Wardens'
Handbook
Duties
of a Warden:
The
duties of a Warden are outlined briefly in Canon 5.61.
The list that follows provides more detail.
Church
Finances:
The primary concern of the Wardens is to do everything
in their power to insure that adequate financial support
is provided for the Church and that the financial and
physical concerns of the Parish are efficiently managed.
Wardens
are responsible for the collection and receipt of all
monies contributed to the church, and with the Incumbent
have joint responsibility for the disposal of all monies,
stipends, and debts, and for keeping a complete record
of all transactions.
The
Clergy’s priority is the spiritual care of the
Parish and, as much as possible, they should be relieved
of such temporal concerns by the work of the Wardens
and Vestry.
A
Rector has no right to incur expenses on behalf of the
Parish without consultation with the Wardens, nor may
the Wardens commit the Parish to expenditures without
the Rector’s knowledge.
Charitable
Returns:
Wardens are responsible for ensuring that an annual
return is filed with Canada Revenue Agency.
Meeting
Records:
Wardens are responsible for the Minute Book of all parish
and vestry meetings, and for the book containing all
parish accounts and the annual balance sheets.
Budget
and Offering Envelopes:
It is required by Canon 5.111 to present to the Vestry
for their approval and commendation to the Annual Meeting
of Parishioners a budget setting forth clearly the expected
expenses for ordinary maintenance, repairs and desirable
improvements.
It
is required by Canon 5.113 that an annual campaign be
held to encourage every family unit to give regularly
to the Church in accordance with their incomes. Every
opportunity should be taken to keep the people fully
informed of the work of the whole Church—in the
Diocese, in Canada and beyond—which they support
in their giving.
Large
or Extraordinary Expenditures:
Wardens must seek the consent of Vestry before incurring
any unusual expense.
Wardens
should have parishioners’ consent, either before
committing a large outlay of money, or when there are
insufficient funds and money must be raised by means
such as a bank loan.
Accounting
Records:
The Wardens are responsible for maintaining a proper
set of accounting records that reflect, at all times,
the financial position of the Parish. They should submit
regular statements to the Vestry. The books must be
open to the inspection of the Rector at all times. They
must be presented to the Parish Accounts Examiner in
sufficient time for a proper annual examination and
to present a statement at the Annual Meeting of the
Parish.
Bank
Accounts:
The bank account (or accounts) should be under the direct
control of the Wardens. Both Wardens should be signing
officers at the bank, along with the Incumbent and Treasurer.
Treasurer:
If it is deemed advisable, the Vestry may appoint a
Treasurer, BUT such an appointment does not release
the Wardens from their responsibility for the finances
of the parish.
Signing
of Cheques:
All cheques must be signed by two persons, one of whom
must be a Warden or the Incumbent.
Appointment
of Parish Staff:
The Vestry appoints the organist, and/or choirmaster
and the Vestry Clerk. Salary and wages of Parish staff,
determined by the Vestry, shall be paid from the General
Account of the Parish, and shall generally be administered
by the Diocesan Treasurer.
Insurance:
At each Annual Meeting, the Wardens shall make a full
and detailed report of insurance carried by the Parish,
and see that the details are recorded in the minutes.
It is the duty of the Wardens to see that insurance
coverage on church buildings is adequate in light of
a recent appraisal by an independent firm in the business
of doing property appraisals.
Parish
Registers:
The Wardens shall ensure that a register is kept in
which shall be recorded the dates and hours of all services
held in the Church, names of officiating clergy, number
of those present, number of those communicating, etc.
They shall also provide the Rector with a register or
registers in which to record all weddings, funerals,
baptisms and confirmations. The Wardens are responsible
for ensuring that the number of those present at the
regular services is entered into the register.
Requisites
for Worship and Sacraments:
The Wardens shall see that all things necessary for
the proper and reverent conducting of the worship of
the Church and the administration of the Sacraments
are provided.
At
Regular Services:
In the absence of the Parish clergy, the Wardens should
receive and welcome any visiting clergy or lay readers,
visitors and newcomers and, if possible, obtain their
names and addresses for the Parish records. Sidespersons
may be appointed to assist the Wardens in these duties.
Clergy
Holidays:
All full and part time clergy are entitled by Canon
to at least four weeks vacation without any diminution
of stipend in accordance with the Diocesan Vacation
Policy. The Parish, through the office of the Wardens,
is responsible for the expenses and honoraria of clerical
or lay supply during this month.
The
Wardens must report vacation plans of the Parish clergy
to the Diocese, and ensure that the clergy actually
take the vacation they are entitled to.
Incumbent
Vacancy:
If a vacancy occurs, the Bishop and Archdeacon will
confer with the Wardens and the Vestry or Parish Council
with respect to choosing a new Incumbent.
Church
Property:
Wardens ensure that all church property is properly
registered in the Land Titles Office, and that the deeds
are in the possession of the Registrar of the Diocese.
Wardens
are responsible, jointly with the Incumbent, for the
care of all property of the Parish including the rectory
and grounds and any other buildings on the grounds,
ensuring that all property is kept in good repair and
insured.
Wardens
should keep an inventory of all property grounds, buildings,
and contents.
Wardens
should also ensure that any specific requirements with
respect to maintaining a church’s historic designation
are dealt with in a timely and appropriate manner.
Building
Projects:
Any project of a major nature, involving extension,
considerable alteration or repair, or the sale, purchase,
or erection of new buildings, or the sale or purchase
of property is to be reviewed by the diocesan Property
and Planning Committee. This initial review should occur
early in the process, and when approved by this Committee,
then, and only then, should it be submitted to the Parish.
To obtain a copy of the Property and Planning Committee
Procedures for Obtaining Diocesan Approval, contact
the Synod office.
Installation
of Church Wardens
Back:
What Is a Warden?
Next:
Becoming a Church Warden
[Notes
to the reader: Throughout this document the word "responsible"
is used when defining a warden’s functions and
duties. This does not mean that the warden must carry
out a specific function or duty; rather, the warden
must ensure that the function or duty is carried out.
It
is our intent that this document will be reviewed and
updated at a minimum of every ten (10) years.]
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