Application for membership on the Leadership Council

Center for Spiritual Living Grand Junction

 Leadership Council Requirements, Responsibilities, Expectations and Application

Dear Friends:

Thank you for your interest in serving on the Leadership Council of Center for Spiritual Living Grand Junction. Your willingness to serve and your devotion to our spiritual community are beautiful blessings!

Our Leadership Council is comprised of three to five congregational members and the Senior Minister. Members of the Leadership Council serve rotating three-year terms with at least one term expiring every year. A member of the Leadership Council may serve two consecutive terms and is eligible to be elected again after a one-year absence from the Leadership Council.

The Leadership Council is one of our most important teams, providing essential skills and spiritual awareness for the ongoing growth and development of CSL Grand Junction. For the Leadership Council to function well and fulfill its role, careful selection of members is critical.

The skill needs of the Leadership Council change as its members cycle through their terms. Please know that many individuals offer great gifts, yet the timing of their Leadership Council involvement would be determined by the current and changing needs of the Leadership Council. It is not unusual for prospective Leadership Council members to wait several years before their gifts and skills find that right fit among those of the existing members.

Also, it is not unusual for individuals initially interested in Leadership Council service to discover that this particular activity is not their “cup of tea,” or that their particular gifts are best suited for some other area of involvement within CSLGJ. We have found that the best approach is to hold this opportunity lightly and let higher guidance reveal if Leadership Council service is best for you and for CSLGJ.

Thank you again for your interest. You are a great blessing to CSL Grand Junction, and we’re so grateful for your loving commitment to serve in the arena that creates your greatest fulfillment, joy, and effectiveness.

Rev. Anna Scott and the Leadership Council

Center for Spiritual Living Grand Junction

Leadership Council Eligibility Requirements, Responsibilities and Expectations

Eligibility Requirements:

The Bylaws of CSL Grand Junction provide for the following requirements for members of the Leadership Council:

  1. You must be a member in good standing of Center for Spiritual Living Grand Junction for at least six months.
  2. You must have completed, at a minimum, the Foundations of Science of Mind certificated class or equivalent.
  3. You must be a regular tithing contributor to this Center. (Tithing is defined as giving 10% of your total income.)
  4. You must have been informed of and be willing to accept the responsibilities and expectations (explained below) of membership on the Leadership Council.
  5. You must have no close relatives on the Leadership Council. Close relatives are defined as spouse, sibling, parent, grandparents, aunt, uncle, first cousin, member of the same household or an in-law of these relatives.
  6. You must not be a paid employee of this Center, nor the spouse of a paid employee, nor a member of the same household as a paid employee, unless you are the Senior Minister.
  7. You must not seek to profit in your personal business through service on the Leadership Council, and you must avoid any other conflicts of interest.
  8. You must not have a material financial interest in any contract with this Center unless the transaction is approved by a majority of all the other members of the Leadership Council who don’t have any financial interest.

Responsibilities and Expectations:

In addition to the specific requirements set out in the Bylaws, there are certain expectations regarding the responsibilities of the Leadership Council:

  1. The Leadership Council members are governed by the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws of CSLGJ and by certain policies that have been established by the Leadership Council over time.
  2. There is an expectation that members of the Leadership Council will abide by the existing Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, and our own policies until such time as the Articles of Incorporation are modified by the membership, the Bylaws are modified by the Leadership Council or by the membership, or the policies are modified by action of the Leadership Council.
  3. The Leadership Council usually meets monthly to conduct the ongoing business of CSLGJ. Special meetings are necessary from time to time, and there is generally an annual retreat comprising of at least one day.
  4. There is a requirement that Leadership Council members will attend scheduled and special Leadership Council meetings, the annual Leadership Council retreat, Annual Meetings of the Center, and other general membership meetings. Occasional family and business conflicts can occur, and it is expected that a Leadership Council member will notify the Leadership Council Chair in advance of any meeting that he or she will miss.
  5. The lay members of the Leadership Council are representatives of the membership at large and congregation in general and not any specific constituency. While Leadership Council members are encouraged to join any groups and participate in any activities of CSLGJ that may be of interest, members of the Leadership Council are not representatives of any group or organization but serve the larger membership and congregation.
  6. There is an expectation that each of the Leadership Council members will serve the interests of the membership and congregation as a whole.
  7. The Leadership Council may form committees from time-to-time to carry out the specific objectives of the Leadership Council and the business of CSLGJ.
  8. There is an expectation that members of the Leadership Council will serve on one or more of the committees that may be of interest to them.
  9. CSLGJ sponsors various social events and meetings with groups from time-to-time. Such events would include meetings and receptions to welcome new members, service recognitions, and other activities. These events are not mandatory for all Leadership Council members, but they are announced and it is important to have representation from the Leadership Council. In addition, Leadership Council members are asked to make themselves available after the services whenever possible to meet visitors and listen to the ideas and suggestions of the membership and congregation. It is only by listening to the congregation that the Leadership Council members can represent their interests in the business affairs of CSLGJ. 
  10. There is an expectation that the members of the Leadership Council will periodically attend various social and business functions of CSLGJ and its groups in order to maintain their connection to the congregation and the members.
  11. The members of the Leadership Council are responsible for bringing financial information and leadership to the congregation. CSLGJ conducts an annual stewardship campaign to continually develop the financial base of CSLGJ. From time-to-time, CSLGJ also conducts capital or special needs campaigns.
  12. There is an expectation that the members of the Leadership Council will be strong financial supporters of these programs, attend campaign or fund raising events, and provide positive leadership in these activities.
  13. The general purposes of the Leadership Council of CSL Grand Junction are as follows:
    1. To oversee and fulfill all governance functions and responsibilities;
    2. To express as a nucleus of high spiritual consciousness at the core of CSLGJ;
    3. To provide leadership and communication within CSLGJ;
    4. To provide strategic and long-range planning for the development of CSLGJ;
    5. To assist with enhancing the resources of CSLGJ in a manner that expands awareness and programs;
    6. To provide fiduciary and budgetary input and oversight, so that the resources of CSLGJ receive proper stewardship.
  14. The Senior Minister is Director of CSL Grand Junction and is in charge of the day-to-day operation and administration of the ministers and of CSLGJ staff. Furthermore, all ecclesiastical functions and decisions are the exclusive purview of the Senior Minister.
  15. There is an expectation that the Leadership Council will honor and maximize its essential role while also respecting the purposes and functions of other aspects of CSLGJ.
  16. Each Member of the Leadership Council has a duty to support the goals and aspirations of the Senior Minister and the vision and direction of the This does not mean there cannot be healthy debate, but once a decision is legally and properly made by the entire Leadership Council, each Member must support that decision. Criticizing any Minister, Practitioner or other Member of the Leadership Council outside of the confines of a legally called meeting is a breach of the fiduciary duty of a Member. If a Member of the Leadership Council can no longer support the direction set by the Senior Minister or the remainder of the Leadership Council, he or she must either resign or use the legally constituted methods within Leadership Council protocol to make necessary changes.

Typical flow of application process

  •  Nominating Committee and vacancies on the Leadership Council will be announced in multiple media in October.
  • Applicants complete applications and submit to Rev. Anna by November 15.
  • Applicants are vetted against by Nominating Committee.
  • Slate of candidates is announced in multiple media in late November or early December and announced in at least two Sunday services prior to Annual Meeting.
  • New Leadership Council members are elected in Annual Membership Meeting in February

 

Center for Spiritual Living Grand Junction

Application for Membership on the Leadership Council

Return application to the Center office by November 15 of year prior to term of service.

Name                                                            

Address                                                         

City, State, Zip Code_                                     

Work Phone  _______________________________ Home Phone ________________________

E-mail  ___________________________________   Cell Phone _________________________  

Date of Membership in CSLGJ ___________________________                                                   

Date of Completion of Foundations of SOM class or equivalent (month/year)          

The following information may be summarized on this form or on attachments to this form, and you may include resumes or any other material that you feel would help us understand your skills and abilities to serve on this Leadership Council.

  1. Briefly summarize your business and educational background. Include special accomplishments, training courses, degrees earned, major and minor studies.
  1. Please summarize your involvement in Center-related activities. Include committees, events, projects, and note your specific responsibilities.
  1. Membership in other organizations, hobbies, recognitions, awards, etc.
  1. (a) Please indicate if you would bring any of the following skills to the Leadership Council:
  • Accounting and Budgeting
  • Community Outreach
  • Investing & Finance
  • Organizational Development
  • Legal, Bylaws, etc.
  • Real Estate Planning & Development
  • Computer/Internet Expertise
  • Group Facilitation
  • Religious Science Practitioner
  • Website Maintenance
  • Audio-Video Technology 
  • Fund Raising 
  • Resource Development
  • Marketing
  • Social Media

(b) What other skills and abilities do you feel you would bring to the Leadership Council?

  1. Please include a written paper stating your perspectives on the vision for CSL Grand Junction over the next five years.

I have read and reviewed the Requirements and Responsibilities for serving on the Leadership Council of CSL Grand Junction and, if elected, I agree to abide by the letter and spirit of them. I am committing to serve CSL Grand Junction with a strong and supportive consciousness, realizing the highest and greatest good for all concerned.

Signature 

Date