First Presbyterian Church of Monroe Church ByLaws

These provisional bylaws, recently rewritten by the Church Council, were approved at the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 29, 2012.

I. Statement of Purpose and Mission

We, the members of the First Presbyterian Church of Monroe, having been called into fellowship by God proclaim our mission as such: to be living witnesses to the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; to spread the Good News that we are saved through his sacrifice and grace; to be ministers to the needs of our members and residents of our community; and to promote peace and understanding in God's name, throughout the world.

II. Relation to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

The First Presbyterian Church of Monroe is a member church of the Presbytery of the Hudson River in the Synod of the Northeast of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

III. Governance of the Church

The First Presbyterian Church of Monroe (referred to hereafter as "the church") shall be governed in accordance with the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Consistent with that Constitution, these bylaws shall provide specific guidance for this church. Robert's Rules of Order (Newly Revised) shall be used for parliamentary guidance.

IV. Meetings of the Church

There shall be an annual meeting of the congregation, in the church building, on a designated Sunday within the first quarter of the calendar year, at which time at least the following business shall be presented: annual reports from organizations and Council (information only), financial terms of call for the pastor(s), nominating committee report for church officers, electing members to serve on the nominating committee and electing members to serve on Council. The date for said meeting will be decided by Council and will be announced to the congregation in accordance to the terms set forth in the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Special meetings of the congregation may be called by Council, in accordance to the specifications set forth in the Constitution. Such calls shall state clearly the purpose of such meetings and business shall be restricted to that which is specified in the call.

V. Notice of Meetings

The Congregation shall be notified of congregational meetings at least two (2) weeks prior to the date of the called meeting. (G-1.0502)

VI. Moderator

The installed pastor shall ordinarily moderate all meetings of the congregation. If it is impractical for the pastor to preside, he or she shall invite another teaching elder who is a member of the presbytery or a person authorized by the presbytery to serve as moderator. If there is no installed pastor, or the installed pastor is unable to moderate and/or to name another moderator, the presbytery shall make provisions for a moderator (G-1.0504).

VII. Secretary

The Clerk of Council shall serve as secretary. If the clerk is not present or is unable to serve, the congregation shall elect a secretary.

VIII. Minutes of the Meeting

The minutes of the meeting recorded by the secretary shall be attested by the moderator and the secretary, reviewed and approved by council (if so charged by the congregation) and recorded in the book of minutes of Council. Approval of said minutes will be reported to the congregation at the next annual meeting.

IX. Quorum for the Meeting

The quorum of a meeting of the congregation shall be the moderator, the secretary and one tenth (1/10) of active members. Consistent with the laws of the State of New York, a quorum of one tenth (1/10) of active members who are the age eighteen (18) and older will be required for voting on corporate matters. The secretary shall determine that a quorum is present. Only active members may vote, regardless of age, with the exception being: members under the age of 18 may not vote on corporate business that is defined and prohibited by election laws in New York State. Consistent with the laws of New York State, voting by proxy or absentee voting is not permitted.

X. Incorporation

In accordance with the laws of the State of New York, the congregation shall be incorporated. Consistent with the laws of the State of New York, both ecclesiastical and corporate business may be conducted at the same meeting of the congregation.

XI. Nominating Committee

Ruling elders shall be nominated by a committee elected by the congregation, drawn from and representative of its membership. The Nominating Committee shall consist of seven (7) members, with two (2) members serving as ruling elders currently serving on council and five (5) members of the congregation. Members elected to the nominating committee will serve a term of three (3) years. The pastor shall serve ex officio and without vote. (G-2.0401)

XII. Ruling Elders

For the year 2012, the congregation shall elect eighteen (18) ruling elders, divided into three (3) equal classes, one class of whom shall be elected each year at the annual meeting for a three (3) year term. For each of the years 2013, 2014 and 2015, Council will be reduced by two (2) ruling elders, through attrition, for a total number of ruling elders serving on Council to become twelve (12), in the year 2015, and divided into three (3) equal classes of four (4) each. After 2015, this will be the number of members serving on Council. No ruling elder shall serve for consecutive terms, either full or partial, aggregating more than six (6) years. A ruling elder having served a total of six (6) years shall be ineligible for reelection to Council for a period of at least one (1) year.

The Council, at its first meeting following the annual meeting, shall elect a clerk and shall form such committees as necessary to carry out its work. Council will be responsible for the election of a treasurer. A quorum for the Council shall be the pastor or other presiding officer, and a number of ruling elders as decided by Council; at no time shall the proper quorum of ruling elders be allowed to be less than one third (1/3) of the members of Council.

XIII. Vacancies

Vacancies on the Council may be filled at a special meeting of the congregation, or at the annual meeting, as Council may determine.

XIV. Amendments

These bylaws may be amended subject to the Articles of Incorporation, the laws of the State of New York and the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the voters present, provided that the proposed changes in printed form have been distributed at the same time as the call of the meeting at which the changes are voted upon.