus one of those present and voting at any meeting shall be decisive, except as provided in the preamble of the Covenant and Rules of Government and Procedure. 5. The meetings of the Governing Board shall be conducted in an orderly manner (as per Constitution Article V Section B3) from an agenda presented by the Moderator and shall be held to reasonable length. Some time should be given to devotional matters at each meeting. Section B - Congregational Meetings 1. The Moderator will announce the members of the nominating committee selected by the Board of Elders to all services the first Sunday of March. All suggestions from the congregation for nominees shall be in the hands of the nominating committee no later than the last Sunday of March. 2. 3. The list of nominees shall be presented to the congregation on the first Sunday in May. The annual meeting of the congregation shall be held on the third Sunday in May.

4. A congregational meeting to approve the operating budgets will be held in December. The proposed budget shall be available prior to the congregational meeting. 5. Voting will be by secret ballot for the selection of officers nominated by the Board of Elders, for the annual budget and for any item at a specially called congregational meeting. The agenda at any congregational meeting shall be pre-approved by the Governing Board.
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ARTICLE VI - Employment of Non-Ministerial Staff 1. The Governing Board shall first assign any proposed employment to an appointed task group to develop job descriptions, identify personnel issues, establish staff remuneration, and determine financial feasibility. The task group shall not make any commitments, real or implied, without approval by majority vote of the Governing Board. Only the appointed task group and the Senior Pastor may assign duties to the employee. 2. Final authority in the employment or release of any non-ministerial staff member shall rest with the Governing Board. 3. A written statement covering terms of employment shall be made in triplicate: one copy being furnished to the employee, one to the Treasurer, and one deposited in the permanent file of the church office. 4. State and federal regulations as to withholding tax, insurance and the like shall be observed strictly. 5. Eligible employees should be encouraged to join the Pension Plan of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with the basis of participation to be recommended and approved by the Governing Board. ARTICLE VII - Use of Facilities and Name All questions as to the use of the name or facilities of the church shall rest with the Governing Board with input from the Senior Pastor at a regularly scheduled Governing Board meeting. The board may assign to the proper task groups responsibilities for specific uses and procedures, such as literature to be used or displayed, activities permitted, music to be used on the congregations property, or in its name. ARTICLE VIII - Effective Date Changes originating with this document shall apply as of the ratification date and shall not be construed as applicable prior to that date.

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AUTHORIZATION These By-laws and Rules of Operation were duly adopted as revised by the Tropical Sands Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in a regularly called congregational meeting on the day of 2013, and supersede all other by-laws previously adopted.

Recording Secretary Date

Moderator Date

Senior Pastor Date

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