Alabama Baptist Conference of the Deaf

Constitution (Top) & By-Laws (Bottom)

Constitution

ARTICLE I:    NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Alabama Baptist Conference of the Deaf (hereafter referred to as ABCD).

ARTICLE II:    GOALS

The goals of this conference shall be to encourage:

             1.       Church attendance and attendance at other Christian services
             2.       The teaching of God’s Word
             3.       Spiritual Christian growth
             4.       Christian training
             5.       Christian discipleship
             6.       Christian fellowship
             7.       Unity
             8.       Leadership

And to:

             9.       Elect officers
            10.      Establish committees

The officers, advisors, and committees shall do the work of the ABCD at the direction of the ABCD President and Executive Board. Advisors are former officers of ABCD and shall be selected by the current President. One of the responsibilities of the Executive Board shall include arranging for the annual ABCD conference and Impacting Lives for Christ (I.L.C.) conference(s).

ARTICLE III:    DOCTRINE

ABCD accepts the Holy Bible as the all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. ABCD agrees with the Baptist faith as stated by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).

ARTICLE IV:    COOPERATION

ABCD shall join to the fullest capacity possible all actions of the Alabama Baptist Convention (ABC), the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), and the Southern Baptist Conference of the Deaf (SBCD). ABCD shall keep in mind the efforts of these conventions. ABCD shall not join with any group whose faith, doctrine, or practices are against those of the Southern Baptist Convention.

ARTICLE V:    MEMBERSHIP

The membership of ABCD is made up of any registered member of a Southern Baptist Church of Alabama. ABCD members shall be called Messengers.

ARTICLE VI:    MESSENGERS

        Messengers to ABCD shall be deaf/hearing people and deaf ministry workers who are active members and leaders of local Southern Baptist Churches in Alabama. Messengers shall be elected by their churches and approved by their Minister or Deacon of the Church. Messengers shall vote in the ABCD business meeting. All other Christians attending are welcome to fellowship and may register as "Visitors".

ARTICLE VII:    OFFICERS

The officers of ABCD shall be:

              1.       President
              2.       Vice-President
              3.       Secretary
              4.       Assistant Secretary
              5.       Treasurer
              6.     Assistant to Treasurer
              7.     Chief Web Page Administrator

          Officers of ABCD shall be mature men and women who are Messengers to the Alabama Baptist Conference of the Deaf. They are to be of good Christian character with proven leadership ability. They are to be deaf individuals with the exception of the office of Assistant Secretary. She/he may be a hearing individual, but must have knowledge of sign language and Deaf culture. The officers and advisors shall be known as the Executive Board

ARTICLE VIII:    PARLIAMENTARIAN

The President of the Conference shall appoint and have at his disposal two people who shall serve as Parliamentarian for the Conference. The Parliamentarian(s) must be under the Southern Baptist Convention. These Parliamentarians shall have knowledge of sign language, as well as knowledge of Robert’s Rules of Order.

ARTICLE IX:    COMMITTEES

          The President will appoint the members of these committees at the beginning of his or her term.

These committees shall be:

1.    Nominating
2.    Auditing
3.    History
4.    Constitution and By-Laws
5.    Interpreting
6.    Junior (JR) ABCD (ages 13 to Senior in high school)
7.    ABCD KIDS (infants to preschool; ages 6-12)
8.    Young Adults (College and Career)

The President may appoint other committees as needed.

ARTICLE X:    ALABAMA BAPTIST DEAF DISTRICTS (ABDD)

        The Alabama Baptist Deaf Districts (ABDD) is made up of a total of 12 districts in the state of Alabama. A Deaf Missions Representative (DMR) is a selected representative from their Deaf Ministry or Deaf Church in the state of Alabama. The Deaf Missions Representative (DMR) shall communicate with the ABCD Executive Board about the district’s needs and obtain event information that shall be distributed amongst their district. The purpose of ABDD is to further God’s mission and work.

ARTICLE XI:    MEETING

         The regular meeting of the conference shall be held yearly on any weekend during the month of March at Shocco Springs Baptist Assembly near Talladega, Alabama as stipulated in a contract made with the Baptist State Convention. A business meeting shall be held yearly during the conference. The officers and advisors of ABCD shall meet as needed to conduct the business of the ABCD. They will plan and put into action these plans for the annual conference and I.L.C. conference(s).

ARTICLE XII:    AMENDMENTS

          The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a fifty one percent 51 % or majority vote of the Messengers present at the regular business meeting held during the annual ABCD convention. Any proposed amendment to the Constitution and By-Laws must be given in writing to the Constitution and By-Laws Committee ninety (90) days before the Annual Business Meeting. Recommended amendments will be published on the official "Alabama Baptist Conference of the Deaf" website at least 30 days prior to the Annual Business Meeting.

By-Laws

ARTICLE I:        OFFICERS

The officers of ABCD shall be members (Messengers) of Southern Baptist Churches who have attended the conference a minimum of two consecutive years, of sound Christian character, known ability and experience. Messengers can be elected officers of ABCD during the third 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                         two (2) year terms (even year)
Assistant Treasure       two (2) year terms (even year)
Chief Web Page Administrator     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 will hold the position for a two (2) year term, but can be re-elected for succeeding terms by the Messengers of the appropriate conference.

The officers shall serve as members of the Executive Board. Advisors are former officers who will serve as consultants to the new Executive Board at the discretion of the President.

The duties of the Executive Board are to:

1.    Plan the programs of the annual meeting of the ABCD and the I.L.C. 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.     Review motions that affect the Constitution and By-Laws in writing from the Messengers by e-mail within ninety (90) days before the Annual Business Meeting.
5.    Motions to be considered by the Messengers will be placed on the Alabama Baptist Conference of the Deaf website at least thirty (30) days before the annual conference.
6.    Review and prepare motions filed for presentation to the Messengers at the annual meeting.
7.    Prepare copies of the motions to be given to all the Messengers at the conference.
8.    Present at the ABCD business meeting, all motions for
constitutional amendments or new business for a vote of the Messengers.
9.     Work closely with Alabama Baptist Deaf Districts (ABDD – see ARTICLE X in the Constitution).

Elections shall be held at the Annual ABCD Business meeting. Names shall be submitted for consideration to the Messengers at the Annual Business meeting after being approved by the Nominating Committee. 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. In the event there are no nominees for the Office of President or Vice-President, the current officers may continue for another consecutive term upon acceptance and passage of a motion from the Nominating Committee. Then the President may appoint others officers as stipulated by the Constitution and By-Laws.

ARTICLE II:        MESSENGERS

To be an official ABCD Messenger and vote in the business meeting, you must
be:
1.    A registered member in good standing of a church in the Southern Baptist Convention.
2.    Recommended as a Messenger by your Minister or Deacon.

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 I.L.C. Conference with help of chosen committees.
6.    Shall be one of three Co-signers 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.    Oversees the Messengers credentials and is responsible for collecting the Messenger Registration Forms.
5.     Shall be one of three Co-signers 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, JR. ABCD, and ABCD Young
Adults and the Director.

SECRETARY:
1.     Records the minutes of the ABCD Annual Business Meetings and
the officers’ business meetings.
2.    Keeps a record of all Annual Business Meetings and ABCD officers’ business meetings and gives copies of the minutes to the ABCD officers within two weeks after the meeting.
3.    Works closely with the Vice-President in compiling and certifying the roll call list for Annual Business Meetings.
4.    Works closely with the Assistant Secretary, President, and Vice President.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY:
1.    Assists the Secretary in recording minutes of the Annual Business Meeting and ABCD officers’ business meetings.
2.    Assists the Secretary when needed.
3.    Works closely with the Secretary, President, and Vice President.

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 ABCD
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, Vice President, and Assistant Treasurer.
10.        Selects ushers to greet people and collect offerings during the     worship.

           ASSISTANT TREASURER

1.    Assists the Treasurer as directed by the President and/or the Treasurer.
2.    Assumes the responsibility of the Treasurer in the absence of the Treasurer.
3.    Work closely with the President, Vice President, and Treasurer.

           CHIEF WEB PAGE ADMINISTRATOR

1.    Works closely with the President, Vice-President, and Secretary in compiling all necessary information for the upkeep and maintenance of the Alabama Baptist Conference of the Deaf website.
2.    Maintains website as directed by the members of the Executive Board.
3.    Manages website and electronic information for distribution and demonstration at the Annual Business Meetings.

ARTICLE IV:    COMMITTEES

A majority of each committee shall be deaf with the exception of the Interpreting Committee. The President will appoint three 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 V:        DUTIES OF COMMITTEES

*With a minimum of three (3), all committees must have an odd number of
   members.
NOMINATING:
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.
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 and Vice-President.

AUDITING:
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.

HISTORY:
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 website.

CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS:
1.    Studies the Constitution and By-Laws for needed updating and makes recommendations to be voted on at the next Annual Business Meeting.
2.         Studies and demonstrates understanding of Parliamentarian procedures as expressed in Robert’s Rules of Order.
3.    Sees that copies are given to the Messengers at each annual meeting if there are changes.
4.    Keeps a list of qualified Messengers who may act as Parliamentarians during the ABCD’s Annual Business Meeting and reports this information to the Executive Board.

INTERPRETING:
1.    Schedules interpreters as needed.
2.    Schedules interpreter 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 I.L.C. conference(s).

YOUNG ADULTS:
1.    Plans and leads workshops and fellowships for all Young Adults.
2.    Meets with the President for his/her approval on workshops and
programs so there won't be any conflict with other groups.

JUNIOR ABCD:
1.    Plans and leads workshops and fellowships for all Jr. High School
and High School students.
2.    Meets with the President for his/her approval on workshops and
programs so there won't be any conflict with other groups.

ABCD KIDS:
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 to be 2 groups of children when possible,
1. Nursery and Preschool; ages up to 5 years old.
2. First (1) grade to Sixth (6) grade, 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.

ARTICLE VI:    ALABAMA BAPTIST DEAF DISTRICTS (ABDD)

Alabama Baptist Deaf Districts has a total of 12 districts in the state of Alabama. Each Deaf Ministry /Deaf Church shall provide a Deaf Missions Representative (DMR) to represent their church. The Deaf Missions Representative (DMR) is responsible for communicating with the ABCD Executive Board members about the district’s needs and obtain event information that shall be distributed amongst their district.

ARTICLE VII:    ORDER OF BUSINESS MEETING

1.    The ABCD shall recognize Robert’s Rules of Order as the guide to conducting the Annual Business Meeting except where the Constitution shall state differently.
2.    Business shall be conducted by a fifty one (51%) percent or majority vote of the Messengers present at ABCD’s Annual 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 or the re-election of 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 I.L.C. conference(s).
3.    All offerings will be given to the ABCD Treasurer for the ABCD
budget.

ARTICLE IX:    AMENDMENTS

The By-Laws may be amended by a vote of fifty one percent (51 % or majority) 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 in 1959

Revised 1985
Revised 1992
Revised 1995
Revised 1998
Revised 1999
Revised 2000
Revised 2001
Revised 2002
Revised 2007
Revised 2008
Revised 2010
Revised 2011