Ellis Christian Women’s Job Corps

A Ministry of Woman’s Missionary Union

Constitution

Article I

Mission Statement

The mission of ECWJC  is to equip women with the life and employment skills necessary for them to obtain self-sufficiency within their culture, to introduce them to faith in Jesus Christ, and provide a mission opportunity for women to help women to be all they can be through the love of God.

Theme

“For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

                                                Article II

Purpose of the Advisory Council

Support the Director/Site Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator in raising money, networking,

making decisions and providing special skills as ambassadors to the community.

Preamble

It is the intent of the Ellis Christian Women’s Job Corps? (ECWJC) Advisory Council to provide guidelines and directions that enhance responsible operation that fulfills the purpose of ECWJC and promote more abundant service to the Lord through prudent education practices and relationships that conform to the highest Christian standards. The success of the ECWJC requires that the Advisory Council and Director/Site Coordinator support each other. In order that all participants share in the success of  ECWJC and that the work committed to us may prosper, the following guidelines are adopted by the Advisory Council of Ellis Christian Women’s Job Corps? on this date.

Article III

Meetings

The Advisory Council will meet quarterly or as necessary to conduct business. There will be no voting. All issues will be determined by a consensus agreement of the council.

Article IV

Officers and Election

The council will consist of at least six persons but not more than twelve. A Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Fund Raiser Representative will be elected in January at the beginning of each new year.

Ex-officio Members will consist of:

Director of Missions, Ellis Baptist Association, Executive Director/Director/Site Coordinator and Director/Site Coordinator.

Election of new members: The Advisory Council is authorized to select new council members during the year as necessary to be approved by the Ellis Baptist Associational Leadership team. At the last meeting of the year, the council members will elect new members to be approved by the Ellis Baptist Associational Leadership team. The Executive Director/Director/Site Coordinator will be responsible for advising new members of their responsibilities by the first quarter meeting of the new year.

Article V

Funds

?         The Advisory Council will be responsible for on-going fund raising and each council member shall agree to contribute individually.

?         The funds will be handled by the Council Treasurer.

?         The Treasurer with the assistance of the bookkeeper will be responsible for accounting and record keeping.

?         Records will be maintained according to generally accepted accounting procedures for nonprofit organizations.

?         Charitable assistance for participant and/or family to be dispensed at the discretion of the Director/Site Coordinator or Assistant Site Coordinator to and not to exceed $50 per situation.

Article VI

Ellis Baptist Association Relationship

?         The Ellis Christian Women’s Job Corps? functions as a part of the Ellis Baptist Association.

?         The new members of the Advisory Council of the Ellis Christian Women’s Job Corps? will be selected and approved by the Advisory Council of the Association. The majority of the council will come from Ellis Baptist Association member churches.

?         The Advisory Council will raise funds, develop a budget and submit monthly reports to the Advisory Council. The Annual Budget will be approved by the Advisory Council of the Association.

?         All changes to the Ellis Christian Women’s Corps? Constitution and by-laws must be approved by the Advisory Council of the Association. The Advisory Council will submit changes to the Ellis Baptist Association Advisory Council at their monthly meeting.

Article VII

Constitution Changes

Advisory Council will submit changes to Ellis Baptist Associational Leadership Team for approval by the association at annual celebrations.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

BY-LAWS

Article I

Rationale

Written policies and procedures were developed in an effort to assist Ellis Christian Women’s Job Corps? in:

?         Providing good Christian education and life skills in participants.

?         Providing efficiency and effectiveness in conducting ECWJC classes and business

?         Providing consistency and continuity in budgetary, financial and office procedures

?         Providing a clear understanding of the budget

?         Fostering complete and accurate record keeping

?         Providing an audit trail. 

Article II

Enrollment and Length of Class Time

?         No more than 10 participants will be enrolled at one time.

?         Class times and dates will vary according to length of each session.

?         Participants must attend all classes the first of which will be a Bible study.

?         All classroom materials will be provided to the participant at no charge.

?         If a participant drops out of the program before the end of the session, she will not be permitted to graduate. She can enroll in a future class one more time.

Article III

Rules for the Participant

?         Participants who miss more than three days during the session will be dismissed. Three individual classes missed will count as one day missed.

?         Participants must be on time each morning and have transportation home no later than 30 minutes after the last class unless asked to stay later by the Director/Site Coordinator or mentor.

?         No smoking will be allowed inside the building.

?         No alcohol, drugs or weapons will be allowed on the premises. If such is found on the participant, it will mean automatic dismissal.

?         No foul/vulgar/cursing language will be permitted. The participant will be warned three times after which time if the conduct continues she will be dismissed.

?         No children, husbands, boy friends, male friends or male relatives will be allowed on the premises during class time.

?         No phone calls from the office phone will be permitted except in cases of emergencies.

?         All cell phones and beepers are to be turned off during class time.

?         No low riding pants with skin showing.

?         No halter tops.

?         No short shorts.

?         No t-shirts with inappropriate statements or advertisements.

?         Clothes must be clean.

?         Proper undergarments are to be worn.

?         Must be at least 17 years of age.

?         Must have a desire for self-improvement.

?         Must have no unresolved domestic or substance abuse issues that will make her unemployable or untreated mental illness. 

?         Must be clean from alcohol and illegal drugs or cleared from a rehabilitation center for a period of six months prior to enrollment unless she is in a court appointed drug rehabilitation program..

?         Must have no outstanding arrests warrants.

?         Must be willing to participate in the job-readiness and life-skills program.

?         Must read and agree to all rules and regulations of ECWJC.

?         Must participate in Bible study.

?         Must accept a mentor.

Article IV

Director/Site Coordinator and Assistant Site Coordinator Responsibilities

The Director/Site Coordinator (SC) will:

?         be on the premises at all times unless conducting business of ECWJC elsewhere or in cases of emergency.

?         be on the premises in the absence of the Assistant Site Coordinator. See that the site is safe and secure at all times.

?         provide the Advisory Council with consistent, accurate and complete reports regarding budget and expenditures.

?         maintain audit trail of consistent, accurate and complete financial reports.

?         see that participants and employees/volunteers are protected at all times.

The Assistant Site Coordinator (ASC) will:

?         be on the premises at all times during class time unless conducting business of  ECWJC or in cases of emergency.

?         be on the premises in the absence of the Director/Site Coordinator.

?         be responsible for maintaining good conduct in the classroom and will report to the D/SC

?         misconduct that is cause for potential problems.

?         see that all teacher volunteers are present for their respective classes or find a substitute when necessary.

?         see that efficiency and effectiveness is apparent in each class taught.

?         see that lunch is provided each class day.

?         assist the SC whenever and wherever necessary.

Article V

Volunteers

?         Conduct of volunteers is to be consistent with values, beliefs and purpose of ECWJC.

?         A background check will be required for volunteers.

?         Volunteers will be required to sign a covenant agreement and background check release before they can be accepted into the program.

?         Proof of automobile insurance.

Article VI

Mentors

Mentors will be required to successfully complete the mentor training before being accepted in the program.

?         Conduct of mentor is to be consistent with values, beliefs and purpose of ECWJC.

?         A background check will be required for all mentors.

?         Mentors will be required to sign a covenant agreement and background check release before they can be accepted into the program.

?         Proof of automobile insurance.

Article VII

Miscellaneous

Participant issues:

 Director/Site Coordinator or Assistant Site Coordinator is to call Child Protective Services (CPS) in accordance with the law when child abuse is suspected.

?         If disruptive or violent behavior cannot be handled on site then the Director/Site Coordinator or Assistant Coordinator is to call 911 emergency or the sheriff’s department. The sheriff’s phone number is to be posted at each office phone.

?         The participant will be required to sign an entry covenant before she can begin the program and, if possible an exit agreement will be signed when the participant leaves the program either through graduation, voluntary dismissal or involuntary dismissal.

?         All participant records will be kept in a locked file cabinet and be accessible only to the Director/Site Coordinator and Assistant Site Coordinator.

?         Release forms must be signed by the participant before any information concerning the participant can be made public.

?         Reference information given to any respective employee can contain only information regarding dates attended, programs successfully completed and skills demonstrated at the completion of the program.

?         ECWJC equipment to be used exclusively for the program.

?         If a situation arises that could put the program or personnel in jeopardy, a 911 call is to be initiated. 

Intake:

?         The Director/Site Coordinator and/or Assistant Site Coordinator will conduct all intakes of       participants and volunteers through personal interviews.

Fire, breach of trust, or misuse of designated funds:

?         ECWJC to maintain special multi-peril policy under the Ellis Baptist Association.

Article VIII

Harassment

Alleged sexual or other harassment will be investigated by Director/Site Coordinator and appropriate actions will be taken such as warning/counseling, release from the program. Sexual harassment, as defined by the laws of the State of Texas and the laws of the United States of America shall not be tolerated.

Article IX

Changes to Policies and Procedures

Advisory council shall recommend changes to Ellis Baptist Association Leadership Team for approval.