Copyright 2006-2007. St. Tobias Parish.
All rights reserved.

 

BYLAWS OF

THE STEERING COMMITTEE

INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC CHURCH OF THE WEST

 

 

Mission Statement 

 

We, the Independent Catholic Church of the West, adopt as our mission statement the mission statement of the United Catholic Church adopted on October 17, 2004.  Thus, our mission is to carry the gospel, the sacraments and God’s love and fellowship to the unchurched, the alienated, and the excommunicated (the church’s homeless).  We welcome all Christians including those who, for whatever reason, are separated from the sacraments and the church.  In the spirit of Christ, to the outcast, we offer inclusion; the rejected, acceptance; to the afflicted, comfort; to the sinner, forgiveness; to the despondent, hope; to the troubled, peace.

 

Purpose and Authority

 

The role of the Steering Committee is to guide the members of the Independent Catholic Church of the West in their efforts to fulfill the mission statement.  The role of the Steering Committee with relation to the bishop, clergy, and laity is yet to be determined.

 

Members

 

The Steering Committee will be made up of two (2) lay representatives from each parish, two (2) representatives from the clergy, and the Bishop.  Representatives will be selected by parish members and the Clergy Committee, respectively, for a two (2) year term.  Replacement representatives will be chosen as needed.  Each member of the Steering Committee will have one vote.  The members will represent their constituents at meetings and report directly to the parish members and clergy.  Additional duties my be requested by the Chairperson.

 

Officers

 

Chairperson – Moderates meetings and casts tiebreaker vote.

Alternate Chairperson – Serves in the absence of the chairperson.

Treasurer – Reports on business, pays bills, makes deposits and performs other duties as assigned.

Secretary – Takes and distributes meeting minutes to all members, including alternative members, and performs other duties as assigned.

Alternate Secretary – Serves in the absence of the Secretary.

 

Other offices may be created as the need arises.  Selection of officers will be determined by the Steering Committee.

 

Meetings

 

Meetings will be held quarterly or more often as needed.  Additional meetings may be called by consensus or in the case of an emergency, by the Chairperson.

 

Any rules of order used will be as deemed appropriate by the Chairperson.  Decisions will be made by consensus.  If a consensus cannot be reached, any member may call a vote by motion.  Two-thirds majority passes the motion.

 

Any meeting not attended by a quorum of at least one (1) representative from each parish and one (1) member of the clergy committee shall not hold votes.  Any member not in attendance may delegate their vote to a proxy.

 

Record Keeping

 

Minutes of all meetings will be e-mailed to all members and alternates and posted on the Independent Catholic Church of the West website for a period of one (1) year.  A paper copy of all minutes will be kept at the ICCW office indefinitely.

 

Subcommittees

 

Standing subcommittees are the Liturgy Committee and the Advertising Committee.  The Steering Committee will determine when there is a need for any new subcommittee.  Membership will be determined by the Steering Committee.  Membership in a subcommittee will not imply membership on the Steering Committee.

 

Approval and Amendment

 

Final form of the bylaws will be approved by a two-thirds majority vote by the Steering Committee and then taken to the membership of the jurisdiction for acceptance.

 

If at any time an amendment to the bylaws is requested, a written amendment will be presented to the Steering Committee.  If consensus on the amendment cannot by reached, any member may call for a vote by motion.  Two-thirds majority passes the motion.

 

A current copy of the bylaws of the ICCW will be posted on the ICCW website.

 

 

(Approved 1/4/07)