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St. James School Council

BYLAWS

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ARTICLE I – NAME The following are the Bylaws of the St. James School Council governing the operation of the St. James School Council, hereinafter referred to as “the council”, as enabled by policies and guidelines of the Archdiocese of Chicago, its Office of Catholic Schools, and the Constitution of the St. James School Council.

ARTICLE II – MISSION

The mission of the St. James School Council is to act as a leadership group which serves as an advisory group to the Parish Pastor and school Principal, while modeling a faith community in a spirit of cooperation and interdependence with them. Understanding the school’s mission is embedded within the work of this group. The council’s focus shall be on the key area of school vitality.

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ARTICLE III – PURPOSE AND DUTIES

St. James School is a school controlled and operated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. The school is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocesan Cardinal and the Superintendent of the Office Catholic Schools. The purpose of this committee is to serve as a consultative and active body that assists the school’s Principal in fulfilling the school’s mission. The council is consultative in this sense: the members cannot act apart from the Principal and cannot make decisions binding on the school without the Principal. The council will not be concerned with personnel or the academic, discipline, religious, extracurricular or other policies or operations of school administration. The council will not act outside of, or contrary to:

• Archdiocesan policy • Mission or philosophy of St. James School • Mission or philosophy of St. James Parish

The Committee may consult in the following areas: • Long-Term Strategic Planning • Development and Advancement Efforts • Help seek potential candidates for the committee nominations • Assisting the Pastor in the search and selection of the Principal when a vacancy occurs • Reviewing and advising on the school budget, tuition rates, fees and other sources of

financing • Developing and periodically reviewing the council’s Constitution and Bylaws • Participating in the school’s development, student recruitment efforts and long-range

plans • Acting as the public relations and marketing arm of the school and its programs • Participating in ongoing council in-service both at the Archdiocesan and local level • Evaluating annually the council’s effectiveness, productivity and internal operations • Directing individuals and/or groups to appropriate resources for conflict resolution • Participating, upon request, in the School Improvement Process • Monitoring, as required, the implementation of recommendations of the School

Improvement Plan • Supporting the efforts of local legislative action • Any other area for which the Principal seeks consultation or which the Chairperson

deems appropriate, such as with the Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon School program application

• Creating an environment of cooperation and collaboration Additionally, the expectation exists for council members to be active members of the school community. Examples of this include participation in the annual school Open House, school Information Night, among others.

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The council shall not be responsible for areas such as, but not limited to, the following:

• Acting as a grievance committee, or conciliators for any group or party • Hiring, evaluating or terminating faculty and/or staff, nor any input to such decisions • Advising school Principal in personnel matters • Administering the school or informing the Principal how to administer the school,

including curriculum • Implementing policies and procedures • Determining school tuition and any related fees

The school Principal is the educational leader of the school under the supervision of the Pastor, and the Chairperson of the council. The Principal’s responsibilities with regard to the council include, but are not limited to:

• Developing the monthly agenda with the Chairperson • Setting annual council goals with the Chairperson • Preparing and submitting policy recommendations to the SAC • Implementing policies and procedures • Informing the council of local policy implementation, prior to implementation if possible • Keeping the council informed of Archdiocesan processes and procedures, and changes to

these • Preparing the annual school budget for the council’s review and reporting periodically on

year-to-date finances • Initiating the Principal Self-assessment and Evaluation process outlined by the

Archdiocese’s Office of Catholic Schools • Participating in the school’s development plans, student recruitment efforts, and long-

range plans • Giving frequent reports to the council regarding the progress of the school and its pupils • Creating an environment of cooperation and collaboration

The Pastor is the primary spiritual leader of the parish. He is responsible for the educational ministry in the parish. The Pastor serves as an ex-officio member of the council. The Pastor’s responsibilities with regard to the council include, but are not limited to:

• Participating in council meetings– sharing his wisdom and expertise • Approving all decisions and policies, particularly those that relate to religious education

in the school • Hiring the Principal according to Archdiocesan Procedures, including consultation with

the council, as referenced in ARTICLE VIII – HIRING A PRINCIPAL • Approving the budget prepared by the Principal and reviewed by the council • Initiating the contract renewal process outlined by the Office of Catholic Schools • Cooperating in the initiation and implementation of the school’s development plans,

student recruitment efforts and long-range plans

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ARTICLE IV – NUMBER OF MEMBERS AND LENGTH OF TERM Section One: Number of Members:

The number of members shall be determined by resolution of the council, except that in no event shall the number be less than seven (7), or more than (9) selected voting members. Additionally, membership cannot be an even number, in order for voting to not end in a tie.

Section Two: Membership Ex Officio Members: The ex officio members of the council shall be the Parish Pastor, or designee, and the Principal of St. James School. The Pastor ordinarily participates in all meetings, sharing his vision, wisdom and expertise. In light of his ministry to the total parish, the Pastor has the right to veto those decisions that are inconsistent with the integral proclamation of the Word of God, with Archdiocesan school policies, with duly established parish policies, or those decisions that are not financially appropriate. The Principal shall be the Executive Officer of SAC and have a strong, consultative, and respected voice but no vote in deliberations requiring quorum. Voting Members: Those seeking membership on the council shall be genuinely concerned about contributing to the ministry of Catholic education. Their agenda is the council’s agenda; their goals are the same as the council’s goals; their open manner allows them to listen to the needs of the school; they set aside their own opinions in order to listen to the entire council membership. They are not hesitant; they speak up in respectful and sincere ways. Selection of Voting Members: Each spring council members nominate candidates with the school Principal. Ideally, the makeup of this list of nominees should reflect the diversity of the school regarding gender, culture and ethnic background, and provide such professional expertise as appropriate to carry out the purpose and duties of the council. Parish members that do not have children currently enrolled at St. James School are also eligible for membership. Each nominated candidate will be personally invited in writing by the Pastor no less than two weeks prior to the new member selection meeting. This letter may include, but is not limited to containing:

• Statement of the council’s purpose, including short-term and long-term goals and plans • Statement that the potential candidate has been personally nominated and is

invited/encouraged to attend the selection meeting • A description of the council vacancies and responsibilities/expectations of those

vacancies • Statement that new member selection meeting is managed in a discernment and interview

format, and brief description of what that entails • Potential questions the candidate may need to answer during the meeting • Date, time, location, and approximate duration of the meeting

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In addition to the personal letters, a general letter of invite shall be sent to all school parents, as well as published in the Parish bulletin, no less than one week prior to the discernment/interview meeting. The discernment/interview meeting shall take place in spring of the current school year for new member terms that begin the following school year. All current council members are expected to attend in order to obtain full benefit for all. Ex officio members should be present during the present during the discernment/interview process. Once the discernment/interview process is finished, the potential candidates leave the meeting and new member selection takes place. Each current voting council member shall submit a confidential written list of names– one for each open council position– to the SAC Chairperson and vice-Chairperson for a tally of the votes. Ex officio members do not take part in this selection process. If a discussion is warranted regarding new member selection, this may occur. The candidate(s) with the highest number of votes shall be the new council members for the following school year. If the selection results in a situation where the number of new members would total more than available open positions, these results are shared with all council members present, and another round of selection is taken. Should necessary roles not be filled through this selection process, additional appointees shall be named by the Pastor and/or Principal. Those candidates approved by the council shall be notified promptly by the council Chairperson in order to receive their acceptance. If a candidate decides not to accept, the candidate with the next highest number of votes shall be notified of approval as a new member. The council Chairperson will send a copy of the council’s Constitution and Bylaws, along with a letter/contract of congratulations and acceptance to all new members. The letter must be signed and returned to the Chairperson. Announcement of new SAC members for the following school year will be made through appropriate school communications, as well as within the school portion of the next available Parish bulletin. Appointing Voting Members: The Pastor and Principal may always have one appointed member on the council at all times. As the terms of these appointed members end, new appointments may be made by the Pastor and Principal. Length of Term: Selected voting members shall serve one three (3) year term. However, a member may remain on the council beyond three years, by mutual agreement between the member and the council. The council terms shall be staggered so as to permit terms to expire during different school calendar years.

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Section Three: Resignation/Removal

A council member may resign at any time by delivering written notification to the council Chairperson and the Principal of St. James School. When a member is unable to promote the purpose of the council, unable to abide by established roles and responsibilities as a member, or accept the council’s agenda, it may be necessary for the member to resign. In addition, for the common good of the council, its members and the school community, it may be necessary to remove a member from the council. The reasons for removing a member from the council shall include but not be limited to:

• Violating the confidentiality of executive sessions as outlined in Article VI, Section Four • Acting contrary to parish/school mission and goals • Impeding the council’s defined responsibilities • Being excessively absent from meetings as outlined in Article VI, Section Two • Refusal or inability of a member to perform to perform duties in an efficient, responsible

or professional manner • A conflict of interest, unethical behavior, or conduct that may be deemed detrimental to

the school This determination would be made by the Chairperson and school Principal, with the approval of the Pastor.

Section Four: Vacancies Any vacancy of the selected members on the council may be filled, following a recommendation of all council voting members. The nominee(s) shall be discussed with the school Principal for acknowledgement. The same voting rules as outlined in above Section Two: Membership “Selection of Voting Members” shall apply. Alternatively, the vacancy may be filled by an appointment of the Pastor and/or Principal.

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ARTICLE V – OFFICERS Section One: Officers

Officers of the council shall be Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, with each office customarily served for one year. Terms may be extended by mutual agreement between the officer and school council. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall be a member and have completed one year of being a member of the council. The Vice-Chairperson is a merit based position selected by the school council by the end of the current school calendar year. Customarily, the Vice-Chairperson will assume the role of Chairperson for the following year.

Section Two: Term of Office The term of office for an Officer shall customarily be one (1) year.

Section Three: Duties of Selected Officers Chairperson: The Chairperson shall be the Chief Officer of the school council and shall preside over all meetings of the council. The Chairperson is an ex-officio member of each committee of the council. The Chairperson shall have general and active authority for management of the business of the council and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the council are adhered to. The Chairperson, in collaboration with the school Principal, shall be responsible for providing an agenda, with every effort being made to have the agenda available several days before meetings, in addition to allowing time for members to have input to the agenda. The Chairperson will arrange adequate advance written notice of all council meetings. The Chairperson’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Believes in the purpose of the school council and is loyal to those purposes • Accepts duties required by the position to which appointed • Attends, is punctual, and is prepared for required meetings • Inspires enthusiasm for the council’s purpose • Recognizes and cultivates leadership qualities in others • Shares appropriate leadership responsibilities with the Pastor and school Principal • Shares responsibility with the Pastor and school Principal in the School Improvement

Process • Develops yearly goals and objectives of the council with the Principal

In addition, the Chairperson must:

• Be impartial, tactful, firm and competent • Have a thorough knowledge of and accept the requirements of the bylaws • Appoint all committee chairpersons, except when the Bylaws require otherwise • Preside at all meetings, or secure a suitable substitute if the Vice-Chairperson is

unavailable • Operate within the policies and procedures of the Archdiocese and its Office of Catholic

Schools

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Vice-Chairperson: The Vice-Chairperson shall be the second officer of the organization. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson shall preside over meetings of the council and perform all duties of the Chairperson. In addition, the Vice-Chairperson shall be responsible for monitoring the action items presented at monthly meetings and maintain records of these matters. New action items will have record of the responsible person(s) assigned.

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ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS

Section One: Meetings The council should meet monthly while school is in session, and at least one time during the summer to prepare for the new school year. The St. James Parish Pastor, the Principal of St. James School, or the Chairperson of the school council may call additional meetings, as they deem necessary or appropriate. Adequate notice of the place, date, and hour of all meetings must be given to all council members and school parents of St. James School. All committee chairpersons shall report on their project status. Members will discuss and decide issues. All discussions conclude with either a decision or an action item. Responsibility for action item will be assigned.

Section Two: Absences To the extent possible, voting members shall be required to notify the council Chairperson of any expected absence prior to a scheduled meeting. In the event that a council member misses two (2) consecutive or three (3) meetings in a given calendar year, or fails to fulfill their obligations and responsibilities as a member, the council may vote to terminate his/her membership.

Section Three: Quorum A majority of the voting council members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Per Article IV, Section One, this shall be four (4) or five (5) members depending on current size of the council. When quorum is not met, the council cannot hold a vote. If less than a quorum is present, then a meeting may be adjourned. Each member of the council shall have one (1) vote on any matter of business brought before them. A simple majority vote of those council members present at a meeting shall be sufficient for any decision or action of SAC.

Section Four: Executive Sessions SAC shall meet in Executive Session in order to deal with sensitive issues that may not necessarily be shared with the public. The monthly agenda may reflect that the council will meet in executive session. Decisions made in an executive session are recorded. The decision, topic, issue or concern discussed in executive session is not published. Any minutes, recorded by any means, of the executive session are confidential. These minutes are not made public. Some of the topics which may be covered in an executive session include but are not limited to:

• The final selection of a Principal hired to fill a vacancy • The resignation or removal of a council member • The review of the school budget

The Pastor shall always be present for an executive session of SAC.

Section Five: Visitors Attending Meetings General Visitor Guidelines: Parishioners are encouraged to attend council meetings. Council meetings, other than those held in executive session, are open to any parishioner. The dates and times are announced in the school’s monthly calendar. It is important that a friendly atmosphere prevails, but it is also important that visitors know the parameters regarding communication with the council. Customarily, visitors would observe the

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council while it is in session. They would not engage in the discussion nor do they actively participate in the agenda either through comments or by offering their opinions on the topic being discussed. However, a visitor may receive time on the agenda of a monthly meeting. Additionally, if a council member is approached by a parishioner wishing to have an issue addressed, that council member should direct the person to the Principal or council Chairperson, in order to receive a place on the agenda of the next regularly scheduled meeting Visiting Sub-committee Members: Committee chairs on the council are encouraged to invite their sub-committee members to regular monthly meetings. These visitors follow the same “General Visitor Guidelines” as addressed above, however may participate during updates/progress reports pertaining to the sub-committee(s) they are working on. Visitors Pre-arranged on Agenda: A particular time may be stipulated on the agenda to allow visitors to address the council. Visitors should be aware of the protocol observed by non-members who attend council meetings, understanding that the council meeting will be of a diplomatic venue. The protocol to be followed by visitors during the meeting is generally as follows: • It is requested that visitors wishing to have a topic included on the monthly agenda provide to

the Chairperson or Principal a short written summary of what the topic will be about, preferably two days prior to the meeting.

• Time permitting; this visitor would receive a brief letter from the Chairperson or Principal which would include a statement of welcome and an outline of this protocol that would be followed during the visitor’s time with the council.

• At the meeting, the visitor(s) will be acknowledged to the entire council and will be provided adequate time to present their agenda item. Each individual may speak for a reasonable amount of time on the matter they are bringing before the council.

• There is no debate between the visitor(s) and the council members. All members will listen to the visitor’s issue, and if necessary, either the Chairperson or designee can assist in clarifying the question or topic.

• The Chairperson will thank the visitor(s) for their comments and informs them that the appropriate party will respond to them at a later date.

The council members are cordial to the visitors. It is understood that the issues raised will not be resolved at the current meeting. If appropriate to the parameters of the council’s responsibilities, the issue may be addressed at a future time. Ordinarily, the visitor’s comments are related to the matters considered on the agenda. Personnel issues and individual family or student’s needs are not discussed. Questions of a general nature, however, could be referred to the appropriate person, for example, Pastor or Principal. The Chairperson assures the visitors that the matter will be taken under consideration by the council, the Pastor or the Principal. The Chairperson shall not “promise” that the issue will be dealt with at the next month’s agenda as it may not be possible to do so. The Chairperson does not necessarily address some of the issues raised. It may be appropriate, for the Pastor or Principal to respond to the individual’s question, issue or concern later.

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ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES

Section One: Standing Committees The council shall have the following standing committees, all comprised of a committee chair and associate. It is desired that the “associate” be a new council member.

• Internal Communications and Parent Satisfaction Committee • Finance Committee • Development, Advancement, and Fundraising Committee • Marketing Committee • Technology Committee • Alumni Committee

If more detailed descriptions, including committee organizational charts are available, they should reside with that committee’s chair, the council Chairperson, and the school Principal. In addition, other roles may include:

• Designing process for family exit interviews along with an implementation plan • Liaison to the Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Schools– also known as Legislative

Action Representative. This SAC member shall disseminate all pertinent information received from the Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Schools.

• Members performing work for the School Improvement Process, as required • Modification/updating the SAC Constitution and Bylaws documents

Section Two: Internal Communications and Parent Satisfaction Committee

During the monthly SAC meetings, the communications liaison will record key pieces of information including:

• Important sub-committee reports • Decisions made or voted upon • New action items with responsible person(s) assigned • Communicate monthly to the school community about items the council is doing and/or

acting on • Continually investigate most effective ways to develop, distribute, and code a school

satisfaction survey for increased participation and objectivity • Develop and distribute the annual parent satisfaction survey • Tabulate and disseminate results of the annual survey to the school community in a

timely manner

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Section Three: Finance Committee

The following describes the duties of the Finance Committee, as well as a general outline of the budgeting process:

• At least one member of this committee shall attend the monthly Parish Finance Committee meeting to discuss with them tuition and fee rates to be placed in effect for the subsequent school year.

• Assist the administration in the preparation of an annual school budget, presented to the council for approval in February and to the Pastor promptly thereafter, or no later than one month prior to the mandated date of submission to the Archdiocese.

• Review an adjusted budget based on actual enrollment as provided by the Principal in October of the following school year.

Note: The final approval of the budget, tuition fee rates, and annual Parish subsidy resides with the school Principal and Parish Pastor.

Section Four: Development, Advancement, and Fundraising Committee This committee consults in the resource development & advancement strategies toward the longer term financial sustainability of the school. The committee provides assistance to the School Principal and Parish Pastor in developing and analyzing short/long range strategic planning that encompasses working with others to create collaborative partnerships. The ultimate goal is to generate funding, seek and incorporate community input, and expand opportunities for the school through financial and community support. This committee’s focus includes:

• Serve as a source of donor prospect identification, cultivation and solicitation • Initiate and coordinate fundraising events that leverage local businesses and achieve the

budgetary fundraising goals • Work directly with the parish office to ensure events do not conflict with other

school/parish organizations, based on type and date

Section Five: Marketing Committee The Marketing Committee shall develop and propose a marketing strategy and a yearly tactical plan to promote St. James School. This includes strategizing with the Pastor about how SJS is marketed within the Parish and strategizing with the Principal to develop a plan that focuses on student retention and recruitment. The main areas for deliverables fall into:

• advertising/public relations • event planning • external communications

Some ongoing responsibilities include updating and planning upgrades to the school website, developing advertising plans, and writing press releases and articles for external and internal parish/school publications.

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Section Six: Technology Committee

The Technology sub-committee will serve in an advisory role to the Principal and the council, providing technical advice on the full range of information technology directions, strategies, policies, plans, priorities, and needs vital to sustaining computer lab and teacher computers for cost-effectiveness, excellence, and competitiveness regarding teaching, learning, and administrative programs. This committee may also serve to:

• Provide technical advice and guidance on all IT related issues across the school • Bring emerging technology issues that should be considered for school deployment to the

attention of the school Principal • Provide technical guidance on the advantages, disadvantages and potential impact of such

emerging technologies • Help define metrics and devise an implementation plan to measure performance of

various IT initiatives • Initiate or review submitted projects • Advise how the projects may be implemented • Advise on policy related to information technology issues

Section Seven: Alumni Committee

The Alumni committee is responsible for communicating with and marketing to SJS alumni. The primary areas of focus include:

• Maintaining the Alumni section of the school website • Planning an all-alumni event to showcase the school (class reunions excluded) • Designing and maintaining an alumni newsletter • Setting-up an alumni donation fund.

The Alumni committee may work with the support of the Marketing committee and leverage the help of the many alumni in the school and parish to help carry-out the yearly goals and commitments of the Alumni committee.

Section Eight: Ad Hoc Committees The Principal of St. James School and/or the council Chairperson may form a temporary committee or task force to address specific issues as deemed necessary.

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ARTICLE VIII – HIRING A PRINCIPAL

When hiring a Principal, the Pastor initiates formation of a search committee to seek out candidates who have been accepted by the Archdiocesan Teacher Personnel Department or its equivalent. The Pastor and representatives of the School Council shall be part of the makeup of the search committee.

The search committee will review applicants using Archdiocesan guidelines and make recommendations to the Pastor from its list of qualified candidates.

Recommended candidates will be interviewed by the search committee and one will be chosen by the Pastor, with the counsel and advice of the search committee. The decision will be formalized with the Archdiocesan contract signed by the Pastor and Principal. The announcement of the new Principal will be made and appropriately communicated to the Parish and School.

ARTICLE IX – EVALUATION OF THE PRINCIPAL

The Pastor evaluates the Principal with prior feedback from the council as necessary. The appraisal should include topics of teamwork/cooperation, communication, job knowledge, dependability, problem solving and any other applicable performance factors.

ARTICLE X – LONG RANGE PLAN

As required, the council will collaborate with the Principal and the Pastor in the development of a three to five year plan for the School in accordance with policies and guidelines of the Office of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

ARTICLE XI – DEVELOPING ANNUAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Annual goals and objectives shall be developed to accomplish the ongoing work of the council. One important source for goal setting is the annual school satisfaction survey. The Principal also informs the committee about the annual school goals developed by faculty members and provides reports of the progress being made to implement the school goals and objectives. The council’s goals support school goals. The Principal and Chairperson shall meet to determine the council’s goals for the upcoming school year prior to the initial council meeting for that school year. Based on the outcome of their meeting, the Chairperson shall write the council’s goals and objectives and present them at the meeting. The council shall affirm its annual goals and objectives. Periodic evaluation of the implementation of these goals shall be part of the council’s agenda.

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ARTICLE XII – EVALUATING SCHOOL COUNCIL EFFECTIVNESS School Council shall evaluate their effectiveness as a group and how they meet their responsibilities as council members. They shall review how they interact with each other and to assess the implementation of the council’s annual goals. One part of their evaluation will be centered upon the internal effectiveness of School Council; the other will be the community’s perception of their effectiveness, the external effectiveness of School Council to its constituents. Council members shall first reflect on their own about the topics and then have a discussion, in executive session, with the other members.

ARTICLE XIII – CODE OF ETHICS Members, by accepting the position to serve on the council, ascribe to this code. Periodic review of the code reminds members that they are working together for the common goal: to promote the mission and purpose of Catholic education. The Code of Ethics addresses the following: conflict of interest, confidentiality, objectivity, justice, fairness, and maintenance of unity. Council members may not individually send out any communications to school parents, parishioners, or others, without knowledge and approval of Principal or Pastor. Conflict of Interest: Council members shall avoid situations that present actual, perceived or potential conflict between their interest and the interest of the school. Confidentiality: Confidential information should be treated with discretion and maturity. Objectivity: Since total objectivity is impossible for anyone to achieve, members are asked to identify and manage their own personal biases. It is important that members see situations from multiple points of view rather than solely from their own perceptions, assumptions and feelings. Justice and Fairness: Decisions made by the council and approved by the Pastor should be the result of honest and open discussion by all members: Pastor, Principal and parent/parishioner membership. Consideration of the good of the total parish/school community should be integral to the decision-making process. Every member shall uphold decisions. When decisions will affect various constituencies, those constituencies should be informed at the same time through an agreed upon vehicle of communication. Maintenance of Unity: In achieving its objectives within the faith community of the parish/school, the council is to do all it can to avoid creating factions, sides or other divisive groupings in the parish and school community. Members should function within the framework of the School Council, acting as a committee of the whole. Copy of this code shall be read and agreed to my new members. Their signature on the document indicates their willingness to abide by this code.

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ARTICLE XIV – AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended by a majority of the members and with the acknowledgement of the School Principal and/or Parish Pastor. The proposed amendment and the notice of the proposed amendment must be sent to all members of the School Council not less than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

Amendments to these Bylaws may be initiated at any regular meeting of the council. Proposed amendments must be presented in writing by a council member to the council at a regular meeting and may be acted upon at a subsequent meeting of the council.

ARTICLE XV – INDEMNIFICATION

In consideration for serving as a member of the School Council, the Parish Pastor, on behalf of St. James Parish and School agrees to defend, indemnify, protect, and save harmless, the members of the council, jointly and severally, their heirs, executors, administrators and agents and all other persons liable or who might be claimed to be liable, because of any and all claims, damages, actions or suits of any kind or nature whatsoever, including actual attorney’s fees and court costs, and particularly but not limited to all injuries known or unknown, both to person and property, which arise in the scope and course of the duties and purposes of the members of the council, jointly and severally.

ARTICLE XVI – RATIFICATION These Bylaws shall be considered ratified and in effect when signed by the Pastor, school Principal, and members of the St. James School Council.

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Accepted and Approved this ________________________day of ____________________________of 2009. ____________________________________ Reverend William J. Zavaski Pastor St. James Parish ____________________________________ Mrs. Judy Pappas Principal St. James School Acknowledged by, St. James School Council Members: _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________