Community Outreach Charter

Article I: Name and Purpose

1. The name of this organization shall be the Outreach Board of St. Mark’s Church. It shall be hereafter referred to as the “Outreach Board”.
2. Outreach shall be defined as service to those who are disadvantaged or in need who are presently endeavoring to overcome these problems.
3. The purpose of the Outreach Board shall be:
   
   
   1. To develop and sustain, through ongoing dialogue within the parish, a vision of outreach at St. Mark’s and its relationship to the totality of life in the parish.
   2. To work with the clergy, the Vestry, and other lay leaders to ensure that outreach is integral to our life as a parish community.
   3. To establish appropriate policies and management for outreach programs formally recognized by the parish.
   4. To establish and provide oversight for an appropriate management structure within which outreach activities are undertaken.
   5. To recommend to the Finance Committee the annual budget for outreach and to monitor and manage the disbursement of these funds.
   6. To establish an appropriate support structure for our volunteers.
   7. To be accountable for the decisions made and actions taken, to fulfill the above purposes, to the Vestry and to the parish.

Article II: Membership

1. The Board shall consist of two co-chairs and no fewer than six and no more than ten members. All members, including the Co-Chairs, must be pledging members of St. Mark’s.
2. New members of the Outreach Board shall be approved by the co-chairs The term of office shall be two years beginning at Shrine Mont. Members shall have the option to extend their membership, in one-year increments, with the approval of the Co-Chairs.
3. Any pledging member of St. Mark’s may attend Board meetings but may not vote.

Article III: Officers

1. The officers of the Outreach Board shall consist of two Co-Chairs.
   
   
   1. The Co-Chairs shall be nominated by the Outreach Board and approved by the Vestry.
   2. One co-chair shall serve as treasurer and one shall serve as secretary.
   3. One co-chair shall preside at each meeting, who shall not vote except in case of a tie.
   
   
2. The term of office shall be two years with the co-chairs terms alternating annually to provide continuity.
3. The co-chairs shall have the responsibility to:
   
   
   1. preside at all meetings.
   2. keep the members informed of activities, events, and decisions made by the Vestry which affect the membership activities, and financial status of the Outreach Board.
   3. represent the Outreach Board and Program Managers whenever necessary.
   4. maintain an effective relationship with the Vestry liaison to Outreach.
   5. represent the Board and Program managers in engaging with Worship, the Arts, and Christian Education
   6. appoint Program Managers.
      
      
      1. Program Managers shall be responsible for the oversight of Outreach Board activities.
      2. Program Managers may be requested to report to the Outreach Board on the status of activities but do not have the right to vote.
      
      
   7. ensure there is effective communication of Outreach activities throughout the parish.
   
   
4. Section 4: The Co-Chair/Treasurer shall have the responsibility to for:
   
   
   1. fundraising events sponsored by the Outreach Board. (drop "handle all")
   2. deposits and check requests for Outreach activities. (drop "handle all")
   3. reporting to the membership at each meeting regarding the financial status of the Outreach Board.
   
   
5. Section 5: The Co-Chair/Secretary shall have the responsibility to:
   
   
   1. schedule meeting space for monthly meetings.
   2. send out a reminder, including an agenda, of meeting date, time and place each month.
   3. keep a record of meetings and inform/remind those persons affected by a Board decision.
   4. present an annual report of Outreach Board activities to the Vestry, assessing efforts and results in keeping with the purposes of the Outreach board as defined in Article I, Section 3.

Article IV: Meetings

1. Outreach Board meetings shall take place monthly, or as scheduled, from September through June.
2. A quorum shall consist of 51% of the Outreach Board membership.
3. All business requires a 51% vote of the members present to pass.

Article V: Amendments

1. Amendments to this charter may be proposed by any officer or member of the Outreach Board.
2. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Co-Chairs in writing.
3. The Co-Chairs shall provide the members with a copy of the proposed amendment no fewer than two weeks before the vote.
4. Amendments shall pass with a two-thirds vote of the entire Outreach Board. Absent members may be polled by the presiding chairperson if necessary.
5. All amendments adopted by the Outreach Board shall be submitted to the Vestry for final approval.

Article 6: Ratification

This charter shall take effect upon approval by two-thirds vote of the Outreach Board and by approval of the Vestry of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

(Approved by the necessary two-thirds of the Outreach Board membership February 13, 2003)