Berkeley Covenant Church -- 2009 proposed changes to constitution and bylaws

Amendments are being proposed to the BCC constitution and bylaws. Per the procedures established in the constitution and bylaws, these amendments were presented in writing at the 23 April board meeting and again in writing at the 25 April quarterly congregational business meeting. These changes are to be voted on at our annual meeting on Saturday 6 June 2009.

Summary

The changes are in the following categories:

• Reduce number of "at-large" elders.
  • Formerly the constitution required at least six; the bylaws set the number at eight.
  • With the amendments, the constitution will require at least three; the bylaws will set the number at four.
• Remove references to the president of Covenant Women (who is currently listed as a member of the board of elders).
• Change the frequency of regular congregational business meetings from quarterly to three times per year (separated by at least two months).
• Remove the Adeney House Residence Committee.
• Change the term "task force" to "ministry committee".
• Change the terms "chairman" and "vice-chairman" to "chair" and "vice chair", making them gender-neutral.
• The written reports required at the annual meeting are now to be called "reports", not "progress reports". (See the constitution, Article VIII, Section 1.)

References

• Constitution
  • Constitution before changes.
  • Revised constitution showing changes (Microsoft Word 97/2003 format).
  • Revised constitution showing changes (PDF format).
• Bylaws
  • Bylaws before changes.
  • Revised bylaws showing changes (Microsoft Word 97/2003 format).
  • Revised bylaws showing changes (PDF format).

Constitution details

• Article VI -- Officers
  • Delete "man" from the title "chairman."
  • Delete "man" from the title "vice-chairman."
• Article VII -- Board of Elders, Section 2
  • Delete "man" from the title "chairman."
  • Delete "man" from the title "vice-chairman."
  • Change other members from six (6) to three (3).
  • Delete "and the president of Covenant Women."
• Article VIII -- Congregational Business Meetings, Section 1
  • Add "regular."
  • Change "quarterly" to "three times per year, separated by at least two (2) months."
  • Change "quarterly" to "regular."
  • Delete "progress."
  • Change "administrative task force" to "ministry chair."
• Article X -- Amendments
  • Change "quarterly" to "regular."

Bylaws details

• Article II -- Pastor, Section 2
  • Change "congregational quarterly meeting" to "regular congregational meeting."
• Article III -- Officers, Sections 1 and 3
  • Change all references "chairman" and "vice-chairman" to "chair" and "vice-chair."
  • Change "administrative task forces" to "ministry committees."
• Article IV -- Board of Elders, Sections 2 and 3
  • Change number of Board of Elders from thirteen (13) to nine (9). (to consist of the pastor, four officers, and four others)
  • Change all references of "chairman" and vice-chairman" to "chair" and "vice-chair."
  • Delete "the president of Covenant Women, who will be elected annually by that organization" [as a member of the Board of Elders.]
  • Add "The Pastor, ex-officio."
  • Change "chairmen for the administrative task forces" to "chairs for ministry committees."
• Article IV -- Board of Elders, Sections 4 and 5
  • Change "chairmen" to "chairs."
  • Change all references of "administrative task forces" to "ministry committees."
  • Change all references of "task force" to "ministry committee."
  • Change all references of "chairman" and "vice-chairman" to "chair" and "vice-chair."
• Article V -- Appointed/Elected Positions, Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
  • Change "congregational quarterly meeting" to "regular congregational meeting."
  • Change "Task Force" to "Ministry Committee."
• Article VI -- Committees, Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4
  • Change all references of "chairman" and vice-chairman" to "chair" and "vice-chair."
  • Delete Section 4, (Adeney House Residence Committee) in its entirety.
  • Change Section 5 to Section 4.
• Article VII -- Meetings, Sections 3 and 4
  • Change meetings shall be held "quarterly" to "three times each business year, separated by at least two (2) months."
  • Change "chairman" to "chair."
  • Change all references of "administrative task forces" to "ministry committees."
  • Change "chairmen" to "chairs."