Nominating Task Force Presentation & Elections
The Problem
The By-Law dealing with term limits of those serving on the Management Team or Elders is vague. Consequently (and somewhat unknowingly), it has been interpreted differently over the years as evidence of who has been or can be elected to serve at different times.
Specifically, the sentences:
Management Team and Elders shall be limited to two consecutive terms…[An] appointed individual shall serve until the term for that particular position expires.
By-Laws, Article I.B. Approvals and Terms of Office
The question arises: “When someone is appointed to fill the remainder of a term for someone who vacated the office (moved, stepped down, etc.), is that person eligible to be elected for one more term or two?”
The Implications
If an appointed person serves out a portion of a term and are elected for another, they would end up only being able to serve less than two terms. That is, they would serve one term and one partial term. [Theoretically, if they were appointed a month before an election, they would only be able to serve, say, 25 months.]
If, on the other hand, someone who is appointed to fill a vacancy is still eligible to be elected to two more consecutive, full terms, they would still be under the requirement as they have not served more than two consecutive terms; merely two full and one partial terms. [Theoretically, if appointed on the first month after an election and subsequently elected to two more full terms, they could end up serving a total of 71 months.] But this would still be less than 3 terms.
The Consequences
We have had some who have served a partial term and one full term and it was deemed that they can’t run again because they were “term limited”.
We have had others who have served a partial term and two full terms before being deemed they have maxed out their terms. [In fact, some nominations below as well as some currently serving fall into this category.]
In addition, being a smaller congregation, we consistently have challenges filling elected positions. The current language in the by-law could serve to exacerbate this issue even more over time; disqualifying good, willing, and experienced candidates.
Each year new officers of LifeBridge are needed due to vacancies.
This year the following positions are open and need to be filled:
- Congregational President (Position Description – President)
- Congregational Secretary (Position Description – Secretary)
- Congregational Treasurer (Position Description – Treasurer) Still needed from last year.
- Three (3) members of the Board of Elders (Position Description – Elder)
Click to the right of each above for a description of the position, including duties, qualifications, limits, etc. Please read through those position descriptions prior to nominating someone for a position to make sure the person meets the requisites.
Any voting member of LifeBridge may nominate or be nominated for each of these positions (with the gender restriction for those serving on the Board of Elders), with the stipulation that the prior approval of the person being nominated must be secured. (That is, if you are going to nominate someone, talk to them first and get their approval.)
Self-nominations are acceptable.
You may nominate by filling in the form below. Or, if you would prefer to not do so via the form, please email both the LifeBridge President and Vice President your nominations.
Current Nominees
- President: None
- Treasurer: None
- Secretary: Sherri Santoro
- Elder Position 1: Wayne Heitshusen
- Elder Position 2: Giles Montgomery
- Elder Position 3: Brad Biss
- Daniel Cardiff has offered to help in any position except President.
Nominations from the Floor
