2008

By-Laws of

THE RURAL MINISTRIES NETWORK

Adopted the Board of Directors, June 9, 2004,

Amended 2006 and November 13, 2008

 

Article I

Name and Identity

 The Rural Ministries Network, Inc. is a of community laity and clergy of the Episcopal Church in The United States and of The Anglican Church of Canada, but not exclusive to the foregoing.

 

Article II

Purposes

 

A. To promote effective Christian ministries in rural and small town areas through: (1) educational methods of study and training, (2) advocacy and promotional efforts, and (3) support and encouragement of fellowship among its members.

 B. To work closely with, and give support to Congregational Vitality Program Officer on the National Staff of The Episcopal Church and to the similar officer of the Anglican Church in Canada.

 C. To further these purposes by (1) Publishing a quarterly periodical to be mailed to all members, (2) maintaining a Web Site for general information and circulation of news of interest, (3) by enrolling members on a Prayer Cycle for their use in sharing information and remembering each other in Prayer, and (4) by sponsoring educational events to advance rural ministry.

 

Article III

Governance

 

A. The organization shall be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of at least eight members to be elected by the Board for terms of four (4) years. Nominations for the Board may be made by the general membership as announced through the Quarterly Periodical and the Web Site.

 B. Board members so elected may not be re-elected to a four-year term until at least one year has elapsed from the previous four-year term.

 C. Other persons may be invited to be Ad Hoc members of the Board with voice but no vote. Such would be the National Staff persons for Rural and Small Town Ministries, and a Bishop to be appointed by the President to serve as Honorary President of RMN. The Editor of the Quarterly Periodical will also serve as an Ad Hoc member.

 D. The Board shall each year at its Annual Meeting, elect from its membership the following officers for one-year terms: a President, a Vice President, and a Secretary. All these officers are eligible for re-election. The Board will also appoint (not necessarily from its membership) a Treasurer, a Membership Secretary, and a Prayer Cycle Secretary who will serve at the pleasure of the Board and may be invited to meet with the Board with voice but no vote.

 E. Should a vacancy occur in the Membership of the Board or in any of the appointed offices, the President, with the approval of the Board, shall appoint a member to fill the vacancy until the next election.

 F. A Quorum to do business at Board Meetings will be one more than half of the members of the Board and at least one Officer.

 G. The Board must meet annually in person, by teleconference, or electronically. If the Board is to meet electronically, the President is to mail Board members two weeks in advance of the meeting, an agenda and any other pertinent material for their consideration. Minutes of Board meetings are to be kept by the Secretary and distributed to Board members with a summary of Minutes to be published in the Quarterly Periodical and on the Web Site.

 H.  Members of the board may resign formally with a letter of resignation or informally by failing to attend any meeting of the Board during a single calendar year.

 I.  Both the fiscal year of RMN and the operating year of the Board are Jan. 1-Dec. 31, the calendar year.

 

Article IV

Membership

 

A. Anyone in either Canada or the United State who agrees to support the Purposes of RMN is eligible for membership. Active members must pay annual dues as set by the Board of Directors. One year complimentary membership may be offered to newly elected Bishops with the understanding that they are to pay regular dues after being notified at the end of one year.

 B. The membership Secretary shall notify members when dues are to be renewed.

 C. If the member does not respond after two notices that dues are due, the membership shall be canceled.

 D. All members are entitled to receive the Quarterly Publication, and to have their names placed on the Prayer Cycle.

 

Article V

Finances

 

A. The treasurer shall be bonded and so recorded to the President. The Treasurer must send a quarterly report of current expenditures and income to the President who will share it with the Board of Directors The Treasurer shall also make an annual report concerning the RMN Endowment Foundation. The Board has authority to reinvest Endowment funds if necessary.

 B. The Board of Directors shall make an annual budget estimating income and expenses for the year ahead and shall manage the financial affairs of the organization.

 

Article VI

Amendments

 

A. These By Laws may be amended by majority vote at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors. Members of the Board should be furnished with a written proposal of change at least two weeks prior to the Board Meeting.

 Last amended November 2008, checked May 5, 2010