The 2023 Annual Parish meeting will take place on Sunday, February 19th immediately following service in the church hall. All are invited to attend, but only members that have paid dues for 2023 have the right to vote.
The meeting agenda will include elections of the Church Council Members and Audit Committee.
Additionally, a change to the church bylaws (below) has been proposed by the parish council and will be voted on during the meeting.
Previous Text – Paragraph 56
“The closing of the parish can take place only subject to the method set forth in Par. 54 of these By-Laws, while the entire personal and real estate of the parish shall be turned over to the direct management and disposition of the Diocesan Authorities as per the direction of the Ruling Bishop.”
Proposed change to Paragraph 56
“The closing of the parish can take place only subject to the method set forth in Par. 54 of these By-Laws. The assets of the parish shall be distributed to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America or its successor organization, provided that the Diocese is and remains organized exclusively for charitable, religious education, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. If assets cannot be distributed to the Diocese or its successor organization, then assets shall be distributed to the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, or its successor organization, provided that said organization is organized for exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. If the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, or its successor organization no longer exists, then assets shall be distributed to any Eastern Orthodox Christian organization which is organized for exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. If no such organizations exist, then assets shall be distributed to any not-for-profit institution which is organized exclusively for charitable, religious education, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, provided those purposes are not opposed to the moral, theological, and dogmatic tradition of the Russian Orthodox faith, and for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by a court of competent jurisdiction in the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.”
The change to the bylaws comes at the suggestion of Archpriest Gregory Joyce (Secretary, Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America) so that we may be included in the Diocese 501(c)(3) nonprofit group exemption. While Holy Trinity is a tax-exempt organization recognized by the state of Wisconsin, we do not have 501(c)(3) status with the federal government. The proposed change is text that has already been adopted by other parishes in the Diocese.
Normal Parish Bylaws – https://www.synod.com/synod/engdocuments/enov_normparishbylaws.html
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