Constitution
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North Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission Constitution
North Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission Constitution and By-Laws Constitution Article I Name and Affiliation The name of this organization shall be North Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission. This organization is established pursuant to authorization of the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is the official mens auxiliary of the Synod. It is affiliated with the Lutheran Men in Mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This organization exists to support the program of the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and to carry forward its life in the Congregations and Conferences. To fulfill this purpose, its duties and powers shall include: The membership shall consist of the confirmed men of the Congregations of the Synod. Article IV Conventions Section 1. A Convention shall be held annually at a time and place determined by the Executive Council. The Executive Council shall prepare the program and order of business of the Convention. Section 2. The men of each Congregation shall be entitled to elect at least one delegate to the Convention and in addition shall be entitled to elect other delegates as set forth in the By-Laws. The officers of this organization shall be delegates ex-officio. Section 3. The Bishop of the Synod or his representative shall be given vote and voice. Section 4. One-half of the registered delegates shall constitute a quorum. Section 5. The Executive Council shall nominate one candidate for each elective position. Additional nominations may be made from the convention floor at the time of the election. Section 6. A majority of the votes cast on any ballot shall elect. In case of a non-majority vote only, the names of the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes, but not a majority, shall be entered on the next ballot for each unfilled vacancy. The officers of the NCLMIM shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer elected by the Convention for one-year terms. The President and the Vice-President shall be eligible to serve no more than three terms consecutively. The Secretary and the Treasurer are eligible to serve unlimited number of consecutive terms. They shall carry out the responsibilities and duties, which normally pertain to their respective offices. Article VI Executive Council Section 1. The Executive Council shall consist of the four officers, the Conference Presidents, members at large as specified in By-Laws, one of whom shall be a Lutheran Minister, the immediate Past-President, and ex-officio members as provided for hereafter. Section 2. The Bishop of the Synod or his representative shall have vote and voice. Section 3. Each officer and Executive Council member must be on the active roll of confirmed members of a Congregation of the North Carolina Synod. If he ceases to so qualify, the Executive Council shall immediately declare the office vacant and shall appoint a successor. The Executive Council shall also fill all other vacancies, which occur during the interim between Conventions. Such appointments shall be until the next regular Convention. Section 4. The Executive Council shall appoint any committees that are necessary to effectively carry out the program of the NCLMIM. Section 5. The Executive Council shall carry forward the work and policies of the NCLMIM and act for it, subject in all matters to review of its actions by the next subsequent Convention. Section 6. The Directors of all projects authorized by the Convention shall be appointed by the President subject to confirmation by the Executive Council and all such Directors shall be members of the Executive Council. Section 7. The President and the Treasurer of the Home Mission Foundation shall be members of the Executive Council. Section 8. There shall be an Executive Committee of the Executive Council. Its membership and duties shall be set forth in the Bylaws. Article VII Conferences Section 1. This organization may be divided into Conferences whose boundaries may conform to those of Synod. Section 2. Conference officers shall be: a. President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All officers shall be elected annually at the Autumn meeting. The President and the Vice-President shall serve for no more than three consecutive one-year terms. b. A Nominating Committee appointed by the Conference President shall present nominations for officers. c. A majority of the votes cast on any ballot shall elect. In case of a non-majority vote, only the names of the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be entered on the next ballot for each unfilled vacancy. Section 3. At least two meetings shall be held in each Conference each year. This meeting shall be held during the Autumn season. Additional meetings may be held during the year if the Conference desires. If any Conference is not divided into Sub-Conferences, then at least two meetings shall be held in that Conference each year. Section 4. The program of the Conference shall be arranged by the officers of the Conference in consultation with Pastor and the President of the mens auxiliary of the host Church/Congregation. The NCLMIM Executive Council shall see that the program of Lutheran Men is presented at the Conference meetings. Section 1. Each Conference may be sub-divided into Sub-Conferences. Section 2. Sub-Conferences shall be formed by the Conference Executive Committee in conjunction with the local Unit Presidents of the Conference. Section 3. Each Sub-Conference shall elect its own President. He shall become thereby a member of the Conference Executive Committee. Section 4. Each Sub-Conference shall hold at least two meetings each year. Article IX By-Laws and Amendments Section 1. The NCLMIM may adopt such By-Laws as are in accord with this Constitution. Such By-Laws may be suspended or amended at any Convention by a two-thirds vote of the men present and voting. Section 2. Amendments to this Constitution may be made by a two-thirds vote of all men present and voting at any Convention, as explained in the By-Laws, provided that written notice of such amendment(s) shall have been given at a previous Convention. Such amendments shall become effective upon approval by the North Carolina Synod of the ELCA in Convention or by its Synod Council. Item 1. EVANGELIZE a. Win the unsaved for Christ and bring back the lapsed member. b. Deepen and enrich the Spiritual and intellectual life of the men. c. Increase attendance at church services. Item 2. EDUCATE d. Foster an intelligent and appreciative understanding of the whole work of the whole church. Item 3. ENERGIZE e. Promote Christian Fellowship locally, nationally, and internationally. f. Encourage men of the various Lutheran bodies to draw close together in understanding and cooperation. g. Stimulate the practice of Stewardship of time, talents, and money. h. Strengthen the home so that it may be a real school for Christian living. i. Promote aggressively a Christ-centered, experience centered and guided Boys Work program, such as Scouting. j. Encourage our responsibilities as Christian citizens to exert an individual and collective Christian influence in the community and to participate actively in the affairs of government. k. Promote and support the perpetuity of the Loan and Gift Fund. Section II Meetings Item 1. The arrangements for NCLMIM Conventions shall be made by the Executive Council acting in conjunction with the host Pastor and the host Church Convention Committee. Item 2. A program and order of business shall be prepared by the Executive Council in advance of the Convention date. Item 3. Special Conventions may be called by the Executive Council or upon written request of five (5) chartered congregational Lutheran Mens organizations. Due notice of special Conventions shall be given to each chartered Congregation and the purpose of the meeting clearly stated at least 15 days prior to the convening date. Item 1. Delegates are lay male members of ELCA Congregations in the NC Synod. Item 2. Each Congregation is entitled to send delegates to all NC Conventions. Item 3. Pastors of ELCA congregations in the NC Synod may serve as delegates. Item 4. Only the duly registered delegates at a Convention shall have the right of voice and vote, except the privilege of voice may be extended by the Convention. Item 1. The term of office of the members of the Executive Council elected at large shall be three years, and they are eligible for re-election. Item 2. The terms of officers and Executive Council members shall begin immediately upon their installation; the term of the Treasurer shall correspond with the fiscal year. Section V Treasurers Bond and Duties Item 1. The Treasurer shall be bonded. If he is not bonded by the ELCA, the Executive Council shall assure adequate bonding is obtained. Item 2. The Treasurer shall submit detailed annual reports and interim reports to the Executive Council and a current, annual report to the Convention. That report shall be included in the minutes of the annual Convention. Item 3. The Treasurer shall keep separate accounts for special projects and shall render a separate report of each such fund. Item 4. The Fiscal Year shall be the calendar year. Item 1. The Executive Council shall hold quarterly meetings and such additional meetings as may be necessary. Item 2. The Executive Council shall prepare a budget and present same at each annual Convention. It may recommend to the Convention a schedule of contributions for Lutheran Men. Upon adoption by the Convention, such schedule shall remain in force until changed by another Convention. The Executive Council may recommend desirable uses of Conference offerings. Item 3. The Executive Council shall have the power to place any cause or project in harmony with the program and policies of the Synod before the member of the NCLMIM and shall render reports of such matters at the next regular Convention. Item 4. The Executive Council shall have power to act upon all matters concerning this organization between Conventions. All actions shall be included in the Presidents annual report at the next regular Convention and be subject to review by the Convention. Item 5. The Executive Council shall have the power to select delegates to the National Convention with at least two delegates being elected at the State Convention. Section VII The Executive Committee Item 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and the Executive Director as ex-officio member. Item 2. Duties of the Executive Committee are: a. Act for the Executive Council on minor items that arise between meetings of the Executive Council and make recommendations to the Executive Council for action on major items. b. Prepare a list of candidates for appointments to Committees and Directors for Executive Councils approval. c. Prepare a list of nominees for Executive Council officers for Executive Council approval at the meeting of the Council immediately prior to the Convention of NCLMIM. d. Assure the Conferences hold regular elections of officers and that Conference meetings are held. e. Monitor actions of all committees and give advice/counsel as deemed appropriate. f. Prepare agenda for Executive Council meetings and provide summaries of actions taken. Item 3. Duties of the President include the supervision of the Executive Director. The latest edition of ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER shall be the governing parliamentary rules of this organization except as otherwise provided in the Constitution and By-Laws. Amendments to these By-Laws may be made at any Convention of NCLMIM by a two-thirds vote of the delegates present and voting provided such amendment is submitted in writing. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% |
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