PREAMBLE â The purpose of this church is to obey Jesus Christ's Great ... or of association to comply with state law i
Christ Our Hope Anglican Church By-Laws
PREAMBLE – The purpose of this church is to obey Jesus Christ's Great Commission, and bring light and life, and the Hope who is Jesus Christ to the nations, especially in the places where God has called us to roll up our sleeves, become involved in the daily lives of our neighbors , and to love with all the God has made us to be. ARTICLE I - NAME & ORGANIZATION Section 1:
The name of this parish is Christ Our Hope Anglican Church.
Section 2:
The parish is located in the Dayton, Ohio area and is organized under the laws of the State of Ohio.
Section 3:
This parish shall conform to the Constitution and Canons of the Reformed Episcopal Church (C&C REC) and of the Missionary Diocese of The Central States of the Reformed Episcopal Church (C&C MDCS).
Section 4:
If this parish is transferred to another diocese of the Reformed Episcopal Church, the Constitution and Canons of the gaining Diocese shall supersede the C&C MDCS for the purposes of this document.
Section 5:
In those cases where there is ambiguity between C&C REC and C&C MDCS the C&C MDCS shall take precedence.
Section 6:
It is acknowledged that any filing of articles of incorporation or of association to comply with state law is inferior to the C&C REC and of the C&C MDCS.
Section 7:
In the event of conflict between this document and C&C REC and C&C MDCS this document shall take precedence.
ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP & ANNUAL MEETING Section 1:
The annual meeting shall be held in the evening on the first Sunday after Easter.
Section 2:
The Vestry may by 2/3 vote move the date of an Annual Meeting. The Vestry shall notify the congregation and the Bishop of the change of date and reasons for it.
Section 3:
The Annual Meeting shall be held each year and conducted in accordance with Title II, Canon XIV of C&C MDCS.
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Christ Our Hope Anglican Church By-Laws Section 4:
Membership in the corporation for voting purposes shall be called electors.
Section 5:
Electors shall be either: a. Eligible persons as defined in the C&C MDCS Cannon XIII, section 2 and C&C MDCS Canon XIV, section 2. b. Signatories of the Article of Association and Conformity qualified per C&C MDCS as adopted by vote of the Council, September 25, 2008 - Cannon X, section 2. c. Signatories of the Article of Association and Conformity who are qualified in the Memorandum For the Record: “Signatories of Article of Association and Conformity”, dated 06 March 2010.
Section 6:
The Rector, Vicar or Minister in charge shall prepare and the Wardens and Secretary shall review, certify and post the list of electors.
Section 7:
Any disagreement regarding the qualification of an elector shall be resolved by a majority vote of the Rector or Vicar or Minister in Charge, the Senior Warden, and the Junior Warden. Any such may be appealed to the Bishop Ordinary, or if there be none, to the Ecclesiastical authority whose decision shall be final.
Section 8:
The certified list of electors shall be posted conspicuously a minimum of three (3) Sundays before the date appointed for the Annual Meeting.
Section 9:
An elector may appoint in writing an agent to vote at parish meetings in their place. The vestry shall provide a form for this purpose. The agent shall show the filled out form to the wardens. The elector shall count toward a quorum.
Section 10:
An elector may submit an absentee ballot . The vestry shall provide a form for this purpose. The absentee ballot should sealed in an envelope and placed in the care of one of the wardens. The envelope containing the absentee ballot shall be opened and counted when the other votes are tallied.
Section 11:
Special or Emergency Meetings may be called by the Rector or Vicar or Minister in Charge, either of the Wardens, or by any three (3) members. The list of electors prepared for the most recent Annual Meeting, with additions and subtractions made since its preparation, shall be updated by the Rector or Vicar or
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Christ Our Hope Anglican Church By-Laws Minister in Charge and Wardens, and shall the basis of eligibility for voting. Such meeting must be announced the Sunday before it is held and is limited to the specific purpose for which it is called. Section 12:
The annual meeting, special and emergency meetings (Section 9) shall be be considered Annual Parish Meetings per C&C MDCS Canon XIV.
ARTICLE III - THE VESTRY Section 1:
The shall be elected in accordance with the C&C REC and C&C MDCS at the Annual Meeting.
Section 2:
The Vestry shall be agents and legal representatives of the parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the parish to its Clergy.
Section 3:
The Senior Warden holds the office consistent with President of a corporation.
Section 4:
It shall be the duty of the Vestry to hold in trust all real and personal property of the parish for the People of the parish, to administer all investments and holdings, to employ all other persons serving the parish, and to set the salary and wages paid as well as benefits. Vestrymen are in a position of fiduciary trust to the parish.
Section 5:
The Vestry shall not sell, mortgage, lease, or otherwise alienate any real property of the parish without the authorization by vote of the Vestry at a meeting duly called and held, at which time a quorum is present, and at which time two-thirds of the Vestry members present and voting shall vote in favor thereof; which action must be ratified by the parish at a Parish Meeting duly called and held in accordance with the laws of the State, at which time two-thirds of the qualified voters present vote in favor thereof.
Section 6:
The Vestry shall form committees to execute the mission of the parish as required.
Section 7:
The vestry shall publish it's meeting times and locations to the members.
Section 8:
2/3 of the vestry shall be considered a quorum for a vestry meeting.
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Christ Our Hope Anglican Church By-Laws Section 9:
The vestry may establish procedures for discussion, voting and other procedures means by the vote of 2/3 or more of the vestry.
Section 10:
Electors in good standing shall be eligible to serve on the vestry.
Section 11:
Vestrymen may serve no more than two consecutive full terms.
Section 12:
The formation of any body within this Parish is subject to the approval of the Rector or Vicar or Minister in Charge, on advice of the Vestry.
Section 13:
No funds shall be raised in or by this Parish for any cause without the express approval of the Rector or Vicar or Minister in Charge and the Vestry.
ARTICLE IV – Ministries of the Church Section 1:
All ministries and programs of this parish must be approved by the Rector or Vicar or Minister in Charge.
Section 2:
The Rector or Vicar or Minister in Charge shall seek the advice of the vestry and parish council with respect to ministries of this parish.
ARTICLE V – ADOPTION Section 1:
A vote of two-thirds of the electors of this Parish, present at a duly called and constituted meeting per article 2, shall be required to adopt these By-laws.
ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENTS Section 1:
The vestry may put forth amendments for consideration as amendments to this document.
Section 2:
An elector may submit an amendment to the vestry 1 month prior to a scheduled meeting. The vestry shall then put forth the amendment along with it's recommendation for adoption or rejection. The vestry's recommendation may include majority and minority opinions.
Section 3:
A vote of two-thirds of the electors of this Parish, present at a duly called and constituted meeting per article 2, shall be required to amend these By-laws.
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