Hopewell Presbyterian Church - Florence, SC

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Presbyterian Women of Hopewell Presbyterian Church, Florence, SC.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves:
A. to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study
B. to support the mission of the church worldwide
C. to work for justice and peace
D. to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

A. Anyone who chooses to participate in, or be supportive of, Hopewell Presbyterian Women (HPW) in any way may be a member.
B. If possible and feasible, the membership shall be divided into circles to form small groups that gather regularly to provide an inclusive, caring community of women.
C. If it is not feasible to divide the membership into two or more circles, the entire HPW group may be one circle.
D. Each circle is to meet at least nine times per year for the purposes of Bible study, engaging in various projects of its choice, and fellowship.
E. Hopewell Presbyterian Women (HPW) shall be under the jurisdiction of the Session of the Church and its program shall be correlated with the program of the Church.

ARTICLE IV - COORDINATING TEAM ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE

Section 1. The leaders shall form a Coordinating Team for conducting the business of
WPW in the congregation.

A. The Search Committee shall present names of women to be elected to the Coordinating Team to the members of WPW. Ordinarily, elected leaders of WPW will be members of the PC (U.S.A.). The moderator(s), vice-moderator (or moderator elect), treasurer, and at least two-thirds of the Coordinating Team shall be members of the PC (U.S.A.).
B. The time of installation of the Coordinating Team shall be before the end of August. The Coordinating Team will take office September 1.

Section 2. The term of office is for two years with the privilege of reelection for one additional term.

A. The moderating team which consists of moderator, and vice-moderator will serve for two years.

B. The term of office for the secretary, historian, treasurer, and search committee moderator shall be for two years with the secretary and historian to be elected in even years; the treasurer to be elected in odd years.

Section 3. The leaders of HPW shall be moderator, vice-moderator, secretary,
historian, treasurer. Additional leaders could be: representatives from each circle, members-at-large with specific responsibilities, and members-at-large to provide intentional inclusion of the diversity of women in the Church. Leaders shall work to fulfill the purpose and principles of Presbyterian Women.

ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF LEADERS

Section 1. The moderator shall
A. preside at all meetings of the Coordinating Team and at all gatherings of HPW.
B. receive communications on behalf of the organization
C. be the direct link to PW in the Presbytery
D. submit regular reports to the Session
E. submit items for the church bulletin and newsletter
F. present an annual report at the annual meeting of the congregation
G. maintain relationship and communication with the church minister

Section 2. The vice-moderator shall
A. preside in the absence of the moderator or at her request.
B. complete the moderator’s term if the office becomes vacant;
C. chair the search committee and present for election the names of women called to leadership positions to HPW.

Section 3. The secretary shall:
A. record and keep minutes of all meetings of the Coordinating Team and HPW to maintain and preserve the working and historical records
B. manage all HPW correspondence.

Section 4. The treasurer shall
A. receive and disburse all money for HPW
B. keep accurate records of all HPW financial transactions;
C. provide monthly financial reports to HPW
D. submit the HPW annual budget to the membership and the session.

Section 5. The historian shall maintain and preserve the working and historical records of Hopewell Presbyterian Women.

Section 6. The circle leaders shall bring their circle’s needs and concerns to the
Coordinating Team.

Section 7. The members-at-large with specific responsibilities shall be appointed as
necessary to perform the work of HPW.

Section 8. The members-at-large, who are to provide intentional inclusion of the
diversity of women in the Church, shall bring their concerns to the Coordinating Team.

ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF THE COORDINATING TEAM

The Coordinating Team shall:
A. conduct an annual review and evaluation based on goals of the year just completed.
B. set goals and objectives for the new program year.
C. maintain an ongoing, working relationship with the PW Enabler from the Presbytery of New Harmony
D. discover and utilize the gifts of members.
E. be responsible for an ongoing educational program for women based on their spiritual needs.
F. provide an opportunity to support the mission of the PC (U.S.A.), through giving, education, global awareness, and other means.
G. be responsible for the preparation of an annual budget and authorization of expenditures.
H. maintain accountability to, and relationships with the Session through an annual report which includes a financial report, and shall establish a fiscal year beginning the first of September.
I. maintain relationship and communication with the church minister
J. maintain relationships with PW in the Presbytery and facilitate communication of information and resources from/to PW at all levels of the wider Church.
K. maintain relationships with Church Women United and with other ecumenical groups, community and issues networks, as appropriate.

ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES
A. Search – a committee of at least three members shall select the Officers for HPW.

B. Mission – shall coordinate mission projects with Mission and Evangelism committee and Presbyterian Women’s projects requested by Presbytery, Synod, and church wide levels.

C. Outreach - shall provide information about HPW to women who visit Hopewell and invite women to attend HPW meetings

D. Celebrations and Recognitions –
1. coordinate bridal and baby showers, gifts for special occasions, and other social functions designated by the Coordinating Team.
2. oversee showers for a.) first time brides, and or, bridegrooms and b.) first time mothers who are members of the church.
3. purchase a gift for brides, who are not first time brides, and babies, for mothers, who are not first time mothers (not to exceed $25)
4. be sensitive and alert to ways in which HPW might celebrate good news in the congregation and present tokens of appreciation for services rendered to HPW.
5. be responsible for recognizing women and men in the church who have been active in or supportive of HPW for over 25 years with lifetime pins.

E. Bereavement – Circle moderators shall coordinate dinners and/or expressions of love for the bereaved in the loss of a loved one. For a church member or participant non-member, a meal is to be provided or offered.
.

ARTICLE VIII – FINANCES

The program of HPW shall be financed by
A. monetary contributions,
B. funds from our annual bake sale,
C. other fund raisers.

The money in the treasury of HPW will be used for:

A. supporting the mission of the church worldwide;
B. operating budget expenses of PW at the congregational, presbytery, synod, and church wide levels by sending the recommended amount to the treasurer of PW in the Presbytery.

ARTICLE IX – GATHERINGS

HPW shall meet regularly for fellowship, inspiration, information, advocacy, and
conducting business.

ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS
These by-laws may be amended at any meeting of the membership by a two-thirds vote of those present. Amendments will be submitted to circle members prior to the meetings. These by-laws may be suspended in the same manner.

ARTICLE XI - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER NEWLY REVISED shall
govern PW in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in all cases to which they are
applicable and to which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws and the Constitution
of the PC (U.S.A.) 2.