ADOPTION OF ROBERT’s RULES OF ORDER NEWLY REVISED (12th edition)
Whereas, Article VI, Section F of Bylaws states that the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the governing procedure of a Membership Meeting; and
Whereas, Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th edition) is the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order; now therefore be it
Resolved, that Robert’s Rules of Order New Revised (12th edition) be adopted for the Membership Meeting of November 17, 2024.
BYLAWS AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE V, SECTION E
Whereas, RONR (12th Edition) 56:68(1) states that each society decides for itself the meaning of its bylaws; and
Whereas, RONR (12th Edition) 56:68(2) states that when a provision of the bylaws is susceptible to two meanings, one of which conflicts with or renders absurd another bylaw provision, and the other meaning does not, the latter must be taken as the true meaning; and
Whereas, Article V Section E of Bylaws states that all resident members who had attended worship service at least six times within a 6-month period prior to the Membership Meeting shall have the right to vote on a list of matters; and
Whereas, by itself Article V Section E of Bylaws could conceivably be interpreted either (1) RESTRICTIVELY, that members may ONLY vote on the listed matters, or (2) REQUISITELY, that the approval of members is RQUIRED for the listed matters, without implying that members may not vote on other unlisted matters; and
Whereas, the RESTRICTIVE interpretation of Article V Section E conflicts with the provision to conduct the Membership Meeting in accordance with the Robert’s Rules of Order as the RESTRICTIVE interpretation would imply that the members may not even make any procedural votes required by the order of business, such as the approval of minutes required in RONR (12th Edition) 41:9(1); and
Whereas, the REQUISITE interpretation of Article V Section E does not conflict with other Bylaws provisions; now therefore be it
Resolved, that Article V Section E of Bylaws be amended for the sake of clarity according to the REQUISITE interpretation as follows:
All resident members who have attended worship service at least six times within a 6-month period prior to a Membership Meeting shall have the right to vote at the meeting. As the ultimate governing body of the Church, the Membership Meeting must approve the following matters before they take effect: the annual budget of the Church, the election of Trustees, the election of Deacons, the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Church, the merger or dissolution of the Church, the acquisition of real property and related indebtedness, amendments to the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Church, and the calling, renewing, or removing of a Senior Pastor. Any eligible voting members may introduce motions at the Membership Meeting for any matters that do not conflict with any Bylaws provision, including but not limited to establishing or eliminating any offices or committees with defined responsibility and authority. Each voting member is entitled to one vote. Voting by proxy is prohibited.
BYLAWS AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE IX, SECTION D(1.b)
Whereas, the election of Deacons is required; and
Whereas, Article IX Section D (1.b) of Bylaws specifies that the election of Deacons requires a Deacon Nominating Committee of five members, namely, the Senior Pastor, two Church Council members, and two Deacons; and
Whereas, the Deacon Nominating Committee could not be formed if less than two Deacons are serving; and
Whereas, the Deacon Nominating Committee could not be formed if the office of the Senior Pastor is vacant; now therefore be it
Resolved, that Article IX Section D (1.b) be amended as follows:
The Deacon Nominating Committee shall consist of five members that include, if possible, the Senior Pastor, two elected representatives of the Board of Deacons, and two elected representatives of the Church Council. If the office of Senior Pastor is vacant, a third representative of the Board of Deacons may serve in his place. If the number of Deacons available is less than what is required to form the Deacon Nominating Committee, representatives elected at a Membership Meeting may serve in their places.
BYLAWS AMENDMENT NEW PARAGRAPH: ARTICLE IX, SECTION D(3)
Whereas, Deacons are scripturally-qualified individuals who are entrusted with essential authority and responsibility according to the Bylaws; now therefore be it
Resolved, that a new paragraph 3 be added to Article, Section D as follows:
The Church shall elect at least three Deacons if possible. Only duly elected and ordained deacons shall perform the duties designated for deacons in the Bylaws except when substitutes are defined.
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