benevolence

Benevolence Guidelines Benevolent Fund and Guidelines

Purpose
To develop “Guidelines” to aid in actively meet the physical concerns of people in need, in a fashion that is responsible and accountable.

Procedure

A call for Benevolent Assistance comes into the church Office.
The Secretary/Pastor/Elder records basic information.
Secretary/Pastor/Elder calls one of the Elders, and passes on information to them.
Elder calls applicant, and begins to discern the need.
At the end of the call/meeting, the applicant should be informed that the Elder now needs to consult with one other Elder to discuss possible options and reach a decision.
Every effort should be made to do this as soon as possible to react in timely manner to the need at hand.
Once the meeting has been held with the second Elder, the decision should be communicated to the applicant, together with any other necessary processes.
Cheques will require two signatures of Council members. No cheques are to be made to the person, rather to a need. (gas/ electric bill, grocery bill)
The Elder will follow up with the applicant in some way.

Protocol

Donation given to the Benevolent fund cannot be accepted if a name is attached designating it’s recipient.
Any requests for amounts over three hundred dollars, or requests from past applicants for additional assistance that would increase their cumulative total to over three hundred dollars, will require approval from four member of the Church Council.
Individual Elders can make an on-site decision in rare cases if they are only nominal requests (i.e. below $30). And are reported on.
Pastoral staff are encouraged for their protection, though, to avoid being involved, when possible, in benevolent cases.

Donations

Donations can be made through the regular Sunday Service offering by cheque. Please mark clearly on the cheque "Benevolence Assistance".
Donation cheques can also be sent to:

Bragg Creek Community Church
P.O. Box 502
Bragg Creek, AB
T0L 0K0