Bylaws Of Tennessee Chapter Of Campers On Mission, Inc.

Revised: April, 2022

 

Article I

NAME

 

The name of the organization shall be the Tennessee Chapter of Campers On Mission, Inc., hereafter called C.O.M.

 

Article II

 

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

 

Section 1      Campers on Mission is a fellowship of Christian campers who desire to

                   share their faith.

 

Section 2      The objectives of Campers on Mission are:

1.     To relate our Christian faith to the lives of our fellow campers;

2.     To bear witness to the saving power of Jesus Christ;

3.     To communicate through word and deed the good life in Christ; and

4.     To be genuine and sensitive in our relation to other people.

 

 

Article III

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

Membership is open to Christian campers of all denominations who desire to join other campers in fellowship and service. Membership requires an approved application.

 

 

Article IV

 

DUES

 

Section 1      No dues for membership shall be required of any member

 

Section 2      Funds to operate C.O.M. shall be obtained from an offering taken at each state rally; gifts; and

 from fund raising efforts as deemed appropriate by the Executive Board and approved by the general

 membership.

 

 

Article V

 

ORGANIZATION

 

Section 1      C.O.M. is a statewide organization with officers and committees as

                   defined in Articles VI through XI. C.O.M. is a chapter of the national

                   C.O.M. organization.

 

Section 2      The State of Tennessee is normally divided into three geographic

                   regions called the “Three Grand Divisions”, therefore C.O.M. is

                   organized into three regions.

 

 

Article VI

 

ELECTED STATE OFFICERS

 

Section 1      The officers shall be: a President, a 1st Vice President, a 2nd Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer,

 and a Chaplain.

 

Section 2      Eligibility. The officers shall be a member in good standing of a Christian bible teaching Church. 

 

 

 

 

Section 3      Nomination. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate designating one nominee for each office to be filled by election at the business meeting prescribed in Article XII. Additional candidates, who have previously consented, may be placed in nomination from the floor of that meeting. No seconds are required for any nomination.

 

Section 4      Election. Officers shall be elected for two-year terms at the Spring meeting in even-numbered years. Election shall be by ballot, except where there is but one nominee for each office, then election shall be by                      voice vote. The elected officers shall assume the duties of the office, following their election, after the last activity at the Spring Meeting.

 

 

Article VII

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

 

Section 1      The officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these Bylaws.

Section 2      The President shall be the Executive Officer of C.O.M. and preside at all state meetings, state rallies, all meetings of the Executive Board, and shall be a member ex-officio of all committees. He shall enforce the                  Bylaws, appoint all committees and Regional Coordinators, and have such other powers and duties as normally pertain to the principal executive officer.

 

Section 3      The 1st Vice President shall serve in the absence of the President. He shall attend all state meetings and Executive Board meetings. In addition, he shall plan all programs and entertainment at the regular                            scheduled meetings.

 

Section 4      The 2nd Vice President shall perform the duties of the 1st Vice President in his absence. In addition, he shall maintain accountability of all C.O.M. property not held by the Treasurer or Hospitality or Sales Committee. He          shall monitor the condition of such property and shall recommend to the Executive Board when repair and/or replacement is required. At the end of each Rally, he shall give this property to the Regional Coordinator                      where the next Rally shall be held as the President shall require, and he shall deliver to his successor a complete inventory of all C.O.M property in his custody.

Section 5      The Secretary shall ensure that all notices of meetings are sent to

                   members; maintain a record of all meetings in the Minutes book for

                   corporate requirements; maintain a record of attendance at each meeting

                   for historical purposes; maintain a file of all official C.O.M.

                    correspondence and a current list of all names, addresses and phone

                   numbers of all members of C.O.M.

 

Section 6      The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of the organization,

                   receive all contributions, and deposit contributions in a federally

                   chartered bank in the legal name of the organization; ensure that

                   there will always be two (2) officers’ signatures on the C.O.M.

                   bank account; maintain an accurate account of all receipts and

                   expenditures of C.O.M.; maintain copies of bank statements for

                   five years; ensure that all bills authorized by C.O.M. are promptly

                   paid; prepare and present a complete financial report at each business

                   meeting.

 

Section 7      The Chaplain shall be responsible for all religious activities of C.O.M. as approved by the President of the Executive Board to include church services, Bible studies, devotional services, and other ministry related                         activities. The Chaplain shall recommend to the Executive Board the appointment of a Co-Chaplain from each region to assist in conducting the religious activities of C.O.M. The Co-Chaplains will be responsible for setting up devotions for C.O.M. work weeks, searching out areas of evangelism, and will be the area Prayer Leaders (notifying area members      of prayer needs, etc.). Co-Chaplains will assist the State Chaplain as needed. The Co-Chaplains will fill in as Chaplain when called on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article VIII

 

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1      The Executive Board shall consist of the elected officers and the Regional Coordinators. A representative from the Tennessee Baptist Convention shall be an ex-officio member. The President may ask any Special Ministry Coordinator(s) to attend the Executive Board meetings. Special Ministry Coordinator(s) will not have voting privileges. This board will determine the operating policies of C.O.M. and may establish any special ministries, as deemed necessary. All operating policies and special ministries shall be reviewed and re-confirmed with the election                    of each new President.

 

Section 2      Executive Board meetings are called or scheduled by the President. Any member of C.O.M. may attend any open meeting of the Executive Board, as a non-voting attendee. Spouses of Board members are                                    encouraged to attend any open meeting as non-voting attendees.

 

 

Article IX

 

COMMITTEES

 

Section 1      Standing Committees shall be as follows:\

1.     Ethics and Grievances

2.     Historical

3.     Hospitality

4.     Nominating

5.     Parking  

6.     Publicity

7.     Registration

8.     Sales

9.     Safety

 

 

 

                  These committees, as well as any other committees that may be

                   deemed necessary from time to time, shall be appointed by the

                   President. The committee chairman may be appointed by the

                   President or elected by the committee members. Spouses of all

                   committee members are encouraged to lend able assistance and

                   attend all meetings, however there will be one vote limit per member

                   family.

 

Section 2      Standing Committees' general duties:

                   Ethics and Grievances: Investigate all complaints by members concerning the violation of the Bylaws, or for any misconduct at any meeting or activity of C.O.M.

                   Historical: Compile and be custodian of the scrapbook of C.O.M. activities.

                   Hospitality:  Be in charge of the kitchen and responsible for the refreshments at meetings.

                   Nominating: The President shall appoint a three (3) member committee who shall, after obtaining prior consent of each proposed nominee, place in nomination one (1) candidate for each office to be filled by election at          the C.O.M. business meeting.

                   Parking: Plan for and direct parking at all meetings.

                   Publicity: Responsible for providing local newspaper/media and the Tennessee Baptist and Reflector with coverage of all meetings and news items concerning C.O.M.

                   Registration: Responsible for establishing, setting up and maintaining registration at all meetings.

                   Sales: Responsible, in coordination with the Treasurer, to order, maintain and sell C.O.M. items (name plates, decals, emblems, etc.) at state meetings. Maintain an inventory and record of collected funds. This                           record shall be submitted to the state Treasurer at the end of each state C.O.M. meeting.

 

 

 

Article X

 

SPECIAL MINISTRIES

 

Section 1      The President may recommend to the Executive Committee such Special Activities Ministry as may be necessary to carry out special ministry of the state organization, and appoint a Special Ministries Coordinator to              head the the established special ministries.

 

Section 2      The Executive Committee reserves the right to cancel any special ministry activity should it cease or fail to fulfill its responsibility.

 

Section 3      Special Ministry groups or activities may be organized at the discretion of the Executive Board to ensure proper guidance and objectives of the C.O.M. organization.

 

 

Article XI

 

REGIONS

 

Section 1      Organization:

a.      Each established region shall be led by a Regional Coordinator, who is appointed by the President and serves for a term which is coterminous to that of the appointing President. The Regional Coordinator shall direct the activities of the region and normally preside at all regular function or meetings of the region.

b.     The Regional Coordinator shall appoint such officers within the region as may be necessary to carry out the activities within the region.

c.      The Regional Coordinator shall advise and report on the results of the regional C.O.M. activities to the state President and Secretary.

 d.     The Regional Coordinator may establish, as necessary, regional special ministry activities to promulgate the activities of the region or support statewide activities and appoint a Regional Special Ministry Coordinator for each organized special ministry.  The Regional Special Ministry Coordinator shall direct the efforts of the special ministry activity, establish and appoint any necessary leadership positions, and keep the Regional Coordinator informed of all special ministry activities.

e.      The Regional Coordinator will arrange for all worship services, speakers, special music and singers as may be necessary for regional meetings.

 

Section 2      Campers on Mission Activity:

 The Regional Coordinator will be responsible to:

1.     Locate and investigate worthy ministry building projects and requests.

2.     Inform individual/organization requesting building assistance that C.O.M. will not pay for any materials, special tools, or special equipment.

3.     Arrange for logistical support to include parking/camping facilities and meals at any agreed upon work project site.

4.     In coordination with the individual/organization requesting building assistance, plan for the work, activities and organization of C.O.M. members.

 

Section 3      When engaged in regional activities, each C.O.M. member will be responsible for his/her own travel, food and other personal expenses, unless provided by the support organization.

 

 

Article XII

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS

 

Section 1      Parliamentary procedures for all meetings of C.O.M. shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised when they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these ByLaws and any special                            rules of order that C.O.M. may adopt.

 

 

 

Section 2      The order of business shall be:

1.     Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting

2.     Treasurer's report

3.     Reading of correspondence