BY-LAWS
PREAMBLE
We, the National Baptist Laymen’s Movement, an auxiliary of the National
Baptist Convention USA, Inc., have united together to demonstrate more
fully the essential oneness of Baptist Men in the Lord Jesus Christ; to
promote a Spirit of fellowship, service and cooperation among its members;
to cultivate and transmit the Spirit of Stewardship.
To serve as a fellowship and training of Baptist Men in Mission and other
areas needed. The function of Laymen in the National Baptist Convention
USA, Inc.; however, shall not be limited to the National Baptist Laymen’s
Movement.
ARTICLE
I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be the National Baptist Laymen’s
Movement, an auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.
ARTICLE
II – PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization shall be:
Section 1
To enlist all men in the local Churches of
the NBCUSA, Inc. in definite efforts to promote the welfare and program
of the local Church and its outreach programs.
Section 2
To mobilize and involve the total Manpower
of all member Churches as a working force to support the programs, ministries
and activities recommended by the Pastor and official Board of the Church.
Section 3
To increase the growth and Spiritual Vision
of the Laymen of the Church through rededication and consecration of the
several abilities possessed by each Layman to reach defined objectives
for Christ and to spread the Word of God.
Section 4
To strive diligently to encourage Laymen to
unceasingly and untiringly commit themselves to totally support the objectives,
programs, activities and ministries of the National Baptist Laymen’s Movement
and the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.; financially, numerically
and Spiritually.
Section 5
To actively support the programs and ministries
of the local Churches, District Associations and State Conventions with
special emphasis upon the sponsoring of Junior Laymen work, missions,
evangelistic work and the support of our pastors and local Church ministries.
ARTICLE
III – DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM
Section 1
Registration
fees for messengers, delegates,
persons, local Churches,
District Associations
and State Conventions
will be assessed at three
annual sessions where
the convention convenes.
Messengers, delegates,
persons, local Churches,
District Associations
and State Conventions
are encouraged to register
at each session to remain
in good standing and to
receive all privileges
granted to those who comply
with the financial arrangements.
Section 2
The National Baptist Laymen’s Movement Discipleship
program shall be composed of representatives of Churches, District Associations
and State Conventions officially recognized by the National Baptist Convention
USA, Inc.
Section 3
The National Baptist Laymen’s Movement is
primarily a fellowship and is governed by the Parent body and those appointed
in leadership positions; therefore, discipleship assessments does not
give the individual member or group of individual members equity or special
rights. Contributions made to the Laymen’s auxiliary are designed to meet
the expenses of the auxiliary and assist in its work in general and cannot
be construed as an investment in the auxiliary.
Section 4
The questions of rights and privileges of
the discipleship program are settled only by the Executive Committee.
No member or group of members of the auxiliary shall have the right to
use the Civil Courts to settle matters regarding discipleship rights and
auxiliary procedures. In these matters, the Convention is the Supreme
Court from which there is no appeal. The majority vote of eligible persons
present and voting is therefore binding on the individual and auxiliary.
ARTICLE
IV – OFFICERS
Section 1
The officers of the National Laymen’s Movement
shall consist of Officers appointed by the Parent Body. The appointed
officers shall be the President, Vice president At-Large, Five Vice Presidents,
a General Secretary, a Recording Secretary and a Treasurer.
Section 2
The President will have the privilege and
discretion to appoint other Officers and Committee Chairpersons. Other
officers shall be the Assistant General Secretary, Assistant Recording
Secretary, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Vice Presidents.
Section 3
All Officers shall be members of Churches
of the NBCUSA, Inc. and in good standing in the National Baptist Laymen’s
Movement.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS
Section 4
All Officers shall be appointed to a five-year term and shall not be
eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.
Upon the lapse of one term, a member may seek and be eligible to serve
in the same office once held. This applies to all general offices.
ARTICLE
V – ALL OFFICERS AND THEIR
RESPONSIBILITIES
Section 1
The Officers of the National Baptist Laymen’s Movement shall be a President,
a Vice President At-Large, five Vice Presidents, , six Assistant Vice
Presidents, a General Secretary, an Assistant General Secretary, a Recording
Secretary, an Assistant Recording Secretary, a Treasurer and an Assistant
Treasurer.
PRESIDENT:
Presides over all meetings and is the leader in establishing
goals, objectives and general direction for the Movement. He will be responsible
for communicating with the President of the Convention and Board of Directors.
IS an ex-officio member of all departments, board, commissions and committees.
SHALL appoint all departments, boards, commissions and committees.
VICE PRESIDENT AT-LARGE:
SERVES for the President in his absence or inability to exercise the
duties of the office.
SHALL serve in the capacity of overseeing and promoting the Financial
Ministries of the National Baptist Laymen’s Movement.
First Vice President:
SHALL serve in the capacity of overseeing and promoting the Mission Ministries
of the National Baptist Laymen’s Movement.
Second Vice President:
SHALL serve in the capacity of overseeing and promoting the Educational
Ministries of the National Baptist Laymen’ Movement.
Third Vice President:
SHALL serve in the capacity of overseeing and promoting the Worship Ministries
of the National Baptist Laymen’s Movement.
Fourth Vice President:
SHALL serve in the capacity of overseeing and promoting the Social Ministries
of the National Baptist Laymen’s Movement.
ARTICLE
V – ALL OFFICERS AND THEIR
RESPONSIBILITIES
Fifth Vice President:
SHALL serve in the capacity of overseeing and promoting the Evangelistic
Ministries of the National Baptist Laymen’s Movement.
Assistant Vice President:
SHALL assist the Vice President in his responsibilities.
General Secretary:
SHALL serve in the capacity of overseeing and promoting the Secretarial
Ministries of the National Baptist Laymen’s Movement.
SHALL coordinate registrations and reporting with the
Financial Ministry of the National Baptist Laymen’s Movement.
SHALL keep a record of names, addresses and necessary information of
the members.
SHALL be responsible in communicating with the membership between sessions
and providing messengers with credentials.
SHALL be responsible for all programming.
Assistant General Secretary:
SHALL assist the General Secretary in his responsibilities.
Treasurer:
SHALL receive, give receipt and account for all monies
received on behalf of the National Baptist Laymen’s Movement and deposit
in the approved designated bank.
SHALL disburse monies under the direction of the President.
SHALL prepare upon request a complete financial report
to the President, Executive Committee, General Membership and the President
of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. and the National Board of
Directors.
SHALL be responsible for all financial books and records.
Assistant Treasurer:
SHALL assist the Treasurer in his responsibilities.
ARTICLE
V – ALL OFFICERS AND THEIR
REPONSIBILITIES
Recording Secretary:
SHALL serve as the recording officer of the National Baptist Laymen’s
Movement and oversee the recording of minutes and proceedings.
SHALL keep a permanent record in the daily journal of all proceedings
and reports by the General Body and all Ministries.
SHALL prepare daily minutes of all National Baptist
Laymen’s Movement’s meetings. The minutes will be approved by the National
Laymen President and presented to the National Convention President and
the National Convention General Secretary on a daily basis.
SHALL record all other meetings as assigned by the General Secretary.
Assistant Recording Secretary:
SHALL assist the Recording Secretary in his responsibilities.
ARTICLE
VI – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1
The Executive Committee shall be comprised of all appointed Officers
and three at-large members.
Section 2
It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee
to complete the unfinished business of the Movement and to adjust such
matters as may be referred to it by the General Body and to fill any vacancies
that may occur in the Organization between sessions.
Section 3
The Executive Committee shall approve the Annual Budget and recommend
such Budget to the General Body of the National Baptist Laymen’s Movement
to be recommended to the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. for approval.
ARTICLE
VII – AUTHORITY
Section 1
The National Baptist Laymen’s Movement is
an auxiliary to the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. and is directed
by the President of the Convention and Board of Directors. It maintains
supervisory control over all of its Departments, Boards, Commissions and
Committees. The auxiliary seeks no authority over the State Conventions,
District Associations or local Churches, except to serve as a model for
policy and practice and to provide resources for these bodies to accomplish
their tasks. The auxiliary will exert its influence on Laymen groups in
an effort to maintain a foundation based on biblical Doctrine.
ARTICLE
VIII – MEETINGS
The National Baptist Laymen’s Movement shall
hold an Annual Session and not less than two Board Meetings each year.
Section 1
The Annual Session shall be held yearly at
the same place and during the Annual Session of the National Baptist Convention
USA, Inc.
Section 2
The two Board Meetings of the National Baptist
Laymen’s Movement shall be the January Mid-Winter Board meeting and the
June Board meeting in the convening city of the National Baptist Congress
of Christian Education. A third Board meeting may be called at the Annual
Session in the city where the NBCUSA, Inc. Annual Session is held.
ARTICLE
IX – AMENDMENTS
The By-Laws of this organization may be amended
at any Annual Meeting by a two-thirds vote of registered Officers and
Messengers provided such changes are presented in the form of a written
resolution to the Executive Committee before the first day of the meeting.
All approved Amendments must be recommended to the National Baptist Convention,
USA, Inc. for final approval.
ARTICLE
X – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition
of Robert’s Rules of Order
newly Revised shall be
as a guide in governing
the National Baptist Laymen’s
Movement in all cases
to which they are applicable
and in which they are
not inconsistent with
these by-laws and any
special rules of order
that the Executive Committee
may adopt. The Bible will
be the final authority
on all matters.
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