Board Positions
Per the by-laws, the Board of Directors is comprised of four officers — President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer—and three Directors at Large.
While each position has a different function (see below), all board members have an equal vote on the board and are expected to share their voice and opinions equitably in board discussions and decision-making processes.
Responsibilities
Excerpted from the Metaphysical Chapel of Life Policies and Procedures (Board of Directors section, updated 3-3-2024):
All Directors and Officers (By-Laws)
- Provide leadership for the Chapel by discussing and voting upon issues and matters pertaining to the administrative and financial business of the Chapel.
- Serve as willing liaisons between members of the Chapel and the Board of Directors.
- A joint meeting of the Boards is to be held quarterly in order to maintain full communication and growth among the Ministers, Directors, and Members of the Chapel.
- Make recommendations to the Board of Ministers for approval/disapproval regarding certifications for novitiate healing practitioner/healing practitioners, novitiate ministers and ministers prior to submission to the Church of Enlightenment.
- Make recommendations as needed to the Board of Ministers expressing requests of the members and Board of Directors concerning matters of the Chapel under the cognizance of the Board of Ministers.
- Programs, workshops, and guest speakers under the auspices of the Chapel shall have joint approval of the Board of Directors and Ministerial Board.
- May serve at the discretion of the Board of Ministers, on the Chapel podium during services, but are not required to do so.
President
By-Laws: The president shall be the principle executive officer of the Church. Subject to the direction and guidance of the Board of Directors. The president shall see that the resolutions and directives of the Board of Directors are carried into effect except in those instances in which that responsibility is assigned to some other person; and, in general the President shall discharge all duties incident to the office of the president and such other duties as maybe prescribed by the Board of Directors.
Duties and Responsibilities: As the executive officer of the board, the president shall, but not be limited to, facilitate orderly board meetings, oversee the carrying out of responsibilities of all board members, delegate responsibilities, see that the by-laws are adhered to, counsel with individual board members as required, form committees, chair committees, oversee committees, introduce projects or events, ensure that the integrity of the church is maintained through maintenance, operations, cleanliness of premises, and serve as member on the board of the Church of Enlightenment.
Job Description:
1. Develops board meeting agenda
2. Chairs board meetings
3. Provides leadership and consensus building for board members, who set policy.
4. Lead(s) and partner(s) with boards members in strategic planning.
5. Lead and partner with board members in achieving the boards
mission/responsibilities.
6. Establish committees and appoints chairpersons, in consultation with board
members.
7. Serve as an ex officio as member of committees and attends meetings when invited.
8. Oversee the management and functioning of the church’s facilities and maintenance.
9. Work directly with the Secretary to ensure proper execution of the boards record
keeping and privacy responsibilities.
10. Work directly with Treasurer to ensure proper execution of the board’s fiduciary
responsibilities.
11. Monitor financial planning and financial reports.
12. Encourage and/or facilitate fundraising activities.
13. Ensure issues or question raised by church members are reviewed and appropriate
response provided.
14. Evaluate annually the accomplishments of the board in achieving mission and any
specific goals.
15. Prepare annual election plans with assistance of vice-president and others as
appropriate.
16. Perform other duties or responsibilities as deemed appropriate by the board.
17. Have a working knowledge of the Church of Enlightenment and the Chapel’s by-
laws and policy and procedures to facilitate church or board issues that may arise.
Vice-President
By-Laws: The vice-president shall serve as primary assistant to the president; shall fill the
functions of the president in situations wherein the president is unavailable; serve as
president if, for any reason the president is unable to complete the term of office.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The vice-president shall serve as an assistant to the president, facilitate meetings in the
absence of the president and stay in communication with the president on church affairs
and the maintenance and operations of the church’s facility.
Job Description:
1. Perform president’s duties and responsibility when the president is not available -
See president's job description.
2. Perform the duties and responsibilities of the president If for any reason the
president is unable to complete the term of office, or until the position is filled in
accordance with the church’s by-laws.
3. Work closely with the president to facilitate on-going actions.
4, Encourage and/or facilitate fundraising activities.
5. Function as a financial steward of church funds and regarding the board’s fiduciary
responsibilities.
6. Support or assist the president to ensure issues or question raised by church
members are reviewed and appropriate response provided.
7. Support or assist the president in the annual evaluation of the board’s
accomplishment of its mission.
8. Support and assist the president in preparation of the annual election plans as
appropriate.
9. Complete other duties/responsibility as deemed appropriate by the board.
10. Have a working knowledge of the church’s by-laws and policy and procedures to
facilitate church or board issues that may arise.
Secretary
By-Laws: The Secretary shall record the minutes of the meetings of the members and of the
Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; sees that all notices
are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By Laws or as required by law;
be custodian of the Church records; keep a register of the post office address of each
member which shall be furnished to the secretary by such member; and perform all
duties incident to the office of secretary and such other duties as from time to time be
assigned to the secretary by the Board of Directors.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The secretary shall objectively, precisely, and accurately transcribe the minutes of the
meetings of the board of directors’ meetings and make them available for review and
approval by the board. Be custodian of the church records; keep a register of the post
office address of each member as provided on their membership application and
updated when a change occurs; keep all forms and information for membership
updated, available; ensure that all notices are dully given in accordance with the
provisions of the by-laws or as required under law; and perform all duties incident to the
office of secretary and such duties as assigned by the board of directors. A skillful
knowledge of computers and office software is required.
Job Description:
1. Take and manage minutes of board meetings using a standardized template.
2. Ensure minutes are distributed for review after each meeting – allowing sufficient
time for review and adjustments before next board meeting.
3. Maintain records of the board and any associated decision documentation
maintained electronically and in hardcopy files.
4. Update Index of Motions based on approved board meeting minutes.
5. Manage all official correspondence associated with the board’s mission and
functions.
7. Sends out Sympathy cards in accordance with church’s Policy and Procedures
Manual – Cards and Flowers.
8. Function as financial steward of church funds and regarding the board’s fiduciary
responsibilities.
9. Have a working knowledge of the church’s by-laws and policy and procedures
manual to facilitate distribution of received communication and in proactive preparation
of draft responses.
Treasurer
By-Laws: The Treasurer shall be the principal accounting and financial officer of the Church. The Treasurer shall: (a) have charge of and be responsible for the maintenance of adequate
books of account for the Church; (b) have charge and custody of all funds and securities
of the Church, and be responsible therefore, and for the receipt and disbursement
thereof and perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties
as, from time to time, may be assigned to the Treasurer by the Board of Directors.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The treasurer shall be responsible for the financial matters of the church to include
collection of funds, payment of bills, accounting, banking, analysis, advising and
reporting. The treasurer should be comfortable handling money, working with numbers
and spread sheets, and comfortable with appropriate software technology.
Job Description:
1. Collect and records/accounts for funds donated to the church.
2. Conduct banking and investment actions for the church.
3. Provide analysis and advise the board of directors on the financial well-being of the
church.
4. Provide an annual budget to the board for approval.
5. Pay bills and fees associated with the church’s facilities, mission, and functions.
6. Update board on banking or other financial policy or procedure changes.
7. Execute purchases using the church’s credit card and tax-exempt status
documentation.
8. Maintain the church’s tax-exempt status.
10. Maintain the church’s electronic receipt accounts, such as Square and PayPal, etc.
11. Purchase floral arrangements as determined by the board of directors.
12. Function as financial steward of church funds and regarding the board’s fiduciary
responsibilities.
13. Have a working knowledge of the church’s by-laws and policy and procedures to
facilitate church or board issues that may arise.
At Large Directors
By-Laws: Three (3) at large directors that are elected by the Metaphysical Chapel of Life church members.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Participate in meetings, operation and functioning of the church. Have a working
knowledge of the by-laws and other related materials associated with church issues.
Contribute to the mission and participate in activities of the church. Act as a conduit
between church members and the board. Pursue improvements to the functioning of
the church and in supporting the church community.
Job Description:
1. Regularly attend board meetings and related meeting, including supporting e-mail or
phone decisions.
2. Stay informed and be prepared for board/committee meetings, reviews, and
comments on minutes and reports.
3. Lead or participate in actions or efforts in support of the church.
4. Identify, encourage, and support any fund-raising efforts.
5. Actively support annual mission/goal reviews and strategic and other planning
efforts.
6. Function as financial steward of church funds and regarding the board’s fiduciary
responsibilities.
7. Have a working knowledge of the church’s by-laws and policy and procedures to
facilitate church or board issues that may arise.
You may contact a current member of the board of directors, or a minister, for more information about serving on the Board of Directors.
