District Board

The purpose of the District Board of Administration is to manage and administer the religious and business activities of the District as authorized by the District Conference. The District Board of Administration is comprised of the Policy Board and the Executive Board. The Executive Board is the legal agent of the District and is empowered to act on behalf of the District ad interim except for those actions specifically reserved for the District Conference or the Policy Board as set forth in the Constitution and By-Laws.

The Policy Board consists of seventeen (17) regular members (3 year terms) and up to (3) youth / young adult members (1 year terms) elected by the District Conference with one regular member from each section and the remaining members at-large. Board members elected as sectional representatives need to reside in the section they represent. The Moderator, Moderator-elect and Clerk serve as ex-officio members with vote. The Executive Minister(s), Treasurer and Standing Committee delegate(s) serve as ex-officio members without vote. General Board member(s) residing within the District are invited to attend Policy Board meetings.

A Policy Board member must be a member of a Church of the Brethren congregation within the district for at least one year prior to the election and must have demonstrated leadership ability. Youth members must be at least 15 years old and less than 24 years old as of December 31 of the year elected.

The term of service is three years. Filling an unexpired term does not constitute a full term. A member is entitled to serve two consecutive full terms. The term of service for youth / young adult members is one year with a maximum of 3 consecutive full terms.

It is expected that Policy Board members will maintain attendance at Policy Board meetings. If a member misses three consecutive meetings, the Executive Board should consider declaring the position vacant and appointing a replacement to fill the vacancy.

The Policy Board is organized annually, under the direction of the incoming Moderator, following election by the District Conference. The Policy Board selects from its elected members a chair, vice-chair and the chairs of the Stewards and Ministry commissions. Some members of the Policy Board, excluding the Moderator, Clerk and the Board Chair, are assigned to commissions. The Executive Minister(s), Board Chair and Moderator are ex-officio members of all commissions. The Treasurer meets with the Stewards Commission.

1. 1. The Chair. The chair performs all duties ordinarily pertaining to the office and other duties that may be assigned by the Policy Board and these By-Laws and serves on the Nominating Committee and as an ex-officio member on all committees of the Board and the District Conference Program Committee.
   2. The Vice-Chair. The Vice-Chair performs all duties and has all authority of the Chair when the Chair is absent and performs other duties as may be assigned by the Policy Board or Executive Board. The vice-chair may serve on a commission but not as a commission chair.
   3. The Treasurer. The Treasurer accounts for all District funds received and disburses same as authorized by the Executive Board;
      
      1. Makes written reports available to meetings of the Board;
      2. Makes written reports available to meetings of the Policy Board and the Executive Board;
      3. Serves as Chief Financial Officer of the corporation.
   4. The Recording Secretary. The Clerk functions as Recording Secretary, records all Policy Board proceedings and may act as recorder for Executive Board meetings. The clerk also performs other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Board.
   5. The Policy Board meets at least 3 times per year:
      
      1. At District Conference to organize and elect officers,
      2. In retreat to define the “vision” for the year, and
      3. Once to review the “vision” and to review the actions of the Executive Board.

1. The Policy Board shall maintain unity within the district and establish an overall vision for the district by fellowshipping, worshipping, praying, sharing and discerning together God’s will for the PSWD.
2. Review the actions of the Executive Board to ensure they comply with the directives of District Conference and the vision developed by the Policy Board.
3. Have the sole authority for employment of the District Executive Minister(s). Changes to the employment status of the District Executive Minister(s) require a 2/3 quorum of the voting members of the Policy Board.
4. Be a source of leadership for Task Groups / Commissions established by the Executive Board.
5.  

The Executive Board is composed of the Board Chair, Vice-Chair, Ministry Commission Chair and Stewards Commission Chair. Officers are Chair and Vice-Chair. The Moderator and Moderator-elect serve as ex-officio members with vote. The District Executive Minister(s), serve as ex-officio member(s) without vote.

1. 1. The Executive Board is the legal agent of the District and is empowered to act on behalf of the District ad interim except for those actions specifically reserved for the District Conference or the Policy Board as set forth in the Constitution and By-Laws.
   2. The Executive Board reviews the Executive Minister(s) on at least an annual basis and establishes annual salary and benefits of the Executive Minister(s);
   3. Recommends employment and termination of the Executive Minister(s) subject to approval of the Policy Board and in consultation with the Director of District Ministries; and reviews executive staff employment contracts;
   4. Fills any vacancy which may occur in the Policy Board, District Conference officers or other elected offices when provisions for filling such a vacancy are not specifically stated.
   5. Fulfills the directives of the District Conference and makes an annual report to the Conference;
   6. Assigns, defines and interprets responsibilities of the commissions;
   7. Decides the number of members on each commission depending on size of work load;
   8. Creates and dissolves Task Groups when the direction of the District makes it valuable;
   9. Projects long-range planning, sets goals, and initiates new program in harmony with decisions of the District Conference and the vision of the Policy Board
   10. Promotes and administers the total church program in the District;
   11. Defines the number of and geographical boundaries of the sections of the District;
   12. Acts regarding employment of district staff
   13. Has custody of and manages all District capital funds, endowments and annuities, or arranges for such custody and management;
   14. Holds title to District properties;
   15. Negotiates the purchase and sale of property and the borrowing and lending of money on behalf of the District;
   16. Allocates and defines authority with respect to the establishment of bank accounts and the signing of checks;
   17. Prepares the District budget for presentation to the District Conference;
   18. Provides for an annual audit to be done by a public accounting firm and submits the audit to District Conference;
   19. Arranges for bonding of persons handling large sums of money, in an amount set by the Executive Board;
   20. Receives, considers and responds to concerns brought by individuals or church groups;
   21. Brings queries and other business items to the District Conference and processes queries from local churches for District Conference action;
   22. Acts on recommendations from the Ministry Commission regarding nominees for ordination;
   23. Acts regarding new church plants;
   24. Appoints committees and makes appointments;
   25. Annually appoints a Treasurer from outside its membership;
   26. Affirms commission appointments.

1. Each commission selects from its elected members a vice chair and secretary;
2. Maintains and reviews annually a list of specific responsibilities as outlined in the By-Laws or assigned by the Executive Board;
3. Establishes job descriptions for positions accountable to the commission;
4. Prepares an annual budget request and submits it to the Stewards Commission;
5. Reports activities, needs and special opportunities to the Executive Board;
6. Recommends for Executive Board approval persons and committees to perform specific responsibilities related to the commission; and
7. Works cooperatively with the other commission, Task Groups and staff to promote the programs of the church.
8.