Parish Council Elections | stsconstantinehelen

IMPORTANT DATES

Nov 26: Absentee Ballots available from Church
Dec 05: Absentee ballots due before 4pm at the church office.
Dec 07: Parish Council elections in Pappas Hall - voting closes promptly at 2pm

ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE
Only Parishioners who are in good standing on their stewardship obligations may vote.

If a Parishioner is delinquent in his/her your Parish stewardship obligations for the current year he/she may vote in the election by meeting his/her stewardship obligation prior to the election.

If a Parishioner is delinquent for more than the current calendar year, he or she may vote in the Parish Council elections only if he or she has met his or her unfulfilled stewardship financial obligations at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the elections.

A new parishioner of the Parish may vote in the election if he/she has become a member in good standing at least three (3) months prior thereto.

THE ELECTION PROCESS

Parish Council Election will be held after Liturgy on Sunday, December 7 in Pappas Hall and will be run by the Board of Elections.

Voting opens after Liturgy ends on December 7 and will close promptly at 2pm that day.

Parish Bylaws provide for absentee balloting only in the case of elections of the Parish Council. Such ballots must be in the hands of the Board of Elections not later than the commencement of voting and shall be opened and tabulated with the ballots personally cast. No proxies shall be allowed.

Nov 26: Absentee ballots will be available at church or may be requested via email from office@stsconstantinhelen.com
Dec 05 by 4pm: All Absentee ballots are due at the church office. If an Absentee ballot is not received in the office by 4pm, even if it is post marked on or before December 5, the ballot will not be counted.

You may submit completed Absentee ballots between November 26 and December 5 by 4pm.

No Absentee ballots may be submitted via email.

All Absentee ballots must either be dropped off at the church office, or sent via mail. However, if your ballot arrives in the church office after 4pm on December 5, it will not be counted. So please plan accordingly for return of any Absentee ballots.

Instructions on return of the Absentee ballot will also be included on the ballot itself for your reference.

PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Information We All Need To Know

Each and every baptized Orthodox Christian must make an active commitment to his or her Church. Some serve by participating in the Choir; teaching Sunday school, joining the Ladies Philoptochos Society, and volunteering in other capacities, while others assist the Church by serving as members of the Parish Council.

Being a member of the Parish Council is ministry and all those who serve are called to represent Christ and the Orthodox Faith to those they encounter in all aspects of life. This is a truly a responsible task that must be served by an individual committed to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The role of a Parish Council member is a holy and spiritual one. In assisting in the administrative responsibilities of the Church, a Parish Council member acknowledges the importance of strengthening the earthly ministry of Christ through God’s Church. Membership on Parish Council should not be for social reasons nor status in the Community; but rather as an act of humility and conviction to Christ our Lord.

In accordance with the Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, all candidates seeking election to serve on the Parish Council must attend a PARISH COUNCIL SEMINAR organized by the local Parish Council and under the leadership of the Parish Priest. The purpose of the Seminar is to prepare candidates for the Parish Council, as well as making them aware of the sacred responsibilities expected of a Council member.

Saints Constantine and Helen will hold a PARISH COUNCIL SEMINAR on November 19 at 7pm at church, and one on November 23 after Liturgy. All potential Parish Council members, including those seeking re-election, must attend one of these Seminars or arrange to meet with Father Michael individually.

To be placed on the ballot, one must complete the Application for candidacy form and return it to the Parish Office no later than November 25 at 4pm. If an Application has not been turned in by the designated date and time, the person will be ineligible to run.

ELIGIBILITY TO RUN

Primary Eligibility

A candidate must be a parishioner in good standing of the Parish for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the date of the election and must live his or her life in accordance with the Faith and canons of the Church (Article 25, Section 2).

Requirements for "Parishioner in Good Standing"

To be considered a parishioner in good standing (Article 18, Section 1), a person must, at a minimum:

Age: Be eighteen years of age or over.
Financial: Be current in his or her stewardship and other financial obligations to the Parish.
Adherence: Abide by all Archdiocesan Regulations and the Parish Bylaws, and cooperate toward the welfare and well-being of the Parish.
Spiritual Life: Adhere to and live according to the tenets of the Orthodox faith, faithfully attend Divine Liturgy and other worship services, participate regularly in the holy sacraments, and respect all ecclesiastical authority.

Ineligibility and Restrictions

Employment: No employee of the Parish may serve on the Parish Council (Article 24, Section 4).
Family of Employee/Priest: Only one family member from the same household as a parish employee or actively serving priest may serve on the Parish Council, and this is subject to ratification (Article 24, Section 4).
Family of Treasurer: No family member of a Parish Council Treasurer may serve as an officer on the same Parish Council (Article 24, Section 4).

Pre-Election Requirements

All candidates must complete the following steps prior to the election (Article 25, Section 3):

Seminar: Attend a seminar conducted by the Priest (or meet with the Priest individually) to discuss the Uniform Parish Regulations and the significance of the affirmation of office.
Statement: Sign a statement at the conclusion of the seminar, acknowledging that they understand and will abide by the Regulations and the affirmation of office. This statement is incorporated into the Candidate Application form.