MEMBERSHIP Bylaws

Article I – Introduction

1. Name

The name of the organization is The South Holland Ministerial Association.

1. Purpose

As a Christian organization and the Church of Jesus Christ in South Holland, Illinois our purpose is to foster a culture of gospel-driven unity and service and deepen ecumenical fellowship.

 Article II – Commonality in Christ

As we acknowledge differences in theology and practice, we will promote programs and activities, which stress our commonality in Christ.

Article III – Membership

A. Qualifications

1. All members of the Association must be recommended by the Board of Directors to the Association for approval.
2. Membership is open to any Christian Church located in the Village of South Holland, any Christian Ministry or any Board approved Service Organization that serves the people of South Holland, Illinois in a significant way.
3. "Christian” is defined by holding to the tenets of the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed.

B. Procedures

2. All applications for membership shall be sent to the Association office. The approval of an application is completed when the Board of Directors presents it to the Association and it is received by a simple majority vote.
3. Once approved, each member will commit to the Association Members’ Covenant by affixing his or her signature.

C. Annual Dues

Annual dues will be requested of each member. The amount is a minimum of $100.00 per fiscal year on behalf of each church, ministry or service organization.

D. Voting

1. A voting member shall be any member of the organization that subscribes to the Nicene Creed and Apostles’ Creed. Each member or their designee shall be allowed to cast one vote.
2. Because the intent of the Association is to operate by consensus, it is agreed that in any decision to take a public action done officially by the Association, a quorum of the members present at the meeting in which the action is decided is required.

E. Village Representative

1. As a Christian organization, located within the Village of South Holland, we are in support of the South Holland village government as they seek to improve the quality of life for all people by promoting the values of faith, family and future; therefore, a representative of the Village selected by the Mayor will serve as a non-voting member the Association.

Article IV – Directors

A.  The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Secretary, Treasurer and two Directors-at-Large.

B. Duties

1. The Board of Directors will oversee the activities of the Association and appoint all committees needed.
2. The President will preside at each monthly meeting in a place decided by the members.
3. The Secretary shall:

i. Keep minutes and records of all business meetings and care for the correspondence of the Association.

ii. Preside at the meetings in the President’s absence

iii. Assume the remainder of the President’s term if the President moves, resigns, dies or is removed from office

5. The Treasurer shall oversee the financial affairs of the Association.
6. Each Director-at-Large will chair one of the following Committees: Events and Membership.

C.Election

1. Each year in January, elections, upon the expiration of their term, of the President, Secretary, Treasurer and two Directors-at-Large will be held.

a. Three of the Directors, including the President, must be Pastors of a Christian Church located in South Holland, Illinois

b. Nominations for Directors will come from the membership in writing using the Association’s Nomination Slip. The nominations will be tallied, and the seven with the most nominations will become the slate of Directors

c. The slate of Directors will be brought before the Association for a vote

d. Nominations will take place one month prior to the vote by the Association

1. Two of the Directors will serve a 2-year term and three of the Directors will serve a 3-year term. The term of the President will always be 3-years.

a. The Board of Directors will determine which Directors will serve what term, except for the position of President

b. The Board of Directors will determine which committee each Director will chair

1. A Board of Director member can only be nominated for a new position if their term has expired.
2. If a Director whose Church moves out of the Village of South Holland, is removed from office, resigns or dies, there will be a new election as soon as possible.

D. Conditions of Removal

3. Moral misconduct as determined by the Association.
4. Derelict in duties as a Director of the Association.
5. Failure to remain current in payment of dues.

Article V –Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Association shall begin every January 1 and end every December 31.

Article VI – Amendments

These By-Laws may be amended by a quorum of the members who are present after the previous reading.

Article VII – Dissolution

Dissolution of the Association may be accomplished only by a quorum of the members present at two (2) consecutive meetings. In the event of dissolution, any assets of the Association remaining after payment of debts shall be conveyed to such other organizations that are, in the judgment of the voting members, best suited to carry out the purpose and objectives of the Association.

Amended 2/20/2013 by SHMA Vote

Amended 4/20/2016 by SHMA Vote

Amended 11/16/2022 by SHMA Vote