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HOME to ABC/IN-KYBY-LAWS OF THE AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES OF INDIANA
ARTICLE I
NAME AND AFFILIATION
Section 1. The corporate name of this organization shall be the Indiana Baptist Convention, Inc. doing business as the American Baptist
Churches of Indiana (hereinafter referred to as the Region.)
Section 2. The organization shall be a covenanting Region of the American
Baptist Churches, in the USA (hereinafter referred to as ABC/USA)
and shall cooperate with ABC/USA in the support of denominational
activities. The Region shall provide a means by which the
members may communicate with ABC/USA.
ARTICLE II
MISSION STATEMENT
Section 1. The Region is an interdependent fellowship of American Baptist churches.
We are called to be the people of God; (Ephesians 2:16)
we are empowered by the Holy Spirit; (Acts 1:8)
we are called to be a united people; (John 17:21)
we are commissioned by Christ to bear witness and make disciples throughout the world; (Matthew 28:19-20)
we seek to fulfill the saving, healing, liberating work of Christ. (Luke 4:18-22)
Therefore, the mission of the Region is to glorify God and unite our cooperating churches in carrying out ministries which flow from our response to the word of God and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Section 2. It is the intention of the Region to rely on the gifts of all cooperating
churches, regardless of size, and all their members, regardless of gender, age, clergy, laity, ministry position, ethnicity, or geography. We shall empower all members of cooperating churches to participate equally under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to carry out the common task of ministries which flow from our response to the word of God and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
ARTICLE III
DEFINITIONS
Cooperating Members of the Region Churches
Annual Meeting The annually scheduled gathering of cooperating churches for the purpose of worship, growth, fellowship, communication and for conducting the business of the Region.
Areas Geographical area assignments for the cooperating churches.
Auxiliary Organizations
Organizations which are inter-region in nature, but complimentary to the Region's purposes and programs.
Commissions Groups of persons responsible for carrying out Region ministries specifically assigned to them.
Committee A group with a regular and diverse task, whose membership
shall be designated, including term of office when assigned.
Coordinating
Committees Groups of Area Program Ministry chairpersons in each ministry domain who gather to set programming themes for the Areas.
Delegates Representatives from each cooperating church of the Region
who are entitled to vote at an Annual Meeting.
Executive Region Board members, as defined by the Rules of Committee Procedure, who are responsible for carrying out the
work of the Region Board in between Region Board meetings.
Executive Staff The Executive Minister, the Area Ministers, and the Region
Program Staff.
Program Council The group in each Area consisting of Area officers and
Program Ministry chairpersons responsible for overseeing programming in each Area.
Region Indiana Baptist Convention, Inc. doing business as the American Baptist Churches of Indiana.
Region Board The group composed of the Area elected members, General
Board members of ABC/USA from this Region, Region
officers, Region elected members, presidents of related organizations, and chairpersons of Region committees and
commissions, responsible for conducting business for the
Region between Region Annual Meetings.
Related
Organizations Organizations of people from the cooperating churches which
further the mission of the Region and give tangible evidence
of supporting the Region's purposes and programs.
Task Force A group whose membership, task, and length of service shall
be designated by the appointing group. Normally the task will be achievable within a short period of time and is non-recurring and narrow in scope.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The constituency of the Region shall be cooperating churches, related
organizations, and auxiliary organizations which cooperate with its work.
Section 2. Expectations of Cooperating Churches
2.1 When a church lies outside the geographic boundaries of the Associations within the Region, congregations desiring membership in the Region shall apply through either the Association, Area, or Region, whichever is appropriate. Each application shall first be approved by either the Association or Area, and then acted on by the Region Board at its next regular meeting. Under extraordinary circumstances the Region Board may receive a congregation into Region membership without prior action by an Association or Area.
2.2 Congregations seeking membership shall present evidence of support of the Region's purposes and programs and a commitment to make regular and proportionate contributions of benevolence funds to ABCUSA and organizations and institutions recognized by the Region.
2.3 Congregations may be dismissed from membership upon their request
or by recommendation from their Association or Area. The Region
Board shall act upon the request.
Section 3. Expectations of Related Organizations
3.1 These organizations will normally be separate corporate bodies
with their own managing boards. They shall be regional in scope and give tangible evidence of supporting the Region's purposes
and programs. The President of the related organization shall serve as a member of the Region Board.
3.2 The Region Board shall have the authority to review applications
and grant membership to a related organization which is regional
in scope.
Section 4. Expectations of Auxiliary Organizations
4.1 These organizations are inter-region in nature, but complimentary to the Region's purposes and programs. They seek to relate to
the Region and its congregations. Auxiliary organizations shall be
entitled to send a representative to the Region Board and Region Annual Meetings, but without vote and privilege.
4.2 The Region Board shall have the authority to review applications
and grant membership to an auxiliary organization which is inter-regional in scope.
Section 5. Statement of Autonomy and Interdependence
5.1 The American Baptist Churches of Indiana shall comply with the
ABC/USA Declaration on Autonomy and Interdependence adopted by
the Region Board on May 31, 1984. The document is attached as
Appendix A.
ARTICLE V
ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE REGION
Section 1. There shall be an Annual Meeting of the Region in October, at a
time and place determined by the Region Board at least one (1)
year in advance.
Section 2. A special meeting of the Region can be called by delegates at an
Annual Meeting or by the Region Board, provided thirty (30) days
written notice has been given to the cooperating churches and the
Areas.
Section 3. One hundred (100) delegates with representation from all Areas
shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4. The President shall appoint members to a Credentials Committee
and an Order of the Day Committee as detailed in the Rules of Procedure. These committees shall select their own chairperson.
Section 5. Each cooperating church of the Region shall be entitled to appoint
three (3) persons plus an additional person for each fifty (50)
resident members of the congregation to serve as delegates to the
Region Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE VI
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section 1. Any proposals or motions which shall affect the structure of this
Region to be acted upon by the delegates in Annual Meeting shall
be presented in written form to the Region Board at least ninety
(90) days prior to the Annual Meeting.
Section 2. In all situations not specifically covered by these By-Laws and
Rules of Procedure, the most recent revision of Roberts Rules of
Order shall be used as a basis of parliamentary authority. Prior
to each Annual Meeting the President shall appoint a Parliamentarian.
ARTICLE VII
OFFICERS OF THE REGION
Section 1. Officers of the Region shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. No salaried employee of the Region shall be eligible as an officer of the Region.
Section 2. Officers shall perform the duties prescribed by the Rules of Procedure.
Section 3. The Region Nominating Committee shall nominate the officers at the Region Annual Meeting. The election of all officers shall be by ballot. When there is only one (1) nominee for an office, the Secretary shall cast an elective ballot.
Section 4. The term of office shall be one (1) year, from the close of the Annual Meeting at which they are elected until the close of the next Region Annual Meeting. The President and Vice-President shall not be eligible to serve more than one (1) term. The President shall have served on the Region Board prior to being nominated and elected. The Secretary shall not be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. The Treasurer shall not be eligible to serve more than five (5) consecutive terms.
ARTICLE VIII
REGION BOARD
Section 1. The Region Board shall have all of the powers of the Region
except as limited by the By-laws, Rules of Procedure, or specific
action of the Region in session.
Section 2. The Region Board shall be composed of the following persons:
2.1 Officers of the Region. The officers are defined in the Rules of Procedure.
2.2 Region elected members. There shall be fifteen (15) members elected by the delegates in Annual Session. The members shall be elected to serve three (3) years, with five (5) being elected each year. The member shall take office at the close of the Annual Meeting of the Region at which the member is elected. Region elected members shall be eligible for one (1) additional consecutive term of three (3) years when they complete the first term for a total of six (6) years.
2.3 Presidents of related organizations. Presidents of related organizations as defined in the Rules of Procedure shall serve on the Region Board during their entire term as president.
2.4 General Board representatives. General Board representatives of ABC/USA within the Region shall serve on the Region Board during their entire General Board term.
2.5 Area elected members. The Moderator, Financial Coordinator, and one (1) Program Ministry chairperson from each Area shall serve on the Region Board. These members shall begin serving on the Region Board following their election at the Area Annual Meeting. They shall continue to serve on the Region Board until replaced by the subsequent person holding that office.
2.6 Chairpersons of Region committees or commissions. These persons, as delineated in the Rules of Procedure, shall serve on the Region Board during their entire term as chairperson.
Section 3. Any person who serves as a Region Board member in more than one (1) category at the same time is entitled to one vote. No salaried employee of the Region shall be eligible for election to the Board.
Section 4. The officers of the Region shall be empowered to sign all legal documents of the Board.
Section 5. There shall be three (3) meetings of the Region Board annually. Two (2) of these shall be for the purpose of establishing policy and governing the Region. The third meeting of the Region Board shall be for envisioning and long range planning.
Section 6. Members of the Region Board shall forfeit their office upon failing to attend two (2) consecutive Region Board meetings without an excused absence. The Region Board is empowered to fill any vacancy of an officer, region elected member, or chairperson of a commission or committee by election at its next regular meeting upon nomination by the Nominating Committee.
Section 7. The Region Board shall perform the duties prescribed in the Rules of Procedure in addition to the following:
a. Establish and maintain the Rules of Procedure;
b. Conduct business for the Region;
c. Set goals in keeping with the mission of the Region;
d. Establish a monetary policy;
e. Manage the assets of the Region;
f. Employ Executive Staff;
g. Plan and conduct the Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE IX
COMMITTEES OF THE REGION
Section 1. There shall be an Executive Committee of the Region Board which shall prepare the Board's agenda and act on behalf of the Board between sessions.
1.1 The Region board shall assign responsibilities consistent with the Rules of Procedure. The limitations of action shall be determined by the Region Board.
1.2 The Committee shall be composed of members as outlined in the Rules of Procedure.
Section 2. Region Standing Committees
2.1 Annual Meeting Program Committee. This committee shall finalize the current year's Region Annual Meeting and contribute to a three (3) year cycle in Region Annual Meeting planning. The Committee shall report to the Region Board. The Committee shall be composed of members as outlined in the Rules of Procedure.
2.2 Personnel Committee. This committee shall be composed of persons as outlined in the Rules of Procedure. The Committee shall be the link between the Region Board and the Region Staff, as they maintain personnel policies, present candidates, conduct appraisals, and recommend compensation as detailed in the Rules of Procedure. The Committee shall report to the Region Board.
2.3 Finance Committee. This committee, constituted of persons as outlined in the Rules of Procedure, shall stay knowledgeable of and oversee all financial operations of the Region while reporting and making recommendations to the Region Board.
2.4 Communication Committee. This committee, with a membership consistent with the Rules of Procedure, shall oversee operations related to articulating the vision and mission of the Region including books, video, and other printed material. The Committee shall report to the Region Board.
2.5 Nominating Committee. This committee, composed of members as outlined in the Rules of Procedure, shall function throughout the year making recommendations to the Annual Meeting and Region Board as needed. The Committee shall report to the Region Board.
2.6 Coordinating Committees. These committees, formed for all Program Ministries being carried out in the Areas shall be composed of those persons currently serving the same Program Ministry in the different Areas within the Region. The Committees shall meet at least annually for the primary purpose of setting broad programming themes for the Areas.
Section 3. Task Forces may be appointed by the Region Board or Executive Committee to meet current relevant needs, to study concerns, or to assist with various ministry projects.
ARTICLE X
REGION WIDE MINISTRY COMMISSIONS
Section 1. Region Ministry Commissions shall be maintained to oversee certain ministries within the Region, as defined by the Rules of Procedure.
AREAS OF THE REGION
Section 1. The Region shall be divided into several approximately equitable geographic Areas, in order to develop programming and ministries to meet the specific needs of cooperating churches, accessing the resources of the Region as well as those of the local churches. The geographical boundaries of the Areas shall be determined by the Region Board.
Section 2. Annual and Special Meetings of the Area
2.1 The responsibility for each Area rests with the delegates in its Annual Meeting, except where this responsibility has been entrusted to its Area Program Council or vested in the Region.
2.2 Each Area shall meet annually in the spring, at a time and place to be determined by its Area Program Council. The function of the Area Annual Meeting shall be as outlined in the Rules of Procedure.
2.3 Special Meetings of an Area may be called by its Program Council in consultation with the Area Minister, or by the Executive Minister, or upon request of one-fourth of the cooperating churches, providing thirty (30) days notice is given in writing to the congregations within the Area. Written notice shall include the purpose of the meeting. Business conducted shall be limited to that purpose.
2.4 Each cooperating church of the Region within the Area shall be entitled to appoint three (3) persons plus an additional person for each fifty (50) resident members of the congregation to serve as delegates at Annual or Special Meetings of the Area.
Section 3. Area Program Council
3.1 Program Councils shall be established in each Area to identify and meet programming and ministry needs for the cooperating churches and ministers within its Area, with the assistance of the envisioning work of the Region Board and the assistance of the Executive Minister, Area Minister, and Region Staff.
3.2 The officers of each Area Program Council shall be Moderator, Secretary, and Financial Coordinator.
3.3 Five (5) additional members of each Area Program Council shall be elected at the Area Annual Meeting, one being elected to each of the following ministries: Church Growth, Faith Development, Community Ministries, Stewardship and Mission, and Lay Ministry, because of her or his special skills interest, or potential in that particular ministry. Each person elected to a ministry position on the program council shall be a link between the Region and the Area and serve on the Region Coordinating Committee for their respective ministry.
3.4 The officers of the Area Program Council shall perform the duties prescribed by the Rules of Procedure.
3.5 The Area Nominating Committee shall nominate the members of the Area Program Council at the Area Annual Meeting. The election of all members of the Area Program Council shall be by ballot. When there is only one (1) nominee for an office, the secretary shall cast an elective ballot.
3.6 The term of office of the members of each Area Program Council shall be two (2) years, from the close of the Annual Meeting at which they are elected. The officers shall not be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. No salaried employee of the Region shall be eligible as an officer of any Area Program Council.
3.7 Membership balance on the Program Council with regard to gender, age, clergy, laity, ministry position, ethnicity, and geography shall be sought.
3.8 General Board members of ABC/USA from each Area shall also serve on their Area Program Council.
3.9 There shall be three (3) meetings of the Area Program Council annually. The Area Program Council shall perform duties as outlined in the Rules of Procedure.
Section 4. Committees of the Area
4.1 Annual Meeting Program Committee. In each Area, this committee shall plan and implement the program for the Area Annual Meeting. The committee shall report to the Area Program Council. The committee shall be composed of members as outlined in the Rules of Procedure.
4.2 Nominating Committee. In each Area, this committee shall present nominations for all elective positions to the Area Annual Meeting. The committee shall be composed of members as outlined in the Rules of Procedure.
Section 5. Area Task Force groups may be appointed by the Area Program Council to meet needs not otherwise provided for in this structure.
ARTICLE XII
REGION STAFF
Section 1. The Region will be served by a staff of professional ministers, management personnel, and support persons under the accountability and supervision of the Executive Minister.
ARTICLE XIII
INDEMNIFICATION AND DISSOLUTION
Section 1. The members of the Region Board and its officers are accountable only to the Region. In all other respects the Region shall indemnify and hold harmless members of the Region Board and its officers.
Section 2. Upon the dissolution of the Region the assets of the Region shall be distributed exclusively to its successor, if it qualifies as an organization recognized under the provision of Section 501(c)(3) of the current Internal Revenue Code and its regulations, or if not qualified, then to ABC/USA, or its successor as an organization recognized under the provision of Section 501(c)(3) of the current Internal Revenue Code and its provisions.
ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. The By-Laws may be amended at any Annual Meeting of the Region by two-thirds vote of the delegates present and voting, provided:
a. that such amendments have been presented at a previous annual meeting and accepted by vote to be placed on the business agenda at the next annual meeting or that such amendments have been approved at a meeting of the Region Board.
b. that an announcement of the intended action and copies of the proposed amendments have been mailed to cooperating churches at least thirty (30) days in advance of the Annual Meeting where such action is anticipated.
May, 1993
Questions?
Comments? Contact us at abcin@abc-indiana.org
1350 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-2493
Ph (317) 635-3552/FAX (317) 635-3554
This page was last updated on February 18, 2008