CODE OF REGULATIONS of THE PARISH OF TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH, TOLEDO, OHIO Adopted by unanimous vote at a Special Parish Meeting on Sunday, October 5, 1997. Most recent amendment in 2016 – Article III, Section 1(a). Article I. Authority This parish acknowledges itself to be a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America and of the Diocese of Ohio, and accedes to, recognizes and adopts their superior authority. The Vestry shall act as the agent of the parish in the care and custody of its property and in its relations with its clergy. Article II. Meetings Section 1. - An annual meeting, unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Vestry, shall be held on the third Sunday of January in each year, for the election of members of the Vestry and for transaction of other business as may properly come before such meeting. Section 2. - Special meetings of the members of the parish may be called by the Rector, or, in the Rector's absence, by the Senior Warden, or, in the absence of both the Rector and the Senior Warden, by the Junior Warden, or may be called at any time upon the request of twenty-five (25) members in good standing of the parish. Written notice specifying the time, place, and purpose thereof shall be mailed to each member or family of the parish at least two (2) weeks before the date of such meeting. Section 3. - Each baptized member of the parish, 16 years of age or older, who during the year preceding any parish meeting (i) has regularly attended worship services; (ii) has been a regular contributor of record to the financial support of the parish; and (iii) is a communicant in good standing as defined by the Canons of The Episcopal Church, shall be eligible to vote at all meetings of the congregation. Section 4. - At all annual and special meetings of the members of the parish, the presence of twenty-five (25) qualified voting members shall constitute a quorum. Section 5. Any notice which is to be sent pursuant to this Code of Regulations shall be in writing and shall be sent by electronic transmission, including facsimile or e-mail, or by United States mail, express mail, or courier service, with postage or fees prepaid. If a provision in this Code of Regulations indicates that a notice shall be mailed, and any one of the preceding notice requirements are followed, then the notice requirements of this Code of Regulations shall have been complied with. Section 6. Members of the Vestry may participate in and act at any meeting of the Vestry through the use of communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in such a meeting shall constitute attendance and presence in person at the meeting of the person or persons so participating. Article III. Vestry & Wardens Section 1. a. The Vestry shall consist of nine (9) members who are qualified voting members. b. To the extent possible, the terms of the Vestry members shall be staggered so that one-third (1/3) of the Vestry members are elected each year. 1 SLK_TOL: #2916904v2
Trinity Episcopal Church – Code of Regulations
c. Members of the Vestry who have served two (2) full three (3) year terms may not be re-elected to the Vestry until the expiration of a one (1) year period following the end of the term of that individual. Notwithstanding the preceding, a Vestry member who has been elected to a one or two year term shall be eligible to serve, in addition, two full three year terms. d. Vacancies occurring in the Vestry may be filled by a vote of the majority of the remaining Vestry members. Any such interim Vestry members shall hold office until the next annual meeting at which time the vacancy for the balance of the term shall be filled. Section 2. - The Officers of the Vestry shall include the Rector, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, and Clerk. Other than the Rector, the Officers shall be elected by the Vestry at its first meeting following the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer and Clerk need not be members of the Vestry. Section 3. - The Vestry shall meet regularly at least quarterly and most usually each month (except July and August). The Rector, if present, shall preside. If the Rector is not present, the Senior or Junior Warden shall preside. Section 4. - The Presiding Officer shall make appointments to all committees. All members of the parish shall be eligible for committee appointment. Article IV. Nominations for Vestry Section 1. - A Nominating Committee of no less than three (3) members of the parish who are qualified voters shall be appointed by the Rector and Wardens and confirmed by the Vestry. Section 2. - The Nominating Committee shall present to the Vestry no later than its December meeting a list of nominees who qualify as voters, with no less than one nominee for each vacancy to be filled. Section 3. - Nominations of persons who qualify as voters and who have indicated a willingness to serve may be made in addition to the Nominating Committee slate. Such nominations, including a brief biography and reason for the nomination shall be submitted to the Nominating Committee in writing no later than two (2) weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. Section 4. - An alphabetical listing of each person nominated pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 above, including a biography, shall be mailed to each member or family with a notice of the Annual Meeting at least one (1) week prior to the Annual Meeting. Article V. Indemnification The Rector, Officers, Vestry members, and employees shall, while acting within the scope of their authority, be indemnified against expense and liability as allowed by Section 1702.12 (E) of the Ohio Revised Code, as the same may be amended, and in accordance with said provisions. Article VI. Amendments This Code of Regulations may be amended, supplemented, or repealed at any meeting of the parish, herein provided for, by a majority vote of the voting members present. Provided, however, a copy of any motion to amend, supplement or repeal shall be delivered to the Clerk of Vestry, not later than three (3) weeks before the date of such meeting. There shall be included in the notice of such meeting a summary of the proposal and a statement that one of the purposes of the meeting will be to consider and act upon such proposal.
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Trinity Episcopal Church – Code of Regulations