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ARTICLE I
Sec. 1 This organization shall be known as the Northeast Church of God.
Sec. 2 The organization shall maintain its headquarters at a place designated by the church board subject to the approval of the congregation.
Sec. 3 It shall be resolved that no unordained individual shall have any powers of administration over this body without the consent of the congregation. Further, that unordained persons who preach or otherwise conduct spiritual matters from the pulpit or from within or amongst the congregation, may be considered as having the gift of teaching, but that it in no wise may be considered as having any preeminence over the brethern.
ARTICLE II
OBJECTIVES
Sec. 1 The objectives of the NECG shall be as follows:
a. To learn and grow in love and fellowship with Jesus Christ according to the law of God. b. To spread the true gospel of Christ to the world with by what ever means God makes available to us. c. To prepare ourselves individually and collectively to assist our brethern and those in need by whatever means are available to us.
Sec. 2 Worship services are open to all persons reguardless of age, who wish to attend. The Church reserves the right to remove any person who is disruptive to the worshop service.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Sec. 1 Membership is open to all persons over the age of 16 yrs who have signed a confirmation of the statement of beliefs, whether or not they are baptized.
Sec. 2 All persons who are baptized and are members of this congregation, and who are not affiliated with any other congregation are eligible to vote and hold office.
Sec. 3 The disfellowship of any bona fida member of the Church of God is considered to be the result of specifically outlined sins, false teachings, sedition or heresies contained in scripture, and is considered a “last resort”, when all other scriptural injunctions have failed, in attempting to convict an errant member of his/her erroneous ways, in the hopes such person or persons will repent of their sinful attitudes. (Cite: Matt 18:15-17, Gal 6:1) There are few specific sins which require disfellowship in scripture, and even these are sins which are persisted in, such as incest (I Cor 5:1), which, in the sight of God, is one of the monst heinous and detestable of all sins; and the sin of deliberately causing divisions and offenses. (Rom 16:17) In all cases, disfellowshipment is seen by the church as the ultimate and final part of a scripturally required procedure, beginning with the most earnest and sincere attempts of beloved brothers to solve problems between themselves, and escalating, as required by Jesus’ instructions in Matt 18, until the offending person proves unrepentant, and such disputes need come to the attention of church officials for disposition. It is hoped the offending party will soon recover, and following full repentance, be reinstated into the joys of the Lord, and the fullest fellowship with the church.
ARTICLE IV
ORGANIZATION
Sec. 1 Executive Board. The Executive Board shall consist of the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, steward, and such others as may be installed by election.
Sec. 2 That during the time between elections, the administrative powers shall be vested in the executive board. The Board shall have power to make rules to govern matters not in conflict with this constitution.
Sec. 3 However, should a matter of controversy arise, any three members in good standing within the congregation who object to any Board decision, may bring their objection before the Board by written instrument and may call for a general vote church wide on the matter in question. Results of said vote will be considered binding.
Sec. 4 Term of Office. The term of office in this congregation shall be for one (1) continuous year, provided that said officers do not resign or are not removed for cause. Said term shall commence immediately upon the posting of the new election results pursuant to Article VI, Sec. 5. of this constitution and shall terminate at the posting of the succeeding election results. No person may be elected to the office of President for more than two consecutive terms.
Sec. 5 Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the NECG shall terminate on the 31st day of December of each year; and begin on the first (1st) day of January of the following year.
Sec. 6 Quorum: A quorum shall consist of two thirds (2/3) of the total membership and shall be necessary for any business to be transacted at any meeting of the membership.
ARTICLE V
REVENUES
Sec. 1 The financial records of the NECG shall be kept on a fiscal year basis. The treasurer shall conduct an audit on an annual basis and a copy of such audit shall be furnished to the Board and made available to the Congregation membership no later that 45 days after the close of the fiscal year.
Sec. 2 Revenue of the NECG shall be derived from contributions, tithes, donations and free will offerings or from such other sources as may be suggested by the membership at a regular or special meeting.
Sec. 3 The treasurer of the NECG shall upon written request of any five (5) members, provide an audit to said members within four (4) weeks of said request.
Sec. 4 The financial structure of the NECG shall not be changed without a majority vote of the total membership eligible to vote. Said majority shall consist of a minimum two thirds (2/3).
Sec. 5 No monies received by way of donations, tithes, contributions and/or free will offerings, and no monies of any agency shall be contributed, accepted or applied to promote the candidacy of any person in an election.
Sec. 6 Disbursement of Monies: No disbursement of funds above the amount of $25.00 may be accomplished without a simple majority consent of the congregation.
ARTICLE VI
ELECTIONS - VOTING
Sec. 1 Election of Office Holders: Elections shall be held not less than once every year.
Sec. 2 Each member eligible to vote shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
Sec. 3 Not less than fifteen days prior to an election, ballot notice thereof shall be mailed by the secretary to each member at his last known address, or presented at regular Sabbath services. Said notice shall consist of the time, date and location of the election and shall also contain a list of candidates and offices said candidates are running for. Every baptized member in good standing shall be eligible to be a candidate, and to hold office and shall have the right to vote for, or otherwise support the candidate or candidates of his/her choice without being subject to reprisal of any kind by the congregation or any member thereof. Nomination of candidates for office shall be held at a meeting of the membership prior to the election/ballot but in no case later than forty-five (45) days before said election.
Sec. 4 Voting shall be accomplished by secret ballot at open meeting of the congregation. Proxy votes shall be honored from members not in attendance provided such ballots are written, signed by the member, and delivered in a sealed envelope to the secretary prior to the vote.
Sec. 5 Votes cast shall be counted by the president, secretary and one lay person from the congregation chosen by lot...Immediately after the election the results shall then be presented to the congregation.
Sec. 6 All records pertaining to an election/ballot shall be preserved for a period of two years and shall be in the care and custody of the secretary for this period. Records pertaining to an election/ballot may be destroyed after two years provided that a motion from the floor at a regular meeting is made to do so and that a two-thirds majority of the members attending such meeting vote to destroy said election records.
Sec. 7 All members of the Executive Board of the NECG shall be elected by a majority vote of the membership. The election shall be by secret ballot in accordance with Article VI, Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 of this constitution.
Sec. 8 All matters and business requiring a vote/ballot by the entire membership shall be determined by secret ballot as set forth in Article VI, Sections 2, 3, 4, 5 , & 6. A majority shall rule.
Sec. 9 Decisions concerning matters and business of a routine nature within the NEGC where a vote by the membership is determined by a majority of the Board Members to be unnecessary, shall be decided by a majority vote of the executive board. The president’s vote shall be the tie breaking vote. Said decisions shall be then brought before the membership and presented at the first regular meeting following said decision. Should any disagreement regarding the decision arise from any member, the matter will be decided by a majority vote of the members attending said meeting who are eligible to vote.
Sec 10 Should the president of the board resign, expire or be dismissed for cause, the vice president shall immediately assume the presidency until such time as a new president is elected in accordance with Article VI, sections 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 of this constitution.
Sec 11 Should any office holder of the executive board other than the president resign his or her position, expire or be dismissed for cause, the president shall temporarily appoint another member of good standing to fill the vacant position with in seven days. Said vacant position will then be filled by election process and set forth in Article VI, Sections 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 of this constitution, but in no case later than ninety says after such vacancy occurs. Said temporary appointee shall not be an existing officer.
ARTICLE VII
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Sec. 1 Regular Meetings: The executive board shall attempt to hold a regular meeting of the membership once every three months (quarterly).
Sec. 2 Agenda: Not less than seven days prior to a regular meeting of the membership; notice thereof shall be dispersed to the congregation via phone, Sabbath announcement or by special mailing. Said notice shall consist of the time, day, and location of said meeting and shall also contain the items or business to be discussed or voted upon. No business other than the items posted shall be discussed until said business is disposed of. New Business not posted on the agenda may be brought up for discussion, but not voted upon until the next regular or special meeting.
Sec. 3 Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called when deemed necessary by any two members of the congregation. In any case, there must be in attendance at least one member of the executive board and a quorum of the membership present for any business to be transacted. Notification of special meetings may be done by sending an agenda or via phone calls to members or by request submitted through the worship leader for the announcement at regular worship services. No meeting shall be held on a High Sabbath except in extreme emergency.
Sec. 4 Emergency Meetings: Emergency meetings may be accomplished on the off Sabbaths via telephone communication between the Norwalk and East Hartland fellowship groups. In which case the local hosts or other mutually acceptable person of the respective groups shall act as liaisons facilitating communication and dispensing the necessary information.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
Sec. 1 Amendments to the Constitutions and By-Laws may be proposed by any member in good standing, provided said amendment is in writing and forwarded to the secretary. Said proposal shall be posted on the agenda for the following regular membership meeting and discussed during new business. The proposal shall be voted upon at the second regular membership meeting following its receipt by the secretary. A special meeting may be called for discussion of the proposed amendment, however said amendment may not be passed or rejected at said special meeting.
Sec. 2 There shall be no deletions, subtractions, additions, or changes in part or whole to this constitution except at a regular meeting of the membership in which a two thirds majority of the members eligible to vote who attend such meeting approve such change or changes and any amendments so made, unless otherwise provided shall be come effective immediately upon adoption.
Sec. 3 No resolution or amendment adopted by a vote/ballot or the membership may be appealed or amended within six months after adoption..
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