Policy on the Dissemination of Political Information in
THE ARK CHURCH

Preamble:
To insure Church’s tax-exempt status and to insure the unbiased presentation of public policy issues that could impact Church, the City of Conroe or other governmental entities, we agree to the following:

CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE

1. No action on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office is authorized on behalf of Church.
2. No public office candidate information of any kind may be distributed or displayed on Church property.
3. Only nonpartisan, Senior Pastor approved public office voter guides will be distributed or displayed on Church property.
4. Any Church member who runs for public office shall not add any new public ministry from the time of filing his or her candidacy for public office until the day of the election.
5. Any Church member who runs for public office shall not campaign in any form while attending functions at Church.
6. Any Church staff member or minister who runs for public office shall not campaign in any form while working or attending functions on Church property.
7. Any Church staff member or minister who runs for public office shall not use any property of Church for his or her campaign, including without limitation, use of the telephones and email.

LOBBYING

1. The Senior Pastor shall appoint a committee (Public Policy Committee) to approve all uses of Church facilities or assets to influence legislation.
2. Church is not a general, public forum to discuss issues facing legislative bodies.
3. Instead all attempts to influence legislation involving Church must further the mission of Church.
4. No employee or minister is authorized to write any governmental authority on Church letterhead or using Church email without prior written consent from the Public Policy Committee.
5. The Public Policy Committee must approve in writing any request to distribute information on Church property on public policy issues.
6. The following is a nonexclusive list of topics that require Public Policy Committee approval: Re-zoning, Mass Transit, Gambling, Alcohol sales, Night club location
7. The Public Policy Committee must approve educational information on political issues relevant to the religious teachings of Church that are disseminated on Church property or under authority of Church.
8. The Public Policy Committee shall keep the members of Church informed on all issues that directly affect Church.
9. Instead of taking a position on a particular topic, the Public Policy Committee may refer the topic to one of the standing Church committees.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

1. Church is committed to serving the community.
2. Church will allow community based groups to use its facilities provided that the organization is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) and provides a copy of its tax exemption determination letter to Church and the group fits within the overall mission of Church.
3. No candidate for public office may use the Church property for political purposes.
4. No community advocacy groups may use Church facilities without Public policy Committee approval.
5. Nonpartisan town hall meetings may use Church facilities with Public Policy Committee prior approval.
6. Government agencies may temporarily use Church facilities for nonpartisan activities, such as a polling locale, with Public Policy Committee prior approval.