Diaconal Ministries: Constitutions and Bylaws
A. Statement of Diaconal Ministries
B. Purpose
C. Structure
D. Meetings of the Council
E. Relation with other bodies
F. Change in Bylaws
G. Change in Constitution
H. Bylaws
A. Statement of Diaconal Ministries
Diaconal Ministers are called to be servants of Jesus Christ. We believe in a ministry that is spiritual, dynamic, creative and a practical enactment of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We work collegially in leadership, open to empowerment of the Holy Spirit, to equip and enrich others for Christian life and service. We envision a ministry rooted in the life and worship of the whole people of God which emphasizes Christian Education, Pastoral Care and Social Services.
To provide opportunities for mutual support and spiritual enrichment for all members in accordance with the Statement of Diaconal Ministries.
To formulate and express the collective views of the members of the Order and concerns for ministry and make recommendations to the General Assembly through Ministry and Church Vocations of the Life and Mission Agency of other appropriate bodies.
1. Membership
Persons who have successfully completed the course of studies for diaconal ministry at a college recognized by the General Assembly for this purpose and who have been designated by a presbytery of this Church as well as persons with similar training who have been received and designated by a presbytery with the permission of the General Assembly (Book of Forms, Sec. 174.5) are members of the Order of Diaconal Ministries and shall be referred to as Diaconal Ministers. All such persons may take their functional titles from the specific position which they hold. (A & P, 1984,p. 411, Recommendation No. 22).
2. Executive
The Executive shall be composed of seven to ten members consisting of the following: Past President, Co-President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Coordinator of Regions, Members-at-large. The Executive shall name representatives to: Committee on Theological Education (General Assembly appointments), Senate of Knox College (General Assembly appointments), Diakonia of the Americas and the Caribbean (DOTAC), Ministry and Church Vocations, Committee on Education and Reception, Women's Missionary Society, Atlantic Mission Society.
Power of Executive
The Council Executive shall have power to transact all business of the Council between Council meetings.
Length of Term
The term of a specific position on the Executive shall be two years, but renewable at the discretion of the Council.
Back to top
D. Meetings of the Council
The Council shall ordinarily meet biennially and must be at least every four years. All members of the Order shall have voting privileges at Council meetings. A quorum shall consist of not less than fifteen members.
Back to top
E. Relation with other bodies
1. General Assembly
The Council shall maintain relationship with the General Assembly through Ministry and Church Vocations of the Life and Mission Agency or other appropriate body.
2. Missionary Societies
The Council shall maintain relationships with the Women's Missionary Society and the Atlantic Mission Society.
3. Committees of the Church
The Council shall maintain relationship with other appropriate bodies in the Church such as the Committee on Theological Education, the Committee on Education and Reception, Knox College and the Pension Board.
4. Diaconal Organizations
The Council shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining relationship with similar diaconal organizations such as Diakonia of the Americas and Carribbean (DOTAC) and Diakonia World Federation.
Back to top
F. Change in Bylaws
The Council shall have the power to formulate and approve bylaws to facilitate the business and conduct of the work of the Council. These bylaws shall be altered only after a two-thirds favourable vote of the members present and voting at a regularly constituted Council meeting, notice of motion having been given at an earlier sederunt.
Back to top
G. Change in Constitution
The Constitution may be altered only by consent of the Council of the Order. Recommendation concerning alterations in the Constitution shall be sent by mail from Council Executive to each member of the Order at least sixty days before its biennial meeting. Such recommendations may be considered by the Council at its regular constituted meeting and requires a two-thirds favourable vote by the members present. It is understood that any changes to the Constitution, agreed on by the membership of the Order, must then be presented to the General Assembly for approval.
1. Election of officers
The Nominating Committee of Council shall consist of three members, one of whom shall be from the Executive. These shall be appointed by the Executive at least six months prior to the Council meeting. The Nominating Committee shall be charged with the responsibility of seeking suitable people to fill all the offices of the Executive and shall present a slate to the Council meeting for election. No name shall be presented to the Council meeting unless the consent of the person has been secured. Note: Nominations from the floor of Council meeting will be accepted providing the consent of the nominee has been secured. If there should be more than one name for an office, election shall be by ballot.
2. Responsibilities of Executive
The Executive shall meet at least twice a year. Our meeting of the new Executive shall beheld at the t time of the Council meeting. Between meeting of the Council, the Executive shall be responsible for: carrying on the business of the Council, planning for Council meetings, representing and speaking on behalf of the Order, appointing a nominating committee to prepare as late of officers for presentation to the next meeting of the Council, arranging for the welcoming of new members to the Order, fostering regional meetings for fellowship, spiritual enrichment and discussion of Council business, and public relations for the Order.
3. Reports to Council
The Council Executive shall receive reports from appropriate bodies (see Section C) through its Council representatives.
4. Professional Fees
A professional fee shall be paid annually for the purpose of augmenting the work of the Order -promoting its ministry, supporting its fellowship and maintaining membership in diaconal organizations such as Diakonia of the Americas and the Caribbean (DOTAC) and Diakonia World Federation. The Amount of the fee shall be determined by the Council at its meeting.
5. Symbol of the Order
The Symbol of the Order shall be presented by a member of the Order at the time of Designation.
6. Regions
There will be geographically designed information to the Regional representative and request special regional meeting when necessary.
7. Administrator
The Executive shall appoint a person to the position of Administrator. The Administrator will edit, print and distribute the newsletter, organize and keep files (including mailing lists) current, oversee the presentation of the Order of Diaconal Ministries pin for new members, identify and arrange for anniversaries of Designations, distribute Council Minutes to the membership, distribute Council Minutes to the membership, distribute Council Executive minutes to the Executive and Regional Representatives, in all aspects of his or her work be support staff for the Executive. The Administrator will be accountable, in all matters, to the Executive through the Co-Presidents of the Council. It is estimated that this work will take an average of five hours per week and a suitable honorarium will be provided.
8. Signing Officers
Signing Officers shall be Co-Presidents, Treasurer and Secretary. Any two of the above are required to sign. Please note that if there are any errors or omissions in this retyped version of the Constitution and Bylaws, please refer to the original document approved by the 124th General Assembly,1998.