By-Laws

Oneida Association



New York Conference

United Church of Christ



5575 Thompson Road
DeWitt, New York 13214
315-446-3073



Adopted:10-27-85
Revised:1-27-93
Revised:2-03-93
Amendment:4-14-96 (431: Council Hear Appeals)
Amendment:9-28-97 (540: Establish Oneida Counseling Ministry Committee)
Section Revision:9-27-98 (490: Makeup of Committee on Authorized Ministry)
Amendment:9-26-04 (435: General Ministry Team act as Calling Body)
Section Revision:9-24-06 (490: Makeup of Committee on Authorized Ministry)
Section Revision:9-23-07 (540: Name Change to: Family Counseling Ministry)
Revised:4-26-09





Article I:  Name

100. The name of this Association is the Oneida Association of the New York Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Article II:  Mission Statement

The churches of the Oneida Association, in covenant with one another, will engage, support, witness and serve as disciples in the life and ministry of the United Church of Christ.

Article III:  Rights and Responsibilities


In concert with the Mission Statement in Article II, and the rights and responsibilities assigned to it by the Constitution and By-Laws of the United Church of Christ, the Oneida Association shall:

110. Express the oneness in Christ of the churches composing it and effectively carry out the association mission.
120. Continue in fellowship with the Congregational Christian local churches which are not part of the United Church of Christ.
130. Determine, confer, and certify to the standing of local churches of the United Church of Christ within its boundaries.
140. Determine, confer, and certify to the standing of authorized ministers of the United Church of Christ.
150. Cooperated with the New York Conference of the United Church of Christ and through the Conference with the United Church of Christ nationally.
160. Do each and every thing which an Association of the United Church of Christ may do to support the local church and its work of Christian worship, education, ministry, spiritual nurture, healing, mission, justice, and witness.
170. Any adjustment of Association boundaries or transfer of members of churches between Associations shall be determined in consultation with and by the approbal of the New York Conference.
180. Be guided by the Constitution and By-Laws of the United Church of Christ, its Manual on Ministry, Manual on Church, and the Guidelines for Responding to Allegations of Professional Misconduct by Authorized Ministers Involving Sexual Harassment and/or Sexual Abuse.


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190. Whenever appropriate activities shall be ecumenical in character.



Article IV:  Faith

200. This Association claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers particularly as that faith is expressed in the Preamble of the Constitution of the United Church of Christ and in the Statement of Faith adopted by the General Synod of the United Church of Christ, July 8, 1959.

Article V:  Membership

210.Churches   –

.1The local churches of the United Church of Christ located within its boundaries.
.2Any local church whose articles or statement of faith are in essential agreement with that of this Association, and which, having covenanted with the Association to assume and fulfill faithfuly the obligations of a member church as hereinafter set forth and has been recommended by the Committee on Association Life, is received into membership by two-thirds vote of those present and voting at a duly called meeting of the Association.
220.Authorized Ministers  –

.1Ordained ministers of the United Church of Christ who hold their ministerial standing in the Oneida Associaiton.
.2A minister of another denomination while serving a church of the United Church of Christ may be granted dual standing, except s/he shall not serve on the Committee on Authorized Ministry or the Committee on Association Life nor have a vote on matters affecting the standing of local churches. S/he shall not be elected a delegate to General Synod.
.3Any lay minister licensed by Oneida Association to serve a local church.
.4Any lay minister commissioned by Oneida Association to a particular calling.


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230.Honorary and Affiliate Members  –

The Conference Minister, other members of the Conference Staff, official representatives of the General Synod and of the national boards, agencies and instrumentalities of the United Church of Christ in attendance are Associate Delegates without vote.

Article VI:
Privileges and Responsibilities of Member Churches

240.A church holding membership in this Association has, in fellowship a God-given responsibility for the Association, its labors, and its witness, even as the Association has, in fellowship, a God-given responsibility for the well-being and aspirations of each member church. In mutual Christian concern and in dedication to Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, the one and the many share in common Christian experience and responsibility; we freely covenant to:

.1Participate in Association and Conference Meetings. Provide delegates to the Association and Conference meetings, where the wider church policies and positions are determined and national representatives are selected.
.2Participate in Celebrations in Wider Church Settings. Participating in Ecclesiastical Councils, Ordinations, Installations and other celebrations in the life of the wider setting.
.3Offer Nominees for Leadership for the Work of the Wider UCC. Nominating representatives from among its members for election or appointment to the standing committees, task forces and working groups of the Association and Conference.
.4Submit Annual Reports of Congregational Life to the Wider UCC. Providing statistics, data, annual reports, and other information that helps the Association in carrying out its work.
.5Serve as a faithful steward. The local church is expected to prayerfully consider its ability to give, and will provide reasonable and consistent support for the ministry of Christ through the work of the wider church by:

i.Making timely per capita payments to the Association and/or Conference (where applicable).
ii.Contribute generously to Our Churche's Wider Mission (OCWM) through a designated gift that is approved by the local church>
iii.Provide support for United Church of Christ related seminaries, agencies, and special offerings.
iv.Encourage the appropriate use of endowed funds to provide support for the ministry and mission of the United Church of Christ.


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.6Uphold the Ethical and Legal Use of financial Resources. The local church is expected to use its available financial resources, in ethical and legal ways, to provied adequate staffing, resources and mission support to strengthen its life and work.
.7Treat Paid Staff an Volunteers with Care and Justice. Local churches will serve as ethical and caring stewards of its paid staff and volunteers.

The local church is expected to abide by reasonable and just human resources practices and procedures on calling or hiring, supervision, accountability, ongoing support, leave of absence, separation, and dismissal or termination of employment.

.8Operate with Integrity and Fidelity. The local church will operate with integrity and fidelity, and within legal and ethical norms. the local church is expected be honoragle in its public and private conduct, to obey the laws of its State and Nation except in cases where such laws contradict the gospel mandates to love all people in which case they may engage in civil disobedience, to conduct its business in an ethical and legal manner, and to protect iself form legal actions. This is especially important in the following areas:

–  Management of funds and resources.
–  Human Resource policies and practices.
–  Honesty in information reporting and public statements.

.9Utilize the United Church of Christ Search and Call process when seeking new pastoral leadership
250.The autonomy of the local church is modifiable only by its own action. The Association shal have no power to abridge or impair the autonomy of any local church in the management of its own affairs.
260.Action by, or decisions or advice emanating from the General synod and the New York Conference of the United Church of Christ and this Association shall be held in the highest regard by every member churche of the Association.
270.A church may be removed from the Association roll either by:

.1 Legal vote of the local church requesting removal and through two-thirds vote of the delegates of the Association, present and voting.
.2Upon recommendation of the Committee on Congregational Life and by two-thirds vote of the delegates of the Association, present and boting, due notice of the proposed action having been given to the parties concernd.


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Article VII:
Privileges and Responsibilities of Authorized Ministers

The privilege and responsibility of witnessing to the gospel belong to every member of each local church. The Association diligently seeks, therefre, in concert with the New York Conference and the United Church of Christ, to provide opportunities for members of its churches to exercise such gifts of teaching, evangelising, healing, preaching, and administration as God has bestowed upon them.
280. With the whole United Church of Christ, the Oneida Association recognizes that God calls certain of its members to various forms of ministry in and on behalf of the church for which ecclesiastical authorization is required. Authorized Ministers and upholding the Ministerial Code of Ethics as stipulated in the United Church of Christ Manual on Ministry as adopted by the Association.

Article VIII
Meetings

300. The Annual Meeting of the Association for the election of officers and the receiving of reports shall be held in the spring. The budget for the next fiscal year shall be adopted in the fall. Notice of these regular meetings of the Association shall be given to each church, ministerial members, and General Ministry Team officers, and committee members prior to the second Sunday preceding the date of the meeting.
310. special meetings may be called by the Registrar upon request of the General Ministry Team or upon request of three churches of the Asociation. Notice shall be given three weeks in advance of special meetings.
320.Ordination Councils may be called by the Registrar upon request of the Committee on Authorized Ministry. Notice shall be given three weeks in advance of Ordination Councils.
330.Quorum – Twenty delegates from no fewer than seven churches which are members of the Association, including no fewer than six ordained or licensed mnisters shall constitute a quorum of the Association.

Article IX
Voting Privileges

340.Each member church is entitled to be represented at metings of the Association by:
1) the installed pastor or pastors;
2) three delegates and one additional delegate for each fifty members over two-hundred.
345.All members of the General Ministry Team and authorized ministers who hold standing in the Association are members of the Association with full voting privileges.


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350.Invited guests and members from member churches may be granted voice but no vote.

Article X:
Officers

360.The officers of this Association shall be the Moderator, Vice Moderator, Registrar, Treasurer, and such other officers as the Association may deem advisable.
362. Each officer shall:

.1Be elected.
.2Serve terms of two years.
.3 Serve no more than two consecutive terms, except the Registrar and Treasurer, each of whom may serve additional terms upon the upon the recommendation of the General Ministry Team.
.4Be eligible for re-election only after the lapse of one term.
363.The year for election of the Moderator and Vice Moderator shall alternate with the year for election of the Registrar and Treasurer.
364.The duties of each officer are:

.1Moderator – to preside at the regular Association meetings and such special meetings as may be called; to be the Moderator of all General Minister Team meetings; to stimulate and encourage effective operation of the Association; and such other duties as usually pertain to this office. S/he shall be chair of the General Ministry Team and shall be invited to sit on all Association committees and commissions with voice but no vote.
.2Vice-Moderator – to aid the Moderator in the conduct of the office and in his/her absence to serve the office; to chair the General Ministry nomination committee.
.3Registrar – shall keep the roll of the churches and ministers of the Association and the recorded minutes of its meetings, and call meetings as provided in the By-Laws. S/he shall issue letters transferring the standing of ordained ministers; report annually to the Association and the New York Conference, the list of churches and authorized ministers. S/he shall be the custodian of all books and papers, committees and commissions with voice but no vote.
.4Treasurer – shall notify (no later than the end of February) all churches in the Association of their per capita share for support of the work of the Association. S/he shall receive per capita parments and keep an accurate record of them. S/he shall receive and disburse Association funds as appropriately authorized. S/he shall keep a record of receipts and disbursements, and make regular reports to the General Ministry Team and to the fall and annual meetings of the Association.


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Article XI:
Organizational Plan

370.The General Ministry Team shall consist of:

.1Moderator
.2Vice-Moderator
.3Registrar/Treasurer
.4Chair or representative from each standing committee
.5Chair or representative from each ad hoc committee appointed by the General Ministry Team
.6Three at-large members, one each from a church with average attendance of:

  50 or less
  51 to 150
  151 or more

.7Resident member of the New York Conference Executive Council, Personnel Committee, Commission on Ministry
.8The Regional Conference Minister(s) of the Upstate Region of the New York Conference UCC.
375.All those listed above shall have voting power.
380.The General Ministry Team shall meet at least four times per year. Special meetings may be called by either the Moderator or Registrar.
385.the General Ministry Team shall evaluate the extent to which stated goals are realized, determine policy, and be responsible for all general Association business between Annual Meetings except where discretion and good judgment indicate the need for full Association approval.
390.The General Ministry Team shall serve as the body to hear an appeal of a disciplinary action taken by the Committee on Authorized Ministry. Such a review will be limited to an assessment of whether or not policies and procedures were followed by the Committee on Authorized Ministry, and recommendations for any further action are within the guidelines outlined in the Manual on Ministry (MOM) and supplementary UCC documents on pastoral misconduct.


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400.The General Ministry Team shall act as a calling body as described in the UCC Manual on Ministry for all ministers authorized to serve the Association.
410.The General Ministry Team shall authorized all expenditures beyond the budget voted at a duly called meeting of the Association.
415.The General Ministry Team shall make an Annual Report to the Association.
420.The Association shall have an Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee shall:
.1Include the Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Registrar, Treasurer, and Regional Conference Minster(s).
.2Be responsible for preparing the budget to be submitted to the General Ministry Team.
.3Administer business that cannot wait for the next General Ministry Team meeting or such matters as the General Ministry Team has empowered it to undertake between meetings.
425.The Vice-Moderator and Members-at-Large shall serve as the Nominating Committee.
This committee shall:
.1Prepare a slate of nominees for all General Ministry Team and Standing Committee positions and reports these nominations at the Spring Association meeting.
.2Nominate persons to fill committee vacancies that may occur between General Ministry Team meetings.

Article XII
Standing Committees

500.There shall be four standing committees of the Oneida Association: Committee on Authorized Ministry, Committee on Congregational Life, Committee on Mission Engagement, and Committee on Leadership Empowerment.

•Each committee shall identify a chairperson responsible for insuring the committee carries out its responsibility to the Association.
•Committee Chair may form subcommittees to perform tasks and projects with Association members.
•Each committee will develop its mandate and strategies for implementation in consultation with the General Ministry Team.
•Committees will meet at least four times a year.


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510.Standing Committees shall consist of at least 50% laypersons. Members shall be drawn from as wide a geographic area as possible.
515.Each Standing Committee member shall be elected for a term of three years. S/he shall be eligible for re-election to the same committee after a lapse of one year from the end of a secon consecutive term.
520.A committee member shall not serve on more than one committee or be an officer of the Association simultaneously (except Registrar/Treasurer).
525.The Committee on Authorized Ministry

The Committee on Authorized Ministry is responsible for the oversight, nurutre, discipline and support of those authorized and seeking authorization for ministry in the Oneida Association. The Committee shall:

.1 Be guided by the Manual on Ministry of the United Church of Christ, the Guidelines for Responding to Allegations of Professional Misconduct by Authorized Ministers Involving Sexual Harassment and/or Sexual Abuse, and the criteria for maintaining standing.
.2Have full authority to confer and remove standing for authorized ministers, in care students, and lay ministers.
.3Evaluate the support given to authorized ministers and recommend or initiate ways to improve support.
.4Assist in church/pastor relations.
.5 The Committee on Authorized Ministry shall consist of nine (9) members fulfilling these conditions:
•they shall be members in good standing of Association churches;
•shall be from a minimum of four (4) congregations;
•no more than two members shall be from any one congregation;
•at least four members shall be ordained ministers; and,
•the Registrar shall be a member without vote and secretary of the committee.
530.The Committee on Congregational Life shall:
.1Build relationships among churches for mutual support through prayer, common actions and special projects.
.2Make recommendations regarding the standing of Association churches, churches that wish to join Association and those that may discern the need to leave the Association.


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.3Work to build covenantal relationships under the guidance of the UCC Manual on Church.
.4Consist of three members elected by the Association. With the approval of the General Ministry Team the committee may appoint additional members to help fulfill its mission.
535.The Committee on Mission Engagement shall:
.1Encourage, nurture and strengthen local churches for wider church mission through engagement with the Conference Commission on the Global Church, and UCC Wider Church Ministries and Common Global Ministries.
.2Help local churches and ecumenical partners' network with each other in areas of mutual mission involvement. This may include oversight of various ministries such as Family Counseling Ministry.
.3Plan, coordinate and celebrate association-wide programs of mission, justice and witness, and disaster response.
.4Consist of three members elected by the Association. With the approval of the General Ministry Team the committee may appoint additional members tohelp fulfill its mission.
540.The Committee on Leadership Empowerment shall:
.1Identify, develop and recommend programs to lift up and nurture the faith formation of local church members for leadership in an among our churches.
.2Coordinate representation to Conference and National events for youth, women, mission engagement, men, Christian Education, lay training, etc.
.3Consider ways by which the Association and local churches can better support authorized ministers.
.4Consist of three members elected by the Association. with the approval of the General Ministry Team the committee may appoint additional members to help fulfill its mission.
545.The General Ministry Team may appoint Ad Hoc Committees as needed.

Article XIII
Recognized Fellowships

600.Requirements of Recognized Fellowships:
.1Must be recognized by the General Ministry Team.


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.2Must be a group having a written common purpose.
.3Must possess a set of rules governing its operation.
610.The General Ministry Team will update the list of Recognized Fellowships annually.

Article XIV
Fiscal Year

620.The fiscal year of the Association shall be the calendar year.

Article XV
Amendments

700.The By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote at any meeting of the Association, provided that an announcement of the proposed amendment is made in writing at a previous meeting and, provided further, that notice is sent in writing to the churches and ministers thirty days before the proposed amendments is to be acted on.

Article XVI
Rules of Order

710.Business shall be transacted by a mahjority of those present and voting at any duly called meeting, a quorum being present, except as otherwise provided in the By-Laws. The order of business shall be in accordance with the latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order unless otherwise provided in the By-Laws.




*

Revised By-Laws as adopted at the Association meeting, April 26, 2009. They will supersede any previous Constitution and By-Laws of the Oneida Association.


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