BYLAWS OF THE

CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DOC) IN THE SOUTHWEST REGION

DISCIPLES WOMEN’S MINISTRIES

PREAMBLE

Because we believe that the mission of the church is to express God’s love in the world, and that this belief demands our response in action in the reconciling ministry, we desire: our oneness with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in all its manifestations and rejoice in the unity that binds us to obedience to God’s will, and our oneness in spirit with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) universal.

ARTICLE I

Name

The name of this organization shall be the Disciples Women’s Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest Region (CCSW DWM).

ARTICLE II

Purpose

The purpose of the Southwest Region Disciples Women’s Ministries (CCSW DWM) shall be:

To be a conduit for diverse connections empowering each woman to find her voice and live out her call.

To live out the teaching of Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and

what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

ARTICLE III

Membership

The membership of this organization will consist of all women who are members of the Christian

Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations of the Southwest Region and others who accept the purpose of the ministries.

ARTICLE IV

Advisor

The Advisor for the Executive Board will be a knowledgeable Disciples Woman to guide and advise the Executive Board in the work of Disciples Women in Regional and National traditions. CCSW DWM will pay for her services as advisor, not limited to, the following events: Leadership Event, DWM Assembly, ROSES, Administrative planning events, and any other meetings at the discretion of the Executive Board. She (or her designee) will attend the Disciples Women’s Leadership Council Meeting each year.

ARTICLE V

Officers

Section 1. Elected Officers.

The elected officers of the Executive Board shall be President, President Elect, and one Representative from the eight Areas in the Southwest Region: Bluebonnet/Lower Rio Grande Valley District Area, Central Area, Costal Plains Area, Hi-Plains Area, Northeast Area, North Texas Area, Trinity-Brazos Area, and Tres Rios Area.

Section 2. Appointments.

The Texas Christian Missionary Fellowship (TCMF) and Hispanic Convención Representatives are appointed positions which have full officer privileges and responsibilities.

TCMF Representative: The TCMF Representative shall be the TCMF State Disciples Women’s President unless the governing body of the TCMF determines otherwise.

Hispanic Convención Representative: The Hispanic Convención Representative shall be the State Hispanic Convención Disciples Women’s Presidenté unless the governing body of the Hispanic Convención determines otherwise.

Section 3. Nomination Procedures.

Consist of five members selected by the Executive Board. Current officers shall not be selected to the nominating committee.

Nominate individuals (provided consent has been obtained from each nominee) by consensus for a slate of nine elected positions.

Present the slate by making the committee’s report with a dated written document containing all members names and churches and signed by committee members for the Annual Women’s Assembly of even numbered years. Submit the document to the Secretary.

Section 4. Election.

The annual election of officers will be at the Business Meeting of the Annual Women’s Assembly of even numbered years. Nominations may be made from the floor, provided consent has been obtained from the nominee. Method of voting shall be by voice unless ballot is requested by a motion, seconded, and approved by votes of majority present.

Section 5. Installation and Term of Office.

Officers will be installed at the same Annual Women’s Assembly. The officers will be elected to serve for a term of two years beginning July 1 and ending June 30 of even numbered years. No elected area representative shall serve consecutively in the same position for more than two terms. A period of one term must elapse before she can be re-elected to the same office.

Section 6. Vacancies.

Elected vacancies on the Executive Board shall be filled by the CCSW DWM Executive Board when appropriate. Vacancies of the TCMF or Hispanic Convención Representatives will be filled by their respective groups. A vacancy of a Coordinator, Consultant, Key Woman, or any Area Officer will be filled by their respective groups.

Section 7. Duties of Officers.

The President shall preside over all Executive Board meetings, the Leadership Event and the Annual Assembly of the organization or appoint the presider. She will serve on the Regional Council of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest. She will notify the officers and the Southwest Region Disciples Women’s groups of meeting places and dates. She will be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee. She will attend the Disciples Women’s Leadership Council (DWLC) Meeting each year or her designee. She will assist in the coordination of the Regions Of the Sun: Equipping and Serving (ROSES) interregional event alongside the other participating regions.

The President-Elect shall attend all meetings of the organization and work in cooperation with the President. She will preside in the absence of the President or upon request. She will serve on the Administrative Committee for at least one term before assuming the office of President.

The Area Representatives must be an active member of a Christian Church (DOC) in the area in which she is representing her area on the Executive Board. Each Area Representative shall work with their Coordinator, Consultant, and other area leaders in communicating, developing, and implementing the Mission of the Christian Church (DOC) for the Disciples Women’s events and projects.

The TCMF Representative is an appointed position by the TCMF DWM on the Executive Board. She shall work with the TCMF DWM Key Women in communicating, developing, and implementing the Mission of the Christian Church (DOC) for the Disciples Women’s events projects.

The Hispanic Convención Representative is an appointed position by the Hispanic Convención DWM on the Executive Board. She shall work with their DWM leaders in communicating, developing, and implementing the Mission of the Christian Church (DOC) for the Disciples Women’s events and projects.

Section 8. Role Positions.

The Area Representatives shall assume one of the role positions of recording and corresponding secretaries, treasurer, assistance treasurer, worship, communication, service/mission. Assistants can be named as needed or the Executive Board has discretion to add, change or remove roles, as long as, there is always a recording secretary and a treasurer. Once roles are assigned, they should be used and communicated to the Disciples Women of the Regional through the CCSW website.

The Recording Secretary shall record the proceedings of all meetings of the organization, keep a record of attendance for all meetings, written reports presented at meetings. She will deliver to her successor all records and documents in good form. She will supply a copy of the minutes after each meeting to the committee members in a timely manner.

The Corresponding Secretary shall carry on correspondence of the organization as may be assigned to her by the President. She will assist the Recording Secretary and serve in	that position in her absence.

The Treasurer shall have charge of all the finances of the organization working with the Regional Staff and Treasury Services. She will keep a treasurer’s record of all receipts and disbursements, verifying their accuracy with Treasury Services reports. She will present a report at each business meeting. She will serve as chairman of the Budget Committee seeing that budgets are developed and oversee their spending. These budgets will be on file in the Regional Office. She will oversee the collection, counting and transmittal to the CCSW office of the contributions collected at the various meetings/events and through mail of the Disciples Women following the Regional policies. She will prepare registration forms for the various events working with the Regional office staff.

The Assistant Treasurer shall perform all duties assigned to her by the Treasurer and assist her with the collection, counting and transmittal to the CCSW office of the contributions collected at the various meetings/events and through mail of the Disciples Women following the Regional policies.

Worship Chair shall be responsible for the worship services at the meetings, dedications of special offerings and service projects. She will be responsible for devotions at the Administrative Committee meetings.

Communications Chair shall be responsible for coordinating communication within the Region by providing information systems through the internet. She will serve as a liaison between the International Disciples Women’s Ministries Staff in Indianapolis and the congregations’ Disciples Women’s Ministries in the Southwest Region. She will keep a current email and mailing list of the Southwest Region’s Disciples Congregations.

Service/Mission Chair shall lead in outlining plans of service/mission to meet the needs of the community and world. She will be responsible for providing a variety of service ideas, both monetary and hands-on, to the local congregations in the Southwest Region working with the Communication Chair to publish them. She will help plan and see through to completion the projects adopted and work with the Worship Chair for any dedication such.

Service/Mission Assistant Chair shall work with the Service/Mission Chair in assisting and helping her carry out all her duties as given under that position.

or

Historian shall keep records of activities, events, and history of the CCSW Disciples Women.

ARTICLE VI

Area Leaders

Area leaders of the Disciples Women consist of each of the eight areas, of the TCMF, and of the Hispanic Convención

Section 1. Coordinators.

The Area/District Coordinators represent their geographical location. They are responsible for working with the representative from their area and their consultants (or other leaders) in communicating, developing, and implementing the Mission of the Christian Church (DOC) for the Disciples Women. The election of the coordinators is governed by the governing bodies of their respective areas/districts.

Section 2. Consultants or other Area Leaders.

The Consultants or other Area Leaders represent their geographical location. They are responsible for working with their coordinator in communicating, developing, and implementing the Mission of the Christian Church (DOC) for the Disciples Women in their geographical location. The election of the consultants is governed by the governing bodies of their respective areas/districts.

Section 3. TCMF Key Women.

The TCMF Key Women represent their geographical location within the TCMF. They are responsible for working with their Executive Board TCMF Representative in communicating, developing, and implementing the Mission of the Christian Church (DOC) for the Disciples Women in their geographical location. The election of the TCMF Key Women is governed by the governing bodies of their respective areas/districts.

Section 4. Hispanic Convención Area Leaders.

The Hispanic Convención Area Leaders represent their geographical location within the Hispanic Convención. They are responsible for working with their Executive Board Hispanic Convención Representative in communicating, developing, and implementing the Mission of the Christian Church (DOC) for the Disciples Women in their geographical location. The election of the Hispanic Convención Area Leaders is governed by the governing bodies of their respective areas/districts.

ARTICLE VII

Meetings

Section 1. Women’s Regional Assembly.

The CCSW Disciples Women’s Ministries official meeting will be the assembly held each year for business, worship, spiritual growth, and fellowship.

Section 2. Leadership Training Event.

The CCSW DWM Leadership Training Event will be held each year to dispense IDWM news and information, for leadership training, and fellowship.

Section 3. Executive Board Meetings.

The Executive Board will meet at least twice annually in-attendance and as needed by video conference, teleconference or through other electronic communications media to carry on the work of the organization. At the first Executive Board meeting following the beginning term-of-office roles should be assumed, video teleconference and/or teleconference meetings dates and time should be set, and the final in-attendance meeting planned. Other meetings shall be at the call of the president. For all meetings the board should endeavor to provide adequate advance notice to increase participation and not cause hardship to members.

Section 4. Electronic Meetings.

The Executive Board, as well as, standing committees and special committees shall be authorized to meet by video conference, teleconference or through other electronic communications media, as long as, all members can simultaneously hear and/or see each other and participate during the meeting.

Section 5. Regions Of the Sun: Equipping and Serving (ROSES) Interregional Meeting.

The ROSES Interregional Meeting occurs every four years and includes the Disciples women from Oklahoma Region, Great Rivers (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi) Region, Southwest Region, Texas Christian Missionary Fellowship, Mississippi Christian Missionary Fellowship, and Southwest Hispanic Convención. It is planned by these entities in conjunction with the International Disciples Women Ministries (IDWM).

ARTICLE VIII

Executive Board

Section 1. Composition. The members of the Executive Board shall consist of all elected officers (President, President-Elect, Area Representatives), appointed officers (TCMF and Hispanic Convención Representatives) and others as appointed by the President.

Section 2. Duties of the CCSW DWM Executive Board Members.

Power of Authority. The CCSW DWM Executive Board shall have full power and authority over the affairs of CCSW DWM between the annual Assembly except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws.

Duties of CCSW DWM Executive Board Members. The officers on the board are responsible for performing the duties of their elected and assigned office which also include but not limited to:

Approving appointments and proposals by the CCSW DWM President

Approving and recommending annual budgets

Conducting a Leadership Training each year

Planning the Women’s Regional Assembly each year

Assist with planning for the ROSES event; serving as host when called upon.

ARTICLE IX

Committees

Section 1. Standing Committees.

Composition, Accountability, Ex officio Members and Subcommittees. The standing committees of CCSW DWM shall be bylaws, budget, and nominating.

All standing committees shall report to the CCSW DWM Executive Board. Proposed programs and/or financial items shall be approved by the board.

The President or the President’s designee shall be ex officio member of each standing committee except the nominating committee.

The chairperson of each standing committee shall be an ex officio member of all subcommittees of that committee.

Bylaws Committee. The Bylaws Committee shall meet as needed at the call of the President and/or the Executive Board, consist of five members and be chaired by the President-Elect. Four committee members shall be appointed by the Executive Board. The committee shall receive and evaluate amendments for changes in the bylaws and present to the Executive Board such revisions or amendments.

Budget Committee. The Budget Committee shall consist of the Treasurer as the chairperson, Assistant Treasurer, and President. The committee shall develop a budget for administrative use, Leadership Event, and Women’s Assembly. They shall propose means of income for these budgets. The budgets shall be submitted to the Executive Board for approval and then submitted to the Regional Office.

Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall consist of five members to nominate all elected officers as prescribed in Article V. The nominations should exclude members of this committee.

Section 2. Special Committees. Special committees may be created as necessary by CCSW DWM Executive Board and/or the President.

ARTICLE X

Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Disciples Women’s Ministries of the Christian Church (DOC) in the Southwest in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws of the International Disciples Women’s Ministries (IDWM) or the Office of Disciples Women in the Division of Homeland Ministries/Disciples Home Missions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), these bylaws or any special rules of order that the CCSW DWM may adopt.

ARTICLE XI

Amendments of Bylaws

The Bylaws may be amended at the Annual Business Meeting at the CCSW DWM Assembly by two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present provided such amendments have been proposed in writing to the Executive Board for approval. Upon approval by the Executive Board, the Proposed Bylaws shall be filed with the Regional Council of the Christian Church (DOC) in the Southwest, published prominently on the CCSW website, and communicated/presented to the Disciples Women of the Region at least 60 days prior to voting through electronic communication with the call to the meeting.

ARTICLE XII

Dissolution of CCSW DWM

In the event of the dissolution of CCSW DWM the assets shall be surrendered to the Christian Church (DOC) Foundation to be distributed to the Disciples Women’s Endowment Fund and HerStory Continues Fund.

SIGNATORIES

The following signatures represent the CCSW DWM officers that took the responsibility for approving and presenting these Bylaws to the Disciples Women in the Southwest Region.

Sally Green________________________,	President

Jane Hurley________________________,	Secretary, Representing CEA

Margie Lawrence____________________,	Assistant Secretary, Representing TBA

Melissa Hohnholt____________________,	Treasurer, Representing NTA

Tera Daniels________________________,	Worship Chair, Representing CPA

Virginia Hemphill____________________,	Service Chair, Representing BBA

Karen “Stevie” Linn___________________, Communication Chair, Representing NEA

Paula Brooks_________________________, HPA Representative

Kristie Glitzenberg_____________________, TRA Representative

Charlotte Cook________________________, TCMF Representative

Maria Garza__________________________, Hispanic Convención Representative

Tera Daniels________________________

Bylaws Committee Chairperson

Marilyn Calhoun_____________________

Committee Member

Carol Blakley________________________

Committee Member

Jane Hurley__________________________

Committee Member

Jolie Johnson__________________________

Committee Member

Drafted: February 22, 2024

Adopted & Approved _____________________