Community Governance Model

Our current governance model was officially adopted by the Community in June 2015. Three leaders: a liturgy leader; an operations leader; and community life and service leader to serve on the Guiding Council which is based on the model of a steering committee.

Responsibilities of the Three New Christian Community Leaders:

• Listen to their respective groups and the community at large and collect data

• Prioritize information, define possible action plans, decide on suitable action(s) i.e. policy making. Based on confidentiality, leadership may choose an internal vote (vote within leaders); however, the bias is toward a community vote

• Ideally, agendas are published ahead of community meetings. At community meetings, members would listen to leaders present agenda items/action plan recommendations. After a discussion period amongst members, members consensus/vote on action plans using the following voting method:

  • Affirm with vigor

  • Affirm with reservations

  • Stand aside, if it is the will of the community

  • Vote not in favor (to be rarely considered)

• Meet with community 4 times a year or more, depending on circumstances (September, January, March, June)

• Leaders meet to discuss issues and concerns 1x a month

• Interface with ST's and or Advisory Board Liaison regarding Shrine at large and bring information back to community

Specifications:

• Length of service for community leaders. Recommended: staggered two year terms

• Community members at a community meeting call forth leaders, reflecting on matching the talents and skills of the individual to the type of leadership being called forth

• All calls to leadership must be prayerfully considered. i.e. no outright rejection of call

Responsibilities of Community Members:

• Commit to serve in areas of need within community such as ministries

• Attend community meetings

• Bring pertinent concerns to respective leader

• After a discussion period amongst members, members consensus/vote on action plans using the voting method:

  • a) Affirm with vigor

  • b) Affirm with reservations

  • c) Stand aside, if it is the will of the community

  • d) Vote not in favor (to be rarely considered)

Leadership Positions:

1. Liturgy and Spirituality: Oversees the committees that empower the celebration of Eucharist and all that is necessary for community worship and organizes the many individual projects (Example: Lenten Services) necessary for community worship.

   • Assists and coordinates the following ministries: Liturgy; Music; Eucharistic Ministers; Mass Coordinator (MC); Community Retreat and Sacramental Coordination

   • Maintains the liturgical planning calendar

   • Assists groups in visioning and problem solving. Can take needs to Guiding Council.

   • Assists each respective ministry in group to establish protocols (what you do).

2. Community Spirit: Oversees these committees and ministries:

   • Pastoral Care; Food for St. Joseph's; Coffee; Sandwich Ministry; Welcoming; Community Service Project; Bulletin

   • Assists groups in visioning and problem solving. Can take needs to Guiding Council

   • Assists each respective ministry in group to establish protocols (what you do).

3. Operations: Oversees the committees that:

   • Raise money for internal or outreach purposes (Service Auction, Xmas Sharing, Art on the Hill, Chili Cookoff)

   • Develop and recommend financial policies (Finance Committee)

   • Develop website and Technology Support

   • Assists groups in visioning and problem solving. Can take needs to Guiding Council.

   • Assists each respective ministry in group to establish protocols (what you do).

Implementation:

• Transitional governance team that is comprised of the transition team to lead until new leaders are called forth in September and January.

• Staggered (transition governance team) leadership positions: Community Spirit Leader; Liturgical and Spirituality Leader leave January 2023; Operations Leader leaves September 2022. Respectively, new leaders are called forth and voted in from community to replace transitional governance team