Administrative Matters

Congregational Admin Resources

• Administration Matters - resource from ELCA on various admin topics
• Contact Sharing Policy (synod)
• Copyright Info (from Synod) / Copyright Info from ELCA
• EIN (Employer Identification Number) Each congregation should have its own EIN for use on documents and official filings (such as grant applications, employee documents like W-2 and 1099 forms.) More info about EIN - HERE
• Parish Records Management from ELCA
• Technology Resources from ELCA
• 501c3 Ruling Letter Needed? To initiate the Group Ruling Exemption process for your organization, send an e-mail to 501c3@elca.org. Enter in the subject line, 501 (c) (3) Exempt Status. You will receive an automatic e-mail reply which states: Please provide us with your entity name, address, city, state, and the Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) currently used for filing wage statements or quarterly reports with the IRS. Once verified this information is in the group ruling, a certification letter and attachments will be sent by PDF to your e-mail location. 

Property Matters

• Property Matters from ELCA
• Property Tax Exemption - Churches - WA State
• Legacy Considerations for Synod Congregations

Financial Resources & Policies

• Audit Guide from ELCA
• Congregational Treasurers Financial & Accounting Guide from ELCA
• Expense Reimbursement Form for Synod use - contact synod office
• Financial Best Practices for Congregations
• Internal Control Best Practices
• 2025 IRS Mileage Rate is 70 cents per mile
• NEW Remittance form (congregational giving form) coming soon - contact synod office
• Synod Endowment Policy
• Synod Equipment Policy
• Synod Financial Policies
• Synod Gift Policy
• Tax Info from ELCA
• Treasurer's Handbook - While this is the 2004 version, info remains helpful! Please note the current Region One contact info may be found here

Personnel Policies & Resources

• Employee Handbook - Synod Office
• NWWA Synod Compensation Guidelines 
• Synod Staff Sabbatical Policy
• Employee/Volunteer Resources from ELCA
• Misconduct Policies HERE
• Mutual Ministry Guidelines from Synod
• Negotiated Resignation Guidelines from Synod
• Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline (rostered ministers, congregations & congregation members)
• Synod Coaches Discipline Policy

Annual Ministry Reports

• Each January congregations and rostered ministers are to complete annual reports.
• Rostered Minister reports go to the Synod Bishop
• Parochial Reports are complete online for our Churchwide partner

Addiction Resources

• Alcohol Audit - strictly for alcohol use. It is a brief test/self-questionaire to help people understand if they might have an alcohol use disorder. It is not a fail safe test, an assessment is always a good follow up
• DAST - brief drug abuse screening test for all substances, would need a much longer substance use assessment for follow up
• SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration) - resource for anyone who wants to know more about substance abuse and substance use disorders

 Need something else? Reach out HERE - we are here to help!