UNITED METHODIST MEN OF THE TEXAS CONFERENCE
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the organization shall be: United Methodist Men of the Texas Conference.
ARTICLE II
HEADQUARTERS
The principal place of business and headquarters of the United Methodist Men of the Texas Conference shall be located in the Methodist Building, 5215 South Main, Houston, Texas 77002. Much of the work will be done by the officers on their own time and in locations which promote and maximize this ministry. Office space will not be utilized at the Methodist Building.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
The purpose of the organization of the United Methodist Men of the Texas Conference is to deepen the spiritual lives of the men of the Church and to provide an organization to assist the Conference, the Districts and the local Churches in the Conference in developing Christian discipleship among men to help them grow in grace and go on to perfection for a life with Christ.
ARTICLE IV
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the organization shall be:
(a) To establish Units of United Methodist Men in each local Church of Charge in the United Methodist Churches of the Texas Conference;
(b) To promote and provide a means of chartering and annual certification of local United Methodist Men Units;
(c) To provide annual conference retreats for United Methodist Men;
(d) To provide training, leadership and guidance for the various United Methodist Men Units;
(e) To perform those duties and functions established for United Methodist Men by the Discipline of the United Methodist Church; and
(f) Such other objectives as may be adopted from time to time at any meeting of the United Methodist Men of the Texas Conference.
ARTICLE V
MEMBERSHIP
Any male within the geographical area of the Texas Annual Conference may become a member of the United Methodist Men by applying for membership in a local church United Methodist Men’s Unit. In the event a man’s local church does not have a Unit of United Methodist Men, he may become a member through any local church in the Conference which does have a Unit. In the event there is not a Unit near the Community where he resides, he may become a member by applying through the District President. All Pastors in the Texas Annual Conference are ex officio members of the United Methodist Men, and are welcome at all Local District and Conference events, activities and meetings. All Units of United Methodist Men shall maintain an annual Charter through the National Association of Conference Presidents of the United Methodist Men.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
The officers of the organization shall be:
1. President
2. President-Elect
3. Vice President
4 . Secretary
5 . Treasurer
The duties of the officers shall be as follows:
The PRESIDENT shall be the executive officer of the organization. He shall preside at all general meetings and meetings of the Conference Board and its Executive Committee. With the approval of the Board, he may make specific task assignments, including, but not limited to:
work projects
awards and honors
registration
and other tasks which expand the ministries of United Methodist Men
He shall execute such instruments as shall be required for execution by the Board.
The PRESIDENT-ELECT and the VICE PRESIDENT shall be assistants to the President. In the absence or disability of the President, the President-Elect shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President. The President-Elect and the Vice President shall perform such other duties as the Conference Board shall prescribe.
The SECRETARY shall attend all meetings of the Conference Board as well as the general meetings and record all votes and minutes of the proceedings to be kept for that purpose. He shall assist the President to give notices of meetings.
The TREASURER shall attend all meetings of the Conference Board as well as the general meetings. He shall also have custody of the funds of the organization and shall keep full and accurate accounts of the receipts and disbursements in records belonging to the organization. He shall deposit all monies and disburse the funds of the organization as may be directed by the President and Conference Board and shall render to the Board at meetings of the Board or whenever they may require, an account of all transactions and fund balances.
ARTICLE VII
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The Officers shall be elected at the spring meeting of the members and held in the spring of even numbered years. The term of office is for two (2) years and each elected member may succeed himself for additional two year terms not to exceed eight consecutive years. In the event of a vacancy, the Conference Board shall fill the position to complete the term until the next regularly scheduled election. Officers assume office at the close of the annual meeting of the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in even numbered years.
For the purpose of the election of the President, the five Houston Districts and the Beaumont District of the Annual Conference shall be designated as the Southern Kingdom and all other Districts shall be designated as the Northern Kingdom. The President and the President-Elect shall not be from the same Kingdom unless approved by a two-thirds vote of the Conference Board, including written votes cast prior to such meeting. A simple majority of those present at the Spring meeting shall be necessary for election. Nominations shall be presented by the Nominations Committee. The Nominations Committee shall be chaired by the immediate Past President of the Board and include one other member of the Conference Board and at least one other member of the general membership, both designated by the President. The President or Presiding Officer during the election shall call for additional nominations from the floor prior to taking a vote.
ARTICLE VIII
CONFERENCE BOARD
The United Methodist Men of the Texas Conference shall be governed by the Conference Board.
The members of the Conference Board shall be:
1. The Officers
2. The District Presidents
3. The Immediate Past President
4. The Conference Prayer Advocate
5. The Conference Scouting Coordinator
6. A District Superintendent serving as a representative member of the Cabinet
7. Three Members at Large, coordinating work in Evangelism, Mission and Spiritual Life. See
Attachment 1.
8. Any National or Jurisdictional UMM officer residing in the Texas Conference.
9. The Bishop and Conference Lay Leader of the Texas Annual Conference
shall be ex-officio members of the Conference Board.
The Prayer Advocate, Scouting Coordinator, and Honors and Awards Chairman shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the majority of the Board. No one shall serve more than eight (8) consecutive years as a Conference Officer, except the Immediate Past President and the District Presidents. There shall be an Executive Committee comprised of the President, the Immediate Past President, President-Elect and the Vice President.
ARTICLE IX
MEETINGS OF BOARD
The Conference Board shall meet during the Spring and Fall Retreats and at Annual Conference. The Board may meet at such times and places as called by the President or by a notice signed by twenty-five percent (25%) of the Conference Board. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the members of the Conference Board shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of the Conference Board.
ARTICLE X
HONORS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE
There shall be an Honors and Awards Committee comprised of those men of the Texas Conference. They shall present awards and honors as they determine appropriate and approved by the Conference Board.
ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT
These By-Laws shall be adopted and may be amended only at a scheduled meeting of the United Methodist Men of the Texas Conference by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present.
ADOPTED THIS THE 23RD DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1995.
D a n R a m s e y
CONFERENCE SECRETARY
KLH
Revised: 4/29/2000
9/27/2003
Attachment 1
UNITED METHODIST MEN
TEXAS CONFERENCE
AT LARGE BOARD MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES - - - - - -
EVANGELISM
Provide guidance and encouragement to the UMM Districts, local units and individuals as they strive for and to become true Christian FRIENDS. Many men in our church and society really need and want a few true friends; men who will go with you through life’s gauntlet - celebrating victory, sharing grief, and standing with you in good times and bad. Godly men are shaped and tempered by other godly men. Every United Methodist Man deserves a few bonded brothers.
MISSION
Provide guidance and encouragement to the UMM Districts, local units and individuals as they strive to become FISHERMAN for Christ. Fruit can only follow farming. When godly men are bonded in biblical fellowship, building themselves spiritually together, they become fit and equipped for Kingdom work and service. Followers of Christ are always involved in meaningful work - first in their families and local congregations, workplace witness, service work, missions, and outreach.
SPIRITUAL LIFE
Provide guidance and encouragement to the UMM Districts, local units and individuals as they strive to develop as FOLLOWERS of Christ. When a Christian becomes a follower of Christ, Jesus has become their Savior and Lord. Discipleship is where the rubber meets the road. Spiritual growth of our men is the top priority of United Methodist Men. Men will flourish as every man becomes committed personally to daily prayer and bible study, accountable relationships, and actively seeking God’s will in their life.
KLH
Copyright © 2001 [Your Company Name LTD]. All rights reserved