Council

The Council of the Presbytery of Elizabeth shall be established in conformity with the provision of the Book of Order G-11.0103v for the purpose of enabling Presbytery to carry out its responsibilities “to establish and superintend the agencies necessary for its work…(and) providing for the regular review of the functional relationship between Presbytery’s structure and its mission.”

The purpose of the Council is to enable the Presbytery to carry out its responsibilities by strengthening the particular churches, agencies and ministries of the presbytery; coordinating the decision-making process, advising the presbytery, Program Units, and the Administrative Support Unit when appropriate; reviewing the evaluating the work of Program Units, and Administrative Support Unit, and the Presbytery leadership and staff; serving as a corporate instrument of witness and ministry for Jesus Christ; facilitating Presbytery’s partnership with the sessions, Synod and General Assembly.

Article II, Bylaws of the Presbytery of Elizabeth

Council will provide for the worship services at Stated Meetings through the Vice Moderator.

That person will schedule worship leaders, facilitate communications with the host congregation, and provide the worship leaders with the relevant policies of the Presbytery.

Part II, L1 Standing Rules of the Presbytery of Elizabeth

The Council shall review the recommend a proposed Stated Meeting docket to Presbytery.

Part II, L2 Standing Rules of the Presbytery of Elizabeth

The Presbytery packet shall normally be mailed no later than 10 days prior to the Stated Meeting.

Part II, L3 Standing Rules of the Presbytery of Elizabeth

Minutes of Council meetings shall be approved by Council at its next meeting.

Part II, L4 Standing Rules of the Presbytery of Elizabeth

All Council actions that require Presbytery approval shall come before Presbytery at the next Stated Meeting following that Council meeting.

Part II, L5 Standing Rules of the Presbytery of Elizabeth

The Presbytery Council shall (a) coordinate the equal employment activities of the Presbytery; (b) recommend periodically, to the Presbytery, of equal employment opportunity goals; (c) present to the Presbytery, annual summaries of equal employment opportunity performances within the Presbytery, and; (d) propose to the Presbytery any necessary corrective action.

Part II, L6 Standing Rules of the Presbytery of Elizabeth

The Presbytery Council shall include detailed data and analysis in an annual report to the Presbytery.  The Presbytery, through Council, shall conduct an annual evaluation of its work force and purchasing practices to determine the status of its performance in actualizing the denomination’s commitment to inclusiveness as outlined in G-9.0104.

Part II, L7 Standing Rules of the Presbytery of Elizabeth

The Presbytery Council, through its Personnel Committee, shall implement an effective program of search and recruitment, which shall include at least the following:

(a) Recognition that involvement of persons from the identified groups in the search and recruitment process is necessary;

(b) Identification of resources related to the identified groups which will yield positive results, e.g. newspaper, networks, caucuses, and employment agencies; and

(c) Utilization of the internal employment resources of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  Position descriptions shall be examined carefully to determine what functional and personal qualifications as to educational attainment, skills, experience, knowledge, characteristics, etc., are actually required by the position so that qualification factors which discriminate against racial ethnic persons, various age groups, women, or persons of various marital condition, or with disabilities are eliminated

(d) The Presbytery Council shall encourage and support advocacy groups concerned with promoting the welfare of those who have been affected by discrimination, and shall encourage the celebration of progress in equal employment opportunity.

(e) The Presbytery Council, in consultation with the Stated Clerk, shall include in its personnel policies provision for handling equal employment opportunity grievances for the review of allegations of employment discrimination.

(f) The Presbytery Council shall insure that all subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers of goods and services are notified of the Presbytery’s equal employment opportunity policy.  Such subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers shall be requested to share a copy of their equal employment opportunity policy.  Review and comment on these vendor plans will be included in the annual report of the Presbytery Council to the Presbytery.

Part II, L8 Standing Rules of the Presbytery of Elizabeth

In consultation with the Presbytery Council, each Equal Employment Opportunity agent within the Presbytery (including each organization or agency under the control of the Presbytery) shall:

(a) Ensure that all personnel guidelines, policies, procedures, and practices are implemented in accordance with the Presbytery’s policy on equal employment opportunity, and,

(b) Initiate special actions required to correct patters of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, marital condition (married, single, widowed, or divorced), disability or different theological positions consistent with Reformed tradition.

(c) Each session personnel committee is encouraged, by Council through the Presbytery Executive, to ensure that all personnel guidelines, policies, procedures, and practices are implemented in accordance with the Presbytery’s policy on equal employment opportunity.

(d) The Congregational Strategy and Resources Unit, in its responsibility for the review of Session Minutes and recommendation to Presbytery for approval, shall ascertain that the Presbytery’s Mission Statement and Goals and policy on equal employment opportunity have been properly observed.

Part II, L9 Standing Rules of the Presbytery of Elizabeth

Members of the Council (with vote, unless otherwise noted) shall include:

  1. Council Chairperson

  2. Council Vice Chairperson, who shall be the chairperson of the Administrative Support Unit

  3. Chairperson of Congregational Strategies and Resources Unit

  4. Chairperson of Evangelism and Church Growth Unit

  5. Chairperson of Educational Ministries Unit

  6. Chairperson of Committee on Ministry

  7. Chairperson of Outreach and Social Concerns Unit

  8. Chairperson of Committee on Preparation for Ministry and Pastoral Support Unit

  9. Chairperson of Personnel Committee

  10. Current Moderator of Presbytery

  11. Current Vice Moderator of Presbytery

  12. Immediate Past Moderator of Presbytery

  13. Three members-0at-large who shall be elected in such a way as to preserve the parity of ministers and elders and the racial and ethnic glance as reflected in the constituency of the Presbytery

  14. Presbyterian Women Representative

  15. A current Commissioner to Synod Assembly

  16. Stated Clerk, without vote

  17. Executive Presbyter, without vote

  18. Associate Executive(s), without vote

  19. Permanent Clerk, without vote

  20. Treasurer, without vote

  21. Chairperson of Committee on Representation

  22. Representative of Communications Committee, without vote

  23. President of Trustees

Article II (B) Bylaws of the Presbytery of Elizabeth

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