Please contact Charlene Greenlund for more information charlene.greenlund@bhhsdrysdale.com
Through the power of the Eucharist and grace-filled guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Altar Society is a Volunteer Organization of men and women whose goal is to sanctify its members and members of the Parish by cultivating an ardent devotion, reverence, and love towards Christ in the Blessed Sacrament throughout our church. We
accomplish this by working together on requests from the Pastor to work on specific key tasks in the main Sanctuary, Mary's Chapel and the Parish Gift Shop so that we may assist the Pastor in spiritual and material undertakings for the welfare of the Parish.
ARTICLE 1: NAME
The name of this organization shall be: "St. Rose of Lima Altar Society, Reno Nevada."
ARTICLE 2: PURPOSE and TASK AREAS
The St Rose of Lima Altar Society is responsible to sanctify its Altar Society members and Parish members by cultivating an ardent devotion, reverence, and love towards Christ in the Blessed Sacrament throughout our church to include the main Sanctuary, St. Mary's Chapel and the Gift Shop. We do this by working together on key tasks assigned to the Society by the Pastor to assist the Pastor in spiritual and material undertakings for the welfare of the parish.
BROAD CATAGORIES OF TASKS FOR THE ALTAR SOCIETY:
The Altar Society shall develop training for the Task Areas so that the volunteers can clearly see what they would be doing and what would be expected of them as volunteers.
TASK AREAS
Note: These Task Areas apply to the areas that the Altar Society is responsible to manage under their Ministry: that is, Main Sanctuary/Church, Mary's Chapel, and the Gift Shop.
Altar Linens:
Creation, care and replacement of Altar linens
Manage Vestments and Liturgical Garments:
Priests and Deacon Vestments, Altar Servers, and Choir
Manage Dry Cleaning and Laundry:
To include at minimum: Priests and Deacon Vestments, all other Liturgical Garments, Towels and Purificators
Volunteer Activities:
As requested by the Pastor to assist in Seasonal Decorations to support the Environment Ministry.
Manage Gift Shop:
To include at minimum: Retail Sales/Cashier, Stocking/Inventory, and Fiscal Responsibility.
Other Duties As Assigned by the Pastor and Accepted by the Members:
This Task Area leaves room for particular tasks which the Pastor might request on an as-needed
basis.
SACRISTY MINISTRY
1. To serve as the Ministry through which the women and men of the Parish may participate as
Sacristans
2. Supplies, including but not limited to Candles, Eucharistic Hosts and Wine
ARTICLE 3: AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a 2/3 vote ofthe members, provided the proposed amendment has been approved by the Pastor and the officers.
ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP
1. Every Catholic person in good standing who is a registered member of the Parish is eligible for membership in the Altar Society.
2. Every member must attend the "Protecting God's Children" class and have current fingerprints on file with the Diocese.
Note: Costs offingerprinting are covered by the Parish.
3. Loss of membership: A member automatically forfeits his/her membership in the Altar
Society when:
a. He /She moves away from the Parish and resigns.
b. He /She is delinquent in providing a minimum of 1-4 hours of volunteer work a month for 3 months, either consecutive or non-consecutive months during the calendar year. These Volunteer Hours are considered the "dues" for each member of the Altar Society. Exceptions are made for the poor health of a member and extenuating circumstances will always be considered.
ARTICLE 5: SPIRITUAL BENEFITS
1. When a Member is ill the Membership may request a Mass to be offered for the physical and spiritual wellbeing of the ill Member.
2. On the occasion of the death of a member, a special Mass shall be requested by the
President and a Rosary led by the President shall be recited by members
ARTICLE 6: FISCAL YEAR
The Fiscal Year shall be July 1 through June 30 The budget for a fiscal year will be determined by the Pastor, the Financial Council and/or Pastoral Advocate by July 1 of each new fiscal year.
ARTICLE 1: OFFICERS
1. The Officers of this Organization shall be:
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
The Pastor
2. The term of office shall be (2) two years. Term limits may apply.
ARTICLE 2: ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The election of officers shall take place at the regular meeting in June. Official installation of the newly elected officers shall take place in the regular meeting in June.
ARTICLE 3: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
PRESIDENT:
1. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all regular and special meetings. He/she shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
2. He/she shall set up a special committee as the occasion demands to accomplish determined objectives.
3. Shall act as the official Spokesperson for the Altar Society for matters pertaining to the Altar Society business, to the Parish or Diocese of Reno.
4. Shall seek to enlist new members for the Society from the new families that move into
the Parish.
5. Shall keep the members informed of any sick members of the Society and may requested the Parish Ministry for Eucharist Ministers to the Hospital!Homebound include the members in their visits to distribute the Eucharist weekly.
6. The President may request a Mass and call for its members to recite a rosary with all the members for the repose ofthe deceased soul.
VICE PRESIDENT:
1. Shall undertake all the above duties in the absence of the President and to assist himlher in
fulfilling them.
SECRETARY:
1. Shall record the minutes of each meeting and to read them at the succeeding
meeting.
2. Shall see that forthcoming meetings are published in the bulletin by informing the
Pastor and the appropriate Staff member in advance.
3. Shall maintain the volunteer hours for each Member and report the status at each officer meeting.
4. Shall maintain a record of all members, contact information and volunteer hours.
TREASURER:
1. Shall keep a record of all financial transactions of the Society.
2. Shall collect all monies and keep a record ofthe same.
3. Shall present all bills with accompanying invoices/receipts that have been approved by a quorum to the Pastoral Associate for payment.
ARTICLE 4: MEETINGS
1. The Society will hold its regular meetings for officers, the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Parish.
2. A Special Meeting may be called at any time by the President, when circumstances
warrant it.
3. Two (2) members and three (3) officers shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
Business.
4. The officers will host a quarterly spiritual and social meeting for the members ofthe Society.
ARTICLE 5: ORDER OF BUSINESS AT MEETINGS
1. Call to order by President or Vice-President
2. Opening prayer
3. Reading of minutes by Secretary; status of Volunteer Hours for members
4. Treasurer's report
5. Reports of committees
6. Old Business
7. New Business
8. Pastor's comments
9. Closing prayer
Attendees should be brief in their comments so that the meeting will not be unduly prolonged
Regular officer meetings should not last more than one hour.
ARTICLE 6: EUCHARIST
The Society members are encouraged to attend First Friday Mass and Adoration ofthe Eucharist.
ARTICLE 7: VOLUNTEER HOURS AS DUES
1. All members must contribute a minimum of 1-4 hours of volunteer work per month. All hours shall be documented. Failure to fulfill volunteer hours per month may cause the loss of membership. Extenuating circumstances will always be considered. Reference Article 4, section 3b herein, Loss of Membership.
2. If a member has forfeited hislher membership for cause, Reference Article 4, section 3b herein, and wants to rejoin, the officers shall come to a 2/3 majority vote to reinstate the member.
ARTICLES 8: COMMITTEES
1. There shall be committees, approved by the officers and Pastor, as are required for the
proper functioning of the Society and the accomplishment of its purpose and objectives. Committees shall pay particular attention to providing opportunities for service hours for the youth organizations of our Parish.
2. Chairpersons of standing and special committees shall be appointed by the President with the
approval of the officers and the Pastor.
3. Committee Chairperson(s) are to report the status of their Committee(s) at each officer meeting and if unable to be at the meeting, their reports are to be turned in to the Secretary the day before the meeting.
This is important in order to keep the minutes up to date and for the officers to assess the successful functioning of the Committee(s).
4. Special Committees:
a. Shall consist of any given number of members as appointed by the President.
b. Shall be the duty of said Committee to initiate and conclude the business
assigned to it, in a way and at the time indicated by the President and as requested by the
Pastor.
c. When the object of this committee has been fulfilled, its functions shall cease.