CONSTITUTION. of the BIBLE LEAGUE VOLUNTEERS ARTICLE I - NAME ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

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1 CONSTITUTION of the BIBLE LEAGUE VOLUNTEERS ARTICLE I - NAME The name of the organization shall be the BIBLE LEAGUE VOLUNTEERS. ARTICLE II - PURPOSE The Bible League Volunteers of the Bible League shall be organized with the intent of involving Biblebelieving people to assist the ministry of the Bible League by: 1. Encouraging personal and corporate prayer by its members for the Bible League. 2. Raising funds for the Bible League. 3. Sharing information about the Bible League. ARTICLE III - STATEMENT OF FAITH The Bible League Volunteer agrees with the Bible League's statement of faith which is as follows: 1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. 2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. 4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful men, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. 5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life. 6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. 7. We believe the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1

2 ARTICLE IV - ORGANIZATION This organization shall consist of a National Director, National Retreat Coordinator, Executive Bible League Volunteer Board, and Area Divisions. Each Area Division shall have its own Board, or Operating Committee, which, in turn, shall be responsible to the Bible League Volunteer Executive Board. Section A: Officers 1. The National Director of the Bible League Volunteer Executive Board shall be appointed by the Bible League s International Headquarters in consultation with the delegated Director of Volunteer Development, the Bible League Volunteer Executive Board, and with the approval of the Bible League Human Resource Department. This person(s) shall be directly responsible to the delegated Director of Volunteer Development appointed by the Bible League and the Bible League Volunteer Executive Board. The term and compensation for the National Director shall be determined by the Bible League subject to the approval of the Human Resource Department. Termination of this person's services shall be the right of the Bible League, subject to the approval of the Human Resource Department. 2. The Bible League Volunteer Executive Board shall include a National Retreat Coordinator appointed by the Bible League in consultation with the delegated Director of Volunteer Development, the Bible League Volunteer Executive Board, and with the approval of the International Headquarters Human Resource Department. ARTICLE V - MEMBERSHIP Any person who agrees with the Bible League's statement of faith and is interested in the ministry of the Bible League may be a member of an Area Division. Section A: Membership ARTICLE VI - THE BIBLE LEAGUE VOLUNTEER NATIONAL BOARD 1. The Bible League Volunteer National Board shall consist of the President and Vice-President of each Area Division and also people of the membership who are elected to specific offices by the Bible League Volunteer National Board. 2. The Bible League Volunteer Executive Board shall include such honorary ex-officio members as its officers shall designate. 2

3 Section B: Officers 1. Officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Vicar. The above named officers shall serve as the Executive Board for the Bible League Volunteer National Board. The National Director and National Retreat Coordinator shall serve in an ex-officio (voting) capacity. The Executive Board is empowered to act as necessary between Board meetings. Its actions must be reported at the next National Board meeting. 2. Election of officers shall be held at each Spring National Bible League Volunteer Board meeting, as follows: Even years President and Secretary Odd years Vice President and Vicar All officers have the option of re-election for one additional term. Elected officers shall not be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office, and are not eligible for election to any other office for a period of two years. 3. Newly elected officers shall assume their official duties at the beginning of the fiscal year (September 1) and shall serve for a term of two years. 4. Each Area Division shall have no more than two delegates allowed to vote. Airfare will be paid for two representatives per division per year to attend the National Board meetings. Section C: Officer's Duties 1. The President shall preside at the Bible League Volunteer National Board meetings and Executive Board meetings. The President shall appoint the chairpersons of committees and shall be an exofficio (non-voting) member of these committees. 2. The Vice-President shall assist the President in all of her duties. The Vice President shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President and shall be responsible for all necessary correspondence under the direction of the President and/or Director of Volunteer Development. 3. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings. The Secretary shall turn over to the successor all records and documents relating to the Bible League work. The Secretary shall also send minutes of the Bible League Volunteer National Board meetings to the Bible League office for distribution to all members of the Bible League Volunteer National Board and Executive Board. 4. The Vicar shall present a financial report for all Board members at the Bible League Volunteer National Board meetings and take over the duties of any officer (other than the President) in their absence. 3

4 Section D: Meetings The Bible League Volunteer National Board shall meet twice a year. Section E: Committees 1. Nominating Committee The President shall appoint this committee (consisting of three members) three months prior to the spring meeting of the Bible League Volunteer National Board. Only those who have consented to serve if elected shall be eligible for nomination. After the committee has chosen qualified nominees, they shall present the slate with a brief profile of each nominee to the Executive Board for approval. The President shall then present the slate of nominees for approval at the Bible League Volunteer National Board meeting in the spring. 2. Other committees may be appointed, as necessary, by the President. Section A: Membership ARTICLE VII - AREA DIVISIONS An Area Division consists of people in a given geographical area interested in promoting the ministry of the Bible League. Section B: Activities 1. The Area Divisions shall conduct at least two fund-raising projects a year. 2. Current information about the Bible League shall be distributed to all the Key Contact people as this information is made available. Section C: Area Division Board/Operating Committee 1. The Area Division Board/Operating Committee shall consist of its officers and/or committee chairpersons. 2. The officers of the Area Division Board/Operating Committee shall be President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and Vicar. These officers shall serve as the Executive Committee of the Area Division Board. Those divisions operating through a committee will not fill these positions but must continue to have consistent financial reporting, minutes, and a contact person. 4

5 3. Duties of Officers (If operating by committee, all aspects need to be handled.) a. The President shall preside at all Area Division meetings and Area Division Board meetings. The President shall appoint the chairperson of each committee. The President is an ex-officio member of all committees. b. The Vice President shall assist the President in all the President s duties. The Vice President shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President. c. The Recording Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings and send a copy of all minutes to the Crete office and the office will forward copies to the Executive Board President and National Director. The Recording Secretary shall keep an up-to-date list of Area Division Officers and Area Key Contact Persons and the churches they represent and supply same to Division President and Director of Volunteer Development. The Recording Secretary shall turn over to the successor all records and documents relating to the Bible League work. d. The Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for all necessary correspondence under the direction of the President. (This office can be combined with the Recording Secretary position, if needed.) e. The Treasurer shall send all monies to the Bible League International Headquarters with appropriate form as provided by Director of Volunteer Development detailing how amounts were raised. The Treasurer shall keep on hand, in local account, adequate monies to cover the operation expense of that Area Division. The Treasurer shall turn over all money and records to the successor. The Area Division books can be requested to be audited at the end of the fiscal year by an independent qualified person. f. The Vicar shall take over the duties of any officer in their absence except the President. 4. Election and Terms of Office a. Election of Officers shall be held annually (before September 1) as follows: Even years Recording Secretary and Vicar Odd years Vice President, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer The Vice-President assumes the office of President after two years. All elected officers, except the Vice-President, have the option of re-election. b. Newly-elected officers shall assume their official duties on September 1 and shall serve for a term of two years. c. Operating Committee can be changed or reorganized annually. 5

6 5. Meetings The Area Division Board/Operating Committee shall meet at least twice a year. Copy of all meeting minutes shall be sent to the Director of Volunteer Development. 6. Committees and Their Duties a. Committees, when appropriate, shall be appointed by the President of the Area Division. The Committee chairperson may appoint her Committee members. (i.e. Literature, Bible- Mending, Outreach) b. Nominating Committees, at the Division level, can be a committee or run as a whole by the Division Board. They shall be responsible for obtaining a slate of names to be presented for the election meeting three months prior to the election. There shall be representatives on the ballot from as many denominations and geographical areas as possible. Division Boards shall approve the list of nominees. c. The Key Contact Chairperson shall encourage Key Contact Persons presently serving and assist in finding replacements when necessary. The Key Contact Chairperson shall keep an up-to-date list of Area Key Contact Persons with corresponding churches and supply same to the Division President and Director of Volunteer Development. d. When the entire division is overseen by an Operating Committee, minutes, a treasurer s report, and a contact person are necessary. ARTICLE VIII - FISCAL YEAR The fiscal year for the Bible League Volunteer National Board and the Area Divisions shall begin on September 1 and end on August 31. ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS Alterations, repeals, or additions to the Constitution may be proposed by the Bible League Volunteer National Board, any Area Division Board, or International Headquarters Director of Volunteer Development. Such notice of intention shall be given to the Bible League Volunteer Executive Board. At least three months written notice of a proposed change shall be given to the Bible League Volunteer Executive Board members. These changes must be approved by a simple majority of those voting at the National Board meeting. They will then be presented to the International Headquarters Board for final adoption. 6

7 ARTICLE X - AREA DIVISION RELATIONSHIP TO THE BIBLE LEAGUE VOLUNTEER EXECUTIVE BOARD All Area Divisions shall be under the supervision and authority of the Bible League Volunteer Executive Board. If the Area Division does not follow election procedures or perform according to Article II of this constitution, the Bible League Volunteer Executive Board may reorganize or disband such a Division. If an Area Division chooses to disband, a protocol has been established. All Key Contacts and Board members in that Division, as well as the International Headquarters Director of Volunteer Development, need to be informed and agree no other recourse can be taken. At such time, the Division will supply the Crete office with a list of all area churches with addresses. The office will mail notification to these churches with an opportunity for anyone to continue the Division by calling the National Director. If no one has done so by a selected date, the Division is closed. 1. Call to order 2. Devotions - prayer ARTICLE XI - PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE (Optional) (Send copy of all meeting minutes to the Director of Volunteer Development) 3. Roll call (attendance sheet) 4. Approval of minutes of previous meeting 5. Treasurer's report 6. President's report a. Committee appointments b. Communications 7. Reports of committee and area chairpersons 8. Old and unfinished business 9. New business 10. Adjournment 11. Prayer January 1,