1. Presiding Clerk
The Yearly Meeting appoints a Presiding Clerk to a
3-year appointment. The Presiding Clerk takes office immediately after the close
of the Yearly Meeting sessions. He or she chairs the Executive Board, receives
and answers official communications, and makes all needful preparation for
presenting the business of the Yearly Meeting at its next annual sessions.
During the term of office the Clerk’s interpretation of Faith and Practice
is final, unless overruled by action of the Yearly Meeting Representative Body.
He or she, with the assistance of the General Superintendent, allots time in
the Yearly Meeting sessions to the various boards, with the advice and consent
of each Board President.
2. Assistant Presiding Clerk
The Yearly Meeting appoints an Assistant Presiding
Clerk to a 3-year appointment. The Assistant Presiding Clerk is kept informed on
matters of importance in preparation for the annual sessions, in order that he
or she may act in the absence of the Presiding Clerk with the greatest
efficiency. During the regular sessions the Assistant Presiding Clerk acts as
Reading Clerk, and chairs the Representative Body in Executive Session. He or
she will also serve as Contract Administrator for all Yearly Meeting employees,
making sure contracts are current and filed with the Recording Clerk. The
Assistant Presiding Clerk chairs the Nominating Committee Task Force.
3. Other Clerks
The Yearly Meeting also appoints a Recording
Clerk and an Assistant Recording Clerk, each for 3-year appointments. The
Recording Clerk is responsible to take and distribute minutes of all meetings
for business, to handle Yearly Meeting correspondence when called upon, and to
keep Yearly Meeting employee contracts on file. The Assistant Recording Clerk
may substitute for the Recording Clerk when necessary. He or she compiles the
Yearly Meeting directory for inclusion in the Minutes.
4. General Superintendent
The Yearly Meeting
appoints, on nomination by the Executive Board, a person to serve as General
Superintendent. The initial appointment is for a term of one year. Thereafter,
the appointment shall normally be extended to a two-year period, reviewed
annually by the Executive Board at its Mid-Year Board Meetings. The
Superintendent shall be notified in writing of the appointment and all financial
arrangements related thereto. All new duties or release of duties shall be
listed.
The
General Superintendent must be well qualified by maturity and experience and by
executive ability to exercise general supervisory care over all departments of
work of the Yearly Meeting. He or she is authorized to call together any board
or committee of the Yearly Meeting in case of a vacancy in the presiding office,
and is an ex-officio member of all such administrative bodies. The General
Superintendent gives special attention to:
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the operation of an effective program of
evangelism;
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assistance in the placement of pastors,
evangelists, and missionaries;
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the promotion of revivals, conference,
and rallies; and,
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the advancement of the church into new
fields of work.
5. Treasurer
The Yearly Meeting appoints to a 3-year
appointment, on nomination by the Executive Board, a person to serve as
treasurer. The Treasurer receives money from the meetings and from other sources
for the Yearly Meeting’s use and dispenses the same as directed by the Yearly
Meeting. He or she is authorized to receive and to issue official receipt for
all legacies, donations, or other funds requiring a formal legal acknowledgment.
The Treasurer submits a report annually and as requested by Executive Board. The
Treasurer shall serve as ex-officio member of the Board of Stewardship
Ministries.
6. Ministries Coordinator
The Yearly Meeting appoints to a 3-year term, on
nomination by the Executive Board, with the advice of the General
Superintendent, a person to serve as Ministries Coordinator. Responsibilities
may be that of an assistant to the Superintendent but primarily will be to
administer Yearly Meeting programs and coordinate Yearly Meeting board personnel
so that boards and programs will function effectively and with a greater measure
of accountability between general sessions for business. The Ministries
Coordinator is one well qualified by maturity and experience to carry out the
appointed responsibilities. He or she works under the supervision of the General
Superintendent in any or all of the departments of the Yearly Meeting work. The
Ministries Coordinator will become familiar with the activities of all Boards
and Committees, specifically working with Board Presidents to offer help and
assistance in the carrying out of Board programs. The Ministries Coordinator
will attend Board meetings at his or her discretion, at Board request, or at the
suggestion of the General Superintendent. The Ministries Coordinator is
responsible to see that representatives are named to appropriate Commissions for
Evangelical Friends International/North America.
7. Other Officers
Other
officers may be named by the Representative Body upon the request of the
Executive Board or general sessions of the Yearly Meeting.
8. Term Limits
Appointment of
“volunteer” officers, such as those of the clerks, should be for a maximum of
three 3-year terms. Officers should enjoy a 1-year break before returning to
the office. This term limitation would not include paid staff.