Community Bylaws

The Central Ohio Emmaus Community bylaws are the rules under which we operate.  We make every effort to adhere to the model administered by the national Emmaus community through The Upper Room.  If you have any questions about the operation of the community you can consult the bylaws or ask a Board member.

• COE by-laws online

• COE by-laws in PDF format

• COE by-laws in Word format

CENTRAL OHIO EMMAUS COMMUNITY

MARYSVILLE OHIO

BYLAWS OF THE

The name of this community shall be the Central Ohio Emmaus Community, hereinafter referred to a "the Community."

Section 1. The purpose of the Community shall be to inspire, challenge, and equip church members for Christian action in their homes, churches, places of work, and the world community through the Emmaus experience.

Section 2. The Community is affiliated with the International Emmaus Program of The Upper Room, Nashville Tennessee.

Section 3. The Community shall function as a ministry of The First United Methodist Church of Marysville, Ohio, Inc. (FUMC). As such, it uses the church’s tax identification number and exemption status for purchases and to accept tax-deductible contributions. Any potential taxable event (i.e. employment, extended product sale, or unrelated business income) should be discussed and approved by the Administrative Council of FUMC.

Section 1. All persons who have completed a weekend experience of the Walk to Emmaus sponsored by the Central Ohio Emmaus Community shall be members of the Community.

Section 2. Persons who have completed a Walk to Emmaus in another Emmaus Community, Chrysalis, or a Cursillo or Tres Dias weekend, of a Kairos or Epiphany weekend, or a similar weekend (recognized and approved by the Board of Directors of the Central Ohio Emmaus Community) may become members by participating in activities of the Community and asking the Data Processing Board Member of the Community to include their names in the mailing list.

Section 1. The purpose of the Central Ohio Emmaus Board of Directors is to govern the local Emmaus Community and to oversee the quality of the program. The Board of Directors is the link between the local Emmaus Community and the Upper Room.

Section 2. The Board of Directors is composed of a Community Lay Director (CLD), Community Assistant Lay Director (CALD), Community Spiritual Director (CSD), Secretary, Treasurer, fifteen (15) Board Committee Chairs, Data Processing Chair, and the immediate past Community Lay Director. Each of these positions has one vote, even if there are co-chairs, with the following exceptions: the CLD, the immediate past Community Lay Director, and the Data Processing Chair, are non-voting members of the Board. The CLD only votes in case of a tie. If the CSD is not from The FUMC, a non-voting liaison representative may be selected by FUMC.

Section 3. a. A nominee for any Emmaus Board Chair Position must be active in and be involved in the Central Ohio Emmaus Community. Openings for the Board Positions, with the exception of the Board Officers, and Data Processing Chair will be announced to the Community at the August Gathering and through the Rooster. Any member of the Community may nominate a member for any board position.

b. The Nominating Committee will report at the November gathering, at which time the new Board members will be selected by written ballot with an opportunity for write-ins.

c. New Board members will be invited to attend the December, January, and February Board meetings, in a non-voting capacity, prior to assuming their duties on March 1, for a term that will end the last day of the following February.

d. A Board Committee Chair is elected for a two (2) year term, but may be elected to a second two (2) year term in a different position. No one may serve more than two consecutive terms on the Board. The following Board Committee Chairs will be elected in the even numbered years; Men and Women Good Shepherds, Men and Women Registrars, Social, Sponsorship, Supplies, and Worship. The following Board Committee Chairs will be elected in the odd numbered years; Agape’, Chrysalis, Epiphany, Kairos, Kitchen, Logistics, and Newsletter.

e. The order of succession for governing the Board meetings is CLD, CALD, Secretary, and Treasurer.

f. At the October Board meeting, the Board will elect a CLD, CALD, Secretary, and Treasurer to serve as Board Officers for the following year. Those elected will take office following the December Gathering. The CLD shall serve only a one-year term.

g. At the June Board meeting, the Board will nominate qualified Pastors to serve as the CSD. At the July Board meeting, the Board will elect the CSD.

Section 4. The Board will meet the second Tuesday of each month. There must be ten (10) voting members of the Board present at a duly called meeting to constitute a quorum.

Section 5. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the CLD, or upon the written request of ten (10) voting Board members.

Section 6. The Board may elect persons, upon nomination by the Leadership Committee, to fill vacancies until the next regular election. Such persons are eligible for election to the Board at that time.

Section 1. The following committee chairs are a part of the Board of Directors: Agape’, Chrysalis, Epiphany, Men’s Good Shepherd, Women’s Good Shepherd, Kairos, Kitchen, Logistics, Newsletter, Men’s Registrar, Women’s Registrar, Social, Sponsorship, Supplies, and Worship.

Section 2. The Leadership Committee consists of the CLD, CALD, and the CSD.

Section 3. The Team Selection Committee consists of the Leadership Committee, plus the Spiritual Director and Lay Director of the Walk for which persons are being selected and the Lay Director of the Walk of the same gender, two walks prior.

Section 4. The CLD shall yearly appoint a Nominating Committee, which will be composed of the Leadership Committee plus two (2) members of the Board of Directors and three (3) members at Large. The Nominating Committee shall present one slate of Board Members to the Community for election, as set forth in Article 4 Section 3.

Section 5. The CLD shall be an ex officio member of all standing committees.

Section 1. The Community shall follow the guidelines of The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus program in the conducting of the three-day (72 hour) experience "Walk to Emmaus." The guidelines are presented in the Upper Room Handbook on Emmaus.

Section 2. The Board of Directors shall have general oversight in all matters relating to governance of the local community.

Section 3. The Board of Directors shall select a Lay Director for each community Walk to Emmaus Weekend.

Section 4. The Board of Directors shall select the Spiritual Director for community Walks to Emmaus with major input from the CSD.

Section 5. The proposed team members and alternates, both lay and clergy will be presented to the Board of Directors for approval.

Section 1. Any members of the Community may present proposed amendments to the Board, in writing, one (1) month prior to consideration by the Board.

Section 2. Upon approval of three fourths of the Board members present at a duly constituted meeting, the amendment will be presented to the Community via the newsletter and voted on at the second Community Gathering after appearing in the newsletter. Simple majority approval will rule.

Section 1. The Bylaws are to take effect immediately upon certification by the Board of Directors.

Certification Date: