CONSTITUTION
Vote Certified at Annual Meeting July 25, 2011
Article I - Name
This organization shall be known as ARP Women’s Ministries (ARPWM).
Article II - Vision
ARP Women’s Ministries is an organization which encourages and equips the community of ARP women to minister together for God’s glory and purpose.
Article III - Membership
The membership of this organization shall consist of all women members of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States and Canada.
Article IV - Board Members
This organization shall be served by the Women’s Ministry Board (WMB) consisting of members as set forth in the Bylaws.
Article V - Government
ARP Women’s Ministries, as an organization of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, shall be under the supervision of General Synod.
Article VI - Meeting
This organization shall have an Annual Meeting.
Article VII - Amendment
Section 1. A proposed amendment to the Constitution, having been approved by the WMB, shall be overtured to the Presbyterials by a simple majority vote of those present and voting at the ARPWM Annual Meeting.
Section 2. The proposed amendment shall be explained at Annual meetings of Presbyterials. A vote shall be taken and each Presbyterial shall report the number of votes for and against the amendment to WMB Secretary.
Section 3. The Secretary shall total votes from all Presbyterials for and against the amendment. A two-thirds majority is required for adoption.
Section 4. The Secretary shall report the results at the next ARPWM Annual Meeting. At that meeting, the delegates shall certify the final vote.
BYLAWS
Article I - Annual Meeting
Section 1. Representation: The voting body of this organization shall consist of the board members listed in Article II Section 2 of these Bylaws, former Women’s Synodical Union/ARP Women’s Ministries Presidents, chairmen of Standing Committees, and the following from each Presbyterial: President, Treasurer, and four delegates. If a designated delegate is not able to attend, she may designate an alternate with voting privileges. The alternate for Presbyterial President shall be Vice-President. The alternate for Presbyterial Treasurer shall be a Presbyterial Board member.
Section 2. Quorum: A quorum shall be defined as twenty-five (25) women of the current voting membership.
Article II - Board
Section 1. Between Annual Meetings, the Women’s Ministries Board (WMB) shall have the authority to conduct the business of the ARPWM.
Section 2. Representation: Voting members of the WMB are: Officers - President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer; General - Spiritual Life Chairman, Missions and Outreach Chairman, Historian, and one woman representative from each Presbytery. Non-voting members of the WMB are Past President, Coordinator and Parliamentarian.
Section 3. Quorum: A quorum shall be defined as seven (7) voting members of the current WMB.
Section 4. Election: the Nominating committee shall report at the WMB Spring Meeting. Then, at the Annual Meeting, after nominations from the Nominating Committee and from the floor (with prior consent), the election shall proceed by ballot if there is more than one nominee for an office; otherwise, election will be by acclamation. A majority of votes cast constitutes an election. In the event an office is not filled by the Annual Meeting or becomes vacant, the President shall recommend a candidate for the WMB’s approval.
Section 5. Term of Service
A. Members shall serve as follows:
President/Vice-President/
Past President: Three year term, not eligible for re-election. Serves first year as Vice-President,
second as President, and third as Past President.
Secretary: Nominated by the incoming President to serve during President’s term of
office; eligible for re-election
Treasurer: Four year term, eligible for re-election
Spiritual Life Chairman: Two year term, eligible for re-election
Missions and Outreach
Chairman: Two year term, eligible for re-election
Historian: Two year term, eligible for re-election
Parliamentarian: Appointed by the President to serve during the President’s term, eligible for
reappointment
Presbytery
Representatives Serve at the discretion of their Presbytery
B. Members shall assume office September 1 following their election at the Annual Meeting.
C. Members appointed to fill vacancies shall serve to the end of the term and may be elected for a
full term.
Section 6. Coordinator
A. The Coordinator is hired by the WMB and is subject to an annual review.
B. The Coordinator serves ARPWM in helping to fulfill the vision of ARPWM a the Synod, Presbytery,
and local levels.
C. The Coordinator should be familiar with the functions of the Synod’s Boards and Agencies.
Article III - Committees
Section 1. Standing Committees: Appointed by the President unless otherwise stipulated.
A. Executive: Voting members consist of the WMB Officers -- President, Vice-President, Secretary,
and Treasurer -- and the Past President. Non-voting Advisory members are the ARPWM
Coordinator and the Parliamentarian.
B. Finance: Consists of ARPWM Treasurer, ARPWM Past President, and a woman-at-large with
relative expertise.
C. Constitution and Bylaws: Consists of the Vice-President, Past President, and Parliamentarian.
D. Nominating: Three members to be appointed by the President, no one of whom may be a member of
the present WMB.
E. Spiritual Life
F. Missions and Outreach
G. Historical Library
H. Family Bible Conference
I. Synodical Hall
J. Synod Social
Section 2. Special Committees: Appointed by the President as needed.
Article IV - Parliamentary Authority
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall be the guide to parliamentary procedures for the ARP Women’s Ministries.
Article V - Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended at any Annual Meeting by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting, provided the proposed amendment has been approved by the WMB and notice of the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing (which may be by email) to each Presbyterial Executive Board at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting. The notice to each Presbyterial Executive Board may be waived by unanimous vote of those present and voting at the Annual Meeting.
Revised 7/25/11
