| Proposed New Constitution and Bylaws |
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The executive committee of The Ministers Council in ABCO has approved the following draft of a new Constitution and Bylaws which it will present to the membership for a ratification vote on Friday, October 22, 2010 at its annual meeting. The meeting will be at Eastwood Baptist Church in Medford in conjunction with the Annual Gathering of The American Baptist Churches of Oregon. Questions and comments are welcomed to Randy Pearson at
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. Responses will be posted here so members are encouraged to check back regularly to remain apprised of the conversation.
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
MINISTERS COUNCIL IN
THE REGION OF AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES OF OREGON
Article I - Name
The name of this organization shall be: The Ministers Council in the Region of American Baptist Churches of Oregon.
Article II – Mission Statement
The Ministers Council is an autonomous, professional, multi-cultural organization of ordained, commissioned and lay Christian leaders within the American Baptist Churches in Oregon. We are women and men who advocate for and covenant with each other to deepen our spiritual journey and to increase our effectiveness, as persons who are accepting the call of God and church for the advancement of the Gospel mission of the church of Jesus Christ and to proclaim His truth in a prophetic voice as led by the Holy Spirit.
Article III – Purpose
Section 1- The purpose of this organization is to build up the Church of Jesus Christ by sustaining and improving the ministerial leadership of the American Baptists Churches of Oregon by:
a. Fostering an intentional culture of support in life and ministry;
b. Establishing and maintaining professional and ethical standards;
c. Understanding and interpreting the appropriate roles of professional church leadership in the contemporary world;
d. Aiding in the recruitment and nurture of candidates for the various church vocations;
e. Motivating members to advance their professional competence; and
f. Providing a means of expression and debate for members on those issues that affect the professional church leadership of the American Baptist Churches of Oregon and the American Baptist Churches, USA.
Section 2- In furtherance of this purpose the Council shall:
a. Develop and maintain involvement in the Ministers Council of the American Baptist Churches, USA;
b. Develop procedures for members to help maintain professional and ethical standards of conduct, including disciplinary procedures if necessary;
c. Cooperate with American Baptist Churches of Oregon and with its department of Pastoral Services in matters of mutual interest and concern, such as:
i. recruitment
ii. pre-professional guidance
iii. search and call
iv. compensation
v. continuing education
vi. counseling
Article IV - Membership
Membership will be active and lifetime:
Section 1- Active membership may be held by individuals who are ordained, commissioned, lay professionals, or students in seminary who are eligible for inclusion in the Directory of Ministerial Leaders of the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A.
Section 2- Lifetime members are those who are listed as retired in the Directory of Ministerial Leaders of the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. and who were active members of Ministers Council of the American Baptist Churches, USA at least three of the five years prior to their retirement. Life members shall not be required to pay annual dues, but may choose to do so, and shall be considered active members.
Section 3- Membership in the Council ceases when either:
a. dues are not paid;
b. An individual is no longer eligible for inclusion in the Directory of Ministerial Leaders of the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A.;
c. An individual relocates outside the American Baptist Church of Oregon.
Section 4- Dues
Dues for the Council shall be collected by the treasurer. They shall be established by the Executive Committee with the approval of the Council and shall include both national and regional dues.
Article V - Organization Relationship
Section 1- The Ministers Council in the Region of American Baptist Churches of Oregon shall be a constituent council of the Ministers Council of the American Baptist Churches, USA.
Section 2- The Ministers Council in the Region of American Baptist Churches of Oregon shall be an auxiliary organization of the American Baptist Churches of Oregon.
BYLAWS
Article I - Organization
Section 1- Elected Executive Committee
a. There shall be 6 elected members on the Executive Committee from the active and retired members of the Ministers Council. Each year the Executive Committee will select from their committee a president, a secretary, and a treasurer. The offices secretary and treasure may be held by one individual.
b. Terms of office are for 3 years with two members elected each year. Members may serve two consecutive terms.
c. Selection of the membership of the Executive Committee should, as best as possible, represent the diversity of the region.
d. The Executive Minister of ABCO and the Ministers Council Senator shall be a ex-offico members of the Executive Committee.
e. Members of the Executive Committee must be a member of the Ministers Council.
f. Election of Executive Committee members will take place at the annual meeting of the Ministers Council.
Section 2- Senator to National Ministers Council.
a. The Senator shall be elected for a 4 year term by the members of the Ministers Council present at the annual meeting. The Senator may not serve two consecutive terms.
b. The Senator shall attend the Ministers Council Senate for the ABCUSA and represent The Ministers Council in the Region of American Baptist Churches of Oregon on the national level.
c. In the event the Senator cannot attend the Ministers Council Senate meeting the executive committee has the authority to appoint a replacement for that meeting.
Section 3- Duties of Executive Committee
a. The president shall preside at the meetings of the Council and be an ex-officio member of all other committees. He/she shall represent the Council on the Board of Ministries of the American Baptist Churches of Oregon.
b. The secretary and treasurer shall keep accurate records of current proceedings of the Council and the Executive Committee, and shall provide for the safe-keeping of the records and official documents.
c. The treasurer shall keep a current record of Council Membership. He/she shall receive and disburse the funds of the Council as directed by the Executive Committee.
d. The duties of this committee shall be to:
i. Conduct the affairs of the Council including policy making;
ii. Appoint the committees needed to perform the work of the Council;
iii. Plan for the annual meeting of the Council and other programs;
iv. Name representatives from the Council to other organizations, upon request;
v. Fill all positions vacated between elections.
vi. The outgoing and ex-offico members of the Executive Committee shall serve as the Nominating Committee to select candidates to be elected at the annual meeting of the Council. Members are encouraged to provide names of potential candidates to the Nominating Committee. Nominations must come through the Nominating Committee.
Article II - Meetings
The Council shall convene for an annual meeting in conjunction with the Annual Gathering of the American Baptist Churches of Oregon. Other meetings may be called by the Executive Committee. A quorum shall consist of Council membership present.
Article III - Rules of Order
Consensus shall be the decision-making method for the Executive Committee and the Council.
Article IV - Amendments
The constitution and bylaws may be amended at the annual meeting of the Council by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, provided the amendment has been recommended by the Executive Committee and notice of such amendment has been submitted in writing to all members of the Council at least one month prior to the meeting at which such action is to be taken, or after written notice of the proposed amendment is presented at a previous regular meeting and signed by ten members of the Council.
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