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The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia |
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ARTICLE I The name of this body shall be the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia, Inc., incorporated under the laws of the state of Georgia. It shall be the Legal Successor to "The Christian Churches of Georgia, Inc. (Disciples of Christ)" This body shall hereinafter be referred to as the Christian Church in Georgia, Region, or the Regional Church. There shall be a corporate seal bearing the name of this body. ARTICLE II It shall be the purpose of this body as the Christian Church in Georgia:
ARTICLE III The Christian Church in Georgia shall be related in its life, fellowship and ministry to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and shall join with other bodies in a united witness of faith and love which binds us to God and to each other. ARTICLE IV The membership of this body shall include all congregations, individuals, groups and agencies who support the purpose and participate in the life and ministry of the Christian Church in Georgia, and who desire such membership. These may identify themselves by listings in the current Year Book and Directory of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), or by local congregation action A person who is or has been a member of a recognized congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), but currently does not have access to participation in such a congregation, upon report to the Regional Board, may be granted the privilege of participation in Regional activities. ARTICLE V SECTION A. PURPOSE The purpose of the Regional Assembly shall be to meet together for worship, education, fellowship and for the transaction of business. SECTION B. MEETINGS The Christian Church in Georgia shall hold an annual Regional Assembly. A quorum for the transaction of business by the Regional Assembly shall be a majority of the voting representatives as certified by the Credentials Committee present at each regularly called meeting of the Regional Assembly. No person shall vote in absentia or by proxy. The Moderator shall appoint a Parliamentarian to serve during the business sessions. Special Regional Assemblies may be called when two-thirds of the members of the Regional Board or when one-third of the congregations in the Region by official vote shall declare that such a necessity exists, provided that notice of said special meeting be published in the official periodical of the Christian Church in Georgia, at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting and that each congregation be notified by letter to the minister and/or correspondent at least thirty days in advance of the meeting. SECTION C. ASSEMBLY REPRESENTATIVES Regional Assemblies of the Christian Church in Georgia shall be composed of voting and non-voting representatives. The following provisions shall establish who shall be voting representatives to the Regional Assembly:
SECTION D. REGIONAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES 1. Nominating Committee It shall be the responsibility of this committee to present nominations for all non-salaried officers of the Christian Church in Georgia named in this Constitution, members of the Regional Board, the Credentials Committee, and the Nominating Committee for the next Regional Assembly. This committee shall present for ratification by the Assembly representatives to and for other organizations where directed by the Regional Board. This committee shall be broadly representative of the church and shall consist of six (6) members, one- third (1/3) of whom shall be elected each year for a three (3) year term. No member of this committee shall serve two consecutive terms. The Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Georgia shall counsel with the Nominating Committee. 2. Credentials Committee This committee shall consist of three members, one of whom shall be elected each year for a three (3) year term. 3. Planning Committee This committee shall consist of Regional Minister as counselor, the Moderator of the Christian Church in Georgia and not fewer than six (6) other members, one-third (1/3) of whom shall be elected each year for a three (3) year term. SECTION E. RULES OF PROCEDURE The Regional Board shall receive resolutions and recommend to the Regional Assembly a motion for approval, disapproval or referral. All resolutions must be submitted to the Regional Board through the office of the Regional Minister at least sixty (60) days prior to the Regional Assembly, except emergency resolutions as so declared by the Regional Board. (See Appendix.) ARTICLE VI The non-salaried officers of the Christian Church in Georgia shall be: Moderator, First Vice-Moderator, Second Vice-Moderator, Secretary and Treasurer. They shall serve as officers of the Regional Assembly and the Regional Board. The Moderator, First Vice-Moderator and Second Vice-Moderator shall include a minister, a layman and a laywoman. SECTION A. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
SECTION B. ELECTION OF OFFICERS These officers shall be elected at an announced business session of the Regional Assembly. They shall take office upon adjournment of the Regional Assembly in which they are elected. SECTION C. TERM OF OFFICE These officers shall be elected for a term of two (2) years. No officer except the Treasurer and/or Secretary shall succeed himself/herself serve more than one successive term in the same office. ARTICLE VII SECTION A. PURPOSE The Regional Board shall be elected by and responsible to the Regional Assembly. It shall supervise the business, program and policies approved by the Regional Assembly. The continuing work and witness of the Region shall be governed by the Regional Board, operating under policies and guidelines approved by the Regional Assembly. Rules of procedure for conducting Regional Assembly business shall be approved by the Regional Board. (See Appendix.) SECTION B. MEMBERSHIP Board membership shall include:
SECTION C. TERM OF OFFICE Members-at-large, 1/3 of whom shall be elected each year, shall be elected for one three (3) year term. Eligibility shall be regained after one (1) year's absence. SECTION D. VACANCIES Vacancies of elected officers of the Christian Church in Georgia and members-at-large of the Regional Board shall be filled by the Regional Board. SECTION E. MEETINGS
ARTICLE VIII Upon nomination by the Regional Board, the Regional Minister shall be called by the Regional Assembly and employed for an indefinite term. The Executive Committee of the Regional Board shall establish guidelines for retirement and provide procedures for termination. In the nomination and call of the Regional Minister, a two-thirds vote shall be required of those present and voting in the Regional Board meeting and at the Regional Assembly. The Regional Minister shall be the spiritual and administrative leader of the Regional Church and shall exercise pastoral care and nurture of the congregations and ministers within the Region. He/she shall serve as its chief executive officer and as such:
In the event of the vacancy in the office of the Regional Minister, the Regional Board shall select the Interim person who shall serve until his/her successor is called by the Regional Assembly. ARTICLE IX The Associate Regional Minister shall be called by the Regional Board upon recommendation of the Regional Minister. Candidates shall be recommended only after consultation with appropriate general units and Regional constituency groups and/or commissions. They shall be installed at the Regional Assembly following their call. The Executive Committee of the Regional Board shall establish the guidelines for retirement and provide procedures for termination. The Associate Regional Minister shall cooperate with the Regional Minister and be responsible with him/her for the pastoral care and nurture of the Christian Church in Georgia. They shall be jointly responsible for administering the work approved by the Regional Assembly under the supervision and in consultation with the Regional Minister and the Regional Board. ARTICLE X It shall be the responsibility of the Christian Church in Georgia, through the Regional Board, to collect, borrow, and disburse funds; and hold, purchase, sell or convey property for the best interest of its program. All deeds of real estate shall be executed by the Regional Minister and the Moderator, attested to by the Treasurer or Secretary and by a Notary Public in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia. The corporate seal of the Christian Church in Georgia shall be affixed to all such documents. The management of the Regional property shall be the responsibility of the Commission on Permanent Funds and Property in consultation with the Regional Minister. The Christian Church in Georgia affirms the right of local congregations to own, control and encumber their property. BY-LAWS OF THE ARTICLE I The Regional program shall be initiated jointly by the Regional Minister and the Regional Board in consultation with the Commissions of the Region. This program and supporting budget shall be approved annually by the Regional Assembly upon recommendation of the Regional Board. The program of the Region shall fulfill the purpose of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), (1) to extend the ministry of Christ in mission, witness and service among the people and social structures of the Region; and (2) to establish, receive and nurture congregations in the Region providing help, counsel and pastoral care to members, ministers and congregations in their mutual relationships, and relating them to the world-wide mission and witness of the whole church. ARTICLE II The Executive Committee shall be composed of the officers of the Region, the Presidents of the CWF and CMF, and the Regional Minister without vote. The Executive Committee shall meet annually to act as the Personnel Committee of the Regional Board in dealings with the ministerial staff. The Executive Committee, with the addition of the Associate Regional Minister and two members-at-large, shall meet annually to envision future ministry and set objectives toward fulfilling the purpose of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia. The Executive Committee shall meet on the call of the Moderator, the Regional Minister, or any two members of the Committee. Four voting-members shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business. The Executive Committee shall act on emergency matters when the Regional Board is not in session, and shall report to the Regional Board any resulting actions for ratification. ARTICLE III The work of the Region shall be carried out by Commissions, Committees and task forces. Such groups shall be appointed by the Regional Minister, in consultation with the Moderator and the Associate Regional Minister. (See Appendix for list of current commissions.) ARTICLE IV XIV SECTION 1. DESCRIPTION Constituency groups recognized by the Christian Church in Georgia shall act as planning bodies in the areas of church life for which they exist. They shall propose program and dates and shall submit any proposals for budget to the Financial Goals and Promotional Procedures Commission. Constituency groups recognized by the Region are: Christian Men's Fellowship, Christian Women's Fellowship, Young Adult Fellowship and Regional Youth (YAC). SECTION 2. CHRISTIAN MEN'S FELLOWSHIP The Christian Men's Fellowship shall promote among congregations programs of fellowship, mutual spiritual enrichment, and joint action involving all of the men of the Region. It shall promote and coordinate within congregations such organizations as may be appropriate to a specific congregation to make the most efficient use of its manpower potential. SECTION 3. CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP The Christian Women's Fellowship shall conduct and promote at the congregational, district, regional and general levels the purposes of this constituency as set forth in its Rules of Procedure. SECTION 4. YOUNG ADULT FELLOWSHIP The Young Adult Fellowship shall foster collegiality, study and worship among young adults throughout the Region. SECTION 5. YOUTH ACTIVITIES COMMISSION The Youth Activities Commission shall create and implement youth ministries, including an annual youth assembly, and shall foster and support programs to develop the full potential of youth as they participate in the congregational, district, regional and general levels of the church. ARTICLE V Congregations of the Region are grouped into six districts. Changes in the number and boundaries shall be approved by the Regional Assembly. The Districts shall so organize themselves that the purposes and programs of the Region and the District may be conducted in an efficient and effective manner. Congregations of the Region may be requested by the Regional Minister and the Moderator, to gather occasionally in clusters to better communicate the program of the Region. ARTICLE VI The Regional Board shall elect lay voting representatives to the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Moderator of the Region shall be the official voting representative to the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). ARTICLE VII The Regional Minister shall be granted authority to employ Directors of Special Activities and functions as budgeted, on approval by the Regional Board. The Regional Minister shall employ and terminate such personnel as budgeted for the operation of the office and, in consultation with the Associate Regional Minister, shall employ and terminate such personnel as required for other facilities of the Christian Church in Georgia. ARTICLE VIII The Regional Minister may be dismissed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Regional Board upon sixty (60) days notice. The Regional Minister may resign upon sixty (60) days written notice to the Regional Board. Upon recommendation of the Regional Minister, an Associate Regional Minister may be dismissed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Regional Board upon sixty (60) days written notice. When the assignment is one involving special relationships, the termination shall be recommended only after consultation with the appropriate general units and Regional constituencies and/or commissions. An Associate Regional Minister may resign upon sixty (60) days written notice to the Regional Board. In the event of resignation or dismissal of the Regional Minister or Associate Regional Minister(s), compensation shall be a sixty (60) day payment of base salary, housing, pension and hospitalization. ARTICLE IX Parliamentary procedure shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, except as otherwise defined in this Constitution and By-Laws. A Parliamentarian may be appointed by the Moderator to serve at all official meetings of the Christian Church in Georgia and his/her tenure of office shall coincide with the office of the Moderator. ARTICLE X These By-Laws may be amended at any meeting of the Regional Board by a three quarters vote of the members present, provided written notice, together with a copy of the proposed change, shall have been put into the hands of the members thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the proposed change shall be voted upon. APPENDIX
SPECIAL RULES OF PROCEDURE The following Special Rules of Procedure for the Regional Assembly defines procedures for conduct of its business. Roberts Rules of Order, Revised shall govern the Regional Assembly in all cases to which they are applicable unless they are inconsistent with the Special Rules of Procedure approved by the Regional Board. All items of business to be considered by the Regional Assembly shall be received by or originate with the Regional Board through the Office of the Regional Minister at least sixty (60) days prior to the Regional Assembly except emergency resolutions as so declared by the Regional Board. The Regional Assembly may consider four kinds of business items: (1) Reports, (2) Recommendations, including Resolutions, (3) Definitions of Policy, and (4) Study Documents. A. The Regional Board may recommend to the Regional Assembly that an item of business be approved, disapproved or referred to an appropriate group which it shall designate for further investigation and study. The Regional Board may present an amended item for business provided the original item is presented for consideration by the Assembly. B. The Regional Assembly shall receive all items of business submitted to it, consider the comments and recommendations of the Regional Board, and after appropriate discussion, take one of the following actions:
C. The introduction of a business item properly presented, shall be regarded as a "main motion" before the Regional Assembly and having originated from a group rather than an individual, it shall be assumed it has been duly seconded. Action by the Regional Assembly shall be on the "main motion" (the item of business itself) and not on the recommendation of the Regional Board, except in the case of the recommendation (to refer to a designated group for further investigation and study," which shall be regarded as a "motion to refer." If the motion to refer fails, the business item shall automatically be committed to the Regional Board for a recommendation to approve or disapprove. D. Amendments to business items may not be initiated in the Regional Assembly, except for an emergency item, and no item of business may be introduced by a member of the Assembly from the floor. E. New business may not be initiated in the Regional Assembly, except for an emergency item, no item of business may be introduced by a member of the Assembly from the floor. F. To expedite handling of any business item a time limit may be set by the presiding officer or by Assembly vote. G. In general, the basic rules of parliamentary procedure as described in
Robert's Rules of Order, Revised will be followed. The following motions for
instance, are in order, the first taking precedence over the second, the second
over the third, etc. "Privileged" or "incidental" motions are 1-6 The Regional Board moved the revised Constitution and By-Laws be submitted to the 1987 Regional Assembly for approval as a Provisional document for one year. The existing Constitution & By-Laws Task Force and a new committee met to receive and review revisions to the provisional document during the year, and reported to the Board during 1988. The document was resubmitted to the Regional Assembly and approved on October 15, 1988. |
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