Church Council

Minutes of the Church Council

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  Definition of the DLC Executive Committee and its role-adopted 05/10/2011 by the Church Council
  
  The Executive Committee of Decorah Lutheran Church shall consist of the following voting members:
  Congregation President, Congregation Vice-President, Church Council Secretary, Chairpersons of the Property/ Management, Worship, Evangelism, Youth/Education and Stewardship Committees.
  Senior Pastor is an ex-officio member of this committee and should endeavor to be present for most meetings. The Associate Pastor should attend in the absence of the Senior Pastor.
  Executive Committee shall meet at least monthly, normally the week before the Church Council meets.
  A quorum for this Committee shall consist of five voting members. No business may be conducted unless a quorum is present. Any action by this committee shall require a simple majority vote of those members present, other than personnel issues which shall require a simple majority written ballot vote.
  
  Executive Committee functions and responsibilities:

1. Set the agenda for Church Council meetings and Congregational meetings.
2. Act as the Personnel Committee for Decorah Lutheran Church with the authority to hire, discipline and terminate all non-rostered staff with consultation and input from the Senior Pastor.
3. Perform annual reviews of all Decorah Lutheran Staff and make recommendations to Property and Management Committee regarding compensation adjustments.
4. Review and act on all requests for use of church facilities.
5. Any and all other duties and responsibilities assigned to the Committee by the Church Council.
   

This document is subject to the Constitution and By-laws of Decorah Lutheran Church.

Statement on Staff Relations and Discipline for Decorah Lutheran Church-adopted 05/10/2011 by the Church Council

Senior Pastor is responsible for the normal supervision of all staff employed by Decorah Lutheran Church. Senior Pastor shall have no authority to hire or terminate any staff at Decorah Lutheran Church unless specifically given that authority by a majority vote of the Executive Committee of Decorah Lutheran Church.
Senior Pastor will report at least monthly to the Executive Committee about staff issues. Any serious staff problems must be reported to the Congregation President within 24 Hours.
In the absence of the Senior Pastor these responsibilities shall be fulfilled by the Associate Pastor. In the absence of both the Senior Pastor and the Associate Pastor the Congregation President shall fulfill these responsibilities.
Congregational members who wish to share a problem or concern about any staff must submit their concern in writing with their signature or appear in person at an executive committee meeting. If the stated concerns regard the Senior Pastor the Executive Committee may by a simple majority vote excuse the Senior Pastor from the meeting. No disciplinary action can be taken against any staff member until said staff member has been given an opportunity to hear and address these concerns. Executive Committee may by a simple majority vote convene in closed session to discuss these issues, no action against a staff member can be voted on in closed session and any such action taken must be by written ballot. Executive Committee is admonished to carefully balance the rights and emotions of both the congregation members and the staff in these situations.
Executive Committee shall be responsible with consultation and input from the Senior Pastor for all disciplinary actions, including termination, regarding the non-rostered staff of Decorah Lutheran Church. Senior Pastor must be invited to any meeting of the Executive Committee where disciplinary action or termination of a non-rostered employee is taken. If the Senior Pastor refuses to attend such meeting executive committee may continue without his/her presence.
This document is subject to the Constitution and By-laws of Decorah Lutheran Church.