PW of NBPC Constitution
ARTICLE I - Name
The name of this organization shall be Presbyterian Women of New Braunfels
Presbyterian Church.
ARTICLE II - Purpose
Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit,
We commit ourselves:
to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study,
to support the mission of the church worldwide,
to promote the spiritual and social welfare of our church,
to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.
ARTICLE III - Membership
Members shall be all those who choose to participate in or be supportive of PW
in any way. The membership shall be divided into small groups called Circles that meet regularly.
ARTICLE IV - Officers
Section 1. The officers of the PW shall be the Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Secretary, Treasurer and Historian. The Committee Chairs shall be: Ecumenical Missions, Leadership and Resource, Birthday Party, Sunshine, Food, Kitchen, Parlor, Church Christmas Decoration, Christmas Celebration and all Circle Chairs. These officers shall form the Executive Board. This Board shall meet at least ten times a year for the purpose of conducting the business of PW in the congregation. One third of the Executive Board membership shall constitute a quorum for a board meeting.
Section 2. The Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Secretary, Treasurer and Historian shall constitute an Executive Committee to meet all emergencies in the interim of Board meetings.
Section 3. The term of office shall be for one or two years but shall not exceed
two years. The exception shall be the Treasurer and Historian who may serve for multiple years if re-elected. The new officers shall be installed during a worship service or at the Summer Celebration Luncheon, whichever time is chosen by the board. Officers shall assume duties at the close of the gathering in August.
ARTICLE V - Duties of Officers
Section 1. The Moderator shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and at all gatherings of PW in the congregation and at all called special meetings. She shall receive all communications on behalf of the organization and shall be the direct link to PW in the Presbytery. The Moderator shall write a monthly article for the church newsletter informing all members of the activities of PW that month. She is to prepare the annual yearbook and have it mailed to all women of the congregation by the end of August. She, along with two other members shall represent New Braunfels Presbyterian Women at the local C.W.C.C. activities. She shall fill vacancies occurring in offices with the approval of the Executive Board, appoint special committees, invite new women members of the congregation to circle meetings and make changes in circles when necessary. She shall represent PW at regular session meetings two times each year or more often if requested.
Section 2. The Vice-Moderator shall preside in the absence of the Moderator or at her request. If the office of Moderator becomes vacant between elections, she shall complete the Moderator’s term. She shall assist the Moderator as requested, and attend C.W.C.C. activities as a PW representative. The Vice-Moderator shall serve as Moderator-elect.
Section 3. The Secretary shall keep in permanent form, the minutes of the Executive Board meetings, Executive Committee meetings and at any special or called meeting. She shall conduct correspondence for the PW Board. She shall keep a record of Board attendance.
Section 4. The Treasurer shall have knowledge and understanding of all procedures regarding the receipts and disbursements of the operating funds of PW in the congregation. She shall receive all money of the PW, collect all special offerings and collect donations from the circles each month. She shall collect the Least Coin Offerings at the end of each year after the July combined circle meeting and send them to the treasurer of PW Mission Presbytery. She shall pay bills and disburse funds as directed by the Executive Board.
Section 5. The Historian shall collect and preserve items of historical interest both past and present pertaining to the work of the PW in the congregation. She shall write the history of the local PW and local congregation from year to year and send copies of this report to the Presbyterian Historian of Mission Presbytery and the Department of History in Montreat, N.C. She shall file one copy in the local historian file.
ARTICLE VI - Duties of Standing Committee Chair
Section 1. Ecumenical Missions and Relation Chair is coordinator with the mission field and sees that any request from them is considered. She plans and coordinates PW mission projects.
Section 2. Leadership and Resource Chair shall secure officers and all chairmen for the local PW and recommend them to be called to the leadership positions at the March Executive Board meeting. She is to ensure that each new officer and chair is given a copy of the local constitution and understands what her duties will be.
Section 3. Birthday Party Chair assists the members in deepening their personal faith as they grow in Christ. She shall arrange for a type of celebration in the month of May at which time the tradition of the PW Birthday Offering will be given. She is to ensure that the members are informed of the projects that are designated to receive the money by ordering the interpretative materials that are available through Presbytery.
Section 4. Sunshine Chair is responsible for supplying “sunshine” into someone’s life through cards, calls or visits.
Section 5. Food Chair is the meal coordinator in times of need whether illness, hospitalization, or death. (This latter only if the Session Committee does not prepare food before or after the funeral service.)
Section 6. Kitchen Chair is responsible for coordinating and checking for needs and insuring an orderly kitchen.
Section 7. Parlor Chair is responsible for coordinating and checking for an orderly parlor and closet.
Section 8. Circle Chair shall preside at circle meetings. She will be responsible for the selection of moderators and hostesses for the year. She will prepare and present to the PW Moderator that information and a complete roster of here circle in June so that the information can be included in the yearbook which all PW will receive in August. She will present a monthly report at the meeting of the Executive Board. She will bring back to her circle information from the board meetings. She may select a co-chair, treasurer, and a circle food chair. She keeps in touch with members of her circle and creates within the circle a joyous fellowship.
Section 9. Christmas Decoration Chair shall be in charge of the decorations for the church. She shall appoint chairs for the different areas of the church as she deems necessary. She will be responsible for making sure all the decorations are in good order and for replacing items that are no longer useable. She will request funds from the Executive Board to replace or add to the decorations. She shall see that all decorations are properly stored when they are taken down each year.
Section 10. Christmas Celebration Chair is responsible for planning and coordinating the Christmas Celebration as approved by the PW Board.
ARTICLE VII - Finances
Section 1. Our congregation operates under the unified budget system. PW is supported in part in the budget for special requests such as purchase of material and scholarships.
Section 2. Voluntary offerings shall be received at regular circle meetings. Special offerings shall be the Birthday Offering, Thank Offering and Least Coin Offering. Miscellaneous offerings such as Honorary Life Membership, Memorial Gifts and various mission opportunities can be voted on by the Executive Board,
Section 3. A circle or committee chair or officer shall get approval from the
Executive Board before assuming any financial responsibility for a project.
ARTICLE VIII - Honorary Life Membership
The Moderator shall name (in secret) a committee of three active PW who will select a Presbyterian woman or man who has been active for a significant number of years in New Braunfels Presbyterian Church. The honor will be presented for outstanding service and leadership and in recognition of faithful service in the PW organization. If a recipient is selected, they will be honored at the August gathering or a church service and will be presented with a pin and a certificate. The cost should be included in the PW budget.
ARTICLE IX - Amendments
These amendments can be amended at any combined meeting by a two-thirds vote of those members present and voting, provided notice of the proposed amendments have been submitted, in writing, to the members at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which they will be voted on. These by-laws may be suspended by a two-thirds vote of those members present and voting, provided notice of such suspension has been submitted in writing to the members thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which it will be voted on.
ARTICLE X - Parliamentary Authority
“Roberts Rules of Order” (newly revised) shall be parliamentary authority for the PW.
*Constitution revised June 2009.
The name of this organization shall be Presbyterian Women of New Braunfels
Presbyterian Church.
ARTICLE II - Purpose
Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit,
We commit ourselves:
to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study,
to support the mission of the church worldwide,
to promote the spiritual and social welfare of our church,
to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.
ARTICLE III - Membership
Members shall be all those who choose to participate in or be supportive of PW
in any way. The membership shall be divided into small groups called Circles that meet regularly.
ARTICLE IV - Officers
Section 1. The officers of the PW shall be the Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Secretary, Treasurer and Historian. The Committee Chairs shall be: Ecumenical Missions, Leadership and Resource, Birthday Party, Sunshine, Food, Kitchen, Parlor, Church Christmas Decoration, Christmas Celebration and all Circle Chairs. These officers shall form the Executive Board. This Board shall meet at least ten times a year for the purpose of conducting the business of PW in the congregation. One third of the Executive Board membership shall constitute a quorum for a board meeting.
Section 2. The Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Secretary, Treasurer and Historian shall constitute an Executive Committee to meet all emergencies in the interim of Board meetings.
Section 3. The term of office shall be for one or two years but shall not exceed
two years. The exception shall be the Treasurer and Historian who may serve for multiple years if re-elected. The new officers shall be installed during a worship service or at the Summer Celebration Luncheon, whichever time is chosen by the board. Officers shall assume duties at the close of the gathering in August.
ARTICLE V - Duties of Officers
Section 1. The Moderator shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and at all gatherings of PW in the congregation and at all called special meetings. She shall receive all communications on behalf of the organization and shall be the direct link to PW in the Presbytery. The Moderator shall write a monthly article for the church newsletter informing all members of the activities of PW that month. She is to prepare the annual yearbook and have it mailed to all women of the congregation by the end of August. She, along with two other members shall represent New Braunfels Presbyterian Women at the local C.W.C.C. activities. She shall fill vacancies occurring in offices with the approval of the Executive Board, appoint special committees, invite new women members of the congregation to circle meetings and make changes in circles when necessary. She shall represent PW at regular session meetings two times each year or more often if requested.
Section 2. The Vice-Moderator shall preside in the absence of the Moderator or at her request. If the office of Moderator becomes vacant between elections, she shall complete the Moderator’s term. She shall assist the Moderator as requested, and attend C.W.C.C. activities as a PW representative. The Vice-Moderator shall serve as Moderator-elect.
Section 3. The Secretary shall keep in permanent form, the minutes of the Executive Board meetings, Executive Committee meetings and at any special or called meeting. She shall conduct correspondence for the PW Board. She shall keep a record of Board attendance.
Section 4. The Treasurer shall have knowledge and understanding of all procedures regarding the receipts and disbursements of the operating funds of PW in the congregation. She shall receive all money of the PW, collect all special offerings and collect donations from the circles each month. She shall collect the Least Coin Offerings at the end of each year after the July combined circle meeting and send them to the treasurer of PW Mission Presbytery. She shall pay bills and disburse funds as directed by the Executive Board.
Section 5. The Historian shall collect and preserve items of historical interest both past and present pertaining to the work of the PW in the congregation. She shall write the history of the local PW and local congregation from year to year and send copies of this report to the Presbyterian Historian of Mission Presbytery and the Department of History in Montreat, N.C. She shall file one copy in the local historian file.
ARTICLE VI - Duties of Standing Committee Chair
Section 1. Ecumenical Missions and Relation Chair is coordinator with the mission field and sees that any request from them is considered. She plans and coordinates PW mission projects.
Section 2. Leadership and Resource Chair shall secure officers and all chairmen for the local PW and recommend them to be called to the leadership positions at the March Executive Board meeting. She is to ensure that each new officer and chair is given a copy of the local constitution and understands what her duties will be.
Section 3. Birthday Party Chair assists the members in deepening their personal faith as they grow in Christ. She shall arrange for a type of celebration in the month of May at which time the tradition of the PW Birthday Offering will be given. She is to ensure that the members are informed of the projects that are designated to receive the money by ordering the interpretative materials that are available through Presbytery.
Section 4. Sunshine Chair is responsible for supplying “sunshine” into someone’s life through cards, calls or visits.
Section 5. Food Chair is the meal coordinator in times of need whether illness, hospitalization, or death. (This latter only if the Session Committee does not prepare food before or after the funeral service.)
Section 6. Kitchen Chair is responsible for coordinating and checking for needs and insuring an orderly kitchen.
Section 7. Parlor Chair is responsible for coordinating and checking for an orderly parlor and closet.
Section 8. Circle Chair shall preside at circle meetings. She will be responsible for the selection of moderators and hostesses for the year. She will prepare and present to the PW Moderator that information and a complete roster of here circle in June so that the information can be included in the yearbook which all PW will receive in August. She will present a monthly report at the meeting of the Executive Board. She will bring back to her circle information from the board meetings. She may select a co-chair, treasurer, and a circle food chair. She keeps in touch with members of her circle and creates within the circle a joyous fellowship.
Section 9. Christmas Decoration Chair shall be in charge of the decorations for the church. She shall appoint chairs for the different areas of the church as she deems necessary. She will be responsible for making sure all the decorations are in good order and for replacing items that are no longer useable. She will request funds from the Executive Board to replace or add to the decorations. She shall see that all decorations are properly stored when they are taken down each year.
Section 10. Christmas Celebration Chair is responsible for planning and coordinating the Christmas Celebration as approved by the PW Board.
ARTICLE VII - Finances
Section 1. Our congregation operates under the unified budget system. PW is supported in part in the budget for special requests such as purchase of material and scholarships.
Section 2. Voluntary offerings shall be received at regular circle meetings. Special offerings shall be the Birthday Offering, Thank Offering and Least Coin Offering. Miscellaneous offerings such as Honorary Life Membership, Memorial Gifts and various mission opportunities can be voted on by the Executive Board,
Section 3. A circle or committee chair or officer shall get approval from the
Executive Board before assuming any financial responsibility for a project.
ARTICLE VIII - Honorary Life Membership
The Moderator shall name (in secret) a committee of three active PW who will select a Presbyterian woman or man who has been active for a significant number of years in New Braunfels Presbyterian Church. The honor will be presented for outstanding service and leadership and in recognition of faithful service in the PW organization. If a recipient is selected, they will be honored at the August gathering or a church service and will be presented with a pin and a certificate. The cost should be included in the PW budget.
ARTICLE IX - Amendments
These amendments can be amended at any combined meeting by a two-thirds vote of those members present and voting, provided notice of the proposed amendments have been submitted, in writing, to the members at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which they will be voted on. These by-laws may be suspended by a two-thirds vote of those members present and voting, provided notice of such suspension has been submitted in writing to the members thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which it will be voted on.
ARTICLE X - Parliamentary Authority
“Roberts Rules of Order” (newly revised) shall be parliamentary authority for the PW.
*Constitution revised June 2009.