ST. JUDE THADDEUS CATHOLIC CHURCH - BURKBURNETT, TX
FINANCE COUNCIL BY-LAWS

Scope and Authority:  The Finance Council is required by Canon Law to advise, assist, and support the Pastor in his administration and management of the parish and its financial matters. It is a unit of service, not authority. Since the Pastor is the chief governing person and is accountable to the Bishop, he must preside at Finance Council meetings and participate in its activities to ensure that the collective wisdom and consensus of the Council is seriously weighed and reflects the needs of the whole parish.

Objectives: The Council will meet quarterly to review parish budgets and management of income and expenditures, comparison of budgeted amounts to forecasts, and planning for operating and capital requirements.
1.     Review and evaluate the internal controls concerning the accounting function, define specific practices, procedures, and techniques.
2.     Review, discuss, and approve the annual parish report.
3.     Monitor actual results to budgeted comparisons on a regular basis, and discuss reasons for variances.
4.     Collaborates with the Bookkeeper to ensure regular communication of financial information to the parish as the crucial element of accountability and transparency.
          - Reports of weekly collections in the bulletin.
          - Annual reports explain the financial condition of the parish, including sources and amounts of income, parish indebtedness, unpaid bills, and parish savings and investments.
5.     Assess the condition of the buildings and plan for improvements.
6.     Determine the effectiveness of any fund-raising activities.

Membership: The Pastor, after consultation with the community at large, shall determine the number of members to the Finance Council, and the number of those to be appointed.
1.     The appropriate total number of members shall not be less than six nor more than ten.
2.     Each appointed member of the Council shall:

1. Be a Catholic who is registered and active in the parish, who are known contributor of their time, talent, and treasure.
2. Be a person who has some adequate knowledge in business, finance, or law.
3. Term of office: Members will be freely appointed for a term of three years. They may serve a maximum of two consecutive three-year terms, and can re-apply or be included in the discernment process after three years of non-service.

Selection process:
1.     The parish will ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the selection process.
2.     Names of candidates are recommended to the Pastor and the Finance Council by parishioners. Candidates must indicate their willingness to serve.
3.     The Pastor with the assistance of the Finance Council members and community at large will appoint the members from the list of candidates.
4.     Each member is required to attend regular meetings of the Finance Council. If a member is unable to fulfill his or her term, the Pastor will appoint a member to finish the said term.

Meetings: A minimum of four regularly scheduled meetings need to occur during the fiscal year. Only the Pastor, or the appointed diocesan administrator, may call a meeting of the Council.
1.     Meetings are not open to the public, unless invited by the Pastor.
2.     Parish staff (e.g. Business Manager, Bookkeeper, etc.) may be regular attendees as points of reference, but not as voting members.
3.     The Pastor may call for an executive session when appropriate.
4.     The minutes of every meeting will be made available to parishioners upon request.
5.     In the event that the pastorate is vacant, the Finance Council continues to assist the appointed diocesan administrator as needed. After the new Pastor has been installed, he can reconvene the Council within two months - or at his pastoral discretion.

Collaboration with the Pastoral Council: In order to assure good communication, a member of the Pastoral Council should attend the Finance Council meetings. Alternatively, a Finance Council member may attend the Pastoral Council meetings. Both councils will have a joint meeting under the direction of the Pastor at least once a year to share, advise, and assist the Pastor to determine the yearly goals and focuses.

Amendments: These by-laws may be amended by the Pastoral Council with the approval of the Pastor.