Ohio Conference Constitution and By Laws

Constitution and By Laws of the

Ohio Conference

United Church of Christ

 PREAMBLE

1.       Whereas, the United Church of Christ, formed June 25, 1957, by the union of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and The General Council of the Congregational Christian Churches of the United States in order to express more fully the oneness in Christ of the churches composing it, to make more effective their common witness in Him, and to serve His Kingdom in the world, has adopted a constitution on July 4, 1961; and

2.       Whereas, the United Church of Christ acknowledges as its sole head, Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of humankind; acknowledges as one in Christ all who share in this confession; looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world; claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the protestant reformers; affirms the responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God; and in accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among evangelical Christians, recognizes two sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion; and

3.       Whereas, the provisions herein define and regulate the Ohio Conference of the United Church of Christ and describe the free and voluntary relationships which local churches, Associations, and ministers sustain within the Ohio Conference and with each other.  The pattern of relationships and procedures so described is recommended to local churches, Associations and ministers, to enable them more effectively to accomplish their tasks and the work of the United Church of Christ; and

4.       Whereas, the Ohio Conference of Congregational Christian Churches and the four Ohio Synods of the Evangelical and Reformed Church -- the Northeast Ohio Synod, Northwest Ohio Synod, Southeast Ohio Synod, and Southwest Ohio Synod, hereinafter referred to as the four Ohio Synods of the Evangelical and Reformed Church -- have consolidated to form the Ohio Conference of the United Church of Christ without a break in their respective historical continuities and traditions;

5.       Now, therefore, the following provisions are adopted as the Constitution of the Ohio Conference of the United Church of Christ. 

ARTICLE I.

CONTINUATION OF EXISTING CONFERENCES AND SYNODS

6.       The Ohio Conference of the United Church of Christ unites without break in their respective historical continuities and traditions, and consolidates the ecclesiastical and legal identities of the Ohio Conference of Congregational Christian Churches and the four Ohio Synods of the Evangelical and Reformed Church, to conduct their work and to have all of their powers, duties, and obligations.

ARTICLE II.  NAME

7.       The name of this Conference shall be the Ohio Conference of the United Church of Christ, hereinafter referred to as the Ohio Conference.

ARTICLE III.  PURPOSE

8.       The purpose of the Ohio Conference shall be to strengthen the domestic and global life of the local churches and Associations within its boundaries, to witness in their behalf, and to relate them to the life and work of the United Church of Christ, its Covenanted Ministries, Affiliated and Associated Ministries, and its partner churches and other associates throughout the world.

9.       The Ohio Conference may in its corporate name acquire by purchase, devise, bequest or otherwise and own, hold, invest, reinvest or dispose of property both real and personal for such religious, educational, philanthropic and other related work as the Ohio Conference may undertake and purchase, own, receive, hold, manage, care for, and transfer, rent, lease, mortgage or otherwise encumber, sell, assign, transfer and convey such property for the general purposes of the Ohio Conference, receive and hold in trust both real and personal property for churches, boards, institutions and instrumentalities of the United Church of Christ and invest or reinvest the same, and make any contracts for promoting the objects and purposes of the Ohio Conference as stated in this Article III.  Any right or interest in respect to past or future devise, bequest, conditional gift, trust or property, or fund restricted to particular uses, when vested in or claimed by such consolidated corporation as a result of the consolidation, shall belong to it as a continuation without interruption of the existence and identity of the constituent organization originally named as takers or beneficiaries.

10.     In general, the Ohio Conference may exercise any and every power which a nonprofit corporation organized under Chapter 1702 of the Nonprofit Corporation Law of the State of Ohio, as the same may be amended, can be authorized to exercise.

11.     The Ohio Conference shall maintain relations with other Christian communions and ecumenical bodies within its boundaries to the end that mutual affirmation, understanding and cooperation may be advanced.

12.     The Ohio Conference may exercise the functions of an association of the United Church of Christ as described in the Constitution and Bylaws of the United Church of Christ as adopted July 4, 1961 and as subsequently amended, when such functions are delegated to it by an association or where no such association exists.

13.     The Ohio Conference shall seek to interpret and advance the work of the General Synod in its own operation and in and through its local churches, Associations, and common missions by all possible means consistent with the spirit of Christ.

ARTICLE IV.  MEMBERSHIP

14.     The Ohio Conference is composed of all local churches situated within its geographical area and holding standing in an Association of the Ohio Conference, and all ministers holding standing in an Association of the Ohio Conference.

15.     The geographical area of the Ohio Conference shall be that area which the Ohio Conference of Congregational Christian Churches and the four Ohio Synods of the Evangelical and Reformed Church were serving at the time the formation of the Ohio Conference becomes effective, or that area as it may be modified with the approval of the General Synod of the United Church of Christ.

16.     The control of the Ohio Conference shall reside in its voting members and may be exercised directly at any Annual Gathering or other special meeting of the Ohio Conference or in the interim through and by the Board of Directors elected by the Ohio Conference as stated herein or in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE  V.  OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

17.     Officers of the Ohio Conference shall be the Conference Minister, the Moderator, the Vice Moderator, the Secretary and the Treasurer.  The Conference Minister shall serve as the chief executive officer of the Ohio Conference.  The Conference Minister, Moderator, Vice Moderator, Secretary, and Treasurer shall have the powers and duties which usually pertain to such offices.  Without in any way limiting their other and general powers, the Moderator and the Secretary are authorized to sign all deeds, mortgages, contracts, and such other written instruments as shall become necessary or appropriate in protecting and carrying on the business and property interests of the Ohio Conference.

18.       The business and affairs of the Ohio Conference shall be managed when the Ohio Conference is not in session by the Board of Directors which shall have such powers and duties as are usual and customary to a board of directors or a board of directors under the Nonprofit Corporation Law of the State of Ohio and as provided herein, and in the Bylaws of the Ohio Conference. Except as otherwise provided in this article, all Directors shall have voice and vote.  The Board of Directors shall be constituted as follows:

A.        Board of Directors: Thirty two members

A. 1     Ten Association representatives, two elected or appointed by each Association, at least one of whom shall be a member of that Association Council.  Election or appointment shall be for three years with staggered terms;

A. 2     Five At Large members one at-large member from each Association, nominated by the Ohio Conference Nominations Committee and elected by the Conference Annual Gathering.  Election shall be for three years, with staggered terms.

A. 3     The four elected officers of the Conference—Moderator, Vice Moderator, Secretary, Treasurer—and the immediate Past Moderator shall be members of the Board of Directors.

The terms of such directors shall begin at the conclusion of the Ohio Conference Annual Gathering following their election.  Their terms shall end at the conclusion of the Ohio Conference Annual Gathering following the election of their successors.

A. 4     Four members shall be the elected representatives of the four Covenanted Ministries of the United Church of Christ elected as representatives from the Ohio Conference. The Four Covenanted Ministries are Office of the General Ministries, Wider Church Ministries, Local Church Ministries and Justice and Witness Ministries. Their terms shall run concurrently with their terms on the Covenanted Ministries and shall have voice and vote.

A. 5     Two representatives elected by the Ohio Region, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), with voice and vote.

A. 6     One Association Minister from each Association or her or his representative shall be members of the Board of Directors with voice but not vote.

A. 7     The Conference Minister of the Ohio Conference shall be a member of the Board of Directors with voice but not vote.

B.         The Ohio Conference officers shall be the officers of the Board of Directors.

19.     The Conference Minister shall be elected by the Ohio Conference delegates at an Annual Gathering or special meeting.  The Board of Directors shall serve as a committee to secure a candidate for this office.  The candidate shall be an ordained minister in good standing in an association of the United Church of Christ.  The name of one candidate shall be submitted to the Ohio Conference delegates who shall consider only one candidate at a time and shall vote by ballot for or against his/her election and the terms of his/her call.  If the candidate is elected, the Ohio Conference shall tender a call.  The call shall be for an indefinite time, but subject to periodic review and termination in accordance with the provisions of the call.

20.     The Moderator, Vice Moderator, Secretary, Treasurer, and delegates to the General Synod shall be elected by the Ohio Conference at an Annual Gathering.  Candidates for these positions shall be members in good standing in a local church in the Ohio Conference.  In case of a vacancy, an election to fill the unexpired term shall be held at the next ensuing Annual Gathering or special meeting.  The term of office and the method of nominating such officers and delegates shall be specified in the Bylaws.

21.     The Board of Directors of the Ohio Conference shall be empowered to fill all vacancies which occur on the Board of Directors, the standing committees, or on the Division for Outdoor Ministries, or among the elected officers, until a successor is elected and qualified at the next ensuing Annual Gathering or special meeting.  When vacancies in Association representation to the Board of Directors or standing committees, coordinating committees or the Division for Outdoor Ministries occur, such vacancies should be filled promptly by the Association responsible for such representation.

22.     The Moderator or Vice Moderator shall preside at meetings of the Ohio Conference and meetings of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI. ANNUAL GATHERING AND SPECIAL MEETINGS

23.     The Ohio Conference shall hold one regular Annual Gathering, as specified in the Bylaws.  Special meetings may be called in the manner specified in the Bylaws.

24.       The voting membership of the Ohio Conference consists of:

A.        Ordained ministers holding standing in its Associations

B.         Commissioned ministers holding standing in its   Associations

C.        Licensed ministers who have been granted vote by their Associations

D.        Association-at-large youth delegates, 24 years and under, five elected by each Association

E.       Officers and Directors of the Ohio Conference

F.       Chairpersons of all Ohio Conference elected or appointed standing committees, and the Division for Outdoor Ministries.

G.      Lay delegates elected by and representing the local churches holding standing in its Associations

H.      Past Moderators of the Ohio Conference with membership in a local church that hold standing in an Association of the Ohio Conference.

I.       Covenanted Ministry Board members who serve on Ohio Conference Board of Directors.

25.     Each local church having standing in an Association is represented in Ohio Conference meetings by one lay delegate chosen in such manner as such local church may decide, except that a local church with a reported membership of more than 600 may send two lay delegates.  However, any member in good standing in a local church of an Association of the Ohio Conference shall have the privilege of the floor in all meetings of the Ohio Conference.

ARTICLE VII.  ASSOCIATIONS

26.     The Ohio Conference recognizes the five Associations created at or about the time of formation of the Ohio Conference and within the geographic boundaries of the Ohio Conference by consolidation of the twelve associations of Congregational Christian Churches in conjunction with the Evangelical and Reformed Church within such boundaries.  The terms "Association" or "an Association of the Ohio Conference" as used in this Constitution and the Bylaws of the Ohio Conference, shall mean one of the five Associations referred to in the preceding sentence.

27.     Changes in Association boundaries shall be made by negotiations between the Associations affected, in consultation with churches involved, and upon approval of the Ohio Conference.

ARTICLE VIII. COMMITTEES

28.      The Ohio Conference shall establish standing committees or other committees, permanent or temporary, as designated in the Bylaws. All committees shall act under the direction of the Board of Directors and shall report to the Ohio Conference Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX.  LOCAL CHURCHES

29.       The local churches of the United Church of Christ have, in covenant through their Associations and the Ohio Conference, a God given responsibility for the United Church of Christ, its labors and its extension, even as that Church has, in covenant, a God given responsibility for the well-being, needs and aspirations of its local churches.  In mutual Christian concern and in dedication to Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, the one and the many share in common Christian experience and responsibility.

30.       The basic unit of the life and organization of the United Church of Christ is the local church.  The autonomy of the local church is inherent and modifiable only by its own action.  Nothing in this Constitution or the Bylaws of the Ohio Conference shall destroy or limit the right of each local church to continue to operate in the way customary to it; nor shall be construed as giving to the Ohio Conference now or at any future time, the power to abridge or impair the autonomy of any local church in the management of its own affairs, which affairs include but are not limited to, the right to retain or adopt its own methods of organization, worship and education; to retain or secure its own charter and name; to adopt its own constitution and bylaws; to formulate its own covenants and confessions of faith; to admit members in its own way and to provide for their discipline and dismissal; to call or dismiss its pastor or pastors by such procedure as it shall determine; to acquire, own,  manage and dispose of property and funds; to control its own benevolence; and to withdraw by its own decision from the United Church of Christ and the Ohio Conference at any time without forfeiture of ownership or control of any real or personal property owned by it.

31.       Actions by, or decisions or advice emanating from, the General Synod, the Ohio Conference or an Association, shall be held in the highest regard by every local church.

ARTICLE X.  AMENDMENTS

32.       Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by:

A.  The Board of Directors of the Ohio Conference; or

B.   Not less than five percent of the churches which are members of the Ohio Conference; or

C.  Any of the five Associations of the Ohio Conference; or

D.  The Ohio Conference in Annual Gathering

33.      Amendments proposed by the Ohio Conference in an Annual Gathering shall be voted upon at
          the next Ohio Conference meeting after due notice.

34.     All amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Ohio Conference at least ninety days prior to the Ohio Conference meeting at which they are to be acted upon.  At least sixty days prior to such meeting the Secretary shall transmit such proposed amendments to the Associations, the local churches and all ordained, commissioned and licensed ministers for their consideration.

35.     Adoption of an amendment to this Constitution shall require a two-thirds affirmative vote of those present and voting in an Ohio Conference meeting.

Bylaws of the Ohio Conference of the United Church of Christ

ARTICLE I.    ANNUAL GATHERING AND SPECIAL MEETINGS

1.       The Ohio Conference shall hold an Annual Gathering a time and place determined by the Board of Directors.

2.       Special meetings may be called by the Board of Directors or on request of three Associations of the Ohio Conference.

3.       Written notice of any meeting of the Ohio Conference shall be transmitted to the Associations, local churches, and ministers by the Secretary of the Ohio Conference at least 45 days prior to the meeting.

4.       A quorum at any meeting shall consist of not less than 200 voting members.  A quorum shall be presumed until the question is raised.

5.       The Annual Gathering of the Ohio Conference shall receive reports either written or orally from the Conference Minister, the Board of Directors, the standing committees, the coordinating committees and the Division for Outdoor Ministries.  The delegates shall elect officers, at large members of the Board of Directors, the Nominations Committee, members of the Division for Outdoor Ministries and delegates to the General Synod, and shall consider any matters suggested by the Board of Directors, the Associations, or voting members of the Ohio Conference.

ARTICLE II.  OFFICERS AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

6.      The Moderator and the Vice Moderator shall be elected for a two year term, and shall not be eligible to succeed themselves.  If the Moderator is an ordained minister, the Vice Moderator shall be a lay person.  If the Moderator is a lay person, the Vice Moderator shall be an ordained minister.  The Secretary and the Treasurer shall be elected for three year terms.  The term of an office shall begin at the conclusion of the annual gathering at which the election is held. The Conference Minister and Treasurer shall furnish corporate security bond as required by the Board of Directors, the premium thereon to be paid by the Ohio Conference.

7.       Except for the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the non voting members, a trustee having served two full terms shall not be eligible for re-election for one year after the completion of his/her term of office.

8.       The Board of Directors shall hold at least three meetings during each year.  Special meetings may be called by the Moderator, or Vice Moderator acting on behalf of the Moderator, or upon petition of one-third of the members of the Board of Directors.  Nine voting members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

9.       An executive session shall be held at each meeting of the Board of Directors.  At these executive sessions non voting members shall not be present except by invitation.

10.     There shall be six standing committees of the Board of Directors:

Executive Committee

Finance and Investment Committee   

Personnel and Affirmative Action Monitoring Committee

Racial/Ethnic Empowerment Committee

Church Development Committee

Benevolent Institutions Committee

In addition, there shall be such other committees either permanent or temporary as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, deem necessary.  The Moderator shall appoint trustee chairperson/members of each standing committee, except as otherwise provided for within these Bylaws.

All standing committee members shall be approved annually by the Board of Directors.

A.        Executive Committee

1.)      Is chaired by the Moderator

2.)      Acts for the Board of Directors between meetings of the Board by exercising those powers delegated to it.

3.)      Augments, if necessary, the membership of the standing committees by appointing persons with special qualifications who are not members of the Board of Directors.

Membership:    Six Members

The Officers of the Conference

The Immediate Past Moderator

The Conference Minister

B.         Finance and Investment Committee

1.)      Develops a yearly budget of the Conference for presentation to the Board of Directors and approval by the Annual Gathering of the Conference.

2.)      Consults with the committees responsible for budget and finance of General Synod, of the five associations of the Ohio Conference, and of the Division for Outdoor Ministries.

3.)      Maintains a consultative and evaluative role through the standing committees, the coordinating committees, Division for Outdoor Ministries, other committees, and with all other organizations receiving allocations from the Ohio Conference.

4.)      Provides hearings for any groups having budgetary requests.

5.)      Recommends the budgets for each fiscal year and any revisions thereof to the Board of Directors.

6.)      Recommends to the Board of Directors the overall investment policy to be followed with respect to the endowment funds and other holdings specified by the Board of Directors and owned by the Conference.

7.)        Recommends to the Board of Directors the engagement of whatever professional assistance the committee desires to aid it in the management of the funds and other holdings, and recommends contracts and agreements for investment advisors or fund managers.

8.)        Provides the Board of Directors with an annual audit report.

Membership:    Eleven Members

Two members of the Board of Directors, one of whom shall be 
                   chairperson 

The Finance and Budget Committee chairperson from each Association or that person's designee from the Finance and Budget Committee of that Association who shall serve for that term.

A member of the Division for Outdoor Ministries.

The Conference Treasurer.

The Conference Minister and Business Manager as ex-officio members, without vote. 

C.        Personnel and Affirmative Action Monitoring Committee

1.)      Develops and reviews job descriptions for professional personnel of the Conference.

2.)      Monitors the continuing education program for professional staff and support staff.

3.)      Provides for regular consultation, review and evaluation with staff members.

4.)      Is responsible, through the office of the Conference Minister, for the employment and supervision of clerical staff.

5.)     Consults regularly with the Association Personnel Committees

a.       Providing guidelines for development and evaluation of job descriptions of professional staff of Associations and Conference.

b.       Correlating salary levels for both support and professional staff in the Conference and Associations.

6.)        Monitors the progress of the Affirmative Action Plan of the Ohio Conference.

Membership:   Ten Members

Two members of the Board of Directors, one of whom shall be chairperson

The Personnel Committee chairperson from each Association or that person's designee from the Personnel Committee of that Association who shall serve for that term.

A member of the Division for Outdoor Ministries.

The Chairperson or designee from the Racial/Ethnic Empowerment Committee.

The Conference Minister shall serve ex-officio voice without vote.

D.        Racial/Ethnic Empowerment Committee

1.)      Develops criteria for funding programs that address concerns for persons of color.

2.)      Receives requests for funding and makes recommendations for grants to the Board of Directors

3.)      Resources the Racial/Ethnic concerns in each Association.

4.)      Encourages paraprofessional training and/or career development of lay persons of color.

5.)       Encourages diversity and/or anti-racism training for all churches.

Membership:    Twelve Members

One director who shall be chairperson

Two representatives from each of the five Associations, with consideration that 50% of the committee membership be persons of color. 

The Conference Minster or designee shall serve ex-officio voice without vote on the committee.

E.         Church Development Committee

1.)      Plans and coordinates church development projects throughout the Conference and assists the Church and Development Committee in each Association

a)  To initiate new church starts

b)  To provide data and strategy for church renewal

c)  To provide support for churches in transition

2.)      Recommends funding grants of projects to the Board of Directors.

Membership:    Nine Members

Three members of the Board of Directors, one of whom shall be chairperson

One representative from the Church Development Committee of each Association

The Conference Minister for Mission Development ex officio without vote.

F.         Benevolent Institutions Committee

1.)      Works with and coordinates the relationships among the benevolent institutions recognized by the Ohio Conference, which include the Health and Human Service Agencies related to the Ohio Conference, United Church of Christ colleges within the Ohio Conference, CUE seminaries and the Ohio Consortium for Campus Ministries in Higher Education.

2.)      Develops criteria for funding.

3.)      Develops and or receives requests for funding and makes recommendations for grants to the Board of Directors

Membership:    

One member of the Board of Directors who shall be chairperson

One representative from each of the benevolent institutions recognized by the Ohio Conference, including the Health and Human Service Agencies related to the Ohio Conference, United Church of Christ colleges within the Ohio Conference, CUE Seminaries and the Ohio Consortium for Campus Ministry in Higher Education.

The Conference Minister or designee shall serve as an ex-officio member voice with but not vote.

ARTICLE III.  COMMITTEES

11.       The Coordinating Committees:

A.      Provides for communications and share resources among the Associations

B.       Considers and coordinates multi-association programs, directs new agenda to appropriate association departments and or program bodies, and is liaison between association departments and or program bodies.

C.       Are responsible to and work under the Board of Directors and report regularly to the Board of Directors.

D.      Coordinates the work of the following departments and or program bodies in each Association as needed or requested by the Association Councils or Conference Board of Directors. 

1.)        Department for Church and Ministry

2.)        Department for Church and Congregational Life

3.)        Department for Church and Education

4.)        Department for Church and World

E.       Shall be resourced by the staff ministers for the appropriate departments and program bodies.

Membership of the Coordinating Committees:

                             A chairperson chosen from the membership of that committee

Two representatives, one clergy and one lay, from the appropriate department and or program bodies in each Association

The Conference and Association staff shall serve as staff for the coordinating committee’s ex officio voice without vote.

ARTICLE IV.  THE DIVISION

12.    The Division for Outdoor Ministries

A.       Plans, manages, and coordinates the program for outdoor ministries for the Ohio Conference

B.       Oversees the management and development of the sites for outdoor ministries owned by the Ohio Conference

C.       Is responsible to the Ohio Conference Board of Directors

D.       Has representation on the Finance and Investment Committee and the Personnel and Affirmative Action Monitoring Committee of the Board of Directors.

E.       Maintains a liaison relationship with the Coordinating Committee for Church and Education

Membership: Twenty Members

Ten members, elected by the Ohio Conference Annual Gathering, with each Association nominating one lay person and one clergy person in alternate years to serve two-year terms

Five members-at-large elected by the Ohio Conference, at the Annual Gathering, serving staggered two-year terms.

Three members appointed from the Board of Directors.

A member having served three consecutive full terms shall not be eligible for reelection for one year after the completion of his/her term of office.

The Minister for Outdoor Ministries and the Conference Minister, shall serve ex officio without vote.

ARTICLE: V. THE STAFF

13.     The Conference Minister shall serve as chief executive officer of the Ohio Conference and shall direct the work of the professional, managerial and support staff.

The Board of Directors may employ professional staff for program and the Division for Outdoor Ministries as the Ohio Conference may authorize from time to time by action taken at a meeting thereof.

ARTICLE: VI. FINANCE

14.     The fiscal year for the Conference shall be January 1 to December 31.

15.     The budget for the following year shall be presented in detail to the Board of Directors and to the Associations through their councils for study and discussion; and to the Annual Gathering of this Conference for approval.  The budget of the Ohio Conference shall be transmitted to the respective Associations at such time as to permit study and discussion by the Associations at their annual meetings prior to the Ohio Conference Annual Gathering at which the budget is to be approved.

16.     The Ohio Conference shall be financed, primarily, from a portion of contributions for Our Church's Wider Mission contributed by the local churches.  The procedure for establishing such portion to be retained is as follows:

A.      The Finance and Investment Committee consults with the Budget Committee of General Synod and reaches mutual agreement upon the percentage, or dollar amount, of contributions for Our Church's Wider Mission to be retained for the support of the ministries within the geographic area of the Ohio Conference.

B.       The Finance and Investment Committee of the Ohio Conference in consultation with the Budget and Finance Committee of each Association in the Ohio Conference reaches mutual agreement upon the percentage, or the dollar amount, of contributions for Our Church's Wider Mission to be retained by the Associations and to be allocated for the Ohio Conference and General Synod budgets.

17.     The Ohio Conference shall receive monthly remittances for Our Church's Wider Mission from the Associations, shall keep complete and accurate records thereof and shall submit quarterly reports to the Associations of the dollar amounts retained for the Conference budget and those forwarded to the Treasurer of the United Church of Christ on the basis of agreed upon percentages or dollar amounts.

ARTICLE VII. NOMINATIONS

18.     There shall be a Nominations Committee of the Ohio Conference.  The committee shall nominate those persons to be considered for election by the Ohio Conference Annual Gathering, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws.  

A.       For all nominations, commissioned ministers are eligible for service only in the category of lay persons.

B.       For all nominations, licensed ministers are eligible for service only in the category of lay persons.

C.      For all nominations, the Ohio Conference Affirmative Action Plan shall guide the work of the Nominations Committee.

Membership:   Thirteen Members

Two members from each Association, one to be elected each year by that Association for a term of two years

Two at-large members, one to be elected at each Ohio Conference Annual Gathering for a term of two years

The Conference Minister or his designee shall serve, ex officio without vote

            ARTICLE VIII. DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES to the GENERAL SYNOD

19.     Ohio Conference delegates and alternates to the General Synod shall be chosen in the following manner:

A.      The Moderator of the Ohio Conference shall be elected a delegate to General Synod ex officio.

B.       The remaining number of Conference delegates and alternates shall be allocated by the Nominations Committee to the Associations within the Ohio Conference on the basis of the number of persons who have membership in the local churches within the Association.

C.       Nominations are to be distributed so as to be representative of ministers, laymen, laywomen, youth, and racial and ethnic persons as nearly as possible in agreement with the Bylaws of the United Church of Christ.

D.       The Associations shall, under their own procedures, nominate the persons to act as Conference delegates and alternates.

E.       The Ohio Conference at a meeting shall elect as Conference delegates and alternates those persons nominated by the Associations.

F.       Delegates cease to represent the Ohio Conference if they move their church membership or ministerial standing outside the Ohio Conference.  However, if delegates move their church membership or ministerial standing from one Association to another within the Ohio Conference, they shall continue to represent the Ohio Conference.

ARTICLE IX. OTHER BYLAWS

20.     All proceedings of the Ohio Conference and the Board of Directors unless otherwise provided for, are governed by Robert's Rules of Order, as amended.  In the event of the absence or disability of the Conference Minister, the Moderator, or any other officer of the Ohio Conference, the Board of Directors shall designate another person to fulfill the duties of the office until that officer has returned or until the next Annual Gathering or special meeting of the Ohio Conference.

ARTICLE  X. AMENDMENTS

21.     Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by an Association of the Ohio Conference or by the Board of Directors of the Ohio Conference, or may be proposed upon the floor at any Annual Gathering of the Ohio Conference by a written petition signed by fifty voting delegates or members of the Ohio Conference.

22.     Adoption of an amendment to these Bylaws shall require a two-thirds affirmative vote of those present and voting in an Ohio Conference meeting.

ARTICLE XI  SCHEDULE

23.     These Bylaws shall take effect at the same time as does the Constitution to which they are appended.

ARTICLE XII INDEMNIFICATION

24.       Indemnification of Directors and Officers.  Except as other wise provided by applicable state statues, not the Directors, not any member, nor any officer of this Corporation shall be liable personally for any error or judgment or for any act or commission in connection herewith except in the case of bad faith, willful misconduct or fraud, nor shall they be liable personally for any debt or obligation of the Corporation of any member thereof, and the Members shall jointly indemnify each other, the Directors, and the Officers against any liability, loss or damage, except in the case of bad faith, willful misconduct or fraud, attributable to their respective services hereunder.

Constitution approved by the 8th Annual Meeting of the Ohio Conference, June 7, 1971.  Revised June 7, 1976; Revised June 6, 1977; Revised June 19, 1978; Revised June 19, 1984; Revised June 12, 1989; Revised June 10, 1990; Revised June 9, 2001

Bylaws approved by the 8th Annual Meeting of the Ohio Conference, June 7, 1971.  Revised June 6, 1977; Revised June 19, 1978; Revised June 4, 1979; Revised June 15, 1981; Revised June 13, 1983; Revised June 19, 1984; Revised June 12, 1989; Revised June 11, 1991; Revised June 9, 2001

6/15/01