Congregational or Intercongregational Unit Constitution

Approved Model Constitution and Bylaws

ARTICLE I—MEMBERSHIP AND NAME

*SECTION 1. Membership
This [congregational] [intercongregational] unit shall be a member of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, hereinafter designated as “Women of the ELCA.”

*SECTION 2. Name
The name of this [congregational] [intercongregational] unit shall be [name(s) of congregation(s)] Unit of Women of the ELCA, hereinafter designated as “the unit.”


ARTICLE II—STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

*SECTION 1. Purpose
As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world.

*SECTION 2. Commitment
To accomplish the purpose of Women of the ELCA, women in this unit shall commit themselves to

     a. come together for study, support, and action;

     b. participate in the ministry of Women of the ELCA beyond the congregation;

     c. support financially the total program of Women of the ELCA; and

     d. designate leadership that shall be in communication with the synodical and churchwide women’s organization.

 
ARTICLE III—PARTICIPATION

*SECTION 1. Composition
This unit shall be composed of those women who participate in activities that indicate a commitment to the purpose of Women of the ELCA.

*SECTION 2. Participation
Participation in this unit shall be open to all women in the(se) congregation(s) and other women who subscribe to the purpose.

*SECTION 3. Congregational Membership
Women elected to leadership in this unit and elected as delegates to a convention of the synodical women’s organization shall be voting members of this congregation of the ELCA or a voting member of one of the congregations that compose this intercongregational unit.

 
ARTICLE IV—RELATIONSHIPS

*SECTION 1. Congregation
This unit shall participate in the life and work of [name(s) of congregation(s)] and report to the annual meeting(s). It may report regularly to the congregational council(s).

*SECTION 2. Cluster or Conference
This unit shall participate in activities within the cluster or conference to which it is assigned.

*SECTION 3. Synodical Women’s Organization
In an interdependent partnership with the [name of synod] Synodical Women’s Organization, this unit shall participate in the convention of the [name of synod] Synodical Women’s Organization by

     *Item 1. Electing a delegate and an alternate to represent the unit; and

     *Item 2. Cooperating in the process for nomination of officers and board members of the synodical women’s organization.

*SECTION 4. Churchwide Women’s Organization

     *Item 1. This unit shall participate in the process for nomination of delegates to the Triennial Convention.

     *Item 2. This unit shall participate in the process of nomination of officers and board members.

 
ARTICLE V—MEETINGS

SECTION 1. Program
Women of this unit shall come together regularly [designate dates, times, etc.] for study, support, and action.

SECTION 2. Business
There shall be a business meeting(s), at least annually, held in [name of month(s)] for purposes such as receiving reports, projecting plans, electing leadership, and adopting an annual budget.

 
ARTICLE VI—LEADERSHIP

SECTION 1. Leaders (Officers)
This unit shall have [names of leadership positions], elected for a term of one year with one reelection.

SECTION 2. Duties of Leaders (Officers)

SECTION 3. Duties of Unit (Board) (Coordinating Committee) (Coordinating Council)

 
ARTICLE VII—PLANNING

SECTION 1. Program Areas and Goals
This unit shall engage in planning, giving attention to the program areas and goals established by Women of the ELCA.

SECTION 2. Program Planning
The unit (board) (coordinating committee) (coordinating council) shall be responsible for the total program planning for the unit.

 
ARTICLE VIII—NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

SECTION 1. Nominating Committee
There shall be a Nominating Committee of at least three persons to present nominees for [names of leadership positions] for election by this unit.

SECTION 2. Elections
All elections shall be for a term of one year with one reelection.

 
ARTICLE IX—FINANCE

SECTION 1. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year and the budget year for this unit shall be determined by this unit.

SECTION 2. Administration

This unit shall develop and administer its own financial plan or budget that shall reflect support for the total program of Women of the ELCA.

SECTION 3. Transmittal

This unit shall transmit funds regularly in accordance with established procedures.

SECTION 4. Reports
This unit shall provide annual financial reports to participants.

SECTION 5. Financial accountability
An annual accounting compilation or review of this unit’s financial records shall be conducted by a financial review committee of the unit.

 
ARTICLE X – DISSOLUTION CLAUSE

In the event of the dissolution of this congregational/intercongregational unit, any surplus property remaining after the payment of its debts shall be disposed of by transfer to the churchwide women’s organization or its successor provided that said organization is, at the time of dissolution, a qualified organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986 or comparable provision, and, if not, to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or its successor, and, if not, to one or more organizations so qualified in such proportions as the leadership of this unit shall determine.

 
ARTICLE XI—BYLAWS AND AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1. Bylaws
This unit may adopt bylaws not in conflict with this constitution by a majority vote, provided they have been presented in writing at the previous meeting.

SECTION 2. Amendments

     Item 1. This constitution may be amended at any regular business meeting or special meeting of this unit by a two‑thirds vote of the women present and voting, provided the proposed amendment has been presented at the previous meeting and is consistent with the purpose of Women of the ELCA.

     Item 2. Amendments to the bylaws may be adopted by the unit by a majority vote after having been presented at the previous meeting.

     Item 3. Whenever the secretary of Women of the ELCA officially informs the congregational/intercongregational units that the Women of the ELCA Triennial Convention has amended the approved Model Constitution and Bylaws for Congregational/Intercongregational units, whether by setting out alternate clauses or otherwise, such provisions shall be introduced at once into this constitution and notice of this action shall be forwarded to the synodical president.

(Revised 2008)