Chapter 11. OFFICERS

The Model Constitution tries to accommodate many different structures, but the result is this chapter is both awkwardly written and unable to address every scenario.

The main purpose of this rewrite is to make it easier to specify differing requirements for election, term lengths, term limits, etc. for different officers. The language is based on the wording found in the Model Constitution.

This rewrite is based on patterns found in ELCA governing documents. ELCA Chapter 13. Synod Chapter 8.

C11.01.

This congregation must have the following officers:

a.

president;

b.

vice president;

c.

secretary;

d.

treasurer.

C11.02.

Officers of this congregation must serve similar offices of the Congregation Council.

C11.03.

The officers must be elected by written ballot.

C11.04.

The terms of the officers must begin at the close of the [congregation][Congregation Council] meeting at which they are elected.

OR

The terms of the officers must begin on ______ (month and day) and end on ______ (month and day).

C11.05.

Officers must not hold more than one office at a time.

C11.06-09.

Insert provisions for permanent or temporary vacancies. Synod Chapter 8.55-58.

C11.10.

PRESIDENT

C11.11.

The pastor must be ex officio president of this congregation and the Congregation Council.

OR

The president must be elected by [this congregation][the Congregation Council] from among the voting membership of [this congregation][the Congregation Council] to a one-year term and serve until a successor takes office. The president must not serve more than two consecutive terms.

C11.12.

The president must be a [ex officio][voting] member of the Congregation Council.

C11.13.

Duties of the president must be specified in the bylaws.

C11.20.

VICE PRESIDENT

C11.21.

The vice president must be elected by [this congregation][the Congregation Council] from among the voting membership of [this congregation][the Congregation Council] to a one-year term and serve until a successor takes office. The vice president must not serve more than two consecutive terms.

C11.22.

The vice president must be a [ex officio][voting] member of the Congregation Council.

C11.23.

Duties of the vice president must be specified in the bylaws.

C11.30.

SECRETARY

C11.31.

The secretary must be elected by [this congregation][the Congregation Council] from among the voting membership of [this congregation][the Congregation Council] to a one-year term and serve until a successor takes office. The secretary must not serve more than two consecutive terms.

C11.32.

The secretary must be a [ex officio][voting] member of the Congregation Council.

C11.33.

Duties of the secretary must be specified in the bylaws.

C11.40.

TREASURER

C11.41.

The treasurer must be elected by [this congregation][the Congregation Council] from among the voting membership of [this congregation][the Congregation Council] to a one-year term and serve until a successor takes office. The treasurer must not serve more than two consecutive terms.

C11.42.

The treasurer must be a [ex officio][voting] member of the Congregation Council.

OR

The treasurer must have voice but not vote at the meetings of the Congregation Council.

C11.43.

Duties of the treasurer must be specified in the bylaws.