Next week, Church Council will be voting on two amendments to the church bylaws.
Effort Church has a long, colorful history populated with many characters and plot twists, and just like most stories passed down over time, details can get omitted, added, and changed over time. In this season of Effort Church life, Church Council is endeavoring to do some tidying up which includes verifying and ratifying the integrity of our governing documents and articulating and documenting some of our policies, procedures and operating practices so that those who come after us will have a better understanding of why we do what we do.
In reviewing the basic governing documents of Effort Baptist Church (the Constitution and the Bylaws) I have tried to trace their evolution from the drafts proposed in early 1994 through the final version approved in July 1994 and the amendments approved in September 2002. In comparing these source documents to the documents we have circulated and posted on our website, I have found two apparent discrepancies in the Bylaws, changes for which I can find no evidence of an amendment being approved.
1. Bylaws Section 2.01. Principal Office
The Approved 1994 and the Amended 2002 versions read:
The principal office of the Church shall be the Church building located on State Road 618, Mail: Route 7, Box 7353, Palmyra, Virginia 22963.
Our presently posted and circulated version reads:
The principal office of the Church shall be at the Church building located on 7820 Thomas Jefferson Parkway,Palmyra, Virginia 22963.
The second is obviously correct. The purpose of the amendment is simply to make it official.
2. Bylaws Section 5.08. Voting Procedures
The Approved 1994 version read:
(A) Unless requested by a member, voting will be by voice vote or show of hands. If a member requests a ballot vote, such vote must be approved by the majority of those members present at the meeting. Ballot votes shall be counted by no less than three (3) tellers appointed by the Chairman of the meeting.
(B) No proxy (appointed individual) may vote for a member and written proxies will not be accepted.
(C) Cumulative Voting is not recognized.
The amendments of September 2002 did not address this section but all existing copies of the amended version, including our presently posted and circulated version, contain the following change:
(A) The calling of a Senior Pastor will be voted on by Written Ballot.
(B) Unless requested by a member, voting will be by voice vote or show of hands. If a member requests a ballot vote, such vote must be approved by the majority of those members present at the meeting. Ballot votes shall be counted by no less than three (3) tellers appointed by the Chairman of the meeting.
(C) No proxy (appointed individual) may vote for a member and written proxies will not be accepted.
(D) Cumulative Voting is not recognized.
The purpose of the amendment is simply to make the change official.
In accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of Effort Baptist Church, the Church Council has authority to amend the Bylaws. The Council has adopted an internal procedure to ensure that the Congregation is informed of proposed changes and has the chance to comment if desired. This is the first instance of exercising this process.
Proposed Amendment #1
I move that the Council approve the text of Bylaws Section 2.01. Principal Office reading:
“The principal office of the Church shall be at the Church building located on 7820 Thomas Jefferson Parkway,Palmyra, Virginia 22963.”
as being an amendment to the Approved 1994 and Amended 2002 bylaws of Effort Baptist Church.
Proposed Amendment #2
I move that the Council approve the text of Bylaws Section 5.08. Voting Procedures reading:
(A) The calling of a Senior Pastor will be voted on by Written Ballot.
(B) Unless requested by a member, voting will be by voice vote or show of hands. If a member requests a ballot vote, such vote must be approved by the majority of those members present at the meeting. Ballot votes shall be counted by no less than three (3) tellers appointed by the Chairman of the meeting.
(C) No proxy (appointed individual) may vote for a member and written proxies will not be accepted.
(D) Cumulative Voting is not recognized.
as being an amendment to the Approved 1994 and Amended 2002 bylaws of Effort Baptist Church.
Paul Sims Wright