Charge Conference Considerations in COVID-19 Times. o Keep close communications with the pastor and the Church Council. The position of deacon is an important . o Provide advice and direction to the Board of Trustees and others based on detailed knowledge of the disciplinary and legal requirements related to church property. This doesnt mean being risk averse. You must get permission from the Commission to sell or lease property to or from a trustee, someone closely connected to a trustee, or an employee of the charity. stream However, there may be financial protection for those trustees who have made an honest mistake and can rely on the indemnity provisions in the charitys governing document, insurance cover or relief from the Commission or the court. This means they are not legal bodies in their own right and cant hold property in their own name; it must be held for the charity by trustees. Its not about serving: Sometimes trustees need to consider collaborating or merging with another charity, or even spending all of the charitys resources and bringing it to a close. stream PDF LOCAL CHURCH BOARD OF TRUSTEES - iaumc.org board members . The Congregation Council has the principal responsibility for fulfillment of the church's mission and the legal accountability for its operations. In addition, the bylaws should include provisions that indemnify (protect) board members from personal liability for board decisions. Find out more about governing documents. You must only use these powers in ways that further your charitys purposes. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. For example if your charity has business dealings with your employer, a friend, family member, or another body (such as a local authority or charity, or a charitys trading subsidiary) that you serve on. Trustees are consulted before the church enters into a contract or financial agreement, and they have the power to negotiate the salaries of church employees. Trustees are responsible for handling most of the financial aspects of operating the church. The Commission means the Charity Commission, the regulator for charities in England and Wales. When the Commission looks into cases of potential breach of trust or duty or other misconduct or mismanagement, it may take account of evidence that trustees have exposed the charity, its assets or its beneficiaries to harm or undue risk by not following good practice. See the section on what to do if something goes wrong in section 8 of this guidance. The board of trustees shall elect from the membership thereof, to hold office for a term of one year or until their successors shall be elected, a chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, and, if need requires, a treasurer; provided, however, that the chairperson and vice chairperson shall not be members of the same class; and provided further, that the offices of secretary and treasurer may be held by the same person; and provided further, that the chairperson shall be a professing member of the local church. Risk management is the process of identifying and assessing risks, and deciding how to deal with them.