Purpose and Authority

As provided in Article V, Section I of the Bylaws of the SSUMC Leadership Council, the purpose of the Governance Committee is to assist the Leadership Council by providing policy guidance and recommending revisions and changes in governing authority. The basis for this charter is Paragraph 252 of the United Methodist Book of Discipline.

Composition and Meetings

The Chair of the Governance Standing Committee shall be a member of the Council. Other members will be appointed by the Chair, the Council, or the Nominating Committee.  Members will serve for one year terms, concurrent with Council terms (beginning in July of each year).  Members may serve consecutive terms.

The Chair shall establish dates for Committee meetings and provide monthly updates to the Council.

Responsibilities

The Governance Committee’s responsibilities shall include:

  1. Reviewing annually the Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation to determine whether SSUMC and the Council are in compliance with their requirements, and submitting to the Council any recommendations for changes;
  2. Reviewing on a regular basis and maintaining an inventory of SSUMC’s statements of policy, and submitting to the Council any recommendations to amend existing policies or adopt new policies;
  3. In consultation with the Lead Pastor, ensuring that up-to-date versions of all SSUMC policy statements are readily available to SSUMC’s staff and congregation (please see Appendix A for list of policies); 
  4. In consultation with the Council, ensuring that all Council members are provided annually with appropriate training and materials concerning (1) the responsibilities of Council membership, (2) all SSUMC policy statements, and (3) the Council’s responsibility to ensure that SSUMC staff members, contractors, and lay servant leaders are informed of and provided with appropriate guidance concerning SSUMC policies relevant to their roles at SSUMC;
  5. Advising the Council and providing any assistance it requests with respect to the Council’s annual self-evaluation; and
  6. Such other tasks as staff or the Council shall request the Committee to undertake or the Committee shall deem appropriate to its mission.

Time Required: approximately 6 hours per month