Constitution and Bylaws

ARTICLE I--Name

This organization shall be known as the Women in the Church of the Covenant Presbyterian Church, Gulf Coast Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America.

ARTICLE II—Purpose

The purpose of the organization of the Women in the Church is to encourage each woman to know Christ personally and to grow in Him though prayer and Bible study so that she may glorify and enjoy Him forever.

ARTICLE III--Membership

The membership of the Women in the Church shall be the resident women membership of the church.

ARTICLE IV--Officers

The elected officers of the Women in the Church shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and the Women’s Ministry Chairmen for Evangelism and Missions, Devotion, Fellowship, Discipleship, and Service.

ARTICLE V-- Government

The Women in the Church shall be under the authority of the Session of the Church.

ARTICLE VI--Meetings

The regular meetings of the Women in the Church shall be Administrative Council, evaluation meeting, annual meeting, circle meetings, and general meetings as planned by the Administrative Council.

ARTICLE VII--Amendments

Section 1.  This Constitution may be amended at any general meeting by a two-thirds vote of those members present and voting, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been submitted at a previous general meeting of the Women in the Church.

Section 2.  All such proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing, signed by two members, and approved by the Session.

Bylaws

 ARTICLE I--Membership

I.         Membership. 

A.    The membership of the Women in the Church (WIC) shall be the resident women members of the church based on the church’s official records.

B.    Women of the community who share in the activities of the Women in the Church may become members of the local organization, but may not be elected or appointed to any office.

II.    Circles.  The membership of the Women in the Church will be grouped into circles.

III.    Presbytery.   The local organization is a member of the Women in the Church of the Presbytery, and shall be represented as determined by the Presbyterian constitution and bylaws.

 ARTICLE II--Nomination, Election, and Term of Office

 I.      Nomination.  The Administrative Council shall appoint a Nominating Committee at the beginning of the calendar year.  The Nominating Committee will:

A.      Accept written nominations from the general membership prior to the election.

B.       Present names of possible WIC officer nominees to the session for approval.

C.       Present names of nominees to a subsequent general meeting for election in April.

D.      Fill vacancies that occur during the year, using the same procedure as above.

II.  Election.  The annual election of officers:

A.      Will be held in April.

B.       Will proceed by ballot, except as herein provided.

C.       May proceed by acclamation when there is but one candidate for the office.

III.  Term of Office.

A.      The term of office for elected officers shall be two years in any given office.

B.       Officers may serve multiple terms of office and may be hold more than one office at one time.               

D.    Officers may be divided into two groups and elected in alternate years as follows:

VI.  Installation.  New officers will be installed at the annual meeting in September and assume office at the close of the meeting.  The retiring officers shall complete the business of the year and surrender to their successors essential books and papers pertaining to their respective offices.

 ARTICLE III--Duties of Officers 

I.         Administrative Officers.

A.  The President is responsible for praying for God’s direction for the Women in the Church and for planning, overseeing, and evaluating the total ministry of the Women in the Church.  She shall:      

1. Plan for and preside at all meetings of the Women in the Church and the Administrative Council.

2. Maintain contact with the pastor and the WIC session representative so that the WIC activities may be coordinated with the overall plans and activities of the congregation.

3. Assign inactive WIC members to Circle Leaders or Administrative Council members for shepherding.

4. Coordinate circle activities as needed.

5. Maintain contact with the Pres WIC president.

6. Call annual evaluation meeting with the outgoing and incoming Administrative Councils, the Pastor, and a Session representative and any other special meetings as needed.

B.      The Vice-President shall:  

1. Preside in the absence of the president.

2. Fill the un-expired term of the president in the event of her resignation.

3. Assist the President as requested.

C.  The Secretary shall:

1.        Record the minutes of the Administrative Council and general meetings.

2.        Prepare notices of meetings in bulletins, church newsletters or local newspapers as needed.

3.        Coordinate publicity for the Women in the Church.

4.        Attend to correspondence as directed by the President.

5.        Send names and addresses of WIC council members to the office of Christian Education and Publications and to the PresWIC president.

6.        Record and submit the history of the organization of the Women of the Church for the calendar year.

II.    Women’s Ministry Chairmen

A.  General Responsibilities.  The primary responsibility of each Women’s Ministry Chairman is to pray for, oversee, plan, and evaluate their ministry area.  The ministry areas are Evangelism and Missions, Devotion, Fellowship, Discipleship, and Service. The special responsibilities for each ministry area are described under the section dealing with that ministry. The Ministry Chairmen:

1.        Encourage and equip the women to minister to others using the spiritual gifts, talents, temperament, and calling God has given them. 

2.        Look where God is working and join Him in selecting ministries.

3.     Pray and study God’s Word to seek His direction.  They evaluate recommendations for new ministries, ensure that ministries have leaders, check on ministry progress, and recommend discontinuance of fruitless ministries.

4.        Coordinate their plans with the Administrative Council.

5.        May delegate responsibilities for planning, administering, and executing ministries.

6.        May enlist the help of circles to administer certain ministries. 

B.        Evangelism and Missions.   The Women’s Ministry Chairman for Evangelism and Missions supports the Mission Committee by planning opportunities for the women to understand their Christian responsibilities beyond their own homes and congregation.  She helps the women be aware of everyone’s need for the saving grace of Jesus Christ and shows the women ways to reach them with the Gospel.  To this end, she will:    

1.        Represent Women in the Church on the Mission committee and organize the women to support the Mission committee plans and programs.

2.        Emphasize the evangelistic outreach of the church and provide opportunities for women to become involved in evangelism.

C.        Devotion.  The Women’s Ministry Chairman for Devotion develops a program of prayer and devotion opportunities.  To this end she will:

1.        Lead or provide leaders for a short devotional service at meetings as requested.

2.        Lead or provide leaders for music at meetings as requested.

3.        Coordinate and encourage participation in the Prayer Chain.

4.        Encourage daily private prayer and participation in a prayer group.

D.        Discipleship.  The Women’s Ministry Chairman for Discipleship develops a program of opportunities to emphasize the need for each woman to know Jesus Christ in a personal way as her Lord and as her Savior and to grow in Him.  To this end she will:

1.        Represent the Women in the Church on the Christian Education Committee.

2.        Help women to recognize that stewardship of themselves…time, talents, possessions, gifts…is an essential part of living one’s confession of faith and commitment to God.

3.        Ensure opportunities for Bible Study are provided.

4.        Encourage the women to disciple others.

5.        Encourage Biblical counseling.

6.        Encourage daily private Bible study and participation in group-Bible study.

7.        Advise Administrative Council about national WIC circle programs and curriculum.

E.        Fellowship.   The Women’s Ministry Chairman for Fellowship develops a program of fellowship opportunities to promote Christian love and friendship.  To this end she will:

1.        Promote opportunities for fellowship among the Women in the Church, the Church, and the denomination

2.        Oversee the planning and coordination of Women’s Retreats.

3.        Oversee the coordination of attendance at WIC conferences.

4.        Oversee the coordination of baby and bridal showers.

5.        Oversee the hospitality ministry and church receptions.

6.        Encourages visitation of the members of the church who are sick or lonely.

F.     Service.  The Women’s Ministry Chairman for Service develops a program of service opportunities that minister to the needs of the congregation and the community.  She endeavors to develop in each woman the desire to give of herself in love and service in accordance with her gifts and talents.  To this end she will:

1.        Assist the Diaconate in meeting the needs of those in the congregation and beyond.

2.        Promote cooperation in community service projects.

3.        Oversee Service ministries such as:

a.     Meal Ministry

b.     Nursery

c.     Food Closet

ARTICLE IV--Administrative Council

 I.  Purpose.  To oversee, plan, and evaluate the WIC’s role in support of the overall ministry of the Church.

II. Membership.  The Administrative Officers and the Women’s Ministry Chairmen shall constitute the voting members of the Administrative Council of the Women in the Church. Circle Leaders are encouraged to attend all Administrative Council Meetings to provide input on the needs of the women and the talents they can offer in ministry.  However, Circle Leaders are only required to attend one meeting a year to report on the progress of their circles.

III. Responsibilities.

A.      Understand the Constitution and Bylaws.

B.       Consider together the overall church program in order to plan ways for women to participate in the work of the congregation. 

C.       Consult and work with the Session so that the total ministry and calendar of the Church will be coordinated.

D.      Appoint a nominating committee at the beginning of the calendar year.

E.       Evaluate the program of the women’s work as it is being carried out.

F.       Plan general meetings.

G.       Provide WIC information to the circles.

H.      Hear reports from the circles.

I.         Attend the annual evaluation meeting.

J.        Maintain contact with the PresWIC organization. 

 ARTICLE V--Circles

 I.         Purpose.   To provide opportunities to minister personally to one another’s needs for fellowship, prayer, Bible study, service, and support.

II.       Membership. 

A.      All members of the Women in the Church are also members of a Circle.

B.       Women may choose the circle that is most convenient for them to attend.  Those who do not select a circle will be assigned to a circle so that they may be encouraged personally to become active in the ministry of the church and may personally be offered opportunities for fellowship, prayer, Bible Study, service, and support.

III.   Meetings.

A.    Circles shall be offered at various times of the day, days of the week, and locations to meet the needs of as many women as possible.

B.    Circle meetings should provide for the following key activities:

1.        Prayer

2.        Bible study/Devotion

3.        Fellowship

4.        Share WIC information

C.       Various types of circles may be formed to meet the needs of the women; (e.g., Missionary Circle, Young Mothers’ Circle, Sewing Circle, Evangelism Circle, Working Women’s Circle, and Prayer Circle.)

IV.   Leadership.

A.      Circle leadership includes Circle Leaders, Co-Leaders, and Bible Leaders. Circle Leaders and Bible Leaders are appointed by the Administrative Council and are pre-approved by the Session. Co-Leaders may be appointed by the Circle Leader to perform her duties in her absence and shall be pre-approved by the Session.

B.       The term of office for circle leadership is one year.  Leaders may serve multiple terms of office and may serve in more than one leadership position at a time.

C.       Bible leadership may be rotated according to the needs of the circle.

D.      Circle Leaders shall:

1.        Preside at all circle meetings.

2.        Work with the Administrative Council in praying for, planning, coordinating, and evaluating the work of the circles.

3.        Work together with the women in their circles to offer spiritual and physical support to the members.

4.        Encourage women in their circles to be aware of their need to minister to others using the spiritual gifts, talents, temperament, and calling God has given them.

5.        Attend at least one Administrative Council meeting to report on the progress of their circle.

 ARTICLE VI--Meetings 

I.         Administrative Council.

A.      The Administrative Council will meet at least quarterly to plan and coordinate ministry.

B.       The Administrative Council shall schedule all meetings and shall determine the items of business to be presented to the Women for their consideration.

3. Regular meetings of the Administrative Council shall precede general meetings. 

II.       Evaluation Meeting.  At the end of the year, the outgoing and incoming Councils meet jointly with the Pastor and/or a Session representative to evaluate the work of the past year and to plan how best to meet the needs of the women for the year ahead.

III.     Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of the Women in the Church will be held in September to conduct new officer installations.

IV.    General Meetings.   General meetings will be held at least once a quarter, and should follow an Order of Business.

V.      Circle Meetings.   See Article V., paragraph III. Meetings.

VI.    Special Meetings.   With due notice having been given to the Administrative Council and to the Session, special meetings of the Women in the Church may be called by the President or by written request of five or more members.

 ARTICLE VII--Quorum 

I.  General and Annual Meetings.  Ten percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of voting, provided there is a majority of the Administrative Council members present.

II. Administrative Council.  A majority of the Administrative Council members shall constitute a quorum for the Administrative Council.       

ARTICLE VIII--Parliamentary Authority 

Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, is used as a guide to procedure.

 ARTICLE IX--Amendments 

I.  These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Women in the Church by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given at a previous General Meeting.

II.  All such proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing, signed by two members, and approved by the Session.