STANDING RULES ALLIANCE OF ASSOCIATE CONFERENCE MINISTERS, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
June 12, 2020
1. NAME:
The name of the organization shall be The Alliance of Associate Conference Ministers of the United Church of Christ
2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The United Church of Christ Alliance of “Associate Conference Ministers”* exists to be a supportive expression of the Living Christ, in relationship with one another and with the Body of Christ, in all its forms.
The Alliance seeks to live out its purpose of:
1. Building and maintaining a covenantal and collaborative relationship with all United Church of Christ Associate Conference Ministers.
2. Developing and maintaining a covenantal and collaborative relationship with the United Church of Christ Council of Conference Ministers, officers of the Church, UCC Covenantal partners, and UCC Board of Directors.
3. Being a resource to share information and best practices to promote excellence in our various ministries.
4. Being a collective voice of advocacy for concerns important to the role and work of the Associate Conference Minister as they relate to the life of the United Church of Christ.
3. MEMBERSHIP
a. VOTING MEMBERS
i. The office of “Associate Conference Minister” is conferred through a selection procedure determined by the individual Conferences. In some conferences, the designation and ministry of the “Associate Conference Minister” may apply to more than one person and is not limited exclusively to the aforementioned title but to persons functioning similarly.
ii. All Alliance members have voice and vote.
iii. Interim and Acting Associate Conference Ministers shall have voice and vote.
b. NON-VOTING PARTICIPANTS
i. The Minister for Ministerial Support and Accountability will serve as national staff liaison to the Alliance and Cabinet, with voice.
4. FUNDING
a. Funds for the operation of the Council shall be derived from:
i. Basic dues at a stipulated amount which shall be the same for each Associate Conference Minister.
ii. A supplemental request as needed pro-rated on the basis of Conference membership. b. Rates of basic and supplemental dues shall be adopted at each Annual Meeting on recommendation of the Cabinet.
5. MEETINGS
a. The Alliance shall meet at least once annually as determined either by the Alliance or the Cabinet. Meetings can be held virtually or in person.
b. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson, by any three members of the Cabinet, and/or by 25% of the members of the Alliance.
6. CABINET, OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
a. The Alliance’s business between meetings shall be conducted by a Cabinet made up of four members chosen to represent at least four of the six regions for two year terms plus officers elected as stipulated below in paragraph (b). These regional representatives will serve as members at large.
b. There shall be officers elected from among the membership; a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, a secretary, and a treasurer. The officers will normally serve a single two-year term.
c. The terms of the Inaugural Cabinet of the shall be:
i) Chair 2 years
ii) Vice-Chair 2 years
iii) Secretary 3 years
iv) Treasurer 3 years
v) Members at Large
(1) 2 persons shall be elected to 2-year terms and
(2) 2 persons shall be elected to 3-year terms.
(3) The Chair may appoint members at large in the event of a vacancy.
d. The Cabinet may appoint such committees and representatives as from time to time they deem desirable, or as may be required.
7. AMENDMENTS These standing rules may be amended by majority vote at any duly called annual or special meeting of the Alliance
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* The Alliance is open to those who serve in a staff or called position doing conference ministry in the support of the conference minister and conference. The term “Associate Conference Minister” is used ubiquitously in this document to refer to all persons who serve in the role either designated as associate conference minister or all the various titles of those functioning in similar job responsibilities and expectations.