OHIO-MEADVILLE DISTRICT LIBERAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATORS

ASSOCIATION

BY-LAWS

November 2007

PREAMBLE

Desiring to promote the values of liberal religious education through a district-wide professional organization, we provide and maintain this organization, to be known as the Ohio-Meadville District Liberal Religious Educators Association, which is hereafter called OMD-LREDA.

OMD-LREDA is an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural welcoming organization that supports and advocates for religious educators of every age, race/ethnicity, class, gender, gender identity, physical ability, and sexual orientation.

ARTICLE I: PURPOSE

The function of OMD-LREDA shall be to further the interest of quality liberal religious education by:

A. Interpreting the professional role of the religious educator, recognizing the wide variety of ways this role may be utilized in parish and community settings.

B. Affirming and supporting the professional, spiritual, and collegial growth of our members in ways consistent and congruent with their individual and their congregation’s goals.

C. Encouraging the responsible sharing of useful, creative materials and ideas that members have used in their work.

D. Acting in a religious education advisory capacity to Staff and Committees of the Ohio-Meadville District whenever such consultation would be useful.

E. Giving thorough consideration to and acting upon such matters that will further the advancement of lifespan religious education.

F. Providing Food Offices services in support of the ethical code and professional standards of OMD-LREDA.

G. Upholding the work of the national Liberal Religious Educators Association, which is hereafter called LREDA.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

A. Members are all those religious educators who are members of the continental LREDA at any level, and who are living or working in the Ohio-Meadville District.

B. The acceptance of membership entails the acceptance of and agreement to abide by the Association’s By-Laws and professional codes and guidelines.

C. Termination of Membership

1. A member may be dropped from membership in the OMD-LREDA when:

a. His or her membership in the national LREDA is terminated.

b. S/he has committed a major violation of ethical or professional conduct.

c. S/he has not paid membership dues.

ARTICLE III: DUES AND FINANCES

A. The fiscal year shall begin July 1 and end June 30.

B. Dues

1. Annual dues are to be determined by the membership.

2. Dues shall be payable at the beginning of each fiscal year. In event of financial hardship, a member may apply to the President and/or Treasurer of OMD-LREDA for a full or partial waiver of dues, confidentially and without loss of rights and privileges of membership. Such a waiver is for one fiscal year and reapplication must be made annually when needed.

C. Budget

1. The budget for the ensuing fiscal year shall be adopted by the membership at the final meeting of the fiscal year.

2. Officers and Chairpersons may draw funds necessary to fulfilling their respective duties within the limits of their individual budgetary allotments.

D. Income and Expenditures

1. All incoming and outgoing monies should go through the OMD-LREDA Treasurer.

2. The Treasurer shall present a statement at each meeting of the membership and also upon request of the President.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

A. The officers shall be President, Vice-Presidnet, Secretary, and Treasurer.

B. Elections and Terms of Office

1. Officers shall be elected every year at the final meeting.

2. Officers may be elected for two consecutive 1-year terms.

C. Vacancies

1. In the event that the Presidency is vacated before the term of office expires, the Vice-President shall succeed the President for the remainder of the term.

2. All other vacancies, including the Vice-Presidency, shall be filled by appointment of the President.

D. Good Officer

1. The chapter shall elect a Good Officer.

2. The Good officer shall be encouraged to attend LREDA Good Offices trainings provided by the continental LREDA Association.

a. Financial assistance for attending the training may be offered at the discretion of the committee.

3. The term of Good Officer shall be two years, with the possibility of consecutive terms.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

A. The membership of OMD-LREDA shall have four membership meetings per year, including an annual Retreat.

B. The Executive Officers shall have the right to meet and conduct business between meetings of the membership.

ARTICLE VI: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

A. Decisions will be reached by a consensus of those members present and voting.

1. Decisions will be considered only when a quorum of one-third of the membership is present.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

A. The By-Laws may be amended at the final meeting by a two-thirds vote of those members present and voting. A written notice of the amendment will be presented no later than the membership meeting immediately prior to the meeting scheduled for the vote.

ARTICLE VIII: DISSOLUTION

A. In the event that the continental LREDA is dissolved, so too will OMD-LREDA be dissolved. Any remaining assets of OMD-LREDA will be turned over to the Board of Trustees of the Ohio-Meadville District.