Committee Charter Format

[Outline for Writing Committee Charters]
Charter of the (title) Committee

1. Purpose

Give a brief statement of the general purpose of the group.

Example: (for Finance Committee) Oversees all areas of church finance.

2. Type Of Committee And Program Area

State whether Standing or Special Committee and the Program Council area.

Standing Committees serve a continuing purpose. Example: Finance Committee.

Special Committees have a specific task and are time limited. Example: Resources and Vision Task Force.

Program areas are Communications, Membership Development, Our Home Community, Religious Education, Social Justice, and Sunday Services.

3. Membership

COMPOSITION: Describe the composition of the committee, stating any special requirements such as representation from the BOT or other groups. Staff members or the minister may be listed, usually as advisory, non-voting members. Specify how membership is determined (open to anyone? If elected or appointed, by whom or what group?)

SIZE: Normally, voting members of a committee will be in the range of 5-7 members. Committee meetings are open by MVUC bylaws and others are welcome to attend and support committee activities.

4. Chairperson

Tell how the chair is selected: Elected by the committee members, subject to review?

Chairs are usually appointed by the Program Council unless otherwise stated in the Bylaws.

Specify the length of the chair's term. Normally tenure will be 1 year. No terms are indefinite and renewals will be submitted to the Program Council every year. Committee chairs should build community by recruiting new committee members and encouraging committee members to prepare for future leadership positions.

VICE CHAIR: Although not a requirement, Committees are encouraged to designate a Vice Chair, with a view toward continuity in leadership. This is particularly important for committees with major, recurring functional responsibilities, such as Personnel Advisory, Finance, RE Council, Social Justice Council, Membership Development, Property, and Worship.

5. Activities, Duties, and Responsibilities

Tell what committee members do. List any functions for which the committee is responsible. Examples: Members of the Used Book Sale Committee collect and sort donated books. Once a year they organize a weekend sale open to the public. The Personnel Advisory Committee advises the Minister, Church Manager, and BOT on personnel policies. 

6. Authority Delegated or Retained

Specify any aspects of financial or other authority that the BOT delegates to this committee, and authority retained by the BOT. Example: All profits from book sales conducted by The Used Book Sale Committee go to the operating budget of MVUC. The BOT retains authority for their expenditure.

Standard Committee Procedures
(By policy of the Board of Trustees, all committees are expected to adhere to the following procedures. Although these procedures need not be specified in each committee's charter, it is important that committee members know about and follow them.)
1. Each committee shall meet at least once during the first quarter of the church year to approve a written plan to be submitted to the Program Council that is consistent with its charter and supports the mission, vision and goals of the church.
2. Each year when the Finance Committee is preparing a proposed budget for the next fiscal year, each committee shall be provided an opportunity to submit their request through the Program Council.
3. By April 1 of each year each committee shall prepare an annual report to the Congregation and submit its report through the Program Council.
4. In connection with preparation of its annual report, each committee shall assess its activities and charter and provide any recommendations to the Program Council.
4. Each year when the Finance Committee is preparing a proposed budget for the next fiscal year, each committee shall be provided an opportunity to submit their request through the Program Council.

Primary Author(s):

Date this charter was approved initially by the Board of Trustees:

Date on which this updated charter was reviewed and approved by the Program Council: