BYLAWS OF PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
Amended May, 2007
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be Presbyterian Women in the First Presbyterian Church.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, we commit ourselves:
to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study,
to support the mission of the church worldwide,
to work for justice and peace, and
to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church USA) and witness to the promise of God's Kingdom
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Members shall be all those who choose to participate in, or be supportive of, Presbyterian Women in any way. The membership shall be divided into circles to form small groups that gather regularly to provide an inclusive, caring community of women.
ARTICLE IV - COORDINATING TEAM ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE
Section 1. The Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Women in the congregation shall be composed of the Moderator, Moderator-Elect, Circle Leader Coordinators, Bible Leader Coordinators, Event Coordinators, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Search Committee Chair, Bylaws Chair, Local Missions Coordinator, Foreign Missions Coordinator, Public Relations Chair, Presbytery Representative, and Helping Hands Coordinator. The Coordinating Team shall also include representatives in charge of Silver and Linens, Family Life, Visitation of At-Home members and New Babies, Circle Inclusion, Creative Hands, Manna Freezer, Mobile Meals, Martha O'Bryan and Monroe Harding. All Circle Leaders and Individual Event Chairmen shall also be Coordinating Team members. Event Chairmen may include but are not limited to Chairmen for the Fall Kick-off, Christmas Program, Valentine Tea, May Outing, Joint Circle Meetings, Retreat, and Receptions. The Coordinating Team shall be members in good standing of First Presbyterian Church.
Section 2. The Coordinating Team shall conduct the business of Presbyterian Women in the Congregation. The Coordinating Team shall:
a. Meet at least eight (8) times yearly on the first Tuesday of the month.
b. Have an Executive Committee composed of the Moderator, Moderator-Elect, Circle Leader Coordinators, Bible Leader Coordinators, Event Coordinators, Recording and Corresponding Secretaries, Treasurer and Bylaws Chair to meet when called by the Moderator.
c. Attend and support ALL functions of Presbyterian Women during their term of office.
d. Conduct an annual review and evaluation based on the goals of the year just completed.
e. Set goals and objectives for the new program year.
f. Maintain an ongoing, working relationship with the area Enabler designated by the Presbytery.
g. Discover and utilize the gifts of members.
h. Be responsible for an ongoing educational program for women based on their spiritual needs.
i. Provide an opportunity to support the mission of the Presbyterian Church (USA) through giving, education, global awareness and other means.
j. Be responsible for the preparation of an annual budget and authorization of expenditures.
k. Maintain accountability to and relationships with the Session through an annual report, which includes a financial report.
l. Maintain relationships with Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery and facilitate communication of information and resources from/to Presbyterian Women at all levels and the wider church.
m. Relate to any other women's groups that may exist in the congregation.
n. Maintain relationships with the Church Women United and other ecumenical groups, community and issue networks as appropriate.
Section 3. The officers shall be divided into two groups to be elected in alternate years, serving until their successors are elected and installed. The term of office shall be two (2) years except for the Moderator, Moderator-Elect, Search Chairman, and Event Chairmanships, whose terms shall be for one (1) year.
Group I: Chairman of Family Life, Local Mission Coordinator, Recording Secretary, Public Relations Chairman, Representatives for Mobile Meals, Martha O'Bryan, and Monroe Harding, Manna Freezer, Creative Hands, and Bylaws Chairman.
Group II: Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Circle Inclusion Chair, New Babies Visitation Chair, At-Home Visitation Chair, Historian, Foreign Mission Coordinator, Silver and Linens Chair, Presbytery representative.
Several offices shall be filled by two people with alternate years of service. Each year one women will rotate out of the position and another woman shall be slated to fill her position. These offices shall be: Circle Leader Coordinator, Bible Leader Coordinator, Event Coordinator, and Helping Hands Coordinator.
Section 4. The Search Committee shall present names of women to be elected to the Coordinating Team to the currently serving Coordinating Team for approval. The slate of nominees shall then be presented for election by the general membership of Presbyterian Women at the spring gathering. Nominations from the floor shall be accepted. The election shall be by majority vote. The newly elected and appointed officers shall be installed by a minister.
Section 5. The Search Committee shall fill any vacancies occurring during any unexpired term.
ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF LEADERS
Section 1. The Moderator shall preside at all meetings of the Coordinating Team and at all gatherings of Presbyterian Women in the Congregation. She shall, with the approval of the Executive Committee, appoint standing and special committees. She is an ex-officio member of circles and all committees. She shall receive communications on behalf of the organization and shall be the direct link to Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery. She shall attend all Ministry Council Meetings as a voting member and attend Session meetings as a non-voting member.
Section 2. The Moderator-Elect shall, in the absence of the Moderator, perform all the duties of that office, and in the event of a vacancy in that office shall become Moderator and hold office through the unexpired term. She shall also perform such duties as shall be designated to her by the Moderator. She shall serve as an ex-officio member of all standing committees and shall automatically succeed the Moderator in office. She shall serve as Presbyterian Women's representative on the Officer Nominating Committee.
Section 3. The Circle Leaders Coordinator, as advisor to the Circle Leaders, shall assign Circle membership and coordinate Circle projects and activities. She shall, with the Search Committee, appoint Circle Leaders who shall serve terms of two years. She shall preside at any meeting composed of Circle Leaders.
Section 4. The Bible Leader Coordinator, as advisor the Bible Leaders, shall ensure that each Bible leader is adequately trained in the material being presented to her Circle. She shall, with the Search Committee, appoint a Bible leader for each Circle who shall serve a term of two years. She shall also oversee the choice of Bible Study presented to the Circles and any additional Bible Studies presented by Presbyterian Women to the Congregation. In addition, she is responsible for devotions at all meetings of the Coordinating Team and the general membership.
Section 5. The Event Coordinator shall be a resource for all individual Event Chairs. She shall help ensure that all events are in keeping with the goals of Presbyterian Women and that Event Chairmen are aware of available resources, helpful contacts and pertinent requirements. In addition.
Section 6. The Public Relations Chairman shall be responsible for preparing bulletin announcements, articles for the church newsletter, and taking photographs at Presbyterian Women sponsored events. She shall work closely with the church's Communication Coordinator and Presbyterian Women leadership as requested to assist in promoting the purpose and activities of Presbyterian Women throughout the church.
Section 7. The Recording Secretary shall transcribe and maintain the minutes of the general gatherings of Presbyterian Women and the meetings of the Coordinating Team and Executive Committee.
Section 8. The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct all correspondence of the Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Women which includes sympathy notes for deaths related to church members.
Section 9. The Treasurer shall oversee all funds of Presbyterian Women; oversee Circle Treasurers; coordinate with the church office manager and bookkeeper and authorize payment of bills and disbursement of funds as directed by the Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Women and in accordance with the budget adopted by the organization; send the Treasurer of Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery the funds for Celebration Giving; send the Presbytery the annual gift; make monthly statements to the Coordinating Team; coordinate discretionary funds requests, the voting thereupon, and disbursement; prepare with the Finance Committee the budget for the coming year, and make annual financial reports available to the Session of the church. The Finance Committee shall be composed of the Treasurer, the Moderator, the Moderator-Elect and a member-at-large to be appointed by the Treasurer.
Section 10. The Historian shall write the history of Presbyterian Women. A copy of the history should be placed in the PW files.
Section 11. The Search Committee Chairman shall be the immediate past Moderator of Presbyterian Women. She shall chair the Search Committee, which is composed of the Moderator, the Moderator-Elect, the Search Chair and two members of the Coordinating Team elected by the Coordinating Team. Annually at the Spring gathering this committee shall present for election the slate of nominees called to leadership positions.
Section 12. The Chairman of Bylaws shall be responsible for reviewing and revising the Bylaws when necessary. She shall determine matters of Parliamentary procedure and shall interpret the Bylaws to the Coordinating Team and general membership when requested.
Section 13. The Local Mission Coordinator shall develop a list of possible local volunteer projects for the Circles. She shall coordinate any local mission project adopted by Presbyterian Women as a whole and serve on the Local Mission Committee of the church as a liaison for Presbyterian Women.
Section 14. The Foreign Mission Coordinator shall be in charge of all activities of Presbyterian Women relating to foreign and national missions and shall handle all missionary correspondence not directly related to a Circle. She shall encourage Circles to support foreign missionaries.
Section 15. The Chairman of Family Life shall be responsible for assisting the Session in meeting all new members of the church following Sunday worship services and for helping integrate them into congregational life. She shall also be in charge of the annual dinner for the graduating High School Senior of the congregation.
Section 16. The Chairmen of Visitation, working with ministers, Diaconate and staff of the church, shall be responsible for coordinating visitation activities of Presbyterian Women pertaining to At Home members, families with New Babies and calls to new members for Circle Inclusion.
Section 17. The Presbytery Representative shall act as a liaison between First Presbyterian Church and the Women's Organization of the Middle Tennessee Presbytery.
Section 18. The Martha O'Bryan Representative, Monroe Harding Representative, and Mobile Meals Representative will act as liaisons between these local missions and Presbyterian Women.
Section 19. The Chairman of Silver and Linens shall be responsible for maintaining the condition of the existing silver belonging to the church and for the existing PW linens. She shall prepare use of silver and linens for all PW holiday and church-wide events and receptions, and take requests for new items when needed.
Section 20. Event Chairmen shall be responsible for coordinating the specific event to which they are assigned. They shall coordinate their efforts with the Moderator, the Event Coordinator and the Helping Hands Coordinator. There shall be Event Chairmen for every event sponsored by Presbyterian Women. These may include, but are not limited to, the Fall Kick-off, the Christmas Program, the Valentine Tea, the May Outing, a Retreat Joint Circle meetings, and Receptions. Specific events for the upcoming year are to be determined by the Moderator-Elect, the Moderator and the Search Committee.
Section 21. The Helping Hands Coordinator shall coordinate all efforts of the Helping Hands Committee, including recruitment of members. The Helping Hands Committee will provide manpower as needed for events sponsored by Presbyterian Women.
Section 22. The Circle Leaders shall bring their circles' needs and concerns to the Coordinating Team.
ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF CHAIRMEN OF STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Chairman of the Flower Guild shall work with the church staff in planning all decorations for frequent Sunday morning worship services, Easter and Christmas sanctuary services.
Section 2. The Chairman of the Bereavement Committee shall be responsible for providing assistance and support to the families of deceased members of the congregation who desire to have visitation and/or services on the church grounds.
Section 3. The Chairman of the Cheek House Auxiliary shall work in cooperation with the Diaconate to see that Cheek House and its furnishings are properly cleaned and maintained. She shall oversee the use of monetary and material gifts made specifically to Cheek House in the form of donations or memorials.
Section 4. The Chairman of the Manna Program in conjunction with the Congregational Care Committee shall be responsible for coordinating preparation and dispensation of prepared foods to church families experiencing illness, death, hardships or in commemorating special occasions. She shall be responsible for periodically checking the "Manna" refrigerator at church for appropriate quantities and condition of foods.
Section 5. The Creative Hands Chairman shall be responsible for coordinating activities of the Creative Hands Committee, including but not limited to selecting local and foreign missions in need of hand-made items, procuring patterns and materials for projects and coordinating times to gather and engage in selected activity.
Section 6. The Chairman of the Biblical Gardens Auxiliary works to coordinate the maintenance and care of the Biblical Gardens.
Section 7. The Moderator may appoint other chairmen as needed.
ARTICLE VII - GATHERINGS
Presbyterian Women in the Congregation shall meet at least one (1) time per year for fellowship, inspiration, information advocacy, and to conduct business. The designated meeting shall be held in the spring.
ARTICLE VIII - FINANCES
The program of Presbyterian Women in the Congregation shall be financed by supporting the Celebration of Mission through Women's pledges. Each woman shall be asked to pledge through Presbyterian Women in the Congregation for:
a. Women's mission support for the worldwide mission of the Presbyterian Church (USA) through the General Assembly mission budget, and
b. The basic operating budget of Presbyterian Women at congregational, presbytery, synod and church wide levels.
ARTICLE IX - AMMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended at any annual gathering by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing to the members at least thirty (30) days prior to the gathering at which the voting will take place. They may also be amended by a three-fourths vote of the members present without notice. These Bylaws may also be suspended by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting, provided notice of such suspension has been submitted in writing to the members thirty (30) days prior to the gathering at which the voting will take place.
ARTICLE X - PARLIMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern Presbyterian Women in all cases to which they are church applicable and with which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws and the Constitution of the Presbyterian (USA) Church. |
