ARTICLE I.    NAME

The name of this community is The Wilmington Area Emmaus Community, hereinafter referred to as the Community.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

Section 1. The purpose of the Community shall be to inspire, challenge, and equip church members for Christian action, in their homes, churches, places of work, and the world community through the Emmaus experience.

Section 2.  The Community is affiliated with the International Emmaus Program of the Upper Room, Nashville, Tennessee.

ARTICLE III.

Section 1.  All persons who have completed a weekend experience of the Walk to Emmaus, sponsored by an Upper Room Emmaus Community shall be members of the Community.

Section 2.  Persons who have completed a Walk to Emmaus sponsored by an Upper Room Emmaus Community may become active in this community by participating in the activities of the Community and asking the secretary or other board member of the Community to have their names included in the mailing list and in the community roster.

ARTICLE IV. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Purpose

Direction of the Community shall be vested in a Board of Directors.

Section 2. Composition

The Board will consist of approximately twenty (20) lay members plus the Community Spiritual Director(s).

Section 3. Terms of Office

1. Lay persons on the Board shall be elected by the Community members to serve three (3) year terms, except for Chairperson and Leadership, who shall be elected annually for a one-year term.
2. Nomination procedures will be prescribed in writing as a standing rule by the Board.  Election shall be determined by a majority of votes actually cast.
3. Board members may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same board position.
4. Terms of office shall begin January 1 and shall terminate December 31.

Section 4. Officers

Officers shall be the Chairperson (Community Lay Leader), Leadership (immediate past Chairperson), Secretary, and Treasurer; and in case of absences will chair meetings in this order. The Chairperson must be able to serve an additional year on the Board to serve as the Leadership Chair if elected to that position on the Board.

Section 5. Meetings

The Board shall meet monthly in regular session on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM, unless otherwise ordered by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board in a regular meeting.

Section 6. Quorum

A quorum shall consist of the total number of voting board members present at any meeting.

Section 7. Spiritual Director(s)

The Spiritual Director(s) of the Community shall be appointed or reappointed by the Board of Directors annually. Term of office shall begin January 1.

Section 8. Special Meetings

Special Board meetings may be called by the Chairperson upon his/her own initiative or when requested in writing by members of the Board. All board members must be contacted 24 hours in advance about the date and time of any special board meeting.

Section 10. Vacancies on the Board

The Board may elect persons, upon the nomination by the Chairperson, to fill vacancies until the end of the appointed term.  Such persons are then eligible for election by the community at the next regular election.

ARTICLE V.   COMMITTEES

Section 1. Many functions within the community are far too labor intensive or complex for one or two people to accomplish. Therefore; the elected board member may serve as chairman of their committee, with numerous volunteers to assist the board member. These committees include: Kitchen; Logistics; social and worship and outreach.

ection 2. All board members are encouraged to recruit other community members to assist them in the completion of their tasks.

ARTICLE VI. WALK TO EMMAUS

Section 1. The Community shall follow the guidelines of The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus program in the formation of the three-day (72-hour) experience "Walk to Emmaus". The guidelines are issued to each Board Member in the form of "The Upper Room Handbook on Emmaus" as currently issued or as updated.

Section 2.  The Board of Directors shall have general oversight in all matters relating to the local Walk to Emmaus Community.

Section 3. The Board of Directors shall choose a Lay Director for each Community Walk to Emmaus weekend.

Section 4. The Spiritual Director for each Community Walk to Emmaus shall be selected by the Community Spiritual Director in consultation with the Board.

Section 5. The Board shall establish a Team Selection Committee. The Team Selection Committee shall consist of the Community Chairperson, who will serve as chair, Leadership Chair, Community Spiritual Director(s), the selected Lay Director for the upcoming Walk and other members of the Emmaus Community as needed. These members should have a broad awareness of the community membership and a solid understanding of team needs.

ARTICLE VII.  AMMENDMENTS

Proposed amendments may be presented to the Board of Directors by any member of the Board one (1) month in advance for consideration by the Board. If the amendments are voted in the affirmative by three-fourths (3/4) vote, they will be circulated to the membership by the Community Newsletter. If no objections to the by-laws or amendments are presented to the board within thirty (30) days, the by-laws or amendments will be considered adopted. If an objection is received, the amendment will be reconsidered by the board with the objection noted. If the Board again approves the amendment by three-fourths (3/4) vote, the amendment will also be presented to the community at the gathering. A majority of votes cast by the membership will decide the matter. 
 
 
 

 

PROCEDURES FOR EMMAUS COMMUNITY

Procedure 1: Election of Replacement Board Members

Of the Board Members, approximately one third shall be replaced every year by an election process. The process shall be board driven as a means to replace the outgoing board members.

Also, it shall be a means to develop knowledgeable members who are willing to serve as a member of the Board.  Preferably, there shall be a choice of 2 or more members from each position that will be offered to the community for election to the Board.

Election Process:

1. The Nominating Committee will be the officers of the Emmaus Board headed by the Community Chair. Additional nominating committee members may be included as needed.
2. The nominating committee shall take all necessary steps to complete a ballot of two or more persons for each open position.
3. The persons selected shall be nominated with a regard for maintaining the diversity of Board membership.
4. All persons nominated shall have been an active member of the community for at least one (1) year and be active in their local church.
5. The slate for potential Board members shall be submitted to the Board for approval by no later than the September Board meeting.
6. Election of board members shall take place at the November Gathering. The floor shall be opened for nomination of candidates prior to the final election.
7. Candidates will be invited to leave the Gathering during the vote. The vote shall be by show-of-hands.
8. Votes will be counted by the Nominating Committee and announced immediately. The results will also be published in the next Newsletter. All winning candidates shall be immediately notified.
9. A simple majority shall elect board members. In case of a tie, a final ballot shall be offered at the December Gathering.
10. Board members shall be permitted to change responsibilities to an open position after serving at lease one year in their elected position.

Procedure 2:  Election of Community Leadership Chair

The Community Chairperson shall be elected by a majority vote of the Board of Directors no later than the November Board meeting. The effective term shall start on January 1^st of the coming year.  It is anticipated that the current Community Chair will become the Leadership Chairperson the following year.

Qualifications to become Community Chair:

1. At least one year of current Board experience prior to assuming office, or
2. May be a former board member who has completed a full term of service.
3. The Chairperson must have significant experience on Emmaus teams; having served at least as an Assistant Lay Director on an Emmaus Walk.
4. The Community Chairperson must be willing to chair the team selection committee and serve a subsequent year as the Leadership Chairperson.

Procedure 3:  These by-laws will be reviewed, revised and readopted every five years.