Constitution

AKRON AREA ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES

ARTICLE I

NAME AND AFFILIATION

SECTION 1 The name of this organization shall be Akron Area Association of American Baptist Churches (hereinafter known as AAA/ABC).

SECTION 2 The AAA/ABC shall be a religious society and affiliated with American Baptist Churches of Ohio (hereinafter known as ABC/OHIO) and with American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. (hereinafter known as ABC/USA).

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE AND MISSION STATEMENT

MISSION STATEMENT

SECTION 1 The purpose of this Association shall be to help churches in fulfilling the Great Commission. The Association shall carry out this purpose by assisting churches in beginning new works; supporting the work of its local churches; promoting fellowship and encouraging cooperation in ministries such as missions, camping, etc.

ADDITIONAL PURPOSES

SECTION 2 We shall affirm the mission statement of ABC/OHIO: “American Baptist Churches of Ohio is an expression of the Body of Christ in this world, called to provide a network of resources, support and fellowship, and to enable member congregations to implement shared ministries in faithful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

ARTICLE III

CONSTITUENCY

SECTION 1 The membership of this Association shall be Baptist churches cooperating with the AAA/ABC; and which have been or shall be received into the Association in accordance with procedures outlined in the Bylaws Rule 3.

SECTION 2 Churches desiring to unite with the AAA/ABC shall proceed according to the guidelines as stated in Bylaw 3.1.

SECTION 3 In the spirit of Christian cooperation, member churches shall be expected to actively participate in the activities of the Association and provide financial support in accordance with the guidelines as stated in Bylaw 3.2.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

SECTION 1 The officers of the AAA/ABC shall be Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Clerk and Treasurer. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by the Board of Trustees and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the AAA/ABC.

SECTION 2 The officers shall be elected annually for a one year term by the majority of the representatives present at the Fall meeting of the Association Board of Trustees. The office of Moderator shall be limited to two consecutive terms. Insofar as possible and practical, the office of Moderator shall alternate between clergy and laity. All officers shall serve their elected terms until their successors are elected. Terms of office shall begin on January 1 following the election at the Fall Meeting of the Board of Trustees and the installation at the Fall Trustees’ Meeting or at the Fall Rally.

SECTION 3 The Association representatives to the Koinonia Annual Meeting shall be the Moderator, Vice Moderator, Clerk/Secretary and Treasurer of each association; however, the Associations are empowered to appoint “alternate Representatives” should one or more of these four (4) officers be unable to attend the Koinonia Annual Meeting.

SECTION 3 The officers shall perform the duties as prescribed in the Bylaws Rule 4.

ARTICLE V

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SECTION 1 The Board of Trustees (hereinafter known as the Board) shall be the governing body of the AAA/ABC.

SECTION 2 The Board shall be comprised of:

a. Church representatives consisting of all Pastoral staff (a lay representative may be sent when there is a vacancy in the Pastoral staff); two other representatives from each church with a resident active membership of up to two hundred (200) persons; plus one (1) additional representative for each additional one hundred (100) members or a major fraction thereof.

b. Representatives shall serve terms at the discretion of their local church.

c. All elected officers of the Board.

d. All Chairpersons of the Ministry Teams and Standing Committees.

e. One representative (preferably the President) of all auxiliary organizations.

SECTION 3 The Board shall meet in the Spring and for its Annual Business meeting prior to the Fall Rally and/or at such other times during the year as necessary upon the call of the Moderator, Vice Moderator, or Clerk.

SECTION 4 Roberts Rules of Order shall prevail at all meetings.

SECTION 5 A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of the active member churches. A church failing to give active participation for two consecutive years need not be counted in the determination of a quorum.

SECTION 6 The Board shall make its own Bylaws.

SECTION 7 The Board shall establish an Executive Leadership Team.

SECTION 8 The Board shall appoint such task groups as it deems necessary to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Board.

SECTION 9 The Board shall devise and implement policy for the AAA/ABC in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws and shall administer the business affairs.

SECTION 10 The Board shall approve an annual budget.

SECTION 11 It shall be the duty of the local church representatives to:

Attend all meetings of the Board.
Report concerns and needs of the local church and assist the Ministry Teams in the development of programs specifically designed to meet the needs expressed. Report the actions and activities of the Board to their local Churches.

ARTICLE VI

ASSOCIATION RALLY

SECTION 1 In addition to the meetings of the Board, the AAA/ABC Fall Rally shall be held on the first Sunday in October unless determined otherwise by the Executive Committee. The Rally is open to all members and friends of its churches for the purpose of inspiration, instruction in things of God, and for Christian Fellowship.

SECTION 2 A special Rally Planning team comprised of at least the Moderator, Vice Moderator, Treasurer, Pastor(s) of the host church, and a representative from the host church shall be convened at least three (3) months prior to the rally.

ARTICLE VII

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

SECTION 1 The Executive Leadership Team shall consist of the officers of the Association; chairpersons of all Ministry Teams and Standing Committees; one representative (preferably the President) from each of the auxiliary organizations, the ABC/OH Regional Minister, the ABC/OH Associate Regional Minister, and the Executive Director of the Koinonia Camp and Conference Center.

SECTION 2 The Executive Leadership Team shall perform the duties as outlined in the Bylaws, Rule 7 and shall serve as the AAA/ABC’s legal agent upon the authorization of the Board.

ARTICLE VIII

MINISTRY TEAMS

SECTION 1 The Association shall have the following ministry teams: Education, Missions, Outdoor and Youth. These ministry teams are responsible for developing and implementing appropriate programs to meet the needs of the member churches including participation in program offerings of ABC/OHIO.

SECTION 2 The Chairperson of each ministry team shall be elected at the Annual Trustees’ Meeting in the Fall and shall serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and of the Board. Terms of office shall begin on January 1 following the election at the Fall Meeting of the Board of Trustees and the installation at the Fall Trustees’ Meeting or at the Fall Rally.

SECTION 3 The Ministry Teams shall perform the duties as outlined in the Rule 8 in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE IX

STANDING COMMITTEES

SECTION 1 The Association shall have the following standing committees: Audit, Church/Pastoral Relations, Finance and Nominating.

SECTION 2 The chairperson of each Standing Committee shall be elected at the Annual meeting of the Board of Trustees in the Fall and shall serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and of the Board. Terms of office shall be for (1) year and shall begin on January 1 following the election at the Fall Meeting of the Board of Trustees and the installation at the Fall Trustees’ Meeting or at the Fall Rally.

SECTION 3 OTHER COMMITTEES – Such other Task Committees as may be needed shall be appointed by the Moderator with the advice and consent of the Board or its Executive Leadership Team

SECTION 4 The Standing Committees shall perform the duties as outlined in Rule 9 of the Bylaws.

ARTICLE X

AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS

SECTION 1 There shall be two auxiliary organizations: American Baptist Women’s Ministries and the Ministers’ Council. The Presidents shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Committee and the Board.

SECTION 2 The responsibilities of these Auxiliary organizations shall be carried out as outlined in the Bylaws Rule 10.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENT

SECTION 1 This Constitution may be altered or amended at any meeting of the Board by a vote of two-thirds of the Representatives present, written notice having been given to the Churches and the Representatives at least two months in advance.

ARTICLE XII

BYLAWS

SECTION 1 Bylaws and standing resolutions may be adopted and included as part of the Constitution as the Board may deem necessary.

Amendments adopted 5/07/06

Amendments adopted 10/06/13