Summary of Responsibilities

The following information is taken from the United Church of Canada Manual, as well as the Guide for Board and Committee Members of Congregations in the United Church of Canada

Summary of Duties of the Official Board

1. Elect its own chairperson annually

2. Elect a secretary

3. Secure contributions for the work of the whole Church, local funds and Mission and Service Fund, this being the main task of the Stewardship Committee which the Board appoints

4. Select and appoint lay persons to represent the Pastoral Charge at Presbytery

5. Receive reports from all Boards, Committees and organizations in the Pastoral Charge and to report annually to the congregations with a recommended Budget for the ensuing year and to make such recommendations as it may consider necessary

6. Appoint a Ministry and Personnel Committee and other necessary committees

7. Attend to all matters which are of joint interest to the Session, the Stewards, the Trustees, or any 2 of them

8. When properly authorized by the Pastoral Charge, to represent it in meetings with Presbytery representatives to deal with matters of amalgamation, realignment, reconstitution or disbanding of the Pastoral Charge

9. Deal with matters not specifically assigned to anyone else in the Pastoral Charge

10. Receive reports from Presbytery, Conference and General Council and make them available to the congregations.

Members of the Official Board should:

1. plan appropriate goals, objectives and strategies,

2. provide encouragement and support for both paid and volunteer leaders of the various groups and committees,

3. help build a true sense of community and fellowship between the various units within the congregations,

4. ensure all members of the Board have equal opportunity to be heard and their viewpoints given fair consideration,

5. be alert to training opportunities provided by lay training centres, Conference staff and Presbytery Committees, and plan to attend,

6. keep informed about major concerns and programs of the United Church,

7. bring before the Board solutions or recommendations to solve local church problems, rather than use the Board simply to air complaints, and

8. demonstrate a high degree of commitment by regular attendance at meetings, and by showing genuine concern as Christians for the well-being of the whole church.

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