Revised from provisional version (January 2004)
Amended and Approved by Congregation at Annual Meeting, January 30, 2005

Section 1 – Following participation in a membership class offered by the church, a person seeking membership shall make a pledge of loyalty and support before the congregation. In those circumstances in which the Pastor finds that requiring a personal appearance before the congregation would impose an undue hardship on a new member, the pledge may be made before a representative designated by the Church Council.

Section 2 – Associate membership may be requested in special circumstances regarding ordination standing. Persons designated by the Council as “associate” members are considered members in every sense.

Section 3 – Members shall be eligible to vote at congregational meetings, to serve as officers, and to serve as members of the Church Council.

Section 4 – Letters of transfer to other churches shall be issued upon request.

Section 1 – The final authority over affairs of the church rests with the congregation.

Section 2 – The congregation shall conduct its business at an annual meeting to be held no earlier than the third Sunday in January and no later than the third Sunday in February. At its annual meeting, the congregation shall receive reports of officers and committees, elect members of a Church Council and a Nominating Committee adopt a budget for the fiscal year beginning the previous January 1, consider plans for the new year, and conduct any other business that is properly presented.

Section 3 – A special meeting of the congregation may be called by the Church Council or by a petition stating the purpose of the meeting and signed by at least thirty (30) members. At any special meeting, business shall be limited to items that are germane to the previously stated purpose of the meeting.

Section 4 – Announcement of any meeting of the congregation shall be read at services of worship on at least two Sunday mornings immediately preceding the date of the meeting, and also circulated in writing to all members at least one week in advance.

Section 5 – At any meeting of the congregation, all members present are eligible to vote. Ten percent of the membership or fifty members, whichever is greater, shall constitute a quorum.

Section 1 – The Church Council shall be the general policymaking body between meetings of the congregation.

Section 2 – The Church Council shall be composed of fifteen voting members elected at the annual meeting of the congregation. The Moderator, the Vice Moderator, the Church Clerk and the Treasurer shall be elected for one-year terms and may be re-elected twice. Eleven members-at-large, including one person chosen specifically to represent youth, shall be elected for two-year terms and may be re-elected once. The Pastor and any program staff whom the Council may designate shall participate without vote in meetings of the Church Council.

Section 3 – The Nominating Committee shall nominate persons to fill the elected positions for the following year. Vacancies that occur between annual meetings are to be filled by Council action.

Section 4 – The Church Council shall establish, as standing rules, a system to maintain the various functions of the church’s life. This system may be adjusted at any time, as needed, by Council action. In establishing such a system, the Council may delegate specific authorities as needed, such as to serve communion, count money, negotiate and execute contracts, and make investments.

Section 5 – The MODERATOR shall preside at all business meetings of the congregation and of the Church Council. The Moderator shall have the authority to execute contracts as authorized by Council.

Section 6 – The VICE MODERATOR shall act in the absence of the Moderator. The Vice Moderator shall chair the Personnel Committee.

Section 7 – The CHURCH CLERK shall be responsible for: a) maintaining a complete record of the proceedings held at meetings of the congregation and of the Church Council; b) maintaining all written official communications, transactions and reports pertaining to the Church Council; c) presenting at the annual meeting a statistical report reflecting the membership of the church for the year then ending; d) gathering the annual reports for presentation at the annual meeting; e) issuing the legal notices of meetings of the congregation.

Section 8 – The TREASURER shall be responsible for: a) overseeing the custody of all funds and financial records of the church, including endowments and other investments; b) receiving and disbursing all church funds; c) maintaining and reporting an accurate account of receipts and disbursements; d) presenting at the annual meeting a financial report for the year then ending. The Treasurer may recommend to the Church Council persons to assist in these tasks. The Treasurer and anyone directly assisting the Treasurer with financial records shall be bonded in amounts established by the Council. Financial records of the church shall be audited annually in a manner directed by the Council.

 Section 9 – The AT-LARGE MEMBERS of the Church Council shall be responsible for specific duties, as follows: a) The youth member shall represent particularly, though not exclusively, the interests of youth; b) Two at-large members shall serve on the Personnel Committee; c) Each of the other eight at-large members will be assigned to focus attention particularly on one of the areas of the church’s functional structure, i.e., finances, building and grounds, worship, congregational life, education, outreach/mission, member ministry, stewardship. This liaison role shall include facilitating broad participation, clarifying responsibilities, and reporting to the Council.

Section 10 – All meetings shall be open for all except when the following matters are being discussed: a) selection, compensation or discipline of specific staff members; b) pending or prospective litigation; c) lease, purchase or sale of property. If any part of a meeting is closed, the minutes shall state which of these exceptions was discussed, the length of time the meeting was closed, and the text of any action that was taken. In addition, meetings of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, the Personnel Committee and the Nominating Committee are closed.

Section 1 – The pastor(s) and members of the program staff, whether ordained or not, serving half time or more, shall be called and appointed for an indefinite time by a two-thirds vote of the members voting at a duly-called congregational meeting. A search committee appointed by the Church Council shall review candidates and consult with appropriate officials of the United Church of Christ. The search committee shall report its recommendations to the Church Council, which shall recommend a candidate for approval by the congregation.

Section 2 – When a pastor is to be called and installed, procedures currently in effect for the United Church of Christ will be followed.

Section 3 – The Pastor shall have charge of the spiritual welfare of the church; shall preside over the services of public worship; shall administer the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion; and shall function as an advisory member without vote of any entity within the church.

Section 4 – Members of the program staff serving half time or more shall perform such duties as are consistent with the staffing pattern.

These Bylaws may be approved or amended by a two-thirds vote of members present and voting at an annual meeting of the congregation or at any specifically called special meeting provided there is a quorum present. The proposal for change, including language to be amended and the proposed new language, shall be announced and made available to members in writing at least two weeks in advance of the meeting at which it is to be considered, and may itself be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present and voting at the time of its consideration.

Adopted January 2004 (Bylaws revised 1/30/05,  2/7/10 and 2/6/11)

Established under authority of Article III, Section 4, Edgewood United Church of Christ

Provisional By-laws, Adopted at Congregational Meeting, January 11, 2004:
“The Church Council shall establish, as standing rules, a system to maintain the various functions of the church’s life.  This system may be adjusted at any time, as needed, by Council action.  In establishing such a system, the Council may delegate specific authorities a needed, such as to serve communion, count money, negotiate and execute contracts, and make investments.”

Adopted by Council, 2/10/04, amended 2/07/10, 12/21/10 and 2/06/11

There shall be an operating structure composed of eight teams as provided in Article III, Section 4 of new By-Laws approved at Congregational meetings February 2010 and February 2011 as follows:  Building and Grounds, Congregational Life, Christian Education, Finance, Outreach and Mission, Worship, Member Ministry, and Stewardship.

Building and Grounds Team          
Charge: Maintain and improve the building, grounds, and furnishings;  liaison with building manager; ensure adequate insurance coverage; develop and oversee rental contracts;  open and close buildings on Sundays; plan and maintain the Memorial Garden; address security issues; encourage recycling efforts. Christian Education Team Charge: Responsible for the education of infants through high school age. Some of the responsibilities include youth fellowship, youth events and Sunday school for infants through high school. Congregational Life Team Charge: Enhance the social and spiritual life of the congregation; plan fellowship, hospitality and social events to promote community; visit and assist members and friends in the congregation; integrate newcomers; promote evangelism.   Finance Team Charge: Prepare the annual budget; manage investments; organize capital fund drives; promote and accept bequests/ trusts/ gifts; disburse benevolence, capital tithe funds and educational loan monies; oversee annual financial audit. 

Member Ministry Team  
Charge: Address membership needs and initiatives and promote an environment of physical, mental, spiritual health and healing for Edgewood members and friends.


Outreach and Mission Team          
Charge: Identify mission projects and benevolences; coordinate Edgewood’s participation and support of programs, projects and issues locally, such as Loaves and Fishes, Food Bank, Prison Visit, Thanksgiving baskets; identify and promote special offering collections such as Neighbors in Need, One Great Hour of Sharing; organize adult and youth work trips; promote and compile time and talent resources within the congregation.

Stewardship Team 
Charge: Implement year-round stewardship education, including stewardship theology and motivation. Encourage faithful stewardship to support the mission of our church.  Promote planned giving. Organize annual stewardship campaign.  Connect with denominational stewardship resources. Engage congregational members in stewardship opportunities.

Worship Team          
Charge: Responsible for coordinating worship, including music, intergenerational worship, communion, Advent and Lent programming, recruitment and training of ushers and greeters; weekly flowers in the sanctuary; coordinating children’s messages; filling the pulpit when needed.   With involvement by the Pastor, Worship Team shall decide who is authorized to serve communion at Edgewood.

Teams shall have a Chairperson who may be elected by the team or selected in some other manner. Teams may establish their own times to meet, develop committees and task forces for specific functions, and requisition expenditures within their designated budgets.  They shall communicate with the Church Council through designated at-large members of the Council, who are not serving as Team Chair.  Persons are welcome to be active in a function or committee associated with a team without participating in the coordinating team itself.  Anyone may participate in more than one team.

Committees: Teams may develop their own committees for specific functions; however, there are standing committees which operate under Council and for which membership is selected. These committees are:

Pastor-Parish Relations Committee: This committee functions as a confidential committee whose purpose is to listen to the concerns and celebrations of the pastors, assist in problem-solving, and offer feedback on pastoral ideas and visions.  Members of the committee offer suggestions, compassion, and thoughtful reflections on behalf of the church.

Nominating Committee: This committee recruits individuals for elected positions and develops the slate of nominees for vote by the membership at the Annual Congregational Meeting.

Personnel Committee
Adopted by Council, 12/12/06
The Personnel Committee functions to take care of staff considerations.  We promote a strong, healthy program for the congregation through thoughtfully considering the best fit for our support staff.  We also seek to take good care of our staff to the best of Edgewood’s ability. Personnel is comprised of four members, the Vice-Moderator, one at-large council member and two additional members.The Moderator and Pastor are ex-officio members.

Church Council serves as the general policymaking body between meetings of the congregation and is composed of voting members elected at the annual congregational meeting.  These elected leadership positions are Moderator, Vice Moderator, Treasurer, Church Clerk, and At-Large Members.  Position responsibilities and authority are in Article III, Edgewood United Church of Christ By-laws. 

Adopted by Council, 2/10/04 andamended 2/10 and 12/21/10
Edgewood United Church Council shall hold its regular monthly meetings on the thirdTuesday of each month at 7 PM in the Main Conference Room at the Church.  Annually, at the first meeting of the newly elected Council, the Standing Rules will be reviewed and revised if needed.

Adopted by Council, 3/9/04
Finance Team members are authorized to count the cash in the offerings (the checks are not tallied or listed) and put the cash, checks, and envelopes into the church safe along with the appropriate documentation.  Two people will do the counting:  either two Finance Team members, or one Team member and another Edgewood member.  In the absence of any Finance Team members, the head usher is authorized to simply put the cash, checks and envelopes in the safe without counting the cash.

Adopted by Council, 3/9/04and amended 3/16/10
Investment decisions will be authorized by the Finance Team and executed by the Church Treasurer or Finance Team Council Liaison.  Investment decisions will be made in accordance with Investment Policy approved by Council March 2010 (see attached policy)

Adopted by Council, 4/13/04
A proxy member will have the same voting rights and authority as the regular at-large member for whom they are attending, but only if the proxy is an official member of Edgewood.

Adopted by Council, 4/13/04 and amended 12/21/10
Whenever acquisition of a piece of art is pending or is being planned, Council will convene an Ad Hoc  Aesthetics / Fine Arts Committee which must share its plans and present its proposals to these Teams:
1.     Finance, because of possible insurance implications and cost

2.     Worship, because of theological implications

3.     Buildings and Grounds, regarding placement and/or storage

The Committee will present its final recommendations to the most appropriate Team, and that Team will bring the matter to Council for final approval.  The Aesthetics / Fine Arts Committee may not bring the matter directly to Council.  Provisions should be made to be sure the Congregation is regularly informed about pending donation or acquisition of art.

Adopted by Council, 5/11/04 and amended 10/10/06
The purpose of this policy is to: 
+  facilitate the judicious management of gifts 
+  honor the donor’s intended use of the gift as much as possible
+  establish the church as the sole authority for decisions regarding the use of all gifts 
1. Gifts may be made to Edgewood in 5 categories:
     A. Contributions to the operating budget are the best way to support 
          Edgewood and are imperative for Edgewood’s existence.  The 
          general operating budget is the source of funding for personnel 
          salary and benefits, program support, and maintenance of the 
          building and grounds.  
    B. Contributions to endowments  - see Standing Rule # 11 Regarding 
          Planned Giving and Endowment
    C. Memorial Funds may be designated for a specific purpose by the 
          donor or the family of the deceased.  If a memorial fund is 
          undesignated, it may be used for a purpose under the direction of a 
          team or Council or it may be put into the General Endowment Fund.
    D. Special Activity/Project Fund is for the support of a specific purpose       
          or project
    E. Non-monetary gifts will be reviewed and managed by a team and/or  
         Council.  The item becomes the property of Edgewood United 
        Church and its use or disposal is under the direction of the teams 
        and/or Council.
2. If a gift is to be designated for a particular purpose, it is the 
     responsibility of the donor to communicate the intended purpose in  
     writing.  Donors may designate a purpose for a gift, but cannot 
     designate specific individuals for whom the gift may be used. 
3. It is the responsibility of the donor to document the value of non-  
     monetary gifts for tax purposes.
4. If a donor’s intended use for a gift cannot be honored, the donor will 
     be given the opportunity to redesignate or withdraw the gift.  If the 
    donor does not redesignate or withdraw the gift, it may be used for 
    some other purpose.
5. All non-monetary gifts and designated monetary gifts will be reviewed 
     and managed by a team and/or Council.  The Finance Team will review 
     all monetary gifts given without a designation and make a 
     recommendation for the use of the money to Council.
6. Any funds remaining after a designated purpose has been achieved 
     may be re-designated for some other purpose by a team, Council or 
     Finance.  If no re-designation is identified, the funds will be added to 
     the General Endowment Fund.
7. Council has the final authority for resolving disagreements concerning 
     gift acceptance or expenditures.

Adopted by Council, 9/14/04 and amended 12/21/10
Edgewood Church Council empowers respective Teams to negotiate and finalize contracts to be signed by the Council Moderator (or the Moderator’s designee) in all matters except Personnel.  If the contract amount exceeds the Team’s available budget balance, approval is needed by Finance Team and Council.

Adopted by Council 7/12/05
At each annual meeting of the Congregation, the Nominating committee will nominate and the Congregation will elect the currently allowed number of delegates to the called meetings of the covenant Association and the Michigan Conference.  Term shall be one year.  It shall be the policy of the council to reimburse reasonable costs for attending those meetings.  Delegates will be expected to report to Council in a timely matter on actions taken.

Adopted by Council 9/09/03
(At this time these include Office Administrator, Secretary, Bookkeeper, Building Manager, Janitor). [Non-Program Staff] will be advised that they may not become members or active non-members during employment.

"Preference in hiring will be given to non-members for Program Staff positions (at this time these include Music Director, Adult Choir, Youth Choir, Children's choir, Adult Bell Choir, Youth Bell Choir, Organist, Christian Education Coordinator, Youth Assistants, Child Care Providers). Members/active non-members will be considered if the position cannot be filled."

Adopted by Council 2/14/06

Purpose
The purpose of this standing rule is to specify the procedure for receipt, management and disposition of funds and other properties that are given for the long-range support and enrichment of Edgewood United Church.  Endowment funds will serve to secure and extend the ministry and mission of this church beyond what is possible solely through annual giving. 

Endowment and Planned Giving Policy
1. “Endowment” is any asset invested with the intent of holding the 
     principal intact and spending only 90% of the investment income.
2. Each endowment shall have an accompanying spendable fund fed by 
     90% of the investment income from the corresponding endowment, 
     with the other 10% staying in the fund to compensate for inflation. 
      a. Teams, committees or Council may make proposals for the use of  
           funds to the Finance Team. 
      b. Proposals under $1,000 can be approved by the Finance Team.
      c. Proposals over $1,000 will be reviewed by the Finance Team and 
          presented to the Council with a recommendation for approval or 
          disapproval.  
      d. After approval by Council or Finance Team, the Finance Team will 
           transfer the funds to the general operations checking account.  
           Expenditure of the funds will be supervised by the appropriate 
           team, committee or Council, as specified in the proposal.
      e. Money from the spendable funds may be used to supplement the  
           annual operating budget or may be used for a purpose outside of 
          the operating budget. 
      f. Spendable fund balances will be reviewed annually during the 
          budgeting process, but funds do not need to be spent every year.
3.  The principal of an endowment may not be spent except in extreme 
      emergencies and not without approval by a majority vote of the 
     Council and a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the quorum of the 
     congregation present at a congregational meeting held in accordance 
     with the constitution of Edgewood United Church.
4.  There will be four categories of endowment funds:          
General – undesignated gifts which may be used for support of programming, outreach, facilities, or other purposes           
Programming – support of personnel, teams, committees, and/or any ministry within the congregation         
Outreach – support of programs, services, projects or ministry beyond the internal church programs relating to the spiritual, social or economic needs of persons in the community, nation or the world
Facilities – provide for capital improvement, maintenance or replacement of building, grounds, furnishings, or equipment
5. Undesignated endowment or planned gifts will be deposited in the 
    General Endowment Fund.
6. The Council has the right to reject all designated or restricted gifts     
     from an estate or gifts to an endowment fund within three months. 
7. The Planned Giving Committee, composed of three to five people 
     approved by Council, shall be responsible for the tasks listed below. 
     The Planned Giving Committee reports to the Finance Team.
8. The Finance Team, including the treasurer, will be responsible for the 
     tasks specified below.
9. In the event of the dissolution of Edgewood United Church, all funds 
     and other assets shall become the property of the Michigan Conference 
     of the United Church of Christ. 
10. If Edgewood United Church, United Church of Christ ever withdraws 
     from the UCC denomination, donors to the endowment have the right 
     to have their designations be moved to the Michigan Conference of the    
     United Church of Christ; however, this must be put in writing at the      
     time of the donation.
11. Planned gifts can be established through the United Church 
     Foundation, an Associated Ministry of the United Church of Christ.
12. Members of the Finance Team, Planned Giving Committee or the 
     Council shall not be liable for any losses that may be incurred upon the 
    investment of funds except to the extent such losses shall have been 
    caused by gross negligence.  No member shall be personally liable as 
    long as he or she acts in good faith and with ordinary prudence.  Each    
    member shall be liable only for his or her own willful misconduct or   
    omissions and shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any other 
    member.  No member shall engage in any dealing or transaction using 
    church funds in which the member has direct or indirect financial  
    interest and shall at all times refrain from any conduct in which his or 
    her personal interests would conflict with the interest of the Church.


 Responsibilities of Planned Giving Committee

1. Promote the need for and the giving of assets to the Endowment funds for the long-range needs of the church; also educate the congregation about the options for planned giving.
2. Work with interested potential donors to provide information and facilitate the steps necessary to accomplish donations to the Endowment funds or Planned Gifts.
3. Consult the resources of the Financial Development Ministry of the United Church of Christ to accomplish 1 and 2 above.
4. Personally thank each donor directly, not through the bookkeeper.  Acknowledge all gifts (not dollar amounts) publicly with the consent of the donor.
5. Maintain a record of each gift and its designated purpose, if any, in a locked file.
6. Refer to the Finance Team any gifts not designated as Endowment, or non-monetary gifts from a decedent’s estate, such as property.
7. Meet with the donor of any unacceptable gift to seek an alternative.

Responsibilities of the Finance Team for Planned Giving and Endowment

1. Invest Endowment funds and monitor the endowments to assure that 90% of the investment income is applied to the corresponding spendable fund.
2. Monitor the investment distribution (diversification) and make changes as needed to benefit the church.
3. Direct the bookkeeper to make deposits and withdrawals of endowment monies as needed.
4. Seek legal and other professional investment advice as needed.
5. Report the status of all endowment accounts quarterly to Council and in writing at each annual meeting.  Endowment account balances will also be included in the bookkeeper’s monthly report.
6. Consult with Council and, as necessary, other teams or committees if there is any question about accepting an endowment or an estate gift, or the designated purpose of such a gift.  The Council reserves the right to decline the acceptance of a particular gift due to its inappropriateness, restrictions placed upon it, or potential financial or legal liability to the congregation.
7. Receive or recommend proposals for the use of endowment spendable funds.  Present all proposals over $1,000 with the team’s recommendation to Council for approval.

Adopted by Council 7/10/07 and amended 12/21/10, and 1/17/12
According to the Book of Worship of the United Church of Christ “a person is incorporated into the universal church, the body of Christ through the sacrament of baptism.”  “Baptism is a central celebration in the life of the local church which embodies the universal church in a particular place.”

In baptism promises are made to grow in the Christian faith, to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ by celebrating Christ’s presence, and by furthering Christ’s mission in all the world.

There is a sense of joyful mission, purpose, and commitment that comes with membership in a church.  To join Edgewood United Church is to make promises to fulfill the mission of the church.  These promises fall under three basic principles that are widely accepted.
1.     The promise to attend worship.
2.     The promise to participate in the life and mission of the community.
3.     The promise to support the church through time, talent and treasure.
It is in the interest of Edgewood United Church to define and maintain an accurate membership list.  Therefore, the Member Ministry Team is responsible for oversight of the following steps that will be taken on an annual basis;

1. The ChurchCouncil will appoint at their March meeting a committee of five people,recommended by the Member Ministry Team,to review the church roll.  The committee will consist of Edgewood members and a member of the Member Ministry Team will serve as committee leader.
2. The committee will identify people who have not been involved in the life of the church, as defined above, during the previous three years.
3. The church bookkeeper will review the committee’s list to identify people who have given financial support, and their names will be removed from the inactive list.
4. The Pastors will review the list with the church bookkeeper’s revisions.
5. A letter written by the pastor(s), including a return card (addressed and stamped), will be mailed to people on the list.  Those who respond will receive a letter affirming their response. For those whose whereabouts are unknown, an article in the month of May’s newsletter and throughout the month of May’s Church Bulletin will request information from anyone who might know where they are.
6.  By July 1,if there is no response, personal contact will be made as soon as possible by members of the committee and the results of the review will be reported to the Member Ministry Team and to Church Council no later than the Council’s December meeting.
7. Names may be removed by vote of the Church Council from the membership roll under any one of the following conditions:
1. People who request that his/her name be removed.
2. People who have not responded to any attempted contact.
3. People whose whereabouts are unknown to anyone at Edgewood.
8. The following names will be retained on the membership roll:
1. Students.
2. Military personnel.
3. Peace Corps or other national service volunteers.
4. Home-bound members.
5. People with extenuating circumstances as determined by the pastor(s).
9. In December, the Clerk of the Church Council shall report the action of the Church Council to the Church Secretary and those removed from the roll will be reported as part of the Annual meeting statistics.

Adopted by Council 9/11/07
Purpose of this standing rule:
(1) To ensure that fund raising and special collection requests made of congregants are in line with the mission and ministry of Edgewood United Church, and
(2) keep track of events to ensure they are spread out evenly throughout the year, keep outside solicitors from reaching our members/attendees, and to protect our congregation from an increasing number of requests.

1. Each fund raiser/ special collection must be sponsored by a Team to assure that it is consistent with Edgewood’s mission, i.e. a team must approve the purpose and method of each event.  Persons or groups without sponsorship will be asked to stop the solicitation.
2. Teams and committees will notify Finance of plans to raise funds or request special collections, the cause or mission to be supported, and a timeframe of when they would like to hold the event(s).  These plans need to made well in advance of the event, preferably by September 1 of each program year.
3. Finance Team will compile an annual fund raising calendar to begin each program year in September.
4. This standing rule applies to solicitations during church worship and fellowships or in church publications such as the Happenings and Exchange.
5. Events that arise during the program year can be added to the calendar, but still must be sponsored by a team or committee and scheduled with Finance.
6. This standing rule does not apply to individuals making donations to special funds of their own accord.  This applies only to solicitations made via Edgewood publications or physical collection sites on church property.

Adopted by Council 5/12/09 and amended 12/21/10
All requests seeking to involve the participation of Edgewood members and active non-members in academic, commercial or other non-church-related research projects must be approved in advance by Council, with clarity on the research methodology. This research must also only involve individuals who have first explicitly agreed to participate through an affirmative ‘opt-in’ basis.

Adopted by Council 1/18/11
This policy is based on people acting in good faith to what they have reason to believe is true.  A whistle blower is a person who raises a concern about wrong doings occurring in related church activities or while in the church.  Examples of complaints may focus on issues of discrimination, threats, abuse of children*, serious economic wastefulness, gross misconduct, misuses of finances, sexual harassment or other unethical or illegal activities.

If a person suspects another is engaged in inappropriate or improper activities, then a complaint can be filed.
·      A complaint should be addressed orally or in writing to a supervisor, designated staff person or pastors.
·      In the event the issue concerns a staff leader or pastors, a report should be made to the Council moderator.
·      The issue/problem should be clearly described and should include as much factual information as possible
·      No retaliation from staff or other church affiliated persons will occur against the person (whistle blower) having made a disclosure of an alleged unethical or inappropriate behavior.
·      Staff, volunteers, teachers, nor members will interfere with the rights of a person to blow the whistle.
·      The investigation of the complaint is the responsibility of the supervisor or pastoral staff and not of the person making the complaint.  Reports should be kept confidential to the extent possible.
·      Turnaround time for a response to the person making the complaint (whistle blower) should be in a timely manner.  If a response does not occur and the problem is not acknowledged in a timely manner (within one-two weeks), the person (whistle blower) or moderator should take a written description of the issue to a designated UCC conference office representative for purposes of seeking resolution.
·      A complaint resolution procedure and corrective decisions should be made in a reasonable time frame.

*See Safe Church Policy


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