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Indiana Partners for Christian

Unity and Mission

Governing Documents - underlined sections are proposed changes

Proposed Constitution & ByLaws

Constitution

of the

Indiana Partners for Christian Unity and Mission

Adopted January 29, 1996 

Preamble

We confess that we are created by God to be one in Christ, that we are redeemed by the

death and resurrection of Christ, and that we are sustained by the power of the Holy

Spirit as we continue our journey together. Affirming our oneness in Christ, we join

with one another as people of God in the State of Indiana to minister together in

expressing God’s love and care for the world.

Article I-Name

The name of this corporation as set forth in its Articles of Incorporation is the “Indiana

Partners for Christian Unity and Mission”, hereinafter referred to as IPCUM.

Article II-Purpose

We gather as Jesus gathered the disciples to:

1. WELCOME all who seek the unity that is ours in Christ but is not yet fully

realized;

2. DISCOVER in similarity and diversity the many gifts which have been

given by the Holy Spirit;

3. CREATE structures which encourage the sharing of these gifts for the common

good;

4. SERVE the whole people of God through cooperative prayer, worship, word

and action;

5. CHALLENGE one another “so that the world may believe,”

6. LEARN from one another about the richness God has offered through

our different expressions of Christian faith, and

7. WORK for justice in God’s world.

Article III-Partners in Unity and Mission

A. IPCUM shall be composed of those communions and ecumenical agencies serving in

Indiana which meet these criteria:

1. Subscribe to its purpose; and

2. Agree to share in providing financial support.

3.      Elect/appoint a representative to the Servant Board

4.      Agree to promote the ministries of IPCUM

5.      Sign a Covenant of Partnership

B. Communions and ecumenical agencies which meet the criteria may be added to

IPCUM by action of the Board.

Article IV-Servant Board

A. There shall be a Servant Board composed of the following:

1. One persons designated by each Partner.

2. Each Servant Board member shall be designated according to the practice of

each communion, ecumenical agency or council of churches.

3.      The length of service on the Servant Board shall be determined by both the

practice of each partner and the by-laws of IPCUM

B. The Servant Board may appoint persons and/or committees to assist in the

administration of IPCUM. The Servant Board may establish task forces for the purpose

of addressing specific, short-term assignments. The structure, representation, initiation

and termination procedures and accountability processes of task forces shall be set by

IPCUM’s By-Laws.

C. The Servant Board is the policy-setting body of IPCUM. It shall meet and function as

prescribed in the By-Laws.

D.  The Servant Board may appoint the Advisory Council made up of 6-10 communion, agency and council executives.  The purpose of the Advisory Council is to provide

counsel and advice to the Servant Board as needed.

E. The quorum for a meeting of the Servant Board shall be those duly designated persons present

Article V-Officers

A. The officers of IPCUM shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

B. The officers shall be nominated by a Nominating Committee appointed by the

Servant Board.

C. The officers of IPCUM shall fulfill the customary responsibilities as required by law

and such additional duties as provided in the By-Laws or as may be assigned by the

Servant Board. The President shall serve as ex-officio member of all working units.

D. In the event that an officer of IPCUM resigns or otherwise cannot complete a term of

office, the Board shall have the power to appoint an interim officer until the next

Annual Meeting.

E. The officers of IPCUM shall not serve more than three annual terms in succession,

except for the Treasurer who shall not serve more than six annual terms in succession.

The term of the Treasurer may be extended annually for cause by a two-thirds vote of

those present and voting at the Annual Meeting.

Article VI--Staff

To fulfill the mission of IPCUM the Servant Board may hire staff, develop personnel

policies and adopt By-Laws governing job descriptions and conditions of employment.

Article VII--Amendments

This Constitution may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the Servant

Board by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting, provided written notice of such

proposed amendment shall have been given to the Servant Board and partners at least

thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting.

Article VIII--By-Laws

IPCUM, as provided in its Articles of Incorporation, may adopt such By-Laws, in

addition to this constitution as it deems proper, provided they are not in conflict with

the Articles of Incorporation or this Constitution.

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By-Laws of the

Indiana Partners for Christian Unity and Mission

Adopted May 1, 1996

Amended August 28, 2001

Article 1 Nonprofit Purposes

Section 1. IRC Section 501(c)(3) Purposes

This corporation is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as

specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Article 2 Servant Board

Section 1. Number

The corporation shall have no fewer than  ___ Servant Board members and

collectively they shall be known as the Servant Board.

Section 2. Term of Office

Each Servant Board member will be appointed by the partner through their own

process and for a period to be determined by the partner. Executives are encouraged to

serve on the Servant Board.

Section 3.  Criteria

A servant Board member should

a.       Be able to subscribe to the purpose of IPCUM

b.      Be active in a local church, congregation, etc.

c.       Have direct access to the Judicatory or Agency Executive

d.      Have an open-heart to the ecumenical venture

Section 4  Responsibilities

a.       Regularly attend Servant Board meetings.

b.      Provide Financial Support

c.       Participate in Taskforces

d.      Report to the Communion/Agency/Council Executive and the body as a whole

e.       Represent IPCUM at Annual Meetings of Communion/Agency/Council

f.        Promote the ministry of IPCUM

g.       Pray for Partners, Servant Board Members and the Ecumenical Movement

Section 5. Regular Meetings

The Servant Board shall meet at least four times a year. Prior to the first meeting

of the year there shall be an orientation to IPCUM for new members of the Servant

Board. The November meeting of the Servant Board shall include passing a budget,

election of officers and completion of the agenda for the Annual Meeting.

Section 6.  Annual Meeting of IPCUM

a.       The Annual Meeting of IPCUM shall be held in February .

b.      The business of this meeting shall include the offering of reports on the budget for the following year, reports of the past year’s ministries and activities, and to introduce and install officers.

c.       The Annual Meeting should also include an element of inspiration through worship and a keynote address.

d.      The date for this meeting shall be determined at the May Servant Board meeting.

e.       Notice of the Annual Meeting shall be sent to the Partners at least 60 days

prior to the meeting.

Section 7. Non-Liability of Servant Board Members

The members shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities or other

obligations of the corporation.

Section 8. A Procedure for Racial, Ethnic and Gender Representation

In order to ensure racial, ethnic and gender representation a procedure shall be

developed for electing at-large Servant Board members not to exceed 20% of the total

Servant Board from among the partners.

Section 9. Advisory Council

The Advisory Council shall consist of 6-10 executives from the Partner Communions/Agencies/Councils.

a. Term of office shall be three years with at least one year sabbatical before a new term.  The initial group shall have designated terms of one, two and three years with the one and two year terms eligible for re-appointment without sabbatical for one full term.  If for any reason an executive cannot fulfill his/her term then another executive would be appointed to fulfill that term and are eligible for appointment without sabbatical to one full term.

b.                  Membership shall be rotated among the executives.

c.                   The Advisory Council shall gather once a year

d.                  Electronic Communication shall be used whenever possible

Section 10.  Observers

            Any communion or ecumenical agency that is not a full partner may petition to become an Observer.  Each Observer Communion or agency may designate a person to attend SB meetings.  Such observers have voice but not vote.

Section 11. Affiliations

            IPCUM may formally affiliate with national and regional ecumenical organizations for the purpose of promoting, enhancing and resourcing the ministries of IPCUM at the discretion of the Servant Board.  A two-thirds vote of those present is required for such affiliation.

Section 12. Committees

Committees which are accountable to the Servant Board shall include:

1. The Officers’ Committee shall be composed of the officers of IPCUM. The President may convene this committee to consult on matters relating to the members generally and IPCUM specifically. This committee is not a decision making body for IPCUM. They may however act on behalf of the Servant Board on emergency matters that require urgent attention.

2. The Finance Committee shall prepare the budget for adoption by the Servant Board and shall evaluate fiscal performance by IPCUM. It shall also seek and make appropriate efforts for raising necessary revenues. It will provide for an annual audit prior to the annual meeting.

3. The Committee on Personnel and Evaluation shall establish guidelines for the hiring and release of employees or contracted staff for IPCUM. It shall conduct an annual performance review of employed or contracted staff and, following such

review, shall make such recommendations as it sees fit to the Servant Board.

Article 3 Officers

Section 1. Duties of President

The President shall preside at meetings of the Servant Board and the Officers’

Committee and shall be an ex-officio member with vote, on all committees and task

forces of IPCUM.

Section 2. Duties of the Vice-President

The Vice-President shall act in the capacity of the President in the President’s

absence.

Section 3. Duties of the Secretary

The Secretary shall be responsible for recording the official minutes of the

Servant Board and the Officers’ Committee and for ensuring the transmittal of official

communications to or from IPCUM.

Section 4. Duties of the Treasurer

The Treasurer shall oversee the financial management of the assets of IPCUM

and shall insure the provision of financial reports and analyses to the Servant Board,

Stewardship committee, staff and governmental agencies and shall serve as the

Chairperson of the Finance Committee. The Treasurer shall be bonded in an amount

fixed by the Servant Board.

Section 5. Removal from Office

The Servant Board may remove an officer at any time with or without cause

pursuant to Indiana Code 23-17-14-3.

Article 4 Task Forces

Section 1. The task forces of IPCUM shall be the major instruments of the work and

witness of IPCUM. Their task is to apply the substance and insights of the Christian

Gospel to life in Indiana. The task forces shall implement the policies set by the Servant

Board of IPCUM.

Section 2. Task forces shall be created by the Servant Board following the determined

procedure. The role of the Task Forces shall be fourfold. They shall monitor, inform,

advocate and act.

1. Each Task Force shall receive in writing from the Servant Board a definition of the concern to be addressed by it.

2. Each Task Force shall then be expected to develop a study/action plan, for approval by the Servant Board.

3. A written report of activities and progress shall be submitted to each meeting of the Servant Board or at the request of the Servant Board shall be made in person.

Section 3. Task Force Chairpersons shall be appointed and members shall be confirmed

by the Servant Board.

Section 4. Task Forces are accountable directly and exclusively to the Servant Board.

Section 5. Each Task Force shall be authorized for up to one year. Following a review

the Servant Board may renew the Task Force for an additional period up to one year.

Section 6. A Task Force may be dissolved at any time by a simple majority vote of the

Servant Board.

Section 7: The Servant Board shall be responsible for the funding of the task forces.

Article 5 Authorization to Speak

Section 1. Position statements, including each item within the annual IPCUM legislative

agenda, shall be established only by unanimous vote by all members present and

voting. At least two weeks notice shall be given before a vote. In lieu of a meeting,

votes may be conducted by written or electronic communication.

Article 6. Dissolution of the Corporation

Section 1.  

If at any time the Corporation, Indiana Partners for Christian Unity and Mission shall be dissolved, the remaining assets shall be gifted to an ecumenical entity designated by the

Servant Board.

Article 7 By-Laws and Amendments

Section 1.

The Servant Board may amend the By-Laws at any official meeting by a majority vote of members present, provided that at last one month before the meeting the proposed amendment has been submitted to all members of the Servant Board.

For More Information Contact:
 

executivedirector@ipcum.org

Indiana Partners for Christian Unity and Mission
Indiana Partners for Christian Unity and Mission
P.O. Box 88790, Indianapolis, IN 46208

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