WELCOME TO THE PRESBYTERY OF SAN FRANCISCO

A GUIDE FOR COMMISSIONERS and VISITORS

The Presbytery of the San Francisco is a governing body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and a fellowship of ministry made up of 300-some minister members and an approximately equal number of elders. Together, presbytery commissioners set policy, develop plans for mission, and promote the spiritual welfare of the people in parts of Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. We oversee ministry and mission of many specialized ministries, five new church developments, and a total of almost 30,000 members in 77 congregations. Our newest congregation, chartered in May, 2006, is Golden Gate Presbyterian Church in Daly City.

This sheet answers some questions about how we work. More details about the Presbytery and about our New Vision for ministry and mission are available at our website: www.sfpby.org.

Who is here? Who can vote? Every minister member who has been admitted to the Presbytery as an active or at-large member is a continuing member of presbytery and can vote at meetings. Honorably Retired ministers also retain membership and vote. Ministers from other presbyteries may register as corresponding members at a meeting where they are present.

Every congregation has two or more elder commissioners who are elected by action of their session. Additional elders are also enrolled as members of presbytery while in leadership positions as committee chairs or presbytery officers. Elders who come as session-elected commissioners or who serve as continuing members because of a presbytery-level office all have the right to vote.

Visitors may include other interested members of our congregations, ecumenical guests, and students preparing for ministry. Visitors may be granted voice but not vote.

Who are the officers of the Presbytery? The Presbytery elects a Moderator and Vice Moderator each calendar year for a one-year term. Elders or ministers may fill these volunteer offices. The Moderator and Vice Moderator share the duties of presiding at meetings of presbytery and representing this body at ordinations and installations. Rev. Carrie Buckner, Director of Chaplaincy Services at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley, is Moderator for 2008. Elder Chuck Fry, member of First Presbyterian Church, Berkeley, is Vice Moderator.

The Stated Clerk is the ecclesiastical officer and parliamentarian of the Presbytery. The Clerk coordinates setting the docket and other planning for each meeting and, during meetings, makes recommendations as to the constitutionality of proposed actions. An Assistant to the Clerk takes the minutes of the meeting. An addition to serving as an officer, the Stated Clerk is a member of the Presbytery’s executive staff, a full time paid position. This office is currently held by the Rev. Katherine J. Runyeon, who was elected in 2004 for a second term that extends through 2009.

The Treasurer, our fourth officer of the Presbytery, is elected to a three-year term and serves as controller and advisor on financial matters. Elder Rich Barber from Delta Community Church in Discovery Bay is now Treasurer for a term through 2009.

As your officers, all are available to you. Come meet us and let us know what is needed.

How often does presbytery meet? Regular meetings of the Presbytery for 2008 are scheduled for January, April, June, September and November. Special meetings may be called as needed. Much of the work of Presbytery is done in committees which meet monthly throughout the year.

How does one prepare for the meeting?
· Review the docket and materials as received. Check the website for updates.
· Arrive before the announced starting time.
· Register and make yourself a name tag. (Blue for commissioners; red for visitors.)
· Pick up the addendum and other materials from the tables in the registration area.
· Buy a dinner ticket so that you may enjoy food and fellowship when we recess.
· Note that early in the meeting we will approve a consent agenda of non-controversial items. We vote on all of these items in one action. If you have questions about any items on the consent agenda, ask to have those items removed for detailed consideration, and we will discuss them during the appropriate committee report.

How does one place a proposal before Presbytery?
Ordinarily, the business of the Presbytery is introduced by Council, Committees or Task Groups of the Presbytery, or referred from the Session of a particular church.
New business may be introduced at the time provided for this in the docket. New items of business may be taken at the end of the current meeting, may be referred to a committee of the Presbytery, or may be postponed until a subsequent meeting.

How does one get recognized to speak? How does one make a motion?
Persons stand to be recognized by the Moderator. A microphone will be available; to be recognized, go to the microphone. When you speak, please begin by stating your name and church, then articulate your question or concern.
If you have a suggestion for action, say “I move…” and describe what you wish us to do. Ask for help if you are not sure how to achieve your goal. Except for simple procedural motions, please be prepared to write your motion and hand it to the Stated Clerk.

What are the rules?
Our Presbytery follows Bylaws and Standing Rules that set forth the structure and processes of the Presbytery. These are revised by Presbytery as needed. Copies are available from the Presbytery office and on our website – www.sfpby.org. The parliamentary rules of the Presbytery are ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER, Newly Revised.

Why are we meeting at this church?
The place of meeting rotates among the member churches of the Presbytery. To have your congregation offer to host a meeting of Presbytery, contact the Presbytery Office.

What about follow-up?
Minutes are shared with any member who requests them. Contact the Presbytery Office to receive a particular set or to be put on the permanent mailing list for minutes.

Commissioners are encouraged to make a creative report to your Session or ministry site to let them know what Presbytery is doing and what resources may be helpful to them. Note that Book of Order G-10.0102p says that Session responsibilities include hearing your report!

Resource people:
Executive staff includes the Rev. Craig Palmer, Interim Executive Presbyter, Elder Peter Endow, Director of Operations and Services, and the Stated Clerk. Resource staff include the Hunger Action Enabler, Health Enabler and Lilly Project Manager. These persons and our administrative support staff and financial staff are available for assistance at meetings or by contacting the Presbytery Office. During presbytery meetings, staff may be in the meeting or available in the registration area. A full list of staff members, phone extensions and e-mail addresses is listed on the presbytery website: www.sfpby.org.

The Presbytery office is located at 2024 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704.
Our phone number is 510-849-4393.

This guide was developed by Kathy Runyeon, Stated Clerk, and updated as of 1/14/08.
Please make copies and share it wherever helpful.