XII. Church Financial Job Descriptions
A. Stewardship Committee | B. Financial Secretary | C. Treasurer | D. Financial Management Committee | E. Memorial Committee

 

E. Job Description for Memorials Committee
Information especially helpful for church leaders as they appoint a Memorials Committee

INTRODUCTION

The task of a Memorials Committee is to establish policy, prepare an inventory of potential memorial projects, and supervise the reception and disbursement of all memorial gifts given to the church.

Establishing policy and procedures in advance can assist families in choosing items that best support priority church ministry projects and help redirect unneeded or undesirable gifts.

PRESENTATION

1. The church board or council should appoint a standing Memorials Committee. It would be helpful to have at least one committee member who is also a member of the church board in order to help facilitate good communication and coordination of their work.

2. The committee develops policy and prioritizes a list of items or projects which can be appropriately funded by memorial gifts.

3. The committee should regularly review and update the list and submit it to the church board annually for approval.

4. The committee can publicize the existence of this list of needs and opportunities members and friends of the church have to contribute to these needed items or projects. Projects can be in memory of a loved one who has died or in honor of a loved one who is still alive.

5. The committee should keep an accurate record of all memorial gift money received and distributed by the Memorials Committee through the church treasurer.

6. The committee will supervise the sending of thank-you notes for all memorial contributions.

7. The committee will consult with either the person who has donated the money or the next of kin to the one remembered, as appropriate, to determine how any unspecified memorial contribution should be used.

8. The committee will disburse memorial gift fund money at their discretion through the church treasurer.

9. Committees who receive a large amount of money to be disbursed for scholarships of capital projects over an extended period of time may want to consider establishing an interest-bearing Agency Investment Account through Covenant Trust Company to avoid having funds redirected through other emergency projects, which would violate the intentions of the donors.

10. The church should establish an alternating term for committee members that will provide limits on length of service while insuring continuity as new members are appointed.

For further information, contact Covenant Trust Company or Covenant Estate Planning Services at 1-800-637-7282.