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Approved Model Constitution and Bylaws
Special Unit
Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Preamble: Per action taken by the voting members of the Fourth Triennial
Convention, adopting an Executive Board recommendation to establish special
units within the organization of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, the following model constitution and bylaws have been established.
NOTE
Portions marked with an asterisk (*) are needed to fulfill the criteria for
membership.
The provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws that pertain to the same
subject have been placed together. The two types of provisions are identified in
the following way:
Constitutional provisions are printed in bold
type.
Bylaws are printed in regular type.
ARTICLE I — MEMBERSHIP
AND NAME
*SECTION 1. Membership
This unit shall be a member of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, hereinafter designated as "Women
of the ELCA."
*SECTION 2. Name
The name of this unit
shall be [name of institution] Unit of Women of the
ELCA.
ARTICLE II — STATEMENT
OF PURPOSE
*SECTION 1. Purpose
As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship
in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow
in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in
ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the
society, and the world.
*SECTION 2. Commitment
To accomplish the purpose of Women of the ELCA, women in this unit shall
commit themselves to
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a.
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come together for study, support, and action;
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b.
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participate in the ministry of Women of the ELCA beyond the unit;
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c.
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support financially the total program of Women of the ELCA; and
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d.
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designate leadership that shall be in communication with the synodical
and churchwide women's
organizations.
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*SECTION 3. Affiliation
This unit shall maintain affiliation with the synodical women's
organization to which it is assigned.
ARTICLE III — PARTICIPATION
*SECTION 1. Composition
This unit shall be composed of those women who participate in activities that
indicate a commitment to the purpose of Women of the ELCA.
*SECTION 2. Participation
Participation in this unit shall be open to all women in this institution and
to other women who subscribe to the purpose.
*SECTION 3. Congregational Membership
Women elected to leadership in this unit and elected as delegates to a
convention of the synodical women's
organization shall be members of a congregation or synodically authorized
worshiping community of the ELCA.
ARTICLE IV — RELATIONSHIPS
*SECTION 1. Synodical Women's
Organization
This unit shall participate in the life and work
of [name of synodical women's
organization] and report annually to the synodical women's
organization board.
*SECTION 2. Cluster or Conference
This unit shall participate in activities within the cluster or conference to
which it is assigned.
*SECTION 3. Synodical Women's
Organization Convention
In an interdependent partnership with the [name of synod] Synodical Women's
Organization, this unit shall participate in the convention of the [name of
synod] Synodical Women's
Organization by
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Electing a delegate and an alternate to represent the unit; and
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| *Item 2.
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Cooperating in the process for nomination of officers and
board members of the synodical women's
organization.
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*SECTION 4. Churchwide Women's
Organization
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This unit shall participate in the process for nomination of
delegates to the Triennial Convention.
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This unit shall participate in the process of nomination of
officers and board members.
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ARTICLE V — MEETINGS
SECTION 1. Program
Women of this unit shall come together regularly for study, support, and
action.
SECTION 2. Business
There shall be business meetings held (at least annually) for purposes such
as receiving reports, projecting plans, electing leadership, and adopting an
annual budget.
ARTICLE VI — LEADERSHIP
SECTION 1. Leaders (Officers)
This unit shall have [names of leadership positions], elected for a term of
one year with one reelection.
SECTION 2. Duties of Leaders (Officers)
SECTION 3. Duties of Unit (Board) (Coordinating Committee) (Coordinating
Council)
ARTICLE VII — PLANNING
SECTION 1. Program Areas and Ends
This unit shall engage in planning, giving attention to the program areas and
ends established by Women of the ELCA.
SECTION 2. Program Planning
The unit (board) (coordinating committee) (coordinating council) shall be
responsible for the total program planning for the unit.
ARTICLE VIII — NOMINATIONS
AND ELECTIONS
SECTION 1. Nominating Committee
There shall be a nominating committee of at least three persons to present
nominees for [names of leadership positions] for election by this unit.
SECTION 2. Elections
All elections shall be for a term of one year with one reelection.
ARTICLE IX — FINANCE
SECTION 1. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year and the budget year for this unit shall be January 1 through
December 31, unless the institution in which the special unit is situated
expressly requires a different fiscal year.
SECTION 2. Administration
This unit shall develop and administer its own financial plan or budget that
shall reflect support for the total program of Women of the ELCA.
SECTION 3. Transmittal
This unit shall transmit funds regularly in accordance with established
procedures.
SECTION 4. Reports
This unit shall provide annual financial reports to participants (and as
required by the institution in which the special unit is situated).
SECTION 5. Financial
accountability
An annual accounting compilation or review of this unit's financial
records shall be conducted by a financial review committee of the unit.
ARTICLE X — DISSOLUTION
CLAUSE
In the event of the dissolution of this special unit, any surplus property
remaining after the payment of its debts shall be disposed of by transfer to the
churchwide women's
organization or its successor provided that said organization is, at the time of
dissolution, a qualified organization as described in Section 501 (c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986 or a comparable provision, and, if not, to
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or its successor, and, if not, to one
or more organizations so qualified in such proportions as the leadership of this
unit shall determine.
ARTICLE XI — BYLAWS
AND AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1. Bylaws
This unit may adopt bylaws not in conflict with this constitution and the
institution in which the special unit is situated by a majority vote,
provided they have been presented in writing at the previous meeting.
SECTION 2. Amendments
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This constitution may be amended at any regular business
meeting or special meeting of this unit by a two-thirds vote of the
women present and voting, provided the proposed amendment has been
presented at the previous meeting and is consistent with the purpose of
Women of the ELCA.
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| Item 2.
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Amendments to the bylaws may be adopted by a majority vote by
the unit after having been presented at the previous meeting.
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Revised 2005 edition
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