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Click here to download the nomination form

Composition

• The Church Board will be composed of 5 elected members, 2 appointed members, the general coordinator of Sunday school and the priests.
• At least one member of the board should be a female. One member should be above the age of 40. And one member should be between the age of 24-29 to represent the youth.
• Members of the same board cannot be first -degree relatives or spouses.
• The term of serving in the board is four years, with maximum of two terms.

Qualifications

• Must be a baptized member of the Coptic Orthodox church.
• Has a father of confession and confesses regularly.
• Attends liturgies and partakes of the Holy Communion at least monthly.
• Not a member of another church board.
• Active member of St. Mary Coptic Church.
• Cannot be a paid employee of the church.

Desirable characteristics of board member

• Demonstrates understanding and enthusiasm for the teachings of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
• An active member of the church who has proved themselves to be mature and a follower of Christ.
• A reliable, trustworthy individual with a good reputation among the congregation.
• An individual known for respecting and honoring the leadership of the clergy who maintains a spirit of service and cooperation, while maintaining an appropriate level of objectivity and independent thought.
• A team player who has the wisdom and humility to resolve disputes and promote unity.
• An individual who is known for his/her piety and supports the church morally and financially.
• Be teachable, willing to learn from one another.

Primary responsibilities of the board

• Regularly pray for the congregation and priests.
• Assist the priests in the creation of a vision and strategic plan for the future of the church.
• Oversee church resources, properties, personnel and employees.
• Assist in providing fiscal parameters within which priests and staff will manage church finances.
• Participate in the nomination of the “servants of the alter” (Bishops, priests and consecrated deacons).
• Creation of various committees to benefit from the abilities and talents of the church members.
• Produce and authorize written church policies in accordance with the general polices of the Coptic patriarchate.
• Maintain and organize church documents.

Nomination Process

• Nomination process will be organized by a committee.
• Self promotion is NOT permitted.
• Must be 18 years of age by the date of election to be eligible to vote.

Timeline

Anticipate a new church board to start off the blessed new year of 2024.

The timeline will be as follows:

1. Sunday November 12, 2023: Announcement to the congregation that we are starting the nomination process of a new board, asking for the prayers of all, that God may choose for His church the names He desires. The nomination committee will explain to the congregation the phases of the election process and the timeline. A written document about the process will be distributed to the congregation and circulated via e-mail. (The nomination committee is appointed by the existing board to lead the election process with the priests. The members of this committee have relinquished their possibility of election to the board). The nomination committee will begin accepting names of candidates from the congregation. Each member of the congregation age 18 years and older is eligible to nominate up to 7 candidates. Nominations could be submitted via paper forms at church or via electronic form that will be included in the e-mail announcement.
2. Sunday Nov 19: Last day to submit nomination forms.
3. Sunday Nov 26 : The final list of candidates will be announced and voting for the top 5 candidates will begin. Once again, votes can be submitted via paper forms at church or via electronic form that will be included in the e-mail announcement.
4. Sunday Dec 3 : Last day for the congregation to submit their votes.
5. Before the end of December, God willing, an announcement will be made with the results of the new board members, after the approval of H.H. Pope Tawadros II.

Nomination Committee

Mr. Alphonse Mikhail: 847-477-5558. Mr. George Boctor: 224-425-1815. Dr. Anwar Awad: 847-409-9701. Mrs. Silvia Ayad: 224-578-2792.

We ask you to please pray that our Lord guides us to the right board for His Church.

Click here to download the nomination form

Click here to download the Ballot