Relationship Agreement Between Heart Havens,
Inc. and The Virginia Annual Conference of The United Methodist
Church
PREAMBLE
This is a statement of relationship as of November, 2006, between Heart Havens, Inc. and The Virginia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, hereinafter referred to as The Annual Conference. This statement of relationship is subject to review by the parties annually prior to and approved at the session of The Annual Conference. Heart Havens, Inc. and The Annual Conference join in this covenant agreement to more clearly define their shared relationship and to enhance the church’s mission and ministry.
Heart Havens, Inc. serves all of God’s special children regardless of race, religion, age, or gender.
HISTORY
Heart Havens was established by The Annual Conference in September of 1996 as a ministry of the United Methodist Church in Virginia that provides for the residential needs of persons with disabilities through the development and management of homes which exemplify the love of Christ.
In 2003, Heart Havens received status as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, independent of The Annual Conference, and became incorporated that same year.
Heart Havens, Inc. maintains the original vision created in 1996:
“We envision all God’s people with disabilities being supported and nurtured in Christian communities that respect their dignity.”
Please click here to read more about our
history.
STATEMENTS OF RELATIONSHIP
Heart Havens, Inc. and The Annual Conference mutually agree:
| 1. |
Heart Havens, Inc. exists to serve adult individuals with disabilities. The mission statement of Heart Havens, Inc. states that “Heart Havens is chartered for the purpose of providing not-for-profit residential services for persons with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities through the development and management of homes which:
• Address the community-based residential needs of persons with disabilities;
• Encourage resident involvement in the life of the community;
• Respect the individual’s uniqueness, dignity and worth; and
• Understand the concerns and needs of each resident’s family. |
| 2.
|
No
financial support or legal liability is intended to be
transferred by virtue of the Relationship Agreement in
and of itself. |
| 3.
|
The
parties release each other from and hold each other harmless
against any liability resulting from their own negligent
actions. |
| 4.
|
The
parties agree to cooperate with the other and to work
in good faith to achieve the programmatic goals of The
United Methodist Church, so long as those goals are reasonably
related to the programmatic goals of Heart Havens.
Heart Havens, Inc. will annually provide certification
through reporting to the Annual Conference that its programs: |
| |
a.
|
Fit
within the provisions of The Book of Discipline and are
in harmony with The Book of Resolutions, |
| |
b.
|
Work
in harmony with the Conference's programmatic goals, and
|
| |
c.
|
Comply
with the applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia
and the provisions of this covenant agreement. |
| 5.
|
Title
to property, both real and personal, shall be held solely
by and under the jurisdiction of the Board of Directors
of Heart Havens, Inc. The parties will respect any applicable
sections of the Trust Clause (Paragraph 2503.4 and 2503.6
in The Book of Discipline) and provide evidence that the
title to real property as appropriate contains the Trust
Clause or that a statement is included in Articles of
Incorporation and/or Bylaws of the agency which covers
distribution of assets upon dissolution of the agency.
|
| 6.
|
Heart
Havens, Inc. will assure that appropriate public liability
and other insurance which is adequate in coverage and
amounts to pay claims and which names The Annual Conference
as an additional insured as its interests may appear.
Proof of insurance and the extent of liability insurance
will be communicated annually to The Annual Conference.
|
| 7.
|
Heart Havens, Inc. can raise
funds by direct means from non-United Methodist organizations,
foundations, or institutions as well as individual persons,
including individual members of The United Methodist Church,
without prior approval. Financial operation is under control
of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will
report annually to The Annual Conference Council on Finance
and Administration, and to The Annual Conference, on its
operation. The Board of Directors shall furnish a copy
of its annual audit to the Council on Finance and Administration.
The Council on Finance and Administration must approve
any fund raising campaigns through the local churches
of The Annual Conference, including capital funds campaigns.
The Annual Conference shall continue to set aside one
month each year, preferably February, as Heart Havens
Month in its local churches and encourage its members
to support Heart Havens, Inc. |
| 8.
|
The Annual Conference, under
the work of the Health and Relief Team of the Conference
Board of Global Ministries, and Heart Havens, Inc. will
annually review the relationship of the organization and
the Annual Conference. This relationship agreement will
reaffirm the covenant between the parties as long as both
are in compliance with the expectations agreed to herein. |
| 9.
|
Heart Havens, Inc. will participate
in meetings of the Health and Relief Team in order to
share information about program services and future plans. |
For more information, visit the Virginia
Conference, United Methodist Church website.
|
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