Policy on Vetting for Educational Boards, Commissions, Councils, Committees or Task Forces. Policy Statement

Transcription

1 Policy on Vetting for Educational Boards, Commissions, Councils, Committees or Task Forces Policy Statement Policy No The purpose of this policy and the following standards (rules) is to guarantee the selection of the best qualified persons who will be recommended in advance to the Archbishop for vetting to hold leadership positions on Archdiocesan Catholic Boards, Commissions and Councils. These standards (rules) may also be used as guides for selecting committee or task force membership. Each Board, Commission, Council, Committee or Task Force may have separate requirements for membership. However, basic requirements are: Catholic members are to be active and practicing Catholics. Examples: Registered members of a parish: If married, the marriage is recognized by the Catholic Church; Attend Saturday evening/sunday Mass weekly; Reflect the teachings and values of the Catholic Church in their lives. Non-Catholic members are to reflect the teachings and values of the Catholic Church in their lives. Those persons who intentionally are former or inactive Catholics are not eligible for membership. Recommended: 04/20/2010 by Archdiocesan Education Commission, William A. Kuntz, President Ratified: 04/20/2010 by Most Rev. Daniel M. Buechlein, OSB, Archbishop of Indianapolis

2 or Task Forces page 2 Administrative Rules Rule No Each Board, Council, Commission, Committee or Task Force, whose members are subject to appointment by the Archbishop, shall have a process of nomination for membership. 1.1 If there is a recommendation form, advertising or public announcements, these should clearly state that the Board, Commission Council, Committee or Task Force is seeking a pool of candidates. 1.2 Requirements for membership including the basic requirements stated in the policy above are to be included with or in the application. 2. The Pool of Candidates and Vetting Process 2.1 The candidate is not informed of possible membership prior to vetting. 2.2 The executive committee/board development committee (or other designated committee) draws up a list of potential candidates (the pool) one and no more than three names for each position to be filled. 2.3 The secretariat head or delegate (high school presidents/ceos and CEOs of separate agencies under the Secretariat) contact pastors to verify Catholic candidates active participation and that the candidate is in good standing with the Church. 2.4 The names (pool) are submitted to the Archbishop or his delegate through the secretariat head for vetting. 2.5 The Archbishop or his delegate reviews the list, vetting those eligible in advance and deleting the names of those not eligible for membership. 2.6 The list of vetted candidates is then returned through the secretariat head and local administrator to the executive committee/board development committee (or other designated committee). 2.7 The executive committee/board development committee (or other designated committee) then proceeds according to their constitution, bylaws or policies to select new members from the list of vetted candidates from the pool, invite them to membership, and once the vet-

3 or Task Forces page 3 ted candidate has accepted membership, notify the local administrator and secretariat head. 2.8 The secretariat head will notify the Archbishop and he or his delegate shall send an appointment letter. Promulgation: 04/20/2010 by Annette Mickey Lentz, Executive Director, Catholic Education and Faith Formation Application Archdiocesan Education Commission, Board of the Mother Theodore Catholic Academies, CYO Board, St. Mary s Child Center Board, Interparochial High School Boards that operate as boards of limited jurisdiction as well as special task forces or committees appointed by the Archbishop. This policy does not apply to commissions and boards that operate at the parish level with members appointed by the pastor, although similar policies/rules are recommended. History/Rationale By Canon Law the Archbishop appoints members to lay governance bodies for archdiocesan entities as well as for certain other educational entities such as interparochial high school boards. It is in the best interest of all parties that qualified members are appointed to these bodies according to effective and efficient processes. Therefore, the Archbishop or his delegate, will pre-screen or vet all candidates for membership on these bodies after their nomination, but before they are notified of possible membership. This helps ensure the quality of candidates but also prevents embarrassment on the part of the candidate or the Archbishop. This policy and rules were adopted from a protocol for all lay governance bodies under the Secretariats of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis promulgated December 4, 2008 Policy Guidance The Office of Catholic Education recommends that all educational governance bodies affected by this policy make the necessary changes in local constitutions and bylaws as soon after promulgation as possible and begin the practice of vetting new members immediately upon promulgation if they have not done so before.

4 or Task Forces page 4 The OCE also recommends that Parish level councils and commissions adopt and follow a similar process to allow for the vetting of potential members by the pastor according to the purpose and rationale of this policy and rules. The basic requirements for membership on a board, council or commission are outlined in the policy as follows: Catholic members are to be active and practicing Catholics. Registered members of a parish; If married, the marriage is recognized by the Catholic Church; Attend Saturday evening/sunday Mass weekly; Reflect the teachings and values of the Catholic Church in their lives. Non-Catholic members are to reflect the teachings and values of the Catholic Church in their lives. Those persons who intentionally are former or inactive Catholics are not eligible for membership. In addition, rather than just reflecting an egalitarian representation of the parish that is often accomplished by election, we believe that commission members today should be persons of integrity who are there for the right reasons: Genuine interest and commitment to the ministry; Bring skills and expertise needed by the ministry; Able and willing to contribute time, talent and treasure to the ministry. They must also understand that they are not there to: Manage the administrative affairs of the school, ministry or parish; Get someone or with an axe to grind; Represent a faction of or issue within the parish, ministry or school community; Supervise the pastor, administrators or employees; Exercise power or to play power games. Important Principles for lay governance that came forth from Vatican Council II are: Shared Responsibility: Church members have the right and obligation to assist the Church by offering time and talent so that the Church s mission will be more effective. Subsidiarity: The Church principle that decisions should be made at the most appropriate (lowest) level.

5 or Task Forces page 5 Guided by these important principles, Church leadership should strive to find the most qualified and motivated people to assist in the leadership of the Church and its education and faith formation ministries. Disclaimer: Guidance offered on policies and rules is advice to the administrator on implementation of the policy and rules. It does not, in itself, constitute policy or rules and represents, therefore, a non-binding suggestion of best practices or procedures that can be followed in the implementation of the policy and rules except where it repeats or explains actual provisions of the stated policy and rules. NOTE: All promulgated AEC Policies are posted and searchable at (Member Area).