By-Laws


BY-LAWS OF THE RURAL CHURCH NETWORK
updated 09 30 05 

Name and purpose

1.1 The name of this organization shall be the Rural Church Network, hereafter referred to as the RCN.

1.2 The purpose of the organization is to be a forum for sharing among denominational leaders and other town and rural strategic partners working for wholeness and health of rural communities. In carrying out this purpose the RCN shall:
A. Develop/share strategies for ministry in town and rural areas through linkages with groups such as ecumenical organizations, regional groups, agencies, non-governmental organizations, foundations, overseas churches, organizations, and educational institutions; 

B. Develop/discover resources for ministry in areas of interest including evangelism, clergy and lay leadership, contextual training for ministry, church development (new church development, church re-development, and congregational revitalization), community economic development, and town and rural research.

Article II
Goals

2. The goals of the RCN are:
A. To provide mutual support among denominational representatives and strategic partners.

B. To enhance awareness of denominational/judicatory leadership concerning opportunities, needs, challenges in town and rural congregations, and communities.

C. To seek proactive ways of working cooperatively to respond as the Body of Christ to town and rural realities.

D. To work cooperatively with strategic partners to increase public and private decision-makers’ awareness of the mission and ministries of the town and rural congregations and communities.

E. To educate various constituencies from a faith base perspective on local/state/national issues of mutual concern.

F. To provide on-site experiences in mission and ministry.

G. To develop and further cooperation for ministry by the RCN.



Article III
Membership

3.1 Membership in the RCN shall come from the following categories:
A. National denominational staff persons, or their representatives, whose portfolios relate to town and rural ministries;

B. Partners from church related regional/provincial/judicatory units, or educational institutions involved in town and rural ministries, or other organizations with a focus on either the rural church or rural life;. 

C. Other interested persons who share common concerns with the RCN.

3.2 Each year, the RCN will appoint a Membership Committee of not fewer than three nor more than five members of the RCN.

3.3 Membership is open to all persons and/or the institutions they represent upon presentation to the RCN’s Membership Committee of a written request for membership and subsequently the Committee’s affirmative vote.


Article IV
Meetings

4.1 Bi-annual meetings of the RCN shall normally be held in the spring and fall and at such other times as may be determined by the group, or upon call by the chairperson.

4.2 Committees and/or task groups may be appointed by the chairperson from time to time and their activities shall be reported to a scheduled meeting of the RCN.


Article V
Voting

5.1 Voting members of the RCN will include persons who in their various ministries as defined by article 3.1 A or B, are elected, employed, or designated as accountable representatives from their constituencies and those persons defined by article 3.1 C who have paid annual dues. All other persons will be given voice at meetings.

5.2 Ten members present of whom four are persons defined by article 3.1 A or B shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any regular or special meeting.

5.3 Each member shall have one vote; absentee voting shall not be permitted.

5.4 Voting on routine matters normally shall be by voice.

Article VI
Officers

6.1 The officers shall be a chairperson, vice-chairperson, treasurer, and Executive Secretary. These persons, along with the immediate past chairperson and a member-at-large, shall compose the Executive Committee of the RCN. The officers must be members from categories A or B as defined in article 3.1. The member-at-large can be drawn from categories A, B, or C.

6.2 Officers shall be elected at the Spring meeting of the RCN and shall serve for a period of two years or until their successors are elected. Each officer, with the exception of the Executive Secretary, may be re-elected for a second two-year period; the Executive Secretary may be re-elected for an unlimited number of two year terms.
A. Elections for the chairperson and treasurer shall be in the odd numbered years. 

B. Elections of the member-at-large, the vice-chairperson and the Executive Secretary shall be in the even years. 

C. The election schedule may be adjusted from time to time by a regular meeting of the RCN. Every effort shall be made to maintain a balance among the officers with regard to race, gender, age, and denomination.

6.3 In the event of a vacancy in any of the elected offices, the Executive Committee shall fill that office and the person so filling the office may stand for election at the next RCN meeting.

6.4 The treasurer and at least one other officer shall be empowered individually to deposit or withdraw funds of the RCN, within the limits of the budget and available funds, for the purpose of carrying out the RCN ‘s program. The year-to-date financial statement and condition of accounts shall be reported at each meeting of the organization. In addition, the treasurer shall prepare an annual financial statement. RCN accounts shall be reviewed annually by a committee appointed by the chairperson.



Article VII 
Funding

7.1 With the exception of members as defined by article 3.1 C, there are no dues affiliated with membership in the RCN; therefore, members shall be responsible for providing their own travel and expenses. Members may be asked to share meeting expenses.

7.2 In order to provide undergirding support, National denominational representatives will be invited to contribute an amount up to, but not limited to, five hundred dollars US ($500.00) per year for the annual budget of the RCN.

7.3 Partners will be invited to contribute a negotiable amount up to, but not limited to, three hundred dollars US ($300.00) per year for the annual budget.

7.4 Persons who are voting members as defined by article 3.1 C are invited to pay annual dues of fifty dollarsUS ($50.00). 

7.5 Registration fees may be charged meeting registrants.

7.6 Special sources of funding may be sought for special projects.

7.7 Members may also be asked to make special contributions for special events and conferences sponsored by the RCN.

Article VIII 
Revision of By-Law

8.1 These By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the RCN by a two-thirds vote of those attending.

8.2 Proposed changes or amendments must be sent to all RCN participants at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting that is considering such modifications.   

Original signed by Chairperson Sandra LaBlanc and by Executive Secretary David C. Ruesink

Illustrations of ways in which the RCN goals may be implemented include:

Sponsorship of regional and/or national conferences
Coordination of “Rural Life Sundays” and related events
Sharing of stories
Interchange of observers at appropriate denominational gatherings

Periodic publications
Participation in international conferences
Development of training materials and processes
Discussions with seminaries and other educational institutions
Research relating to rural, village, or town churches and persons