By-Laws

The officers of ABCD shall be members (Messengers) of Southern Baptist churches who have attended the conference for one or more years, of sound Christian character, known ability and experience. Messengers can be elected officers of ABCD during the second year they attend. The election of the officers shall be held on Saturday in the Business meeting. They may serve as follows:

                        President                                              two (2) years   (even year)
                        Vice-President                                     two (2) years   (even year)
                        Secretary                                             two (2) years (even year)
                        Assistant Secretary                               two (2) years   (odd year)
                        Treasurer                                             Unlimited term

The officers will not serve more than four (4) straight years (2 terms) in the same office. The Secretary and Assistant Secretary shall serve alternate two year terms. The vice–president shall become president automatically if the president is unable to serve his/her complete term. The Treasurer can hold the position for an unlimited term.

The Officers and Advisors shall serve as members of the Executive Board. Advisors are appointed by the ABCD President.

The duties of the Executive Board are to:

1. Plan the programs of the Annual meeting of the ABCD and the mini-ABCD Conference(s).

2. Prepare future plans (2 years ahead) in selecting the conference pastor and conference theme.

3. Discuss and resolve referrals and disagreements from the Annual
meeting.

4. Plan the budget of ABCD with advice from the Budgeting Committee, then present the budget to the messengers for a vote at the annual business meeting.

5. Receive motions that affect the Constitution and By-Laws in writing from the messengers by mail within ninety (90) days before the annual business meeting.

6. Copies of motions will be sent to Messengers present for roll call at the previous business meeting at least thirty (30) days before the annual conference.

7. Work together on motions filed and prepare the motions for presentation to the Messengers at the annual meeting.

8. Copies of the motions will be given to all Messengers at the conference in the Heart for Missions booklet.

9. Present at the ABCD business meeting, all motions for constitutional amendments or new business for a vote of the Messengers.

10. Work closely with Alabama Baptist Deaf Districts (ABDD – see article V).

Elections shall be held at the annual ABCD business meeting. Names shall be submitted for consideration to the Messengers at the annual business meeting by the Nominating Committee. Names can also be submitted by Messengers with a nominating form and mailed to the nominating committee 30 days prior to the annual business meeting. Nominees must give a written reply of their decision to the Nominating Committee 10 days before the annual business meeting. If there are no nominees within 30 days prior to the annual business meeting, the President shall fill vacant positions. Further, should a vacancy occur during the year and before the regular meeting of the ABCD, the President may appoint someone to fill the vacancy until the next regular meeting.

ARTICLE II: MESSENGERS

To be an official ABCD messenger and vote in the business meeting, you must be:

1. A registered member of a Southern Baptist Church that has a Deaf Ministry/Deaf Church and

2. Recommended as a Messenger by your Pastor, Deacon or designated church representative.

ARTICLE III: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

PRESIDENT:

1.         Presides over regular and called business meetings.
                        2.         Calls special meeting as needed.
                        3.         Is an ex officio member of all committees.
                        4.         Work with deaf ministries in Alabama to find out how many deaf people are attending, etc. and reports the findings to ABCD.
                        5.         Coordinates planning for and is responsible for the annual convention meeting and mini-ABCD conference with help of chosen committees.
                        6.         Is one of three signatures on ABCD bank documents.
                        7.         Travels and speak to deaf groups at their deaf ministries and encourages them to be active in ABCD.

VICE-PRESIDENT:

1.         Presides over meetings in the absence of the President.
                        2.         Works closely with the President.
                        3.         Responsible for all the duties of the President in the absence of the President.
                        4.         Serves with the Credentials committee. Responsible for collecting the Messenger Registration forms. Reports the results of registration to
                                    the Credentials committee.
                        5.            Is one of three signatures on ABCD bank documents.
                        6.                  Presides over the Constitution and By-Laws Committee. Responsible for studying the Constitution and By-Laws. Reviews amendments
                                    and recommends changes in the Constitution and By-Laws at the annual business meeting.
                        7.            Works with the ABCD KIDS along with the Director.

SECRETARY:

1.         Records the minutes of annual business meetings.
                        2.         Records the minutes of the ABCD officer’s business meetings.
                        3.         Keeps a permanent record of all annual meetings and ABCD officers’ business meetings. Gives copies of the
                                    minutes to the ABCD officers.
                        4.         Types the minutes of the ABCD business meetings and the ABCD officers meeting.
                        5.         Responsible for having the ABCD annual business meeting minutes available to the ABCD newsletter editor
                                    within two months after the ABCD meeting for publication in the Alabama Baptist Conference of the Deaf
                                    Newsletter.
                        6.         Prepares the Roll Call list for annual business meetings.
                        7.         Works closely with the President.
                        8.         Serves on the ABCD Newsletter Committee.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY:

1. Assists the Secretary in recording minutes of annual meeting and ABCD officer’s business meetings.

2. Assists the Secretary when needed.

3. Works closely with the Secretary and the President.

4. Serves on the Children Program Committee.

5. Serves on the ABCD Newsletter Committee.

TREASURER:

1.         Shall be one of three Co-signers on ABCD bank documents.
                        2.         Receives all funds and bank documents belonging to ABCD.
                        3.         Pays bills as approved by the President.
                        4.         Keeps records of all transactions.
                        5.         Prepares documents for auditing.
                        6.         Writes a Financial report for the ABCD newsletter.
                        7.         Makes copies of financial reports for the ABCD business meeting.
                        8.         Gets the registration forms and fees. Sends the forms to the Vice-President.
                        9.         Works closely with the President.
                       10.       Selects Ushers to greet people and collect offerings during the worship.
                       11.       Works closely with the Budget Committee.

ARTICLE IV: Duties of Board of Directors/Trustees

Responsibilities (Duties):

(1) Prepare and present as needed to the annual meeting long range plans which shall include: Operational needs for the ABCD, directions in which the ABCD should go in its mission’s efforts, and themes of future conference programs.

(2) Prepare an annual budget and present it to the annual meeting for action.

(3) Choose one of its messengers to act as a liaison with each of the following: Executive Committee and each of the auxiliaries.

(4) Secure and supervise an editor with ABCD newsletter.

(5) Meet at least three (3) times a year to organize and plan in teaching the new ABCD Officers their responsibilities. The annual meeting or any special meetings shall be called by the meeting or any special meetings shall be called by the President or chairperson of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES

A majority of each committee shall be deaf with the exception of the Interpreting Committee. The President will appoint the members of these committees at the beginning of his or her term in office. The members of each committee shall remain active throughout the President’s term of either two or four years.

ARTICLE VI: DUTIES OF COMMITTEES

NOMINATING (3 members):

1. Responsible for submitting names of Messengers willing to serve as an officer of ABCD. Makes sure the Messenger accepts the nomination and is willing to serve.

2. Reports to the ABCD messengers during the Business meeting the names of nominees who have accepted the nominations. Each Nominee must be present during meeting before voting is held unless the President gives special permission for a proxy vote because the nominee is absent.

3. Responsible for making sure that all nominees are of good Christian character, with known ability and experience for the office.

4. Works closely with the President.

CREDENTIALS (3 members):

1. Gets the messenger registration forms from the Vice-President.

2. Reviews the forms for accuracy and completeness.

3. Approves each messenger as a voting member of the annual business meeting as described in Article II of the By-Laws.

4. Makes membership cards showing the following: names, addresses, church cooperation, Baptist Association, any church office held, name of the Pastor or church leader.

3. Reads and approves applications of anyone desiring membership in ABCD.

AUDITING (3 members):

1. Checks all ABCD financial records.

2. Checks the Treasurer’s annual report prior to the ABCD business meeting.

3. Responsible for explaining how the audit was conducted and what was audited.

4. Advises the Messengers at the annual business meeting that they are satisfied that the financial records are in order.

BUDGETING (3 members):

1. Works and prepares the Proposed Budget for the next fiscal year.

2. Meets with the ABCD officers to discuss the Proposed Budget.

3. Brings the Proposed Budget to the annual ABCD business meeting for the messengers to approve.

4. Works closely with the Treasurer.

HISTORY (5 members):

1. Collects and keeps all material related to the Alabama Baptist Conference of the Deaf.

2. Collects and keeps ABCD's papers, programs, advertisements, and other important information.

3. Gives a brief summary about ABCD or Deaf Ministries in Alabama each year informing messengers of ABCD history.

4. Publishes a History book if requested to do so.

5.         Sends a History report to ABCD newsletter.

             CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS (5 members):

1. Studies the constitution and by-laws for needed updating. Makes recommendations to be voted on at next annual business meeting.

2. Sees that copies are given to the Messengers at each annual meeting if there are changes.

3. Keeps a list of qualified messengers who may act as Parliamentarians during the ABCD business meeting and reports this information to the Executive Board.

INTERPRETING (3 members):

1. Schedules interpreters to interpret for the deaf if a hearing person is to speak.

2. Schedules Interpreter workshops, with RID CEUs available, at Mini-ABCD conference(s) and other workshops.

3. Before the conferences begin, (if interpreters are needed) will check on lighting and sound devices needed for interpreters so that people will not have difficulty communicating during ABCD and Mini-ABCD conference(s).

YOUNG ADULTS (3 members)

1. Plans and leads workshops and fellowships for all Young Adults.

2. Meets with the President for his approval on workshops and Programs so there won't be any conflict with
other groups.

JUNIOR ABCD (3 members):

1. Plans and leads workshops and fellowships for all Jr. High School and High School students.

2. Meets with the President for his approval on workshops and Programs so there won't be any conflict with other groups.

ABCD KIDS (3 Members):

1.         Plans activities for children during all ABCD workshops, and Business meetings.
            2.         Contacts Vice President for rules for the children.
            3.         Organizes interesting programs, including songs, bible Study, games, and/or outside activities (weather permitting).

There are 2 groups of children when possible,

1. Nursery and Preschool; ages up to 5 years old.

2. First (1) grade to Sixth (6) grades, ages 6 – 12 years old.

If an emergency or problem with a child arises, the committee should find and contact the child's parent(s). If a child is sick, the ABCD KIDS Director has the right to refuse to accept the child in the program. It is the parent's responsibility to take their children to the ABCD KIDS location and pick them up at the ABCD KIDS location in a timely manner.

ABCD NEWSLETTER:

1. Sends notices to all churches to inform them of the date, place and times of the ABCD conference and mini – ABCD conference.

2. Puts notices in state wide newspapers, under the religious section, to inform deaf people about ABCD.

3. Works to get free publicity using the community services umbrella of the media and making sure televised publicity has closed captioning.

4. Works closely with the President regarding ABCD business and
public relations.

ABCD has an official newsletter. The name of the newsletter is "Alabama Baptist Conference of the Deaf Newsletter". The Newsletter shall be under the direction of a deaf editor who will be supervised by the President.

ARTICLE VI: Alabama Baptist Deaf Districts (ABDD)

Alabama Baptist Deaf Districts has a total of 12 districts in the state of Alabama. Each district has a Deaf Missions District Coordinator (DMDC). Each Deaf Ministries/Deaf Churches shall provide a Deaf Missions Representative (DMR) to represent their church to work with the Deaf Missions District Coordinator (DMDC). The purpose of ABDD is to encourage each district to win deaf people for Christ, plant new deaf churches, encourage church growth and development, and develop Christian deaf leadership.

Responsibilities for the Deaf Missions District Coordinator (DMDC):

1. Visit each Deaf Ministry and Deaf Church within the district.

2. To study the needs of Deaf Ministry

3. To encourage and help Southern Baptist Churches to set up Deaf Ministries.

4. To study the deaf populations of towns and communities.

5. Mail the ABCD reports to all Deaf Ministries of Southern Baptist Churches within the district and request their responses on how many deaf people are in their ministries, report this to ABCD.

6. Work with the ABCD President in Missions where needed.

7. Serve as moderator during the annual district meeting.

Responsibilities for the Deaf Missions Representative (DMR):

1. Correspond with the Deaf Missions District Coordinator (DMDC) and the Executive Board of the Alabama Baptist Conference of the Deaf.

2. Work with the Deaf Missions District Coordinator in Missions where needed.

3. Help with the Deaf Missions District Coordinator in planning for the Annual District Meeting.

ARTICLE VII: ORDER OF BUSINESS MEETING

1. The ABCD shall recognize Roberts Rule of Order as the guide to conducting the annual meeting except where
the constitution shall state differently.

2. Business shall be conducted by a fifty percent (50%) vote of the messengers present at the annual ABCD business meeting.

3. The order of the business meeting will be as follows:

a. Short Devotion and Prayer

b. Call to order

c. Roll Call of

1. Messengers

2. Visitors

3. Interpreters

d. Officers' Reports

1. Secretary's minutes of the last meeting

2. Treasurer's financial report

3. President's report

e. Committee Reports

f. Old Business (Business left over from last meeting)

g. New Business (Motions, amendments, goals, budget,
resolution, by-laws, and any other new business).

h. Voting of New Officers presented by the Nominating
Committee.

i. Adjournments and Prayer

4. INSTALLATION OF NEW OFFICERS will be at conclusion of the Sunday Morning Worship Service.

ARTICLE VIII: DISAGREEMENTS

In case of any business that cannot be settled at the annual ABCD business meeting, the President may refer any
problems to the ABCD Executive officers.

ARTICLE IX: OFFERINGS

                        1.         Offerings will be taken up during every worship service.
                        2.         Deaf Ministries in local churches can give or fund parts or all of ABCD or mini- ABCD conference(s).
                        3.         All offerings will be given to the ABCD Treasurer for the ABCD budget.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

The By-Laws may be amended by a vote of fifty percent (50%) of the messengers present at the regular business meeting. Any amendments must be given to the Vice-President in writing 90 days before annual business meeting.

ARTICLE XI: DISSOLUTION

            1.         Should the ABCD Officers and Messengers vote to dissolve the ABCD, all properties will be sold. All monies
                        realized from ABCD will then be deposited and kept in escrow under the direction of the Alabama Baptist State
                        Convention.

2. All above-mentioned monies and interest collected in this escrow account will be held for three (3) years. If within three (3) years, the ABCD is not re-established all said funds would then be turned over to the Alabama Baptist Deaf Mission Churches.

Established ABCD 1959
Revised 1985
Revised 1992
Revised 1995
Revised 1998
Revised 1999
Revised 2000
Revised 2001
Revised 2002
Revised 2007
Revised 2008

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Copyright @ 2001 Alabama Baptist Conference of the Deaf.
Last modified: October 30, 2007