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06-15-2023 Questions and Answers 1200 628 Jill Pioter

06-15-2023 Questions and Answers

Q: How important is it to get a receipt? We always have an electronic copy of the check from our bank but is that enough? Prior to COVID we would drop off checks to management companies or landlords in person and receive a receipt immediately. During COVID we generally would mail a check along with…

06-08-2023 Questions and Answers 1200 628 Jill Pioter

06-08-2023 Questions and Answers

Q: One of our Vincentians has asked if our Conference can spend funds to improve the poor boxes in our parish church. We receive the contents of the boxes each week. They’ve gotten a little shabby, and our pastor has been working on improving the church’s environment with new pews, new stations, etc.  A: Since…

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Bylaws — What They Are and Why They Matter 1200 628 Jill Pioter

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Bylaws — What They Are and Why They Matter

The original Bylaws presentation was developed and presented by John Berry, SVdP National President-Elect. This article was written by Mike Syslo. The Boring Stuff What are Bylaws: Bylaws are a nonprofit’s operating manual. Bylaws (or Bylaws and Articles of Organization) are the main governing document for a nonprofit organization. They are the main official documents of…

06-01-2023 Questions and Answers 1200 628 Jill Pioter

06-01-2023 Questions and Answers

Q: Why is the maximum term for Council/Conference Presidents two three-year terms or six consecutive years total?  How and who decided on that number of years? If, for example, a Conference President is doing a good job and wants to have the position for another term beyond the two served, especially if all members agree…

05-25-2023 Questions and Answers 1200 628 Jill Pioter

05-25-2023 Questions and Answers

Q: A police officer with young children died from an illness and his funeral was held at our parish. His obituary read “Due to the family’s unexpected loss, the family requests assistance in covering funeral costs and the education and future for their children. Donations may be made directly to the family,” at a website…

05-18-2023 Questions and Answers 1200 628 Jill Pioter

05-18-2023 Questions and Answers

Q: Can the “advisors” on a Council advisory committee vote on advisory committee issues? A:  Yes, the committee members can vote on matters concerning the committee. Committees are advisory. Any matters/recommendations presented to the Board of Directors must be approved by the voting-eligible Board members before the recommendation becomes policy and can be passed on…

05-11-2023 Questions and Answers 150 150 Jill Pioter

05-11-2023 Questions and Answers

Q:  Can a former President of a parish Conference that closed become president of an active Conference whose president’s second 3-year term has ended? A:  They can, as long as the members of that Conference accept him/her as a member, of their Conference. S/He has to be an active member which means attending meetings and…

05-04-2023 Questions and Answers 1200 628 Jill Pioter

05-04-2023 Questions and Answers

Q: During our bylaws review, our district officers brought up a question about VOP and 501(c)3 compliance regarding advocacy. How can VOP do advocacy without jeopardizing the Society’s 501(c)3 status? A: IRS Publication 1828 states that churches and religious organizations are allowed to lobby unless it constitutes “a substantial part of its overall activities.” Given…

04-27-2023 Questions and Answers 1200 628 Jill Pioter

04-27-2023 Questions and Answers

Q:  Our new president was told by our parish priest that he had the authority to shut us down if there were problems within our Conference. Can you give us some insight into this, as I was of the assumption that only our District Council has that authority? A: The parish pastor does indeed have…

04-20-2023 Questions and Answers 1200 628 Jill Pioter

04-20-2023 Questions and Answers

Q: Can a Council or Conference twin with their associated or other SVdP-run Thrift Stores? A: If a Conference or a Council owns a thrift store, they can transfer funds to that store’s operations at any time. This is an internal transfer of funds. For SVdP reporting, it has no income value to the store…

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