Layman Council – Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion

Objectives and Purpose

Mission: The purpose of this organization shall be to organize the laity of The A.M.E. Zion Church in each Annual and District Conference and local church in the Connection to the end that the following objectives may be achieved:

Deepen the spiritual life of the laity
Disseminate information
Cultivate the denomination loyalty
Expand the denomination through education and evangelism
Promote any other interest of the Kingdom of God.

Local Lay Leaders

The president shall possess leadership qualities that include skills in planning, organizing, coordinating, and delegating and shall:

Preside at all meetings of the Local Church Lay Council:
carry out the duties assigned in the Connectional Lay Council Bylaws;
prepare a quarterly report for the Quarterly Conference. This report shall include the report of the Second Vice-President (Membership Chairperson) and the financial report of the Treasurer.
shall countersign all checks.

The First Vice-President shall possess leadership qualities that include skills in planning, organizing, coordinating, and delegating and shall:

perform all the duties of the president in his/her absence or incapacity:
be chairperson of the Local Church Lay Council Program committee;
perform any other duties assigned by the president.

The Second Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President and First Vice-President, and shall:

be chairperson of the Membership Committee and be responsible for the annual membership campaign functions of the Local Church Lay Council;
maintain accurate records of all membership dues received by the Local church Lay Council:
perform any other duties assigned by the president.

The Recording Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining accurate records of the proceedings of all meetings of the Local Church Lay Council and shall:

maintain all records, including minutes, committee, financial and membership reports in bound book/electronic, and must be surrendered at the end of the tenure in office:
ensure all minutes must have been approved by proper motion made, seconded and carried at all meetings, or by unanimous consent:
be knowledgeable of procedural rules of meetings and of computer applications to assist with grammar, spelling, sentence, and punctuation to transcribe notes promptly and neatly into minutes:
perform any other duties assigned by the President.

The Financial Secretary shall receive all funds for the Local Church Lay Council (except Membership dues), issue receipts when required, and turn proceeds over to the Treasurer after they are recorded in a bound book and/or electronic media and shall:

Be the third signature on the checking account and shall sign checks only in case of extreme emergencies:
serve as a member of the Budget Committee:
- ability to calculate figures and verify amounts needed to successfully accomplish the essential duties of this position:
- ability to utilize and understand computer management and record keeping from the Excel program, and other database materials:
Shall perform any other duties assigned by the President.

The Treasurer is the chief fiscal officer of the Local Church Lay Council and the custodian of all monies and other valuables; and shall:

receive all funds from the Financial Secretary and membership dues from the Second Vice-President/Membership Chairperson and keep accurate records in a bound book and/or electronic media:
be a member of the Budget Committee
he/she shall promptly deposit all monies of the Council in a bank approved/designated by the Local Church Lay Council.
be the second signature on all checks and the keeper of all financial records, including the checkbook.
perform any other duties assigned by the President.

The Chaplain shall be chairperson of the Worship Committee, the Evangelism Committee and We Care Committee.

Responsibilities of Committees shall be as follows:
- Worship Committee Shall:
  Arrange, supervise and/or preside over devotions for the opening of all Local Lay Council meeting, Programs and Events.
- Evangelism Committee Shall:
  Be responsible for deepening the spiritual life of the laity through a suggested program and; work closely with the Local Church’s Department of Evangelism to develop and disseminate training materials.
- We Care Committee shall:
  Be responsible for sending greeting cards, letters and messages (as appropriate) to the Constituency.
shall perform any other duties that may be required of him/her by the president or Executive Board.