APPROVED BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I - NAME & PURPOSE

The name of his body shall be the GENESIS VICARIATE PASTORAL COUNCIL (herein referred to as "the Council"). The purpose of the Council is to bring the Archbishop, the Archdiocesan Departments, Archdiocesan representatives and the Council closer to the faithful in the Vicariate. This group of representatives will act for the benefit of the Archbishop, the Vicariate and the worshipping committee in its constituent parishes.

The Genesis Vicariate seeks to be responsive to the needs of people of all ages by providing support for the ministries of its member parishes. his can be done by coordinating pastoral planning, educational needs, worship and stewardship. We need to  make appropriate decisions, enhance communication and utilize resources which can be shared.

The functions of the Vicariate Pastoral Council should include, but not be limited to:

• Encouraging maximum use of existing and potential resources available to the Vicariate and its member parishes

• Implementing appropriate communications at the Vicariate level to ensure that all Catholics and others are aware of the opportunities to participate in all activities that help build up the faith community

The Council will serve as a source of feedback to the Archbishop and assist the Vicar and the APC representative to carry out the mission of the Church in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERS

The Membership of the Council shall consist of:

1. The Vicar

2. An APC Representative (selected from the VPC ad hoc)

3. One Representative and one alternate from each Parish Council in the Vicariate ad hoc to the Parish Council

4. One Parish Religious Education Director

5. One Pastoral Associate

6. One representative that is a Deacon

7. One parochial school principal

8. One parish or Vicariate Youth Minister

9. One parish representative from Christian Service

10. One parish representative from the Worship Commission

A majority of the Council shall consist of laity. It is not expected that either the Vicar or the APC representative will chair or hold any other office on the Council.

TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP

In general, the term of membership for a parish representative will be three years, with a maximum of two terms in sequence. No member who has completed two three-year terms may be elected or appointed to the Council before a lapse of one year. Membership should be on a three-year rotation and planned so that 1/3rd of the members change over on termination of membership. The first terms of membership upon formation will be staggered, so that every member will initially hold either a one, two or three-year term until rotation is stabilized.

OFFICERS

All officers will be selected by vote for a one-year term of office which can be renewed for a maximum of two years.

Chairperson: Duties will be to convene and chair meetings as required and develop the agenda in collaboration with the Vicar and APC representative.

Vice Chairperson: Will assume the duties of the chairperson in his or her absence.

Secretary: Duties will be assigned, but must include the recording of attendance and minutes for each Council meeting and appropriate communications.

ARTICLE III -  MEETINGS

Attendance at the regular and special meetings of he Council is vital to the work of the Council.

The Council shall convene on a monthly basis during the months of September, October, November, January, February, March and May.

A written notice indicating the date, time and place for the meetings together with the minutes of the previous meeting shall be given to each member by mail prior to the day named for the meetings.

A quorum shall be established to hold a business meeting. A quorum shall consist of 1/3rd of the parishes in the Vicariate plus one.

Special meetings shall be called by the Executive Board. This board consists of the Vicar, APC representative and the Chairperson.

The emphasis within the Council is to be one of collaboration, representation and the consultation so

that consensus can be reached through a process of discernment.

ARTICLE IV - OPERATING PROCEDURES

The Council shall establish operating procedures for itself to ensure uniformity in its mission, to serve as a guide in the Council's undertakings, and to give direction in the Council's relationship with other consultative bodies, those engaged in pastoral ministry, and the worshipping communities themselves in the Vicariate. We will follow the Archdiocese guidelines for the Vicariate Pastoral Councils.

ARTICLE V - AMENDMENTS

Notice of amendments shall be mailed to the entire membership of the Council at least 10 days prior to the meeting. The constitution may then be amended at any business meeting of the Council by a

two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the membership present.