BY-LAWS OF THE SHOALS EMMAUS CLUSTER

 

 

ARTICLE I - NAME

 

The name of this Cluster shall be the Shoals Emmaus Cluster of the Alabama Emmaus Community, North Alabama Conference, United Methodist Church, hereinafter referred to as the Shoals Cluster.

 

 

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVE

 

The objective of this Cluster shall be to help sustain renewal experienced on the Emmaus Walk by inspiring, challenging, and equipping members for Christian action in their homes, churches, place of work, and communities.

 

 

ARTICLE III - RELATIONSHIPS

 

Alabama Emmaus Community - The Shoals Cluster is one of several regional groups of Fourth Day pilgrims, established by the Alabama Emmaus Community and is subject to the By-Laws and Standing Rules of that Community.

 

Other Communities - The Shoals Cluster will, to the extent possible, and as determined by the Board of Directors, respond to requests for support for any Walk to Emmaus, Kairos, Cursillo, Tres Dias, Chrysalis, or other expressions of this three-day experience that are recognized by the National Emmaus Movement.

 

 

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

 

All persons who have completed a Walk to Emmaus, or similar expression of this three-day experience, e.g., Cursillo, Kairos, Tres Dias, Chrysalis, etc., and who express a desire for membership, shall be members of the Shoals Cluster.

 

ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  1. Direction of the Cluster shall be vested in an ecumenical Board of Directors.

 

  1. The following directors shall be nominated by the Committee on Nominations, approved by the Cluster Board, and elected by Cluster members at a regularly scheduled Cluster meeting for the month of October:
    1. Cluster Lay Director - 1-year term
    2. Assistant Cluster Lay Director - 1-year term
    3. Secretary - 1-year term
    4. Treasurer - minimal 1-year term
    5. Music Chairperson - minimal 1-year term
    6. Agape Chairperson - 1-year term
    7. 72-Hour Prayer Vigil Chairperson - minimal 1-year term
    8. Communications Coordinator - minimal 1-year term
    9. Cluster Coordinator - 1-year term
    10. Sponsorship Chairperson - 1-year term
    11. Reunion Group Coordinator - minimal 2 year term
    12. Database Coordinator - minimal 2-year term

These directors will commit to serve the term indicated. Those directors with minimal terms will commit to the term indicated. However, these terms may be extended at the discretion of the Nominating Committee, with approval of the Board, and consent of the incumbent.

 

  1. The following directors shall be nominated and elected by the Board of Directors at the June meeting. Their term of office will run from election through May of the following year. Nominees for these positions shall be full-time ordained clergy.
    1. Spiritual Director
    2. Assistant Spiritual Director

 

  1. The Cluster Lay Director shall serve as Chairperson of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the Chairperson, Board Meetings will be chaired in the following order: Assistant Lay Director, Secretary, Treasurer.

 

  1. The Board shall meet monthly, unless otherwise ordered by a two-thirds vote of the Board at a duly scheduled meeting. The Chairperson may convene a called meeting at anytime, or when requested by eight or more members of the Board, by notifying all Board members.

 

  1. A simple majority of Board members present at a scheduled or duly called meeting shall constitute a quorum.

 

  1. The following shall serve as ex-officio members of the Board:
    1. Immediate past Cluster Lay Director/Board Chairperson will serve for one additional year.
    2. Any Alabama Community Board member residing in the Shoals Cluster area.
    3. The Cluster Newsletter Editor

 

  1. Upon nomination of the Chairperson, the Board may elect persons to fill vacancies on the Board until the next regular election.

 

  1. Any voting member of the Board, if absent THREE meetings in a calendar year without an explanation to the Board Chairperson, shall be subject to replacement by majority vote of the Board.

 

  1. Responsibilities of members of the Board of Directors are as outlined in Appendix A.

 

 

ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES

 

  1. The following are Standing Committees of the Cluster

 

  1. Nominating
  2. Refreshments
  3. Worship
  4. Kairos Liaison
  5. Cleopas Connection
  6. Information Center
  7. Web master

 

  1. Except for the Nominating Committee (See Appendix B), all Committee Chairpersons and members are appointed by the Cluster Lay Director with approval of a majority of Board members present at the meeting when appointments are proposed.

 

  1. Ad Hoc committees may be established by the Cluster Lay Director with approval of a majority of Board members present at the meeting when the committees are proposed.

 

  1. Appointments are normally for a minimum of one year, but may be extended at the discretion of the current Cluster Lay Director, with the approval of the Board, and with the consent of the incumbent.

 

  1. The Cluster Lay Director serves as an ex officio member of all committees.

 

  1. Committee responsibilities are outlined in Appendix B.

 

 

ARTICLE VII - FUNDS

 

  1. Any monies received by the Cluster which are designated by the donor, shall be used only for the designated purpose.

 

  1. Undersigned monies received through offerings/voluntary giving at Cluster meetings shall be used as designated by the Board of Directors, and as announced at the meeting.

 

  1. A Scholarship Fund shall be established for Pilgrims from the Shoals Cluster who need financial assistance to attend a Walk to Emmaus. Sponsors whose Pilgrims need scholarships shall submit the completed pilgrim application and the specified deposit to the Cluster Treasurer, who will forward the application with the balance due to the Community Coordinator/Registrar.

 

  1. Scholarships are available to team members with need through the Alabama Community with approval by the Cluster Spiritual Director.

 

  1. Requests for funds needed by Cluster officials for Cluster activities shall be presented to the Board for approval prior to expenses being incurred. Reimbursement will result from submission of properly documented receipts to the Treasurer.

 

 

ARTICLE VIII - MEETINGS

 

  1. The Board of Directors will meet monthly prior to the general membership meeting (See also Article V).

 

  1. Meeting of the general membership shall be held the third Tuesday evening of each month, unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors.

 

 

ARTICLE IX - ELECTIONS

 

  1. Members of the Board of Directors shall be nominated and elected as specified in Article V.

 

  1. Advance notice (30 days) of date and place of elections shall be given to the general Cluster membership. Nominations will be accepted from the floor, providing the nominee has agreed to serve, if elected.

 

 

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS

 

  1. Proposed amendments to these By-Laws must be presented to the Board of Directors one month in advance of the meeting when they are to be considered. Two-thirds vote in the affirmative is required prior to circulation to the general Cluster membership. Adoption requires a simple majority vote by the Cluster membership.

 

  1. Proposed amendments to Appendix A or Appendix B of these By-Laws may be approved by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Board of Directors without submission to the general Cluster membership for adoption.

 

  1. Notice must be given one month in advance to the general Cluster membership of proposed amendments. A simple majority of those present at the meeting is required for adoption.

 

  1. Except as provided in Section B, these By-Laws are to be available to the general membership of the Cluster at least one month prior to the vote for adoption. A simple majority of those present at the meeting is required for adoption.
Cluster By-Laws