CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I - NAME

This Association shall be called the Dan River Baptist Association and the annual fiscal year will be November 1 – October 31.

ARTICLE II  - OBJECT

The object of this Association shall be to furnish member churches a medium of cooperation for the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for the advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom by all methods in accord with the Word of God; there shall be a full recognition of autonomy of the local churches.

               This Association shall strive to cooperate with the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Southern Baptist Convention.

ARTICLE III - COMPOSITION

SECTION I. This Association shall be composed of autonomous Baptist churches of similar faith and practice in Halifax County and surrounding areas which desire to further the mission of Christ and bear witness to our oneness in Christ through active cooperation.

These churches shall engage in this active cooperation by investing their financial gifts, the ministry talents and gifts of their members, and the other resources they have available to them that will help the Association in furthering the mission of Christ.

SECTION 2. Churches desiring to affiliate themselves with this Association shall make \written request and shall furnish written evidence of being sound in doctrine and orderly in practice to the Executive Committee at least six (6) months prior to the October meeting of the Association. Upon recommendation by the Executive Committee, a church may be accepted for membership by two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting members present at the October meeting.

SECTION 3. Churches may withdraw or be dismissed from this Association by a two-thirds (2/3 ) majority vote of the voting members at the October meeting.

SECTION 4. Each member church shall report annually to the Association by letter giving such information as the Association may request, such letter to be sent to the Clerk no later than fourteen ( 14) days prior to the October meeting.

ARTICLE IV -MEETINGS

SECTION I. The Association shall meet annually on the fourth weekend in October. The Annual Meeting shall be for the purpose of worship, yearly reports, the installation of officers and committees of the Association, and the transaction of the annual business of the Association.

SECTION 2. Messengers to the annual meeting shall include all ordained and staff ministers who hold membership in constituent churches, all officers and Committee Chairpersons of the Association and elected messengers apportioned as follows: each church of 300 members and under shall be entitled to three (3) elected messengers, and for each additional 100 members or major fraction thereof, one (I) additional messenger, provided that no church shall have more then ten (10) elected messengers.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

SECTION I, The elected officers of the Association shall be the following: Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Clerk, Assistant Clerk. Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Baptist Men’s Director, WMU Director, Education Director, Church Music Director, and Historian, and such other officers as may be deemed necessary.

SECTION 2. Officers and new Committee members except the WMU Director and Representatives of the Baptist General Association of Virginia shall be elected annually and shall be installed at the October meeting. The WMU Director and the Representatives to the General Board of the Baptist General Association of Virginia shall be elected in accordance with the constitution of the organization which they represent.

SECTION 3. Neither the Moderator nor the Vice-Moderator shall succeed himself/herself after two terms (two years). The offices of both Moderator and Vice-Moderator shall alternate from pastor to layperson and layperson to pastor, whenever possible.

SECTION 4. Responsibilities of the officers of the Association shall be as follows:

(a) The Moderator shall preside over the deliberation of the body and the Executive Committee. He/She shall have authority to call meetings of the Executive Committee and shall serve as ex officio member of the Associational Council.

(b) The Vice-Moderator shall assist the Moderator with his/her duties and shall preside during his/her absence. He/She shall be responsible for planning the annual Associational meeting in cooperation with the Associational Council.

(c) The Clerk of the Association shall keep and preserve a faithful record of the body and shall publish and distribute the Minutes under the direction of the Association. The Clerk shall be compensated for his/her services. -

(d) The Assistant Clerk shall assist the Clerk in his/her responsibilities.

(e) The Treasurer shall receive and distribute the money contributed to the Association as directed by the body, make regular reports to the Executive Committee, and make an annual report to the Association. The Treasurer shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Stewardship committee

(f) The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in his/her responsibilities and serve as ex-officio member of the Stewardship committee.

(g) The Baptist Men’s Director shall promote Brotherhood work in the Association; train church Baptist Men’s  Directors, pastors, and educational staff; serve as a member of the Missions Committee; serve on and make reports to the Executive Committee and Associational Council; submit an annual budget request; and coordinate disaster relief work.

(h) The Woman's Missionary Union Director shall promote WMU work in the Association; direct the work of the WMU Council; consult with the local Associational Missions Coordinator and the State WMU Director; serve on and make reports to the Executive Committee and Associational Council; serve as a member of the Missions Committee; and submit an annual budget request for WMU ministries.

(i) The Education Director shall promote education work in the Association; provide training for directors, officers, and teachers; inform the leadership of associational, state, and convention education events; submit an annual budget request; direct and assist the Vacation Bible School representative; and serve on and make reports to the Executive Committee and Associational Council.

(j) The Music Director shall assist churches to improve their music programs; work with the Associational Music Council; encourage music directors and choirs to attend training event; submit an annual budget request for church music ministries in the Association and be a member of the Executive Committee and Associational Council.

(k) The Associational Historian shall collect, preserve, and interpret the historical records of the Association; assist in recording present day activities; encourage churches to collect and preserve historical data; and be a member of the Executive Committee and Associational Council.

(l) More complete job description for program directors may be obtained from the Associational Missions Coordinator.

(m) All Associational officers and program directors shall promote the work of their respective departments and/or programs in the Association. .

SECTION 5. Vacancies occurring during the Associational year among the officers shall be filled upon recommendation from the Nominating Committee and election by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VI –COMMITTEES

 SECTION I. The Standing Committees of the Association shall be: Executive, Nominating, Administrative, Christian Life, Evangelism, Stewardship, Missions, Youth, Media Library, Ordination and Church/Pastor Advisory Committee.

Each committee (full membership) shall meet each fall (date to be designated by the Association) for an Associational Orientation and Organization meeting. At this meeting each Committee, presided over by the Committee Chairperson, shall select a Committee Secretary and establish sub-committees as are deemed feasible. Likewise, each committee shall determine the number of meetings said committee shall have during the Associational year (includes date, time and place). Each committee shall submit a detailed annual budget request to the Stewardship Committee by the assigned date.

Each Committee shall prepare an annual report to be presented at the October meeting. The report shall be in the Associational office for typing and inclusion in the book of reports by September 10 prior to the annual October meeting. Any committee that shall need funds during the year shall propose a statement of budget needs and present it to the chairperson of the Stewardship Committee by July I.

SECTION 2. EXECUTIVE COMMTTEE

 (a) Purpose: The purpose of the Associational Executive Committee is to be the Association ad interim--that is, to function in behalf of the Association between annual sessions. The Executive Committee has the responsibility and authority granted it by this constitution and as directed by the Association.

(b) Membership: The Executive Committee shall consist of the Associational officers (Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Clerk, Assistant Clerk, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Representatives to the General Board, and Program Directors), Committee Chairpersons, the ministers, associate ministers, a lay representative elected from each church and the Chairperson of Deacons of each Associational church. The Moderator of the Association shall serve as Chairperson and the Clerk shall keep minutes of the proceedings.

( c ) Duties: The Executive Committee may hear reports of Associational officers, program organizations and committees; implement, guide and make suggestions relative to policy, hear proposed amendments to be referred to the Association in annual meeting; make necessary alterations in Associational programs; adopt the Associational calendar of activities; and, in general, transact whatever Associational business is necessary .

(d) Meetings: This Committee shall meet three (3) times a year in February, May and September, and at other times at the Moderator's discretion. Committee members shall be notified of special meetings at least five (5) days prior to the meeting. For any regular Executive Committee meeting, a quorum shall consist of all members who are present and registered. For business to be transacted in called meetings there must be a quorum of 51% of the churches in the Association.

SECTION 3. NOMINATING COMMTTEE

This Committee shall consist of six (6) members, two (2) to be elected each year for a three (3) year term. This Committee shall nominate and present for election each year at the Annual meeting persons to fill vacancies on each of the standing committees and trustees as needed (except the Executive Committee, Chairperson of these committees and the Associational officers and program directors). It shall make nominations to the Executive Committee for vacancies occurring during the year. It shall secure the consent of each person nominated before presenting his/her name. Geographical area representation should be considered but the Committee should never be obligated to secure a person unless that person is one of the best qualified for that position.

SECTION 4. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

This Committee shall consist of six (6) members, two (2) to be elected each year for a three (3) year term.

This Committee shall act in an administrative capacity to the office personnel, have responsibility for employment of the office secretary and any additional office assistance that be needed. Advise the Associational office relative to any special assignment resulting from the Association or the Executive Committee; recommend the purchase of office supplies and equipment and negotiate the lease of office space and insurance coverage for the office.

This Committee shall evaluate and recommend policies, procedures, and other administrative matters that will enable the Associational office to fulfill its ministry to/for the Association {e.g., typing, printing and distribution of the Associational Minutes, The Messenger).

Additionally, this Committee may prepare and present resolutions of gratitude to the host church, Moderator, Program Committee, other Associational leadership, representatives of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, and fraternal greeters.

Any person or group desiring to make a resolution different from those mentioned above shall present said resolution, if possible to the Administrative Committee by September 1, prior to the Annual Meeting. The Administrative Committee shall evaluate the resolution, approve, modify or disapprove it. If disapproved, the sponsoring person or group shall be advised of the reasons therefore. Approved resolutions shall be made available to Associational churches two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting of the Association. Approved resolutions may be printed in the Messenger or sent in letter form to the pastor of each church or to the Deacons Chairperson when a church is pastorless.

Those desiring to submit late resolutions must present them to the clerk at the beginning of the first business session in multiple copies -a minimum of 100. Any resolution submitted at the first session will also be subject to approval, disapproval or modification by the Administrative Committee.

Resolutions shall be acted upon as the last order of business and must be passed by at least 75% of voting messengers.

SECTION 5. CHRISTIAN LIFE COMMITTEE

This Committee shall consist of six (6) members, two (2) to be elected each year for a three (3) year term.

The scope of the Committee's work is to address issues such as aging, church- state relations, family relationships, peace with justice, alcohol and drug abuse, child abuse, crime, drunk driving, gambling, hunger, pornography and obscenity, and television programming. Also, the Committee shall take feasible measures to encourage churches to take a Christian response to moral and ethical issues.

 SECTION 6. EVANGELISM COMMITTEE

This Committee shall consist of the Evangelism Chairperson and six (6) members, two (2) elected each year for a three (3) year term. This Committee is to promote evangelism both at the local church and on the Associational level. This Committee shall serve to link the Association with state and convention-wide departments of evangelism. The function is to propose Associational events and projects.

SECTION 7. STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

This Committee shall consist of six (6) members, two (2) to be elected each year for a three (3) year term with one of these members to be appointed chairman by the nominating committee. The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer of the Association shall also serve as ex-officio members. This committee is charged with responsibilities in three specific areas of concern.

(a) Budget: This Committee shall request written, detailed budget requests from Association Committees and Program Chairpersons for consideration by the entire Stewardship committee in planning the annual Association operational budget. The proposed budget shall be shared with the Executive Committee for suggestions at the last Executive Committee meeting prior to the October meeting for adoption.

(b) Education: This Committee shall serve to provide educational opportunities in the area of financial stewardship for the churches of the Association. This Stewardship Committee shall encourage the churches of the Association in responsible stewardship by communicating and promoting the financial needs of the Association as they prepare their stewardship programs and annual budgets. This Committee shall promote responsible stewardship of church resources through the Association's newsletter. This Committee shall plan and conduct periodic conferences in the Association on responsible stewardship and sound budgeting procedures.

(c) Audit/Review: This Committee shall arrange for an annual audit/review of the Association's books and assist the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer in making a financial report at the October meeting.

SECTION 8. MISSIONS COMMITTEE

This Committee shall consist of six (6) members, two (2) of which are Brotherhood Director and WMU Director. Other members shall be elected to three (3) year terms. This Committee shall evaluate the missions activities that the Association conducts and report to the Association its findings and recommendations; encourage churches to have Church Missions Committees; survey the Associational territory as to possible mission needs and mission projects; receive, evaluate and make recommendations relative to all special mission projects the Association would sponsor and/or support; and propose and lead in conducting Associational Mission Rallies, World Missions Conferences, Migrant Missions, etc., as seems feasible.

SECTION 9. YOUTH COMMITTEE

This Committee shall consist of three (3) ministers, three (3) lay-persons, the Association Sunday School ASSISTeam Youth Leader, and three (3) youth each from a different church. One (I) minister, (I) layperson and one (I) youth shall rotate off the committee each year.

The Chairperson shall preside over meetings. The secretary shall record minutes of the meetings, decisions, and plans of this Committee and provide copies of those minutes at the Association office.

This Committee shall provide at least two (2) events per year. These events "'ill address at least one (1) of the following concerns: Youth discipleship, youth evangelism, parent/teen issues, teen/teen issues, current issues, fellowship.

This committee shall convene a meeting, once a year, of Associational Youth workers (including youth committee, Acteen, and RA leaders). In this meeting, scheduling conflicts shall be resolved, the specific needs of the Associational youth shall be identified, and each ministry shall commit to addressing a need through its organizational structure.

SECTION 10. MEDIA LIBRARY COMMITTEE

This Committee shall consist of three (3) members, one (I) to be elected each year for a three (3) year term.

This Committee shall select, purchase (as budgeted), and maintain audio- visual aids and equipment that will benefit churches. It shall maintain an Associational Media Library to provide Associational organizations with media in their work in the Association and make audio-visual aids and equipment available for use in churches that need them. It shall maintain a continuing plan for helping churches establish and effectively utilize a Church Media Library.

SECTION 11. ORDINATION AND CHURCH/PASTOR COMMITTEE

This Committee shall consist of three (3) ministers and three (3) laypersons,

Of whom one (1) of each shall rotate off the Committee and be replaced each year.

This Committee is to advise and assist churches in the ordination of and/or calling of ministers. This Committee shall assist a church whenever invited by the local church or pastor in church/pastor relations or in ordaining of new ministers.

SECTION12. OTHER COMMITTEES

Other committees may be appointed by the Moderator to report on such matters as the Association may direct. 

ARTICLE VII -ASSOCIATIONAL COUNCIL

The Associational Council is the primary coordinating group in the Association. The Council serves the Association in a consultive, advisory and coordinative capacity.  Its duties include regular planning and evaluation of the Associational programs. The Council will meet at least one week prior to the scheduled Executive Committee meetings and the Annual Meeting. They will distribute agenda items for the meetings to churches and Executive Committee members... It has no authority over any officer, committee or organization within the Association, each of these being individually responsible to the Association. The Associational Council is free to make suggestions and recommendations to the Association or its Executive Committee.

MEMBERSHIP:

Regular members of the Associational Council would include the Associational Missions Coordinator, Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Treasurer, Clerk, Education Director, Church Music Director, WMU Director, Baptist Men’s Director and Chairpersons of all standing committees.

Ex-officio members of the Council include other general officers, and the leaders of program organizations. They may meet with the Council at their pleasure. It is recommended that the Council have two officers: a chairperson, usually the Associational Missions Coordinator, and a secretary, usually the clerk.

Three major functions of the Associational Council:

1. Provide for communication between Associational officers, organizations and committees.

2. Propose long-range and short-range goals for the Association. In doing this the Council:

a. Prepares and recommends plans for involving organizations and committees appropriately in attaining goals.

b. Reviews and coordinates plans made by the organizations and committees and relates these to the attainment of goals.

c. Evaluates the use of resources.

d. Reports through appropriate channels progress made toward the attainment of Associational goals.

e. Assist the Vice-Moderator in planning the annual program.

3. Prepare an Associational calendar of activities and present it to the Association in an Annual meeting. 

                                                         ARTICLE VIII – TRUSTEE

               There shall be three (3) trustees, each elected to a six-year term with a rotation of one (1) election every two (2) years. Trustees may be reelected. They are to conduct the business affairs of the Dan River Baptist Association as directed by the Association or the Executive Committee. They can only be removed for cause by a 75 % vote by the Association or Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IX – ASSOCIATIONAL MISSIONS COORDINATOR

               The Associational Missions Coordinator shall be professional, ministerial, and field based. The duties of the Associational Missions Coordinator are to provide leadership and direction for the Dan River Baptist Association. The specific job description will be maintained and changed as necessary by the Administrative Committee. Additionally, the Administrative Committee will supervise the Associational Missions Coordinator. In the absence of an Associational Missions Coordinator the Moderator will assume the ex-officio Committee duties.

ARTICLE X- AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be altered as the last item of business before resolutions at the October meeting of the Association by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the messengers present provided:

1. That the proposed changes have been presented for the consideration of the Executive Committee in writing at least thirty (30) days preceding the October meeting.

2. That a copy of the proposed changes has been sent to each church at least fifteen (15) days preceding the (October meeting and is available to each messenger of the Association at registration of the October meeting.

RULES OF DECORUM

1. The Moderator shall cause each session of the Association to be opened and closed with prayer.

2. The Moderator shall preside over the Association, or in his/her absence the Vice- Moderator or in the absence of both, the order of officers as they are listed in Article V of the Constitution.

3. If messengers representing a majority of the churches composing the Association be present at the annual meeting, they shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

4. Associational personnel, correspondents and visiting brethren in regular standing shall be invited to seats in the Association. They shall have the right to speak on all questions introduced, but vote on none.

5. All motions and resolutions offered by individuals shall be in writing and shall be read by the person offering them and, if seconded, handed to the Clerk for action of the Association.

6. Every person wishing to speak shall rise and address the Moderator, confine himself closely to the subject under consideration, and avoid all harsh unkind remarks.

7. No member shall speak more than twice on any subject without leave of the Association.

8. When a member is speaking, the others shall pay due attention.

9. The Moderator shall not discuss questions from the chair, but when he/she wishes to speak, he/she shall call some brother to preside in his/her place.

10. When there is a tie on any motion, it shall be lost.

11. Motion made and lost shall not be recorded, unless so ordered at the time. All motions which receive a second shall be recorded.

12. All questions of order not herein provided for shall be decided by Robert's Rules of Order.

13. The Rules of Decorum shall be published in the Minutes of the Association which are distributed to the churches, and may be altered, amended, or abolished by a majority vote at any regular meeting, a majority of the churches being represented.

Revised October 22,2006