PRESBYTERY OF MINNESOTA VALLEYS

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I- PURPOSE

The Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys is a governing body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as defined by the General Assembly (PCUSA) and the Synod of Lakes & Prairies; and is a non-profit corporation of the State of Minnesota. 

The Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys is a corporate expression of its member congregations.  Together, we confess Christ as head of the Church universal.  As a Presbytery, we lovingly affirm our unity, our diversity, and our calling to share the Gospel with others.  Finding our congregations in transition, we seek to enable both the maintenance of helpful traditions and a creative response to new challenges. 

ARTICLE II- MEMBERSHIP

The voting membership shall consist of all Ministers of the Word and Sacrament, who are continuing members; and one Elder commissioned by the Session of each church, and Commissioned Lay Pastors with the following additional provisions:  Churches with membership of 501-1,000 shall be represented by two (2) Elders, and 1,001-1,500 shall be represented by three (3) Elders (G-11.010100a).  At the beginning of the year, if the number of Ministers is determined to be greater than the number of Elders, Sessions of particular churches may be invited to elect additional Elder commissioners (G-11.0101b).

Each Elder elected as Moderator of Presbytery, or an officer, or a member of the Council of Presbytery shall be enrolled as a member of the Presbytery for the term of office.

In addition to the voting membership provided above, Presbyters (Ministers of the Word and Sacrament or Elders) in good standing in other bodies of this church or in any other Christian church who are present at any meeting of the Presbytery may be invited to sit as Corresponding Members, with the right to speak and make motions, but without vote.  Others may be granted privilege of the floor by a two-thirds vote of the Presbytery with the right to speak on a particular subject but not to make motions or vote.

Elders who Chair the following Committees shall be enrolled as a member of the Presbytery for the term of office:  Committee on Ministry; Committee on Preparation for Ministry; Committee on Representation; Nominating Committee; Congregational Growth & Development; Congregational Resources; Presbyterian Women and Social Action Ministry.

ARTICLE III- MEETINGS

Stated Meetings

The Presbytery shall ordinarily meet in Stated Meeting four times a year on the following dates: 1) February, on the first Tuesday- at which time the Lord's Supper will be celebrated; 2) May, on the first Saturday;  3) September, on the second Saturday after Labor Day, except in even numbered years, when a two-day meeting may be held during the second weekend after Labor Day at a place and a time specified by the Presbytery;  4) November/December, on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving.Meetings are to be scheduled at churches or facilities reasonably able to accommodate attendance and activities of a Presbytery meeting locations throughout the Presbytery. Exceptions to location and date of Stated Meetings may be made by   Council to the Presbytery to respectfully respond to special events or invitations.  A quorum of the Presbytery shall be any three Minister members and the Elder members present, provided that at least three churches are represented by Elders (G-11.0202).

Council Meetings

The Presbytery Council will meet on the second Tuesday in the months of January, March, April, June, August, October and November unless otherwise determined by the Council.  The quorum of the Council shall be one-third of its membership.

Special Meetings

Notice of Special Meetings of Presbytery shall be sent to all those enrolled as members of Presbytery by First Class Mail postmarked no later than ten (10) days in advance of the date of the Special Meeting of Presbytery.  The cost of Special Meetings of Presbytery shall be paid as defined in the Presbytery Administrative Manual of Operations.  A quorum of a special meeting of Presbytery shall be any three Minister members and the Elder members present, provided that at least three churches are represented by Elders (G-11.0202).

Other Types of Meetings

Actions may be taken by entities of Minnesota Valleys Presbytery using methods such as the postal service, telephone communication and electronic means including but not limited to, E-mail and computer.  All members of the entity involved shall receive due notice of the meeting prior to such meetings being held.

ARTICLE IV- PRESBYTERY COUNCIL

The Council of Minnesota Valleys Presbytery shall consist of:

  *Fifteen (15) members elected by Presbytery for three year terms

    (Equally divided into three classes, serving no more than two consecutive terms

  *Moderator of Presbytery

  *Vice-Moderator of Presbytery

  *Executive Presbyter

  *Presbytery Stated Clerk

Presbytery shall elect the chair of Council from those serving three year terms.  The chair appoints the vice-chair for Council with concurrence by the Council.

All Committees, Sub-Committees, Ministry Action Teams, or Task Forces shall have access to the Presbytery Council upon request.  All other Committees, Sub-Committees, Ministry Action Teams, or Task Forces shall make regular reports to the Presbytery Council. 

A quorum of the Presbytery Council shall be one-third of its membership.

In the absence of the Moderator of the Presbytery Council, the Vice-Chair shall convene the meeting and act as Chair Pro Tem.  In the absence of both the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Presbytery Council, the Presbytery Stated Clerk shall convene the meeting and proceed immediately to the election of a Moderator Pro Tem.

Duties of the Presbytery Council

The Presbytery Council shall exercise all the powers assigned to it by the Book of Order and delegated to it by the Presbytery.  These will include:

A.  serving as the Trustees of the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys, Incorporated as outlined in the Articles of   Incorporation.

B.   approving, upon request from a church, requests in regard to property and financial matters provided t hey do not involve the selling, mortgaging and/or encumbering of any real property.  (G-8.0501)

C.     providing for study and review of General Assembly and Synod Constitutional Amendments a nd recommending action about same to Presbytery.

D.     Approving committee requests for co-opting persons for specific purposes for a designated time.

E.      Nominating members for the Nominating Committee

F.      Confirming the appointment of Administrative Commissions if the need arises.

ARTICLE V- COMMITTEES

All members of Committees of Presbytery shall be elected by the Presbytery for three year terms of office unless otherwise stated and are eligible for reelection once unless otherwise stated.  In addition to those Committees as specified by the Book of Order (G-9.0902), the Presbytery shall elect Committees, Ministry Action Teams, and Task Forces not required by the Book of Order but established by the Presbytery.  Such Committees and Task Forces shall be stated in the Presbytery Manual of Operations.  The Chairpersons of all Presbytery Committees, Ministry Action Teams and Task Forces, with the exception of the Nominating Committee and Permanent Judicial Commission, shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee from the particular Committee, Ministry Action Team or Task Force membership and elected annually by the Presbytery.  Typically, Chairpersons of Committees, Ministry Action Teams, and Task Forces shall serve no more than two consecutive years.

Committee on Ministry

This Committee of twenty-one members shall consist of ten Ministers and ten Elders plus one person (Elder or Clergy) elected with specific responsibilities for the Certified/Commissioned Lay Pastors.  The duties of the Committee on Ministry shall be those as specified by the Book of Order (G-11.0501) through (G-11.0504). The responsibilities as found in (G-11.0502h) include receiving and dismissing ministers as members of Presbytery, naming Moderators of Sessions and approving Ordination/Installation Commissions.  Committee on Ministry also bears the responsibility for Pensions, Continuing Education for Clergy, Minister's Compensation Review, Non-Parish/Non-Retired Clergy, Honorably Retired Clergy, and oversight of Certified/Commissioned Lay Pastors have been authorized by the Presbytery to the Committee on Ministry.

Committee on Preparation for Ministry

This Committee of five to seven members shall consist of Ministers and Elders in as nearly equal numbers as possible.  The duties of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry shall be those as specified by the Book of Order (G-14.0300).

Nominating Committee

This Committee of six members nominated by the Presbytery Council and elected by the Presbytery, shall consist of two Ministers, two laywomen, and two laymen.  No member shall serve for more than one three-year term (G-14.0201b).  The Committee shall elect its own Chair and Clerk.  The duties of the Permanent Nominating Committee shall be those as specified by the Book of Order (G-9.0800).

Committee on Representation

This Committee of five members shall consist of women and men in as nearly equal numbers as possible.  A majority of the membership shall be selected from the racial ethnic groups within the Presbytery and shall include a youth member.  The duties of the Committee on Representation shall be those as specified by the Book of Order (G-9.0105 & G-9.0106).

Permanent Judicial Commission

This Committee of seven members shall consist of Ministers and Elders in as nearly equal numbers as possible.  The members shall be elected for six year terms of office and are ineligible for reelection until after four years have elapsed.  The duties of the Permanent Judicial Commission shall be those as specified by the Book of Order (D-4.0000).  This Committee shall meet at least annually.

                                                  ARTICLE VI- PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Meetings of Governing Bodies, Commissions, and Committees shall be conducted in accordance with the most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised except in those cases where the Book of Order provides otherwise (G-9.0302). 

                                                                ARTICLE VII- AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be changed by a two-thirds vote at any Stated Meeting of Presbytery provided such amendment/s shall be included in the call of that meeting and sent by First-Class mail to all continuing members of Presbytery and all members of Presbytery Council postmarked no later than six days prior to that meeting.