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Our Constitution (Memorandum of Association)
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MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION OF THE
EASTERN VALLEY UNITED BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
(November 2, 2002)
ARTICLE I NAME
This body shall be called the “Eastern Valley United Baptist
Association” composed of United Baptist Churches in the counties
of Hants and Kings in the province of Nova Scotia [or adjacent
churches accepted in special circumstances, or, in the future,
received into this continuing Association upon written
application, by two thirds vote of the delegates present at a
regularly called meeting].
ARTICLE II DOCTRINE
The doctrinal beliefs of this Association shall be those of the
United Baptist Churches of this Association, which are laid out
in the
1905/06
Basis of Union.
ARTICLE III OBJECT
The object of this organization shall be to promote the work of
Christ's kingdom within the Association in harmony with the
Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches, including the promotion
of fellowship, unity, spiritual prosperity and growth among the
Churches comprising the Association, reaching out to meet the
needs of communities within the area and supporting the
denomination in its missionary and educational work at home and
overseas.
ARTICLE IV DELEGATES
The following persons will be recognized as accredited delegates
to the Association, being in every instance a member of one of
the Churches of the Association:
A. Pastors:
1. Every ordained minister in good standing with the Convention
of Atlantic Baptist Churches and living within the boundaries of
the Association.
2. Each person who has a current “License to Minister” issued by
the Association.
3. Each person who has a current “License to Minister” issued by
a church in the Association.
B. Church Delegates:
1. Each church in
the Association shall be entitled to send two delegates for the
first fifty resident members or fraction thereof, two additional
delegates for the second fifty resident members or major
fraction thereof, and a further delegate for each additional
fifty resident members or major fraction thereof, but no church
shall be entitled to send more than ten delegates and such
delegates shall be officially appointed at a meeting of the
church. Others from the church will, however, be warmly welcomed
as visitors who may, although without vote, participate fully in
the program and discussion.
2. One from each adult Women's Missionary Organization within
the Association.
3. One from each Baptist Men's Group.
4. One, age 14 24, being a member of a Youth Organization in a
church or community within the Association, where church related
youth groups of this age group are organized.
5. One from each Sunday School.
B. Delegates by virtue of Office:
1. The officers of the Association [See Article VI]
2. Chairperson of each committee of the Association.
Notwithstanding the above, no church shall under any
circumstances have more than fifteen delegates voting at the
Association meeting.
ARTICLE V TIMES OF MEETING
The Association shall normally meet twice yearly on the second
weekend of November and the second weekend of May. The Council
shall have discretion to set the Spring Association meetings
anytime between the last weekend in April and the long weekend
in May. The date should be announced at the preceding Fall
meetings each year. The Fall Association meeting will be the
Annual Meeting. The Council shall have discretion to set the
Fall Association meetings anytime between the last weekend in
October and the second weekend in November. Normally the date is
announced at the preceding Spring Association meetings. Should
the interest of the body warrant, a special meeting [1] May be
called by the Executive; [2] Must be called by the Executive at
the request of ten or more churches. Notice of any special
meeting must be sent to all churches three weeks prior to the
meeting.
ARTICLE VI OFFICERS
The officers of the Association shall be [1] Moderator
[appointed yearly]; [2] Vice Moderator [who is the Association
Program Coordinator and who normally becomes Moderator]; [3]
Past Moderator; [4] Clerk; [5] Assistant Clerk; and [6]
Treasurer. The latter three are yearly appointments with no time
limits. Each officer shall be authorized to co-sign cheques for
the Treasurer. The officers shall be "The Executive" who shall
be responsible for all normal business of the Association and
the Council between sessions.
ARTICLE VII COUNCIL
The Council of the Association shall consist of the Officers as
noted in Article VI, the President of the Eastern Valley WMS
Association or her appointee and the Chairperson of each
committee or his/her appointee. The Council will meet at least
twice each year, normally on the first Saturday of March and the
second Saturday of September. Other meetings may be called when
need dictates. For the purpose of the Societies Act (1953) the
members of the Council shall be the Directors of the society.
ARTICLE VIII COMMITTEES
Each committee shall have at least six members, two being
elected each year for a three year term. Some will have ex
officio members as stated below. In cases where no chairperson
is noted on the Nominating Committee list, the first named shall
convene the next meeting of the committee or board. Each person
completing a term shall be eligible for election, but a person
who has served six years on a committee may not be reelected to
the same committee until at least one year has elapsed. Any
person elected to serve the unexpired term of another shall be
considered as having filled the term of three years.
Normally any recommendation from any committee or board will be
presented to the Association Council prior to it being presented
to the Association.
A. Leadership Development Committee.
A person from a Church within the Association who is involved in
A.B.Y. shall be an ex officio member.
B. Missions Committee
The W.M.S. President, or her appointee, will be an ex officio
member.
C. Kingswood Camp Committee
Five of those elected to this Committee will be named yearly at
the annual meeting of the Association as Trustees of Kingswood
Camp.
D. Stewardship Committee
Ex officio members shall be:
[1] The Association Treasurer ;
[2] One representative from the Kingswood Camp Committee and
[3] One representative from the Baptist Foundation .
E. Evangelism Committee
F. Social Action Committee
G. Chaplaincy Committee
The Association Representative to the Valley Regional Hospital
will be an ex officio member.
H Gladys M. Manning Retirement Community Advisory Committee
ARTICLE IX OTHER APPOINTMENTS
A. Two persons shall be elected to sit on the Convention
Examining Council. Two alternates will also be elected. These
appointments will be for three years. No person who holds a
current “License to Minister”, and is proceeding to ordination;
nor any minister ordained less than three full years will be
eligible. [The above are in accordance with Convention rules.]
B. Two members of the Association shall be appointed yearly as
delegates to the Annual Assembly of the Convention of Atlantic
Baptist Churches.
C. Three members to the Region II Working Group. Two members
shall be from churches in Kings County and one from a church in
Hants County.
ARTICLE X - OTHER COMMITTEES
A. A Nominating Committee of five, ordinarily chaired by the
Past Moderator, shall present a slate of officers, committee
members, etc., including a new Nominating Committee for the
coming year. This committee will give consideration to
appropriate representation by region and sex in all
appointments, and shall secure the consent of all nominees. The
Chairperson of this committee shall, after the election of new
members to the Kingswood Camp Committee, cause the Association
to elect five of those members as Trustees of Kingswood Camp for
the ensuing year.
B The Rev. Don Ehler Memorial Chaplaincy Fund Committee
The Chaplain at Dykeland Lodge in Windsor will be an ex-officio
member, and at least three of the five members shall be elected
from churches in Hants County.
C. Further committees may be named as the need arises.
ARTICLE XI VOTING
All questions before the Association shall be decided by the
majority vote except in the instance of changing the Memorandum
of Association and admitting or dissolving connection with
churches, when a two thirds majority shall be required.
ARTICLE XII MEMBERSHIP
A. Any church may be received into fellowship, as stated in
Article I, after having given satisfactory evidence as to its
faith and practice. The Association may dissolve its connection
with any church, which, after proper examination and prayerful
consideration with members of said congregation, shall be judged
by the Association to have departed from the faith and practice
of the United Baptist Churches of this Association.
B. This Association is in association with the Convention of
Atlantic Baptist Churches; Canadian Baptist Ministries; and The
Baptist World Alliance.
ARTICLE XIII QUORUM
Fifty delegates representing at least ten Association Churches
will constitute a quorum; a smaller number may adjourn.
ARTICLE XIV AMENDMENTS
This Memorandum of Association may be altered or amended at any
Annual Meeting of the Association by a two thirds vote of the
delegates present, provided notice of such intended alterations
or amendment has been given at a previous regular meeting of the
Association. The Rules of Order shall be those adopted by the
Convention. of Atlantic Baptist Churches.
BY LAWS OF THE MEMORANDUM OF
ASSOCIATION
OF THE EASTERN VALLEY UNITED BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
(November 2,2002)
PREAMBLE
The By-Laws were approved by the EVUBA in May of 1988; initially
published on November 10, 1990; and approved in their current
form on May 4, 2002.
1. All committees shall be constituted in accordance with
Article VIII of the Memorandum of Association.
2. All committees shall report to regularly called meetings of
the EVUBA.
3. All committees requiring a significant budget for the ensuing
year shall present such budget to the chairperson of the
Stewardship Committee prior to the second Saturday in September.
4. In the event that a committee member is unable to serve for
the elected term, that committee shall have the authority to
replace said member until the next regular EVUBA meeting when
the appointment may be ratified.
5. These by laws may be amended at a regular meeting of the
Association by a two thirds vote of members present, provided
notice of a proposed amendment has been given at a previous
regular meeting of the Association.
FUNCTIONS OF COMMITTEES
A. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
1. To assist the local churches within the EVUBA in equipping
persons for Christian service by sponsoring and/or publicizing
leadership development events in such areas as Christian
Education, board and committee work, discipleship, outreach,
visitation and the like.
2. To cooperate with the other committees in providing
leadership development events in areas of mutual concern.
3. At a scheduled time prior to each Association meeting to
interview candidates for ministry who hold a current Church or
Association “License to Minister” to determine if they meet the
criteria approved by the CABC; to recommend eligible candidates
to the EVUBA; and with approval, by vote of the EVUBA at a
regular meeting, the Clerk shall issue or certify a “License to
Minister” for eligible candidates for ministry within the EVUBA.
4. Persons seeking admission to the "Lay Pastor Training
Program," or any other program which requires that they be
approved by the Association and when appropriate recommend said
persons to the EVUBA to be approved by vote of the EVUBA at a
regular meeting.
B. MISSIONS COMMITTEE
1. To give oversight to grant receiving churches; to receive and
process applications for grants; and to make recommendations to
the Atlantic Baptist Mission Board.
2. To act as a coordinating agency with the Atlantic Section of
Canadian Baptist Ministries in setting up itineraries and
programs for CBM missionaries visiting the area.
3. To foster missions at the association/regional level through
rallies, festivals, workshops, and other special events.
C. KINGSWOOD CAMP COMMITTEE
1. To maintain and develop the physical camp and the surrounding
camp property.
2. To operate a Christian camping program.
3. To rent the camp to groups approved by the Committee in the
winter season.
4. To provide leadership training for camp leaders in
cooperation with the Leadership Development Committee.
5. To insure a follow up program for all campers who make a
commitment to Christ by referring them to relevant pastors
and/or churches.
6. To set fees.
7. To insure that all operations are in accordance with
government regulations.
8. To secure approval from the Association (or the Council
between sessions) to undertake building renovations and/or
construction, property development, or program enhancements
which are individually estimated to cost in excess of $5,000.00.
D. STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
1. To draft and present a proposed yearly budget at the fall
meeting of the Association.
2. To consider other financial matters and requests that are not
included in the budget.
3. To inform and encourage the Association regarding the United
In Mission and other financial commitments of CABC.
4. To promote the work of the Baptist Foundation of the Atlantic
Provinces.
E. EVANGELISM COMMITTEE
1. To receive requests from local churches for assistance in
local and regional evangelistic ministries.
2. To encourage local and association wide evangelistic efforts.
3. To plan and coordinate training events in witnessing and
modes of evangelism.
4. To maintain liaison with the Director of the Atlantic Baptist
Mission Board of CABC.
5. To maintain a roster of speakers and soloists gifted in these
areas.
6. To assist churches in the use of public media [radio, T.V.,
printed material] to promote the Gospel.
7. To promote Evangelism Conferences.
F. SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
1. To provide information on social issues to the EVUBA.
2. To communicate these issues to other Associations, CABC,
other denominations, governments, and society at large.
3. To motivate EVUBA to take positive action concerning these
issues.
G. CHAPLAINCY COMMITTEE
1. To interview interested candidates and recommend eligible
candidates to the Association (or Council between sessions) for
their approval to employ said candidate.
2. To supervise approved Chaplains.
3. To have authority to suspend an employee for just cause; and
to thereafter meet with the Association Officers before
presenting to the Association (or Council between sessions) a
recommendation to terminate employment.
4. To promote the work of Chaplaincy and to prepare copies of a
bulletin insert for Chaplain Awareness Sunday for distribution
to Association churches.
5. To apply for government grants to provide additional student
chaplains for the summer seasons.
H. GLADYS M. MANNING RETIREMENT COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1. To advise the members of the Board and the management of the
Gladys M. Manning Retirement Community when requested.
I. THE REV. DON EHLER MEMORIAL CHAPLAINCY FUND COMMITTEE
1. To include five members, at least three of whom are to be
from Association churches in Hants County.
2. To promote and administer a current operating account and the
endowment named, “The Rev. Don Ehler Memorial Chaplaincy Fund.”
3. To report to the Stewardship Committee, and to the EVUBA at
its regular meetings.
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