BYLAWS Revision 2017 Bylaws: Vancouver First Church of God Page 1
Table of Contents ARTICLE 1 NAME... 3 ARTICLE 2 PURPOSE & MISSION... 3 ARTICLE 3 MEMBERSHIP... 4 ARTICLE 4 OFFICERS... 5 ARTICLE 5 SENIOR PASTOR... 7 ARTICLE 6 BOARD OF TRUSTEES... 8 ARTICLE 7 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING... 11 ARTICLE 8 COMMITTEES... 12 ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENTS... 13 ARTICLE 10 INDEMNIFICATION... 13 ARTICLE 11 TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY... 14 ARTICLE 12 PLAN FOR DISSOLUTION... 14 ADMENMENTS HISTORY... 15 Bylaws: Vancouver First Church of God Page 2
ARTICLE 1 NAME 1.1 The name of this corporation is First Church of God of Vancouver, Washington, hereafter referred to as Vancouver Church or Church and is a non-profit corporation registered in the State of Washington. Vancouver Church is a voluntary organization associated with Church of God Ministries, Anderson, Indiana, and all related organizations that are approved by Church of God Ministries, Anderson, Indiana. 1.2 The present location of business is at 3300 NE 78th Street, Vancouver, Washington 98665. 1.3 Hereafter, the principal location for the ministry and church business shall be a location determined by the voting members of Vancouver Church. ARTICLE 2 PURPOSE & MISSION 2.1 The purpose of this congregation is to govern and facilitate the business activities of Vancouver Church, including acquiring and holding of Church real property. 2.2 The purpose of this congregation shall be the proclamation of Jesus Christ, the spiritual growth of its members, and the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the world. 2.3 This purpose of this congregation is the acceptance of the Bible as its authority in matters of faith and practice and to inspire commitment to the teachings, mission, and faith of the theological perspectives of the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana. 2.4 The mission of this congregation is to encourage and enable followers of Jesus Christ to actively engage in God s mission to the world. 2.5 The mission of this congregation is to instruct, train, educate students and prepare leaders for Christian service and the proper use of their spiritual gifts. 2.6 The mission of this congregation is to provide leadership that will create and enhance a healthy environment for the growth of the Kingdom of God and support a vision for every believer to fulfill the mandate of the Great Commission, the Great Commandment, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Bylaws: Vancouver First Church of God Page 3
2.7 The mission of this congregation is to do all forms of ministry as needed in order to fulfill the great commission. ARTICLE 3 MEMBERSHIP 3.1 Members of this congregation with voting privileges shall be as follows: 3.1.1 A person who has made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and Has worshipped regularly with this congregation for not less than six months. Is sixteen (16) years of age or older. Has accepted the beliefs and practices as represented by Church of God Ministries, Anderson, Indiana. Supports the local congregation through Christian service and financial stewardship. Have a mutual desire to protect the unity, share the responsibility, serve the ministry, and support the mission of Vancouver Church, by uniting in fellowship with Vancouver Church. Each member agrees with God and Vancouver Church family as follows: Fellowship Promise I WILL ENDEAVOR TO PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH by acting in love toward other members by engaging only in wholesome conversation by supporting the teaching ministry and spiritual leaders I WILL ENDEAVOR TO SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MY CHURCH by praying for it to accomplish its mission by inviting the un-churched to attend by warmly welcoming those who visit I WILL ENDEAVOR TO SERVE THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH by discovering my gifts and talents by being equipped to serve in a ministry by developing a servant s heart I WILL ENDEAVOR TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF MY CHURCH by attending faithfully Bylaws: Vancouver First Church of God Page 4
by living a Godly life by giving regularly of my time, talent and treasure 3.2 An objection to any member's voting privilege may be raised at any time before the Chairperson calls for the actual vote. If an attendee's voting privilege in a business meeting of the Church is challenged, the Executive Committee (Officers) shall hear the complainant (in confidence) and shall request from the challenged attendee an affirmation of the requirements of voting membership identified in in Section 3.1. Upon affirmation of conformance to the requirements for voting privilege, and with confirmation of the Executive Committee, the challenged attendee will be allowed to vote at the business meeting. 3.3 The rules and regulations governing membership herein stated shall apply to business meetings only, and shall not affect in any way the religious standing, rights, and privileges of either ministers or laymen. ARTICLE 4 OFFICERS 4.1 The Officers of the corporation of Vancouver First Church of God shall be the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees. (Hereafter referred to as Board or BOT) 4.2 The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees shall be elected by the Board from among its members. 4.3 The Vice-Chairperson shall be elected by the Board of Trustees from among its members. 4.4 The Secretary shall be elected by the Board of Trustees from among its members. 4.5 The Treasurer shall be elected by the Board of Trustees from among its members. 4.6 For purposes of filing an Annual Report with the state of Washington, those persons elected as Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees shall be designated as Corporate President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. 4.7 Officers Terms of Office Bylaws: Vancouver First Church of God Page 5
The Officers shall serve a one (1) year term or until their successors are elected. 4.8 Duties of Officers 4.8.1 Chairperson of the Board 4.8.1.1 Shall serve as the Chairperson for the Board and the annual business meeting of Vancouver Church. 4.8.1.2 Shall manage the affairs of the Board under the general direction of the Board. 4.8.1.3 Shall be accountable to the Board for the proper conduct of business according to the policies established by the Board. 4.8.1.4 Shall represent Vancouver Church when requested or necessary. 4.8.1.5 Shall sign legal documents as instructed by the Board. 4.8.1.6 Shall serve as an ex-officio member of any committee or entity reporting to the Board. 4.8.1.7 Any additional duties of the Chairperson are specified in the policy and procedures of the Board Policy Manual. 4.8.2 Vice-Chairperson 4.8.2.1 The duties of the Vice-Chairperson shall be the same as the Chairperson in his absence. 4.8.2.2 Any additional duties of the Vice-Chairperson are specified in the policy and procedures of the Board Policy Manual. 4.8.3 Secretary 4.8.3.1 Shall keep or cause to be kept accurate minutes of all meetings, proceedings, and actions of the Board, the annual business meeting, and all special meetings of Vancouver Church. 4.8.3.2 Shall give notice of all meetings to the members of the Board in a manner consistent with the Bylaws and with the policies and procedures of Vancouver Church. 4.8.3.3 Any additional duties of the Secretary are specified in the policy and procedures of the Board Policy Manual. Bylaws: Vancouver First Church of God Page 6
4.8.4 Treasurer 4.8.4.1 The duties of the Treasurer are specified in the policy and procedures of the Board Policy Manual. ARTICLE 5 SENIOR PASTOR 5.1 The Senior Pastor of the Church shall be an ordained minister of the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana in good standing. He/she shall maintain fellowship and doctrinal unity with the ministers of the Church of God in Oregon, Washington and Anderson, Indiana. 5.2 If the Senior Pastor to be hired is not an ordained minister of the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana, he/she must agree to actively pursue and complete the ministerial ordination, set forth by Church of God Ministries, Anderson, Indiana in a timeline agreed and monitored by the Board. 5.3 The Board shall select a Senior Pastor to lead the affairs and ministries of Vancouver Church as stated in section 5.5 describing the selection process. The Senior Pastor shall hold that office at the pleasure of Vancouver Church membership or until he/she resigns the office. 5.4 Duties of Senior Pastor 5.4.1 The Senior Pastor shall be accountable to the Board for the proper and legal conduct of the business of Vancouver Church according to the policies established by the Board. 5.4.2 The Senior Pastor shall be accountable to the Board and to provide spiritual oversight and direct the ministries of the Church. He/she shall perform all of the duties inherent in the office of the pastor. 5.4.3 A description of duties shall be included in the Board Policy Manual. 5.5 Selection or Removal 5.5.1 The selection of the Senior Pastor shall require a three-fourths (3/4) majority approval from the Board, followed by an affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of Church voting membership at a regular or special meeting called for that purpose. Bylaws: Vancouver First Church of God Page 7
5.5.2 The removal of the Senior Pastor shall require a three-fourths (3/4) majority approval from the Board, followed by an affirmative vote of a simple majority of Church voting membership at a regular or special meeting called for that purpose. 5.5.3 In the event of a vacancy in the pastorate or staff, the Board shall be guided by the Search Committee as described in the Board Policy Manual. ARTICLE 6 BOARD OF TRUSTEES 6.1 Membership 6.1.1 Vancouver Church Board of Trustees shall be comprised of at least twelve (12) persons appointed by the Leadership Selection Committee and ratified by a simple majority of Church voting members during the annual business meeting. 6.1.2 The Board shall consist of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and at least eight members-at-large. 6.1.3 The Board members shall be ratified on a balanced rotation basis for a term of three years. 6.2 Qualification 6.2.1 Persons qualified to serve on the Board must support Vancouver Church and its leadership, and commit to attending the monthly and special meetings of the Board. 6.2.2 Members shall be selected based on spiritual gifts, skills, experiences and commitments to benefit the ongoing success of Vancouver Church ministries. 6.2.3 Each Board member shall be a voting member of Vancouver Church and in good standing in the congregation. Each member must support the vision, mission, and values of Vancouver Church. Each member must support the ministries of the Church through prayer, service and financial support and/or documented consistency of giving. Bylaws: Vancouver First Church of God Page 8
6.2.4 Each Board member shall be at least 21 years of age and shall have attended the Church for no less than two years. 6.3 Duties and Responsibilities 6.3.1 The Board of Trustees will provide broad parameters, resources, and sound financial management for the accomplishments of the Vancouver Church s mission. Their fiduciary responsibilities include: 6.4 Term of Office 6.3.1.1 Transact any business as may be referred to the Board at an annual or special called meeting. 6.3.1.2 Hire, receive the resignation of, or recommend the termination of the Senior Pastor and appoint an Interim when the position becomes vacant. 6.3.1.3 Adopt, amend and repeal Vancouver Church s policies and procedures. 6.3.1.4 Assist, encourage and support the accomplishment of the Church mission. 6.3.1.5 Adopt the annual budget and present it to the voting members to be ratified. 6.3.1.6 Receive and review reports from committees and entities reporting to the Board. 6.3.1.7 Authorize any and all fund campaigns. 6.3.1.8 Fill any vacancies on the Board, when they occur, maintaining any policy pertaining to representation. 6.3.1.9 Maintain oversight of property of every kind owned by Vancouver Church and transact any business as may be referred to the Board at an annual or special meeting and any other business as may properly come before the Board. Ratified members of the Board of Trustees shall hold office for three (3) years or until their successors are ratified and qualify. Members of the Board of Trustees are ratified by ballot at the annual Church business meeting to such positions. Members shall not be eligible for re-ratification to the Board or ratified committee for one year after the expiration of their three-year term. 6.5 Meetings 6.5.1 The Board shall meet monthly or as necessary. Bylaws: Vancouver First Church of God Page 9
6.5.2 Written notice of a regularly scheduled Board meeting shall be issued and a final meeting date issued at least seven (7) days in advance of the regularly scheduled meeting. 6.5.3 A quorum for meetings of the Board shall be a simple majority of the members of the Board. 6.5.4 Any decision ordered by a simple majority of the Board present at a duly called meeting when a quorum is present is an act of the Board. The members present at a duly called meeting when a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, even if the number of members has withdrawn to leave less than a quorum. If any decision is approved by at least the simple majority of the Board members who remain, this will constitute a quorum. 6.5.5 Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson of the Board or the Senior Pastor or upon petition to the Chairperson by three of the Board members. Notice of special meetings called will be given seven (7) days in advance of the meeting with the business of the meeting stated in the notification. 6.5.6 Telephonic and electronic devices shall be permitted for meetings with at least five (5) days notice of the time of the meeting, with the business of the meeting stated in the notice. 6.6 Removal, Resignation and Vacancy 6.6.1 Any member may be removed for proper cause as defined by the Board Policy Manual, at any time. Any member may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Chairperson of the Board. 6.6.2 Any resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of said notice or at any later date specified therein, and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of said resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. 6.6.2 Upon the notice of a vacancy, the Board shall appoint a person to serve in that position until the next annual business meeting, at which time the Leadership Selection Committee shall submit a name to be ratified for the unexpired term. Bylaws: Vancouver First Church of God Page 10
ARTICLE 7 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING 7.1 Vancouver Church will meet in its annual business meeting during the month of July with a specific date and time to be determined by the Board. All business shall be conducted during the annual business meeting. Notification of the annual meeting shall be provided to each member at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting date. 7.2 Special meetings shall be scheduled by the request of the Board, the Senior Pastor, or upon a written request signed by one-third (1/3) of the voting membership. A fourteen (14) day written notice stating the business to be considered shall be posted and advertised for review by all members. 7.3 All meetings of the voting membership shall be conducted according to parliamentary procedures as directed by the most recent revision of Robert s Rules of Order. 7.4 Each voting member of the corporation shall be entitled to one vote on each question at any business meeting of the corporation. All voting members will be required to register at the meeting in which they are voting. The names of those registered voters will become a part of the minutes of the meeting. In the event a voting member of the corporation will not be present for any business meeting, he or she may cast an absentee ballot, provided it has been requested, completed and turned into the Church office prior to the meeting. Each ballot must be in a sealed envelope bearing the member s name. 7.5 Before business may be conducted at a regular or special called Business Meeting, the following conditions must be met to meet quorum: 7.5.1 All voting members must sign a register of attendance attesting to their eligibility to vote. 7.5.2 A quorum shall be declared if the number of eligible voting members present shall equal or exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the Church s average service attendance over the past twelve (12) months. 7.5.3 In the event a quorum is not met, any and all actions taken by the voting membership during the annual business meeting or special meeting are void. Bylaws: Vancouver First Church of God Page 11
ARTICLE 8 COMMITTEES 8.1 Committees: Vancouver Church shall maintain at least one (1) standing committee: Leadership Selection. The Board may establish ad hoc committees consisting of no less than three (3) members to delegate such portions of their authority as they may desire with the exception of the hiring or termination of employment of the Senior Pastor; amending, repealing, or adopting bylaws; or approving any contract or transaction in which Vancouver Church is a party. 8.1.1 Committee members need not be members of the Board. 8.1.2 Task assignments that are appointed, recommended, or delegated to a committee shall function under the direction of the Board. 8.2 Leadership Selection Committee 8.2.1 The Vancouver Church Leadership Selection Committee (LSC) shall be comprised of no less than six (6) members. The purpose of the LSC is to recruit and vet all new Church Board and Committee members. Final confirmation of these Board and Committee members is individually ratified by a simple majority of Church voting members at the annual business meeting. 8.2.2 Four (4) of the six (6) members of the committee shall be selected by the LSC and ratified through the process identified in section 8.2.1. The remaining two (2) members of the LSC shall be selected by the Board of Trustees from its membership or congregation or corporate members. The Senior Pastor shall be an ex-officio, nonvoting member of the LSC. 8.2.3 Ratified members of the Leadership Selection Committee shall hold offices for two (2) years or until their successors are ratified and appointed. Members shall not be eligible for re-ratification to the any ratified board or committee for one year after the expiration of their two-year term. 8.2.4 The LSC, prior to the annual business meeting of Vancouver Church, shall: (a) Fully explain to potential candidates their duties and responsibilities as members of the Board. Bylaws: Vancouver First Church of God Page 12
(b) Obtain from each candidate a written consent to place the name for ratification. (c) Prepare a list of candidates to be ratified to fill vacant positions. 8.2.5 The Committee shall elect a Chairperson of the LSC. The Committee shall take into consideration candidates who represent the Church membership and make recommendation with respect to any vacancies on the Board. 8.3 Missions Action Committee 8.3.1 The membership, qualifications, terms and duties of the Missions Action Committee are outlined in the Board Policy Manual. ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENTS 9.1. These bylaws may be amended at any annual or special meeting of Vancouver Church. Each proposed amendment must be presented to the Board not less than sixty (60) days prior to the annual or special meeting at which proposed amendment is to be considered and acted upon. 9.2. A notice of a meeting at which a change of bylaws will be considered shall be presented in writing to members of congregation at least fourteen (14) days in advance of such meeting. An affirmative vote of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of members and delegates present and voting is required for passage of amendments to the bylaws. ARTICLE 10 INDEMNIFICATION 10.1 Every Board member or Officer of the corporation and his/her executors, administrators, and estate shall be indemnified and saved harmless, out of the funds of the corporation, from and against: 10.1.1 All costs, charges, damages, and expenses whatsoever that the Member or Officer sustains or incurs in or about any action, suit, or proceeding which is brought, commenced, or prosecuted against him, or in respect of any act, deed, or matter of thing whatsoever, made, done, or permitted by him, in or about the execution, in good faith, of the duties of his office or in respect of any such liability. Bylaws: Vancouver First Church of God Page 13
10.1.2 All other costs, charges, damages, and expenses which the Member or Officer sustains or incurs in or about or in relation to the affairs thereof, except such cost, charges, or expenses as are occasioned by the Member s or Officer s own willful neglect or default. Vancouver Church shall carry such sufficient indemnification insurance as is currently available and can be reasonably afforded by Vancouver Church. ARTICLE 11 TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY 11.1 No real property in which the Church has an interest shall be transferred or encumbered unless such transfer or encumbrance is approved first by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of the Board of Trustees and second by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of the voting membership at a duly convened business meeting. The terms of any such proposed transfer or encumbrance shall be posted on the Church's bulletin board at least fourteen (14) days prior to the business meeting at which such proposal is to be voted on. ARTICLE 12 PLAN FOR DISSOLUTION 12.1. Upon the dissolution of Vancouver Church, any assets remaining after payment or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of this corporation shall be distributed to an existing exempt organization which shares like faith, mission, and purpose, which is tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). 12.2. Such distribution shall be implemented in accordance with the applicable provisions of the laws of the state of Washington and the membership of Vancouver Church. Bylaws: Vancouver First Church of God Page 14
ADMENMENTS HISTORY The following outlines changes and dates approved by the Board of Trustees and by the congregation: Revision Description Congregation Approval Date 2011 FINAL BOARD APPROVAL OF MANUAL July 21 st 2011 2012 Board Approval Change of Executive April 19 th 2012 Committee language on page 11. 2017 See 2017 Bylaws Amendment Explained July 23 rd, 2017 Bylaws: Vancouver First Church of God Page 15