CUP Board of Directors Role and Responsibilities

Role of the Board of Directors:

1. Determines the mission and purpose of CUP. It is the board's responsibility to satisfy itself that everyone connected to CUP directly or indirectly understands the reason we exist.
2. Selects, supports and reviews the Executive Director.This is the responsibility that has the greatest impact on the organization’s development and effectiveness.  Nowhere else can the chief executive seek the kind of moral and substantive support consistently needed except from the board.
3. Ensures effective organizational planning. The board actively participates in planning, approval and oversight of CUP’s vision plan.  This role is essentially one of asking good questions, expecting good answers and serving as resources in areas of personal and professional expertise.
4. Ensures adequate resources. The board must assist in developing the annual budget, ensuring that proper financial controls are in place, and determining what financial goals are actually possible to achieve.
5. Manages resources effectively. The board ensures CUP’s assets are protected and that current income is managed properly, while guaranteeing adherence to legal standards and ethical norms.
6. Determines and monitors CUP’s programs and services. The board decides whether current and proposed programs and services are consistent with the organization’s stated mission and purposes.
7. Enhances CUP’s public image. The board should clearly articulate the organization's mission, accomplishments and goals to the public and garner support from the community
8. Serves as a court of appeal. The board is available for the rarest of circumstances that arise where the executive’s judgement is challenged.
9. Builds a competent board. All board members have a responsibility to articulate prerequisites for candidates, orient new members, and periodically and comprehensively evaluate their own performance.
10. Assesses its own performance. Periodically, the board and its executive should stand back from their usual preoccupations and reflect on how the board is meeting its responsibilities.

Board's Responsibilities will include:

• Attendall scheduled board meetings
• Be informed about CUP's mission, vision and programs.Educate and communicate these to the public.
• Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization's bimonthly financial reports and ensuring CUP has adequate resources to complete the mission, vision and plans.
• Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings.
• Financially contribute to CUP at least $50/month or at least $600 per year
• Secure a minimum of $1000annually for CUP either through personal contribution, securing corporate/individual financial sponsorships, or in-kind donation of time, services or goods.
• Make every effortto attend CUP fundraising events.
• Commit to consistently praying for CUP.
• Commit to growing yourselfspiritually through individual prayer time, personal bible reading, small group participation and active engagement in your home church.
• Be an advocate for CUP in the community, seeking out and connecting key people to the organization.
• Recruit nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and CUP.
• Sign and follow the conflict-of-interest and confidentialitypolicies, as well as the Statement of Faith.

Community Uplift Project, Inc. (C.U.P.)

Statement of Faith

The phraseology employed in this statement is not inspired, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to the CUP ministry.  No claim is made that it contains all truth in the Bible, only that it covers our beliefs regarding these fundamental matters:

The Scriptures Are the Inspired Word of God

The sole basis for our belief is the Bible, which is uniquely God-inspired, without error, and the final authority on all matters on which it speaks. As the Bible teaches, there is one God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - each possessing all the attributes of deity. (Psalm 12:6: Psalm 119:105, Psalm 150:1ff; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16:2 Peter 1:20-21)

The One True God

God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He created humans to have fellowship with Him, but they defied God by sinfully going their own way. As a result, we need God's saving grace to end our alienation from Him. Salvation comes only through God's grace - not human effort - and must be received personally by repentance and faith. (Genesis 1:1,26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19:2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2)

The Deity Of The Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, second Person of the Trinity, co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus entered the human race through a virgin birth. He lived a sinless life on earth and voluntarily paid for our sin by dying on the cross as our substitute. This accomplished salvation for all who receive grace by trusting in Him alone. He rose from the dead and is the only mediator between us and God. He baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit. He will return to earth to consummate history. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4:1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13: Hebrews 4:14-15)

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make us aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He also lives within every follower of Christ from the moment of salvation. He provides the believer with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, guidance for doing what is right and boldness to be a witness for Christ. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily. (John 14:16-17; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16: 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18)

The Salvation of Man

Salvation is a gift from God to each one of us. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can one be saved from sin's penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into their life by faith. John 1:12; 14:6; Romans 5:1; 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5

The Church

The Church exists to glorify God and make him known in all the earth. This is accomplished by focusing on five key priorities in our lives: Worshipping God continually through our actions, connecting with the church regularly, growing in maturity daily, Serving people unselfishly and sharing our faith effectively.  As part of the greater church body C.U.P exists and serves as an extension of the larger mission of the church with a specific charge of meeting the needs of the local community. (Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23).