Parish Council By-Laws

PREAMBLE

The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, located at Harris and Park Streets, Newburyport, Massachusetts and serving the Orthodox Christian people of the Greater Newburyport area, is a parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America and under the jurisdiction of its canonical Archbishop, and canonical Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Boston. It is governed by the current official “Special Regulations and Uniform Parish Regulations” of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America.

In addition to the “Special Regulations and Uniform Parish Regulations”, the parish is also governed by these By-Laws adopted by the parish in conformance to Part Three, Article 1 entitled “Parish By-Laws” of the Regulations of 1989.

By-law #1 – Clergy

The parish follows the requirements regarding clergy as stipulated in the Uniform Parish Regulations when it is served by a full-time clergyman. However, when the parish is served by a part-time clergyman as appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese, the provisions regarding clergy who serve parishes full-time, such as salary, housing allowance, insurance, retirement and social security benefits are adjusted in consultation with the Bishop of the Diocese.

By-law #2 – Parishioners

Article 18 Section 1 of the “Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese” defines Parishioners as:

“Every person who is baptized and chrismated according to the rites of the Orthodox Church is a parishioner. The religious, moral and social duties of a parishioner are to apply the tenets of the Orthodox Faith to his/her life and to adhere to and live according to the tenets of the Orthodox faith; faithfully attend the Divine Liturgy and other worship services; participate regularly in the holy sacraments; respect all ecclesiastical authority and all governing bodies of the Church; be obedient in matters of the Faith, practice and ecclesiastical order; contribute towards the progress of the Church’s sacred mission; and be an effective witness and example of the Orthodox Faith and Traditions to the people.

A parishioner in good standing practices all the religious and moral duties as described in this Section 1. At a minimum, a parishioner in good standing must: be eighteen years of age or over; be current in his or her stewardship and other financial obligations to the Parish, abide by all the regulations herein stated and the Parish Bylaws; and cooperate in every way towards the welfare and well being of the Parish.”

By-law #3 – Financial Support

1. The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation is on a stewardship program. There are no set dues; rather each adult parishioner is requested to make a yearly pledge. Stewards are respectfully requested to submit a pledge form before or during the annual Stewardship Sunday typically held in November. In order to be a "member in good standing" of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, each person or family must make a financial commitment (pledge) to the church on an annual basis, and fulfill that commitment throughout the year. Parishioners are encouraged to use a "percentage giving" method, whereby each person or family sets aside a certain percentage of their income for the church. This includes a commitment on our part to support the local Church through the offering of our financial resources as well as of our own unique gifts and talents.
   
2. It is understood that situations change and unforeseen events arise; a pledge may therefore be amended by simply contacting the Priest or member of the Stewardship Committee. Parishioners in hardship circumstances may request exemption from meeting financial obligations to the parish through a letter to the Priest, Stewardship Committee or Parish Council, stating all pertinent circumstances. The Priest, Stewardship Committee, and Parish Council has the authority to reduce, eliminate, reinstate or other-wise respond in ways consonant with the spirit of the Orthodox Christian faith to the requests.
   
3. It should be emphasized, moreover, that our stewardship commitment goes far beyond financial matters; it is rather a commitment of the totality of life to God. Stewardship, therefore, also includes volunteering to serve on church boards, helping to organize and execute church functions, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, cleaning and maintaining the Church, and other forms of ministry; it is engagement in the total life of the church.

By-law #4 – Parish Assembly

Parish Assemblies will be held twice annually, on dates determined by the Parish Council. Additional Assemblies may be scheduled if there is a need.

A quorum shall consist of twenty-five (25) members in good-standing.

Written notice for a Parish Assembly shall consist of a general letter mailed ten (10) days in advance to the membership, indicating time and location. This letter may be included with other mailings, if appropriate.

By-law #5 – Parish Council

The Parish Council shall consist of twelve (12) members each of whom serves for a period of two years. Candidates may either volunteer to be placed on the ballot or be nominated and seconded at the General Assembly meeting which precedes the election. Those who volunteer to be placed on the ballot must express their desire in writing to either the Parish priest or the Parish Council president. No new names may be added to the ballot after the General Assembly meeting is closed.

1. Candidates for election to the Council must be familiar with the Uniform Parish Regulations prior to the election either by attending a seminar or meeting with the Parish priest.

2. Six (6) members of the Parish Council are elected annually.

3. No officer (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer) may hold the same office for more than six (6) consecutive years.

4. In the case of a vacancy on the Parish Council, the supernumeraries by rank of votes received in the preceding election will be invited to complete the term of the member being replaced. If all refuse and the supernumerary list becomes exhausted, a nominating committee comprised of 3 current Parish Council members shall be named by the Parish Council President to present candidates. The Parish Council will vote to elect a member to fill the vacancy.

5. In accordance with the Uniform Parish Regulations, the Parish shall permit absentee ballots. Those wishing to vote in elections for the Parish Council may indicate their preferences on a specially marked “Absentee Ballot”, obtained following the announcement of the slate of candidates. The absentee ballot must be available no later than the Sunday preceding the election. Absentee ballots received following the commencement of voting are null and void and may not be tabulated with valid ballots.

6. Elections shall be held at a place on parish premises previously announced by the Board of Elections, and voting shall be by secret ballot. Voting shall be held after the Divine Liturgy, and shall terminate on the same day at 2:00 p.m.

By-law #6 – Meetings of the Parish Council

At the organizational meeting of the Parish Council each year, the Council will determine its monthly meeting date. If need should arise for a meeting date to be changed, a written notice must be issued two (2) weeks in advance, which must be approved by a majority of the Parish Council Members in advance.

By-law #7 – Board of Elections

The Board of Elections is elected at a regular Parish Assembly meeting, and shall consist of three (3) members. Qualifications of members must be in accordance with the Uniform Parish Regulations.

By-law #8 – Board of Auditors

The Board of Auditors is elected at a regular Parish Assembly meeting, to function for a twelve month period, and to provide reports at the Parish General Assemblies on the financial well-being of the Parish.

The Annual Audit must be completed within ninety (90) days after the start of a new calendar year, except in unusual or extenuating circumstances.

Adopted by the General Assembly of the Parish

November 16, 1986
Amended November 17, 1991
Amended November 7, 2006
Amended January 25, 2009