By-Laws of WCMA

 THE WASHINGTON COUNTY MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION (WCMA)

BY-LAWS

I.                      PURPOSE

·         As those called into the ministry of the Washington County Ministerial Association, our purpose will be to set an example in Washington County for   ministry conduct, cooperation, and devotion to Christ among and between Christian churches, and parachurch organizations of different denominational perspectives in and around our county.

II.                   MEMBERSHIP

·         The membership shall consist of Clergy, Chaplains, parachurch, and ministry leaders in Washington County who desire to meet and work together to fulfill the above purpose.

III.                  MEETINGS

·         The WCMA will normally meet monthly at a date, time, and location to be determined by the officers.  A summer recess will be decided on at the May meeting.

IV.               OFFICERS

·         The officers of the WCMA will consist of a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Good Samaritan Fund Intake Counselor.  These officers will be nominated and elected at the May meeting and serve from August through the following July.

A.  The responsibilities of the President will be to:

1.  Set the agenda along with the Secretary.

2.  Preside over the meeting

3.  Appoint the Nominating Committee

4.  Be a general “Good will Ambassador” representing the WCMA within the community and reach out to WCMA members’ needs as appropriate.

B.  The Secretary will:

1.  Set agenda along with the President

2.  Record and distribute minutes of the meeting

3.  Send out necessary correspondence

4.  Ensure necessary lists are tracked and monitored.

C.  The Treasurer will:

1.  Keep and interpret financial records and the budget.

2.  Distribute Funds from the WCMA-

a.  The President, Treasurer and one other member shall be signees.

b.  The account will be at a local bank in Washington County, FDIC.

3.      Ensure audits are completed as needed and determined by majority vote.

D.     The Good Samaritan Fund Intake Counselor will:

1.      Respond to requests for assistance from the Good Samaritan Funds

2.      Collect required information needed to evaluate the eligibility of the person(s) requesting financial assistance.

3.      Whenever possible, meet with the person(s) requesting assistance to purchase fuel, groceries, etc.

4.      Inform the person(s) requesting assistance of other organizations that may be able to help meet their needs and offer a budget sheet when appropriate.

5.      Make payment arrangements with utility companies, landlords, and other vendors as needed.

6.      Provide necessary documentation to the the WCMA Treasurer when checks need to be issued.  

7.      Maintain a list of the person(s) who are on the restricted help list.

V.                 NOMINATING COMMITTEE

·         The nominating committee will be comprised of those appointed by the

           President to seek nominations for officers of the WCMA.           

VI.               BUDGET

A.  Churches within Washington County Nebraska will be invited to contribute $1.00 per average worshipping member to support the Good Samaritan Fund.  This amount may be amended at the October meeting.

B.  The Good Samaritan Funds will be dispersed by an agreement between the member of the WCMA submitting the request and one of the designated counselors, and in accordance with the Good Samaritan Fund Guidelines. 

C.  Funds are received from local ministries, congregations, organizations, businesses, and Community gifts.

VII.              QUORUM

·         A quorum shall be two of the officers and three of any other members at a stated meeting.

VIII.           AMENDMENTS

Any change in these by-laws can be made by announcing the changes(s) in the minutes of one meeting and then taking a vote at the second stated meeting.

Revised: October 2024