Narrative of the Responsibilities of the Trustees

First Congregational Church of Stoughton
United Church of Christ

Board of Trustees

Alan Rother
Fred Searcy

Chris Cesario
Al Manson

The Board of Trustees shall consist of 8 Active/Associate members whose duties and responsibilities are:

They shall be responsible for the maintenance and care of all the physical properties of the church. Specifically, they shall:

employ the Sexton and supervise his/her performance.
properly maintain the church kitchen, its equipment and supplies;
direct and supervise the periodic cleaning and maintenance of all floors, carpets, walls, drapes, windows, light fixtures and storage facilities of the church;
periodically inspect both the church and the parsonage and correct any condition(s) requiring repair or renovation;
develop a plan for the long term care and maintenance of the church and parsonage;
provide for the care and cultivation of all trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns on the church grounds and the parsonage so as to continuously add beauty to the church facilities;
ensure that all audio-visual, sound, video, computer and other electrical equipment is in proper working order for all services of worship and provide for their maintenance and repair
maintain a book of rules, procedures and policies governing the use of the church building and all its properties and equipment by members, non members and outside organizations and to be responsible for their enforcement and implementation.

They shall be responsible for preparing and administrating the annual budget of the church. Specifically:

They shall make preparations for an Annual Budget Meeting of the congregation to be held on a date in December set by the Church Council. In preparation for this Annual Budget Meeting the Trustees shall make a first draft budget proposal to the Church Council by their September meeting. Meetings with the various boards and committees shall be completed (if necessary) and preliminary budget requests received no later than August 1st of each year.
If at any time during the fiscal year income fails to meet budgeted expenses, the Board shall determine where necessary cuts in expenses shall be made or how additional funds shall be secured. However, the approval of the Church Council shall be required if any item in the budget is to be cut more than 20%.

The Trustees shall appoint an auditor. However, the auditor shall be responsible to the Church Council.

They shall maintain appropriate levels of insurance for all church properties, functions, employees and volunteers.

Have custody of all valuable papers relating to the property of the church and a copy of all employee contracts.

Authorize and direct the Treasurer to make payments to ensure the timely fulfillment of tile church's financial obligations and designate the depository for church funds.

The Trustees may spend up to $5,000 on any non-budgeted expenditure without prior approval. Any expenditure in excess of $5,000 shall require the approval of the Church Council. If the Council does not approve the board's request, a special meeting of the congregation shall be called to decide the matter. As an exception to p.3, sec. 5, the written request of 25 Active and Associate Members shall not be necessary to call this special meeting of the congregation.

The Chairperson of the Board may spend up to $1,000 on his/her own authority on matters he/she deems to be an emergency.

Upon specific authorization by a 3/4 majority vote of the Active/Associate members, at a meeting called for that purpose, they may borrow, buy, sell, mortgage or transfer real property of the church.

Other duties of the Trustees shall include supervising The Stewardship Committee, The Memorial Gifts Committee, The Offerings Clerks, The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer.