This is how we formatted our constitution.
Codification refers to how constitutional provisions, bylaws, and continuing resolutions are formatted. The ELCA Constitution starts with a codification explanation. Following its lead, congregation constitutions should have a codification explanation as well. Place the constitution's codification explanation after the Title Page and before the Preamble.
The Model Constitution's introduction has a lot of information regarding codification, though significant modification would be required to turn it into your codification explanation.
The following example, based on the codification explanation to the ELCA Constitution, could be used for congregations that include bylaws and continuing resolutions inline with constitutional provisions.
The provisions of the Constitution, the Bylaws, and the Continuing Resolutions that pertain to the same matter have been placed together. This arrangement requires that the three types of material be identified by means other than physical separation.
The three types of provisions are identified by the following devices:
Major sections are designated as chapters. The chapters are numbered starting at 1. The chapter designation becomes the first number in the codification sequence and is preceded by a "C" followed by a period. Thus provisions in "Chapter 10. Congregation Meeting" are preceded by "C10.".
General subjects normally are titled and designated by a number ending in zero. Thus, a subdivision of Chapter 15 that contains provisions regarding Adjudication is codified and titled "C15.10. Adjudication. When subjects that are bylaw provisions only are titled, the same principles would apply within the third number sequence, e.g., C12.01.10. Removal of a Council Member.
Constitutional provisions are codified with two sets of numbers, the chapter number and a two-digit number preceding the second period in the codification. Thus, one constitutional provision is C1.01.
Some constitutional provisions are mandatory and must conform to the provisions as found in the Model Constitution for Congregations without alteration or amendment of the text in any manner. If a constitutional provision is mandatory, it will be preceded by an asterisk, "*C.". This requirement is based on provision 9.52. in the Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Bylaw provisions are codified with three sets of numbers: the chapter number; the related constitutional provision number; and a two-digit bylaw number. Thus, one bylaw provision may be codified as C13.05.01.
Continuing resolutions also are codified with three sets of numbers except that the third set is preceded by a capital letter. Thus, a continuing resolution might be numbered 12. to designate the chapter; C12.11. to designate the subject matter within the chapter; and the third set might be numbered A07. in the codification C12.11.A07. to indicate by the "A" that it is the first continuing resolution regarding that subject and by the "07" that it was adopted in 2007.
When many related provisions are parts of a unit that are considered inseparable, they normally are lettered "a," "b," "c," etc. When related provisions are part of a unit but considered separable, such as a list of duties, they are normally numbered in sequence. If the related provisions cannot be clearly judged to be separable or inseparable, preference will be given to a number sequence.
If chapter numbers are considered the major sequence number, constitution numbers as a fraction of the chapter number, and bylaw numbers as a fraction of the constitution number, then the codification follows a progressive sequence. Thus, C10.01. will precede C10.01.01., and C10.01.01. will precede C10.02.
In these governing documents, "Church" with a capital letter is used in references to the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. In references to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the words "church" and "this church" in lower case letters are employed.
The following example, based on the codification explanation to the ELCA Constitution, could be used for congregations that do not include bylaws and continuing resolutions within the constitution.
Major sections are designated as chapters. The chapters are numbered starting at 1. The chapter designation becomes the first number in the codification sequence and is preceded by a "C" followed by a period. Thus provisions in "Chapter 10. Congregation Meeting" are preceded by "C10.".
General subjects normally are titled and designated by a number ending in zero. Thus, a subdivision of Chapter 15 that contains provisions regarding Adjudication is codified and titled "C15.10. Adjudication. When subjects that are bylaw provisions only are titled, the same principles would apply within the third number sequence, e.g., C12.01.10. Removal of a Council Member.
Constitutional provisions are codified with two sets of numbers, the chapter number and a two-digit number preceding the second period in the codification. Thus, one constitutional provision is C1.01.
Some constitutional provisions are mandatory and must conform to the provisions as found in the Model Constitution for Congregations without alteration or amendment of the text in any manner. If a constitutional provision is mandatory, it will be preceded by an asterisk, "*C.". This requirement is based on provision 9.52. in the Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
When many related provisions are parts of a unit that are considered inseparable, they normally are lettered "a," "b," "c," etc. When related provisions are part of a unit but considered separable, such as a list of duties, they are normally numbered in sequence. If the related provisions cannot be clearly judged to be separable or inseparable, preference will be given to a number sequence.
In these governing documents, "Church" with a capital letter is used in references to the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. In references to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the words "church" and "this church" in lower case letters are employed.