Complete 2012 Journal - 2012 NC Conference Journal

256 The North Carolina Annual Conference – 2012 Journal
under section 403(b)(9) of the Code. The Plan shall be interpreted, wherever possible, to
comply with the applicable terms of the Code and all applicable formal regulations and
rulings issued under the Code.
II. The Conference Treasurer - The Treasurer of the North Carolina Conference (the
“Conference Treasurer”) shall serve as Treasurer and custodian of this Fund. He or she
shall promote this work, receive funds from pastors and charges, and keep permanent
records of assessments received and benefits paid.
III. Eligibility for Membership - Membership in this Fund is not mandatory. Each ministerial
member of the North Carolina Annual Conference (associate, full, probationary, or
full-time local pastor) who is serving full time in a charge or as a district superintendent,
a Conference ministerial staff person, or others who are appointed to serve at a North
Carolina Annual Conference Institution (Methodist Retirement Home, Inc.; Methodist
Home for Children, Inc.; Louisburg College; Methodist College; North Carolina Wesleyan
College) or other Episcopal appointment of the North Carolina Annual Conference
shall be eligible to join.
In order to remain an active, participating member, the ministerial member of the
North Carolina Annual Conference (associate, full, probationary, or full-time local pastor)
must continue to serve full time in a charge or other appointment. A full-time local
pastor may continue as a member of the Fund only during the time he or she is serving
under episcopal appointment. Students under episcopal appointment who have previously
served full time and who intend to return to full time service are eligible to continue.
Those ministerial members on disability leave, leave of absence, or Conference members
with less than full time service, may continue to be active, participating members by
meeting the provisions discussed hereafter.
Ministerial members who transfer into the Conference or new ministers receiving appointments
for the first time are eligible to join the Fund in January of the year following
the Annual Conference session in which their credentials were recognized. Ministers
in these categories applying for membership will be assessed on the basis of their total
salary and utility allowances for the six months between July 1 and December 31 computed
to a twelve-month amount.
Each new member of the Fund shall file an application form. Upon filing of application
for membership and paying the recommended assessment for one year, his or her
membership becomes effective. The deadline for enrollment for all ministers is January
31 of each year.
IV. Apportionments and Assessments
A. Conference Contributions – Funds shall be placed in the Annual Conference
budget annually as approved by the Annual Conference. This budgeted amount will
be apportioned to charges on the same basis as all other Conference budget items.
Funds may also be placed in the fund through special contribution by Annual Conference
boards or committees. All such budget or other contributions shall become
part of the Fund.
B. Minister Contributions - Each minister in a pastoral appointment who participates
in the Fund shall be assessed and pay into the Fund on an after-tax basis one percent
(1%) of all salary and utility allowances he or she receives each year from the charge
he or she is serving and/or Conference sources. (Salary also includes Equitable Salary
Fund payments, Duke Endowment Funds, and missionary sources.) Such contributions
may be paid in monthly installments by check or electronic bank drafts.
C. District Superintendent and Conference Ministerial Staff Contributions - District