St. Joseph Cemetery Committee Bylaws
Organized November 14, 2001
Amended June 18, 2015
The Cemetery Committee will follow the Constitution and Bylaws of Parish Council.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of the Committee is to look after the day-to-day operation of the cemetery as well as its perpetual care. The Committee is consultative and advisory to the Pastor.
The scope of the Committee is as follows:
MEMBERSHIP
The Pastor of the parish, because of his role of pastoral leadership, serves as ex-officio member of the committee.
The Committee shall consist of nine members, each serving a three-year term. To ensure continuity, terms of office should be established so that one third of the members are replaced each year. After serving a full three-year term, a member must have at least one year off.
The sexton shall be a voting ex-officio member of the Committee.
Termination of membership: Premature termination occurs by member’s request, moving out of the area, or two consecutive un-excused absences. Necessary absences from meetings shall be telephoned to either the parish office, the chairperson, or to the secretary of committee prior to the meeting.
Vacancies: Vacancies should be filled to serve unexpired terms and should be appointed by the pastor with recommendations from remaining committee members.
The Committee will have a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary. These officers will be selected by the Committee members from among its’ members, and service a 1-year term. They may be reelected.
The main function of the Chairperson is to conduct the Committee meetings and prepare an agenda for such meetings. Other duties are outlined in the parish council bylaws.
The Vice Chairperson conducts the Committee meetings in the absence of the Chairperson.
The Secretary shall take minutes of each meeting and notify members of all meetings.
MEETINGS
Quarterly meetings will be held on the 2nd Thursday of March, June, September and December unless otherwise scheduled. (At the onset, meetings will be held monthly.)
The preferred method of reaching a decision by the committee shall be done so with free open discussion leading to the consensus of committee members, as outlined on page four of the Parish Council Bylaws. Any significant impasse shall be solved by the taking of a vote by committee members. In order for decisions to be considered official, voting must carry with a majority of total committee members. The Pastor must be involved in the discussion and deliberation. His approval in any decision is required. The Pastor holds the power of final decision upon any recommendations made by the committee. No action upon any decisions/recommendations shall be undertaken unless readings of the proposal has been given at two consecutive monthly meetings.