Article March 12, 1949 Issue

Notices

One who becomes the clerk of a Christian Science organization, whether church, society, or association of pupils, has definite responsibilities to keep accurate and adequate records. The records do not become his personal property, but are the property of the organization which he serves. They are for the information and use of present and future officials and members. Neither the clerk nor the other officials have, in the absence of a vote of approval duly passed by the members, authority to take out of the organization's custody, or retain for themselves or others, copies of or excerpts from the organization's records. As time passes, its records contribute importantly to the history of a church.

The clerk of a church is generally the officer designated to keep up to date the membership list, to record the entrance of new members and all changes in the members' records, so that at all times the membership list is correct. Naturally, the membership records should be preserved intact and show any changes made. In some organizations the clerk also acts as secretary of the executive board; in others, two individuals fill these positions, and the duties are allocated between them. The correspondence is carried on b the officers authorized by the executive board, and the secretary of the board keeps its records. The treasurer handles the binds, pays the bills, and at regular intervals accounts for the trust reposed in him. Generally the treasurer's accounts are audited at least annually.

Each organization needs to have orderly methods of caring for its records, documents, and files. Much depends upon its doing so. For instance, at one time in the settling of an estate it was necessary to ascertain whether or not a certain person was a member of the local branch church. The membership records were not orderly and complete, and time and work were required to settle the question correctly. Upon this hinged the decision of the probate court upon a bequest.

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Church Dedications
March 12, 1949
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