Stamford United Church

THE OFFICIAL BOARD

The governing body of the Congregation is called The Official Board, which meets the first Wednesday of each month, except in the summer. Members of The Official Board are elected by the congregation from among its members at its Annual Meeting. Members of The Official Board are known as “Elders” who deliver newsletters and oversee the work of the church through a system of Standing Committees.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

sunday school 1

The Christian Education and Development Committee endeavours to unify and guide in planning the total educational program of the congregation. This includes the Sunday School and all of the Sunday and weekday Christian education activities. We work to improve the educational standards to reach all families, adults, young adults, youth and children; and to deepen congregational concerns for the educational tasks of The Church. This committee hosts the annual Sundae Sunday at the beginning of Sunday School in September as well as the church school picnic in the spring.

MISSION AND OUTREACH COMMITTEE

The Mission and Outreach Committee is responsible to ensure that adequate publicity, information and knowledge of the Church's Mission is available to all.

This committee hosts the annual Pancake lunch, the Sunday before Lent, as well as the “Big E” indoor yard sale in September.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Finance Committee has oversight of the securing of funds for the total work of the congregation and maintains the necessary records for the efficient recording of such contributions and issuing receipts for same. The Finance Committee disburses monies in payment of current expenses, salaries, pension payments, Presbytery and Conference allocations, and other legitimate expenses as shall occur, in accordance with the budget as directed by The Official Board or its Executive.

PROPERTY COMMITTEE

The Property Committee has oversight of the care and maintenance of the congregational property.

MINISTRY AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

The Ministry and Personnel Committee provides support and facilitates communication between all staff and between the congregation and staff members.

WORSHIP & CONGREGATIONAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE

The Worship and Congregational Concerns Committee works in co-operation with the Minister and Director of Music in the oversight of the congregational worship including music, preaching, liturgy, physical appearance and decor of the sanctuary. This committee is also responsible for vacancies on The Official Board, expenditures from the Memorial Fund, keeping the records of the congregation, communication within the congregation and oversight of a program of pastoral visitation. The congregation reaches out in worship at the hospital and local senior residences through the support of this committee.

TRUSTEES

All property held in trust or acquired for the use of the congregation is held and administered by the Board of Trustees.

Text Box:

Stamford United Church

Accessibility Standards

Policy Statement

May 4, 2011

This policy is presently being developed and will come before the official Board in May. It contains statements that meet the requirements of the Customer Service Standard and other items that are good practices. This policy will be revised as other standards are introduced under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

1. Our Mission

Building on a firm foundation,
Stamford United Church
celebrates God’s presence,
follows Christ’s teachings and reaches out to all people
through
sharing the Word, sacrament, fellowship, and music
within
a supportive, caring and accepting community.

2. Our Commitment

In fulfilling our mission, Stamford United Church strives at all times to provide its programs, goods and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. We also endeavor to give people with disabilities the same opportunity to access our programs, goods and services, allowing them to benefit from the same services, in the same place, and in a similar way as other participants.

3. Providing Programs, Goods and Services to People with Disabilities

Stamford United Church is committed to serving all participants, including people with disabilities and we will carry out our functions and responsibilities in Worship, social events and meetings.

Upon a participant’s request:

3.1 Communication

Ø We will interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities in ways that support communication assistance that participants provide.

3.2 Telephone Services

Ø We will train office staff/volunteers to communicate with participants over the telephone in clear and plain language and to speak clearly and slowly.

Ø We will offer to communicate with participants by e-mail, skype and our web site
if telephone communication is not suitable to their communication needs, or is not available.

3.3 Assistive Devices

Ø We are committed to serving people with disabilities who use assistive devices to participate in and benefit from our programs.

Ø We will ensure that people are permitted to use their own personal assistive devices to access the sanctuary for worship and other applicable programs.

Ø As the need arises we will familiarize ushers and other staff with the various assistive devices that may be used by participants with disabilities while accessing our programs.

Ø Stamford United Church will provide assistive devices it deems necessary for accessing worship and other applicable programs.

o Staff and some volunteers will be trained on how to use the assistive devices available on our premises, including:

§ Hearing assistance available in the sanctuary

§ Elevator available off St. John Street

3.4 Accessibility Committee/Officer

Ø The property committee is designated to oversee all issues relating to accessibility in consultation with the Board.

Ø The property committee will consult with congregants with disabilities or family members as accessibility issues arise.

o The committee has established and sought approval of these policies on providing accessible programs in compliance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07.

o The committee will monitor our programs and services to ensure that practices and procedures are consistent with our governing policies.

o The committee will coordinate accessibility training and training materials for staff and the official Board.

o The committee will work to ensure that assistive devices provided by our church are in good working order and that requests for assistive devices are met.

o The committee will be responsible reviewing feedback on accessibility and responding to any complaints or concerns which are to be directed to them through the office.

4. Use of Service Animals and Support Persons

Ø We are committed to welcoming people who are accompanied by a service animal on parts of our premises that are open to the public and other third parties.

Ø We will ensure that staff and Board members are trained on how to interact with people who are accompanied by a service animal.

Ø We are committed to welcoming people who are accompanied by a support person. Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter Stamford United Church premises with his or her support person.

Ø Fees will not be charge for support persons accompanying a participant to any event offered by Stamford United Church.

5. Notice of Temporary Disruption

Stamford United Church will endeavor to provide participants with notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in the facilities or services usually used by people with disabilities. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, the anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. The notice will be delivered to participants by means of our website at
www.stamfordunited.ca

6. Training for Staff and Volunteers

Stamford United Church’s Property Committee will be responsible for coordinating training for employees and Board members who are involved in the development and approvals of accessibility policies, practices and procedures.

7. Feedback Process

The ultimate goal of Stamford United Church is to meet and surpass expectations while serving participants with disabilities.

Comments on our programs, and services regarding how well those expectations are being met are welcome and appreciated.

Ø Feedback regarding the way Stamford United Church provides programs, goods and services to people with disabilities can be made by Phone or email or directly with a staff person or Official Board member.

Ø All feedback will be directed through the office to the Property Committee.

Ø Participants can expect to hear back within a month.

Ø Confidentiality will be respected

Ø Feedback is continuously invited on our website.

8. Modifications to this or Other Policies

We are committed to developing accessibility policies that respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.

Ø No changes, therefore, will be made to this policy before considering the impact on people with disabilities or their families.

Ø Any policy of Stamford United Church that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be reviewed.

9. Questions about This Policy

This policy seeks to achieve service excellence to participants with disabilities. If anyone has a question about the policy, or its purpose, an explanation or reply will be provided by the minister or the chair of the Property Committee.

comment : minister@stamfordunited.ca