BLACK HILLS AREA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION
Adopted: September 15, 2018
Amended: September 21, 2019, September 19, 2020, and September 26, 2022
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be “Black Hills Area Baptist Association, Inc.”
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization is to glorify God by strengthening its churches and supporting their pastors.
ARTICLE III: STATEMENT OF FAITH
We do hereby adopt as our statement of faith the most current edition of The Baptist Faith & Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention. This document is accepted by current members and shall be subscribed to and accepted voluntarily by new members as they offer themselves for membership.
ARTICLE IV: AUTHORITY
Section 1: Autonomy of Members
This organization recognizes and affirms the absolute autonomy of its member churches.
Section 2: Exclusion of Members
Although this organization recognizes and affirms the absolute autonomy of its member churches, it reserves the right to exclude from fellowship any member who shall act contrary to the provisions set forth in Article V, Section 2 of this document.
Section 3: Affiliations
This organization is subject to no other ecclesiastical body, but chooses to voluntarily affiliate with the Dakota Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention for the purposes of fellowship, consultation, and cooperation. Neither these, nor any other voluntary affiliations, shall infringe on the rights of this organization. When it is thought desirable to have fellowship, consultation, and cooperation with other organizations of like faith and order, this organization may join itself thereto upon recommendation of the Administrative Team, subject to an affirmative vote at the organization’s Annual Meeting. Withdrawal from such agreements may be accomplished by the same procedure.
ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Composition of Membership
Membership in this organization shall be composed of eligible churches in the Black Hills area of the State of South Dakota.
Section 2: Conditions for Membership
In order to be considered for membership, a church must meet the following requirements:
- Affirm the most current edition of the Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention.
- Submit the church’s constitution to the Administrative Team.
- Submit a completed Annual Church Profile to the Southern Baptist Convention.
- Give a minimum of $500.00 annually to the work of this organization.
The Administrative Team shall be responsible for determining each church’s qualification for membership in this organization, and may allow exceptions to the above stated conditions, as they deem appropriate.
Section 3: Certification of Membership
A church seeking membership in this organization should communicate their desire in writing to the Administrative Team, which shall verify such church has met the conditions for membership. The Administrative Team may recommend a church as candidate for membership at the Annual Meeting of the organization. The church may be received into membership upon acceptance of two-thirds of the messengers present and voting.
Section 4: Cessation of Membership
Should a member church cease to meet the conditions for membership in this organization, the Administrative Team may recommend such church be removed from membership at the Annual Meeting of the organization. The church shall be removed from membership following an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the messengers present and voting.
ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS
Section 1: Officers of the Organization
This organization shall have as its officers a Moderator, Clerk, and Treasurer.
Section 2: Selection of Officers
The election of officers shall be held at the Annual Meeting of the organization. Names of nominees to serve as Moderator, Clerk, and Treasurer shall be presented by the Administrative Team. Nominations may also be received from the floor of the Annual Meeting. Any messenger with reason to believe a nominated candidate is unqualified for an office should express such concern to the Administrative Team. Messengers intending to speak in opposition of a candidate should express their objection to the Administrative Team as far in advance as possible before the relevant Annual Meeting. All officers shall be voted upon at the Annual Meeting of the organization. The moderator shall declare elected all individuals receiving a two-thirds majority of all votes cast for office. Abstentions shall not be considered as votes cast. The persons elected shall assume their respective offices upon election, unless another date has been specifically designated.
Section 3: Responsibilities
It shall be the responsibility of the Moderator to preside over all deliberations at the meetings of the organization and to decide all points of order, subject to an appeal of the body. The Moderator shall serve as Chairman of the Administrative Team. In the absence of the Moderator, the Treasurer shall preside at meetings of the organization.
It shall be the responsibility of the Clerk to keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the organization, to carry on such correspondence as necessary, and to compile the minutes of the organization.
It shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer to keep all funds of the organization with accurate records thereof, and to disperse the same by the direction of the Administrative Team. The Administrative Team shall write and implement policies and procedures to ensure accountability for the writing of checks and handling of money. In the absence of the Moderator, the Treasurer shall also preside at meetings of the organization.
Section 4: Terms of Office
Officers shall be elected to two-year terms, and shall be eligible to serve a maximum of three consecutive terms. Candidates shall again be eligible for election to office after the passage of one full term.
Section 5: Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy on the part of any officer, such vacancy shall be filled by the Administrative Team, and the appointed individual shall serve until the election of a new officer at the next Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE VII: ADMINISTRATION
Section 1: Members
The Administrative Team shall be composed of the officers of the organization and four (4) at-large members.
Section 2: Selection of Members
The election of at-large members shall be held at the Annual Meeting of the organization. Names of nominees to serve as at-large members shall be presented by the Administrative Team. Nominations may also be received from the floor of the Annual Meeting. Any messenger with reason to believe a nominated candidate is unqualified for service in this role should express such concern to the Administrative Team. Messengers intending to speak in opposition of a candidate should express their objection to the Administrative Team as far in advance as possible before the relevant Annual Meeting. All at-large members shall be voted upon at the Annual Meeting of the organization. The Moderator shall declare elected all individuals receiving a two-thirds majority of all votes cast. Abstentions shall not be considered as votes cast. The persons elected shall assume their respective duties upon election, unless another date has been specifically designated. The Moderator shall serve as Chairman of the Administration Team.
Section 3: Responsibilities
The Administrative Team shall fulfill the following responsibilities:
- Attending meetings of the Administrative Team and Annual Meeting whenever possible.
- Leading the organization to fulfill its purpose.
- Communicating pertinent information with the member churches of the organization.
- Oversight of the personnel of the organization.
- Oversight of the Annual Budget and finances of the organization.
- Approval of requests for funding from the organization.
- Approval of credentials for messengers to the meetings of the organization.
- Planning of the Annual Meeting of the organization.
- Developing and implementing policies and procedures for the work of the organization.
Failure to fulfill responsibilities may result in removal from the Administrative Team by action of the organization at an Annual Meeting.
Section 4: Terms of Office
At-large members shall be elected to two-year terms, and shall be eligible to serve a maximum of three consecutive terms. Candidates shall again be eligible for election to office after the passage of one full term.
Section 5: Trustees
The Administrative Team shall appoint three of their number to serve as legal officers for the organization to hold in trust the property of the organization. They shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any property of the organization without a specific vote of the messengers present and voting at the Annual Meeting authorizing each action. It shall be the function of the trustees to sign any and all documents involving the sale, mortgage, purchase, or lease of organization property or any other legal documents requiring the signature of the trustees for and on behalf of the organization. Trustees shall serve terms of one year, and shall be eligible to serve a maximum of three terms. Candidates shall again be eligible for election as Trustee after the passage of one full term.
Section 6: Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy, the Moderator may appoint an individual to complete the vacated term, with the advice and consent of the remainder of the Administrative Team.
ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS
Section 1: Annual Meeting
The organization shall meet annually for the purpose of worship, inspiration, electing officers, receiving reports of officers and the Administrative Team, and for conducting necessary business. The Administrative Team shall determine the time and place of the Annual Meeting each year. Decisions at the Annual Meeting shall be made by vote of the messengers duly elected by member churches. Each member church in good standing with the organization shall be eligible for representation by a maximum of five (5) messengers at the Annual Meeting. Each member church shall present to the Administrative Team a list of its elected messengers in keeping with the Articles of Incorporation and Article V of this Constitution. Each messenger shall register with the Administrative Team prior to being seated as a messenger to the Annual Meeting of the organization. The Administrative Team shall review the credentials of registered messengers and make its report to the organization in the first business session of the Annual Meeting.
Section 2: Administrative Team
The Administrative Team shall meet as often as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities.
Section 3: Special Meetings
The Moderator may call a special meeting of the Administrative Team upon notification in writing to each member eight (8) days in advance of the time of the meeting. The Administrative Team may call a special meeting of the organization upon notification in writing to each member church eight (8) days in advance of the time of the meeting. Upon receipt of a letter signed by messengers of at least twenty-five (25) percent of member churches, the Administrative Team shall call a special meeting of the organization to take place no later than thirty (30) days from receipt of such letter.
Section 4: Rules of Order
The most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the guide for the conduct of the business sessions of this organization.
Section 5: Quorums
Provided all constitutional provisions for notification have been met a quorum for the Annual Meeting, special meetings of the organization, and regular meetings of the Administrative Team shall be understood to be met by those members present. Provided all constitutional provisions for notification have been met a quorum for special called meetings of the Administrative Team shall be understood to be met by fifty (50) percent of their total number.
ARTICLE IX: FINANCES
Section 1: Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of this organization shall begin on January 1st and end on December 31st.
Section 2: Budget
The work of this organization is financially dependent upon the voluntary gifts of its member churches. Before the Annual Meeting, the Administrative Team shall prepare a budget that will finance the mission and ministries of the organization. When this budget is approved by a vote at the Annual Meeting, it shall be considered the basis for current liabilities. The Administrative Team shall be responsible for the orderly administration of the annual budget and all financial disbursals and receipts.
ARTICLE X: PERPETUITY
In the event of the dissolution of this organization, all of its assets and property of every nature and description whatsoever shall be paid over and transferred at the direction of the trustees to the Dakota Baptist Convention.
ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended by a three-fourths majority vote of the messengers present and voting at an Annual Meeting, provided the amendment shall have been presented in writing to each member church at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting. Abstentions shall not be considered as votes cast.