Constitution & By-Laws

Article I – Name

Section 1

The name of this organization shall be The Florida Conference Lay Organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Article II – Mission Statement, Purpose and Objectives

Section 1: Mission Statement

The Lay Organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is commissioned to teach, train and empower its members for lay ministry, global leadership and service following the tenets of Jesus Christ.

Section 2: Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be to organize and train the laity of the African Methodist Episcopal Church so that lay persons may maximally utilize their God-given abilities and skills to improve and extend the kingdom to create happiness, peace, and harmony among its members.

Section 3: Objectives

To accomplish this purpose, the following objectives are adopted:

1. To instill in the membership of the church a love for, and an appreciation of the history, traditions, principles and development of African Methodism by encouraging, motivating, and educating all lay persons.
2. To keep forever alive the sacred memory of Richard Allen, the illustrious founder of the AMEC.
3. To advocate respect and loyalty at all times to constituted authority and leadership.
4. To encourage the laity to support the total program of the church in the local congregation, in the community, and throughout the Connection.
5. To foster a systematic and regular study of the Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and parliamentary procedure, to the end that greater knowledge and information may be disseminated among the laity, and with the further purpose of encouraging lay members to participate more largely in the general functioning and supervision of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
6. To foster, influence, and support all constructive and progressive legislation for the church that promotes the teachings of Jesus Christ.
7. To encourage development, recognition, and utilization of the most appropriate operational practices and modern technology in conducting the activities of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
8. To promote the spread of personal evangelism through activities designed to prepare lay members for appropriately conveying God's Word.
9. To provide training in Christian Stewardship, which causes lay members to recognize that the connotation of stewardship addresses more than giving money.
10. To increase the circulation of church periodicals.
11. To provide for the orderly and systematic training of lay persons, especially officers, in order that they might more effectively perform their service responsibilities.
12. To promote activities that will result in harmonious fellowship for lay persons throughout the Connection.
13. To help in the support of the AME educational institutions.
14. To give financial assistance to the Connectional Lay Economic Development Corporation (CLEDC) in support of Connectional programs.

Article III – Divisions

Section 1

The Florida Conference Lay Organization shall be composed of the Districts of the Annual Conference Lay Organizations, and Organizations of a Station or Circuit. The divisions shall mirror the responsibilities of the Conference Organization.

Section 2

"Each level of the Connectional Lay Organization shall operate within the framework of the Executive Board and Constitution and Bylaws as approved by the Connectional Lay Organization Biennial Convention and ratified by the General Conference."

Article IV – Membership

Section 1

Membership in this organization is open to all Lay (un-ordained) members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, in good and regular standing, in their Local, District of the Annual Conference and Conference Lay Organizations. Good and regular standing is defined as every member being governed by the Constitution of the Lay Organization who pays required dues as set by his/her local organization, attends fifty percent (50%) of the local lay organization meetings and participates at the District of the Annual Conference and Conference Lay Organization levels.

Section 2: Membership to the Annual Convention

Membership to the Florida Conference Lay Organization's Annual Convention shall be as follows:

1. All elected officers of the Florida Conference Lay Organization, as well as any elected Officers of the Episcopal District and Connectional Lay Organizations who are a member of a local Church in the Florida Annual Conference.
2. All persons holding the designation and/or office of President Emeritus.
3. All District of the Annual Conference Lay Organization Presidents, Director of Lay Activities (DOLAs) and Young Adult Representatives (YARs).
4. Six (6) elected delegates from each District of the Annual Conference Lay Organization, of whom at least one (1) shall be a young adult, age 18–35.
5. Each President or an elected representative of each organized Station or Circuit Organization.
6. Six (6) elected delegates from each organized Station or Circuit Organization.

Article V – Officers, Duties and Responsibilities

Section 1: Elected Officers

The elected Officers of the Florida Conference Lay Organization and its Divisions shall be:

1. President
2. First Vice President
3. Second Vice President*
4. Third Vice President*
5. Recording Secretary
6. Assistant Recording Secretary*
7. Corresponding Secretary*
8. Treasurer
9. Financial Secretary*
10. Chaplain
11. Historiographer*
12. Parliamentarian*
13. Director of Lay Activities
14. Director of Public Relations*
15. Young Adult Representative

* Elected at discretion of Divisions, see Article III of this Constitution.

a. President

The President of the Florida Conference Lay Organization shall:

1. Lead with vision and integrity, serving as spokesperson for laity in the Church, a representative for lay ministry in ecumenical and interfaith gatherings, or an advocate in public policy arenas.
2. Preside over its Conference Convention and Quarterly Meeting during regular, special, or emergency meetings, the Executive Board, and all other official meetings of the Organization.
3. Be the active head of said organization, and shall be responsible for seeing that the Constitution and By-Laws, as well as the orders and policies of the Executive Board, are fully carried out.
4. Be responsible for expanding and developing lay work throughout the Florida Conference through channels of the Districts of the Annual Conference Lay Organizations.
5. Be responsible for such other duties as may be usual and customary to the position, and which may be assigned from time to time by the Executive Board and the directives approved by the Conference Convention.
6. Appoint chairpersons of all Standing, Special, Convention and Ad Hoc Committees.
7. The Conference President or designee shall preside over all elections of officers on the Districts of the Annual Conference Lay Organizations Level.

b. First Vice President

1. Be responsible for Membership Recruitment, Retention, and coordinate such duties as assigned by the President.
2. Assume the complete duties of the President during an absence or when it has been determined by the Executive Board that the President can no longer perform the duties.

c. Second Vice President

1. Be responsible for Strategic Planning and coordinate such duties as assigned by the President and the Executive Board.
2. Serve in the absence of the President and First Vice President, preside at the meetings and assume all duties of the President.

d. Third Vice President

1. Coordinate such duties as Personal Evangelism and coordinating those efforts with the appropriate departments within the church.
2. In the absence of the President, First Vice President, and Second Vice President, preside at the meetings and assume all the duties of the office of President.

e. Recording Secretary

1. Serve as Secretary of the Florida Conference Lay Organization's Convention, Quarterly Meetings and Executive Board Meetings.
2. Be responsible for recording attendance, accurate minutes of all business transacted during meetings, and for reading and distributing minutes of any previous meetings ensuring widespread dissemination of pertinent information.
3. In the absence of the President and Vice Presidents, the Recording Secretary shall preside until a chairperson pro-tempore is elected.
4. Prepare, for the presiding officer, a statement of unfinished business to come before the meeting and a report to the Executive Board meetings to be presented at the Conference Convention.
5. Hold the bonds of the Treasurer and Financial Secretary.

f. Assistant Recording Secretary

1. Assist the Recording Secretary in all duties as outlined above.
2. In the absence of the Recording Secretary, shall perform the duties of the Recording Secretary.

g. Corresponding Secretary

1. Ensure lay ministry focus through effective communications, including sharing congratulations, well wishes, condolences, and other news about laity.
2. Report pertinent information to the Executive Board, and reply to correspondence as directed by the President and/or the Executive Board.
3. Maintain a network of internal communications between the Florida Conference Lay Organization and its subordinate bodies.
4. Compose communication as needed and/or directed by the President. Maintain liaison with the Director of Public Relations to ensure publication of pertinent information.

h. Treasurer

1. Serve as a member of the Budget and Stewardship Committee responsible for preparation of the organization's budget for the fiscal year.
2. Distribute all funds in accordance with the line-item budget approved by the Annual Convention. Expenditures not reflected in the budget must be approved by the President and the Executive Board with appropriate justification.
3. Keep accurate records and give an itemized report at each Executive Board meeting, Quarterly meeting and the Annual Convention.
4. Be bonded; said bond shall be held by the Recording Secretary.
5. Have the accounts audited annually by an internal audit committee, and prior to change in office, have an external audit performed by an accounting firm approved by the Executive Board.

i. Financial Secretary

1. Maintain an independent set of records of all financial transactions and assist and work in concert with the Treasurer.
2. Serve as a member of the Budget and Stewardship Committee.
3. Receive and record all funds. All funds shall be turned over to the Treasurer within a period not to exceed ten (10) days.
4. Write vouchers countersigned by the President that authorize expenditures, pursuant to the approved budget, which are to be paid by the Treasurer.
5. Be bonded; said bond shall be held by the Recording Secretary.

j. Chaplain

1. Make adequate preparation for each Bible Study and Devotional Service, utilizing creative styles that motivate and draw participants into the worship experience.
2. Provide spiritual leadership to this organization.
3. Maintain effective communication with the Chaplains on the Districts of the Annual Conference Organizations.

k. Historiographer

1. Be responsible for gathering, assembling and maintaining a written and pictorial record of the activities and achievements of this organization.
2. Act as custodian for all photographs, citations, awards, trophies and other mementos of the Florida Conference Lay Organization.
3. Compile/maintain a written history of this organization and submit it as a report to the Executive Board and the Annual Convention.
4. Maintain an archive of the historical records and other documents of the organization.

l. Parliamentarian

1. Advise the President or presiding officer concerning questions of parliamentary procedure.
2. Be seated next to the President at all meetings.
3. Follow the Constitution and By-Laws of this Organization, the Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Robert's Rules of Order (newly revised, latest edition) at all meetings.
4. Serve as consultant to the Constitution and By-Laws, Rules and other Committees as needed.

m. Director of Lay Activities

1. Maintain a close working relationship with the President and the Young Adult Representative in the planning, developing and implementation of the complete programmatic thrust of this organization.
2. Plan, design, and direct all educational programs and other activities of this organization at the Quarterly Meetings and the Annual Convention, including but not limited to training institute, banquets, luncheons, scholarships, awards and speakers in consultation with the President and approval of the Executive Board.
3. Maintain a working relationship with all Districts of the Annual Conference Directors.
4. Be responsible for implementing the training program and course of study received from the Eleventh Episcopal District Lay Organization's Director of Lay Activities.
5. Upon receiving the course of study from the Episcopal District Lay Organization Director of Lay Activities, shall forward immediately the course of study to the Districts of the Annual Conference Directors.
6. The Districts of the Annual Conference Directors of Lay Activities shall forward the course of study to each Local Station or Circuit Directors of Lay Activities within thirty (30) days after receiving from the Conference Director of Lay Activities.
7. All full reports of progress made in the implementation of the course of study and the work of the Director shall be given at the Annual Convention and Executive Board meetings as outlined in this constitution.

n. Director of Public Relations

1. Oversee all official publications of the organization.
2. Publish quarterly periodicals containing news of general interest to the laity and news regarding the organization. Solicit and edit articles on topics that will appeal to, inspire and motivate subscribers.
3. Oversee the entire publication process, including seeking bids from publishers.
4. Provide for promotion, circulation, subscription fulfillment, and advertising solicitation.
5. Prepare a line-item budget for the online publication for submission to the Budget and Stewardship Committee and included in the Organization's Budget.
6. Seek to bring about harmony of understanding between the church and public through the channeling of information to various media.
7. Be responsible for all press releases and public relations for and during any Lay Organization Meeting.
8. Disseminate news items of interest received from the Districts of the Annual Conference Lay Organizations through online and/or multi-media processes.
9. Oversee the FCLO Website and any internal or external documents, including all social media networking (if applicable).
10. Oversee the Business Center at the Florida Conference Annual Convention.

o. Young Adult Representative

1. Be responsible for implementing teaching and training opportunities for Young Adults in conjunction with the Director of Lay Activities, and establishing working relationships with other relevant Young Adult Auxiliaries and Ministries within, and outside the AME Church.
2. Prepare a line-item budget to reflect the work of this office for submission to the Budget and Stewardship Committee and included in the Organization's Budget.
3. Advocate for Young Adults' concerns to the Florida Conference Lay Organization Executive Board and beyond.
4. Facilitate Lay Organization Young Adult events with approval of the President.
5. Voice the concerns and visions of a new generation of laity, and serve as a Christian Mentor to a younger generation of African Methodists.

Section 2: Annual Audit

The Annual Audit shall include the records of all officers handling finances of the Florida Conference Lay Organization and shall be conducted by an internal auditing committee. The Committee shall report its findings at the Annual Convention. The findings of this audit are reported to the Annual Convention, which will include an annual programmatic report from each office with an operational budget.

Article VI – Nomination and Election Procedures

Section 1

All Officers and Members of the Florida Conference Lay Organization and its Divisions shall be members in good and regular standing in the station or circuit organization to participate in elections and voting.

Section 2

Any person seeking an elected office in the Florida Conference Lay Organization must be a member in "good and regular standing" in the organization and must possess the qualifications required for the position being sought. Any candidate for elected office must have registered and attended at least one (1) FCLO Annual Convention as a delegate, alternate, or observer within the two (2) year period immediately preceding the election year. Registration shall be confirmed from the official registration records to be provided to the nominating committee upon its request.

Section 3

All persons seeking an elected office must submit a "letter of intent" with qualifications signed by their District of the Annual Conference President and Local Church President or Designee, to the Chairperson of the nominating committee. The format for the letter of intent will be provided by the Nominating Committee and must be returned by certified mail, its international equivalent and/or electronic communications postmarked on or before February 1st of the election year. This deadline date will constitute the close of all nominations submitted to the Nominating Committee. There shall be no nominations from the floor of the Annual Convention.

Section 4

All candidates seeking an elected office must have demonstrated active participation in the Annual Conference, District of the Annual Conference and Local Church Lay Organization levels within one (1) year period preceding the election year.

Section 5

No elected officers shall hold more than two (2) offices beyond the Local Organization.

Section 6

Members of the Nominating Committee shall be ineligible for nomination by the committee for any elected position to be filled.

Section 7: Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee shall consist of four (4) persons appointed by the President with nominees to be confirmed by the Executive Board. The President in selecting committee members shall follow these guidelines:

1. There shall be no more than one person appointed from each District of the Annual Conference.
2. Appointments shall be sensitive to age diversity, at least one (1) person between the ages of 18–35, and all persons must have demonstrated experience with the nominating process as outlined in Article VI.

Section 8: Duties of the Committee

At least four (4) months prior to the Annual Convention, the committee shall call for nominations through announcements during the quarterly meeting preceding the election, a notice submitted for publication on the Florida Conference Lay Organization's website (if applicable), and any other appropriate printed or online communications. Nomination forms shall also be sent to District of the Annual Conference Presidents for distribution to interested persons and must be returned to the chair no later than February 1st of the election year.

1. The Committee shall thoroughly examine any and all necessary information regarding nominees for elected offices. Each nominee must be notified of his/her eligibility. On or before the 15th of March, the slate will be distributed to the Executive Board for approval prior to being provided to each District of the Annual Conference.
2. No political campaigning for office shall take place before candidates are qualified as nominees by the Nominating Committee. Campaigning is defined as placing ads in Souvenir Journals or any AME Church Publication, distributing campaign literature/paraphernalia, or visits to formal functions with the express purpose of campaigning. Participants in campaign activities prior to being qualified as a nominee will result in valid disqualification if confirmed by the Nominating Committee and the Executive Board.

Article VII – Election of Officers

Section 1

Officers shall be elected at the Florida Conference Lay Organization's Annual Convention, unless otherwise provided for herein. All elections shall be by secret ballot, electronic or paper, except in the case where the office is not contested. When there is only one candidate for office, the Chair can take a voice vote or declare the nominee elected by unanimous consent or acclamation. A majority vote shall be necessary to elect. Elected officers shall assume office immediately upon installation, which shall be the final order of business at the closing FCLO Annual Convention. The candidate seeking elected office does not have to be present to be voted upon. Any method of election in any division other than by secret ballot, except in the case of uncontested offices, shall be declared null and void.

Section 2

The Florida Conference Lay Organization's Officers shall be elected to a two (2) year term at the Conference Lay Convention.

Section 3: Term Limitation

The elected officers of the Florida Conference Lay Organization and its Divisions shall serve no more than eight (8) consecutive years in the same office.

Section 4

If an officer completes a term of office which was vacated by the incumbent due to death, illness, resignation and/or other conditions approved by the Executive Board, the unexpired portion of the term will not be counted as a full term for the purpose of term limitation.

Section 5: Transition Period

A transitional period of thirty (30) days beginning at the close of the Annual Convention is provided for outgoing officers to reconcile files, records, and make inventories before transferring them to the incoming officers. Outgoing officers shall complete the transfer of all files, records, books, papers and property belonging to the organization to the incoming officers on or before the end of the thirty (30) day period.

Section 6: Vacancy in the Office of President and/or Vice Presidents

If a vacancy occurs in the office of President due to death, resignation, disability or temporary inability or other causes, the First Vice President shall immediately assume the Office of President for the unexpired term; the Second Vice President shall ascend to First Vice President, and the Third Vice President becomes Second Vice President, leaving the vacancy in the office of the lowest ranking vice president. If the remainder of the term is less than one (1) year, the President shall appoint an active member to fill the vacancy, confirmed by the Executive Board. If the remainder is greater than one (1) year, a special election shall be held by the Executive Board within twenty (20) days of the vacancy date. All voting shall be by secret ballot (electronic or paper). Any person appointed and/or elected to fill an unexpired term of President shall subsequently be eligible to be elected to four (4) full two (2) year terms in accordance with this constitution and by-laws.

Section 7: Vacancy of Other Elected Officers

If a vacancy occurs in any other elected officer's position due to death, resignation, disability or inability to serve, the President shall, with the confirmation of the Executive Board, appoint an active member to fill the vacancy if the remainder of the term is less than one (1) year. If greater than one (1) year, a special election shall be held within twenty (20) days. Any person appointed and/or elected to fill an unexpired term shall subsequently be eligible to be elected to four (4) full two (2) year terms in accordance with this Constitution and By-Laws.

Section 8: Removal of Elected Officer

The Organizational and Officers Effectiveness Committee shall give its findings annually. Any elected officer not performing his/her duties as outlined in this Constitution and By-Laws shall be notified in writing by the President, with a copy forwarded to the Chair of the Organizational and Officers Effectiveness Committee and the Executive Board. If failure to perform continues for a period of thirty (30) days after notification, the matter will be referred to the Executive Board for action. The final decision to expel or reinstate shall rest exclusively with The Florida Conference Lay Organization in its Quarterly Meeting or Annual Convention.

Section 9

Conference Lay Organization Officers shall be elected biennially.

Section 10

Districts of the Annual Conference Lay Organization Officers shall be elected biennially.

Section 11

Station or Circuit Lay Organization Officers shall be elected annually.

Article VIII – Qualifications

Each officer shall be responsible for understanding and fulfilling his/her duties and those officers with a budget shall prepare and submit an annual line-item budget to the Budget and Stewardship Committee, to be included in the Annual Budget for approval by the Conference Convention.

Article IX – Executive Board

Article X – Meetings

Article XI – Voting Privileges

Article XII – Powers and Jurisdictions

Section 1

The Florida Conference Lay Organization shall exercise prudent and appropriate authority, power, and supervision over all Districts of the Annual Conference Lay Organizations established under the provisions of this Constitution.

Article XIII – Reserved and Implied Powers

Article XIV – Committees

To ensure successful and effective implementation of programs and projects of The Florida Conference Lay Organization, all Chairpersons shall be appointed by the President.

Article XV – Subordinate Bodies

Section 1: Districts of the Annual Conference Lay Organizations

The Districts of the Annual Conference Lay Organizations shall be composed of:

1. All elected officers.
2. The President and six (6) elected delegates from each organized Station or Circuit Lay Organization, at least one of whom shall be a young adult, ages 18–35.
3. Any elected officers of The Connectional Lay Organization, the Eleventh Episcopal District Lay Organization, or the Florida Conference Lay Organization who are members of an organized Station or Circuit Lay Organization in the District of the Annual Conference.
4. This organization is amenable to the Annual Conference Lay Organization and must report to the Annual Conference Lay Organization at least quarterly.

Section 2: Station or Circuit Lay Organization

The pastor of each Station or Circuit shall, within thirty (30) days after the Annual Conference, call a meeting of the members of the Charge for the purpose of organizing a Lay Organization where none exists. The Station or Circuit Lay Organization shall be composed of all members of said Station or Circuit who desire to join. The President of the Lay Organization, or a duly elected representative of the local church, becomes a member of the Official Board by virtue of his/her office.

Section 3

The officers of a Station or Circuit Lay Organization shall be those specified in Article V, Section 1 of this Constitution. The Station or Circuit Lay Organization shall fix the time for regular meetings, which should not be fewer than eleven (11) times per year.

Article XVI – Amendments

Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws of The Florida Conference Lay Organization may be made by filing a copy of the proposed amendment with the President, Secretary and Constitution and By-Laws Committee Chair. The Constitution and By-Laws Committee shall ensure that copies of the proposed changes are sent to each District of the Annual Conference President at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting of the 1½ day Annual Convention. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and eligible to vote at the Conference Convention shall be required to effect an amendment. Amendments will take effect at the close of the Conference Convention ratifying the Amendments.

By-Laws of The Florida Conference Lay Organization

Section 1: Order of Business

1. Devotion
2. Bible Study
3. Roll Call of Officers
4. Report of Credentials Committee
5. Registration of Delegates
6. Reading of Minutes of the Executive Board
7. President's Message
8. Reports of Officers
9. Reports of District Presidents
10. Reading of Committee Reports
11. Unfinished Business
12. New Business
13. Report of Committees
14. Correspondence
15. Memorial Service
16. Installation of Officers
17. Adjournment

Section 2: Quorum

A majority of delegates present from each District of the Annual Conference Lay Organization with voting delegations at the Conference Convention shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business.

Section 3

The members shall conform to all the rules and regulations of this organization; any member(s) guilty of an infraction or violation of the rules, or for conduct or decorum unbecoming a member, may be removed from membership herein.

Section 4

The order of business herein before outlined may be changed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the delegates present at the Quarterly Meeting or the Annual Convention.

Section 5

All reports of the Districts of the Annual Conference Presidents and other officers shall be in writing and submitted in triplicate copies — one to be left with the President of the organization, one to be left with the Secretary of the organization, and one to be retained by the officer making the report.

Section 6

Any officer failing to perform his or her official duties shall be accountable to the Executive Board.

Section 7

No officer or any committee shall incur any obligation which shall be binding, unless such action was authorized in its inception, or subsequently ratified and approved by the organization.

Section 8

The President shall be authorized to appoint and deputize, with sufficient power and authority, as many Marshals as may be deemed necessary to maintain order and decorum in the meeting. It shall be the duty of the Marshals to maintain strict order, see that only members are seated within established bounds of the meeting, and perform such other duties as may be assigned to them by the President.

Section 9

Any provision or condition not expressly covered in the Constitution and By-Laws of this Organization shall be interpreted and construed in keeping with the long established policy, customs, tenets, and traditions of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, The Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised edition.

Section 10

Upon being identified and honored as an Emeritus President, all persons holding the designation shall be a perpetual member of the Lay Organization he/she has served honorably.

Colors, Hymn & Benediction

Official Colors

The official colors of The Florida Conference Lay Organization are: Royal Blue and White or Navy Blue and White.

The Lay Hymn

Written by Frances A. Walston · Tune: (Zion) "Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah"

The Lay Benediction

"May God bless us with the true spirit of Christianity. That we may live together, not as man over man, but as lay persons working with God. Amen."