ARTICLE I - Name and Purpose
Section 1 – The name of the organization is Agora Evangelism Ministries, Inc.
Section 2 – This corporation is organized exclusively for evangelism (religious) purposes.
Section 3 – The purpose and object of this corporation is to reach the spiritually lost (those who do not know how to obtain eternal life in heaven) when they gather in places such as state fairs, county fairs, sports shows, farm shows and carnivals. We will do this by training and equipping Christians and local churches to work in evangelism booths and tents to give a clear, effective verbal presentation of the gospel of eternal life through Jesus Christ (a message which will explain to the lost how to gain eternal life in heaven by believing in Jesus Christ). We will also partner with local churches to guide the newly saved into an effective discipleship program.
ARTICLE II - Members
This corporation has no members.
ARTICLE III - Board of Directors
Section 1 – The board is responsible for setting policy and governing the ministry. The board holds the power to conduct all aspects of the ministry’s business and delegates its power to the Chief Executive Officer to execute day to day operations. The board shall consist of not less than three (3) members and not more than eight (8) members.
Section 2 – The original board members (Norris Belcher, Larry Staner, Robert Dudley, and Catherine Dudley) have an unlimited term of office. Subsequent board members have term limits. A term shall consist of three years. A board member can serve up to two terms before he/she must step down. At the end of six years, a board member must step down for a year before he/she can be considered for reelection to the board.
Section 3 – The board itself is responsible for electing new board members. At any time a current board member may put forward a nomination for a new member. The sitting board will vote to elect a new member and a majority vote of the current directors is required for the election of a new member.
Section 4 – A majority of the directors must be present to establish a quorum in order for the board to transact business.
Section 5 – The board must meet at least once a year.
Section 6 – A board member may voluntarily remove themselves from the board. Additionally, any board member may be removed by the remaining board of directors when, in its judgment, the best interest of the corporation will be served thereby. A majority vote of the remaining board of directors is required for a removal. Examples of such conditions may include breach of confidentiality or failure to disclose a conflict of interest.
Section 7 – Voting will be left to the discretion of the chairman of the board. Voice votes will be commonly used. However, the chairman may call for a written ballot when it is appropriate to ensure all diverse opinions are expressed.
Section 8 – Board members who hold additional positions in the organization such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or other staff positions will be compensated according to their additional position. Otherwise, board members shall not be compensated for their service except for reimbursement of reasonable expenses.
ARTICLE IV - Officers of the Board
Section 1 – The board shall have five (5) officers: Chaplain, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. The original board members may have an unlimited term of office. Subsequent officers shall have term limits. Officers shall serve two-year terms and are limited to two consecutive terms. A board member may hold more than one position.
Section 2 – The chaplain ensures the spiritual and evangelistic focus of the board is maintained.
Section 3 – The chairman presides at all meetings of the board, appoints committees, and ensures that proper records are maintained and filed as necessary.
Section 4 – The vice chairman acts as the chief board officer in the chairman’s absence.
Section 5 – The treasurer oversees the financial matters of the organization and ensures that monies are deposited promptly in the appropriate accounts. The treasurer serves as chairperson of any budget or finance committees.
Section 6 – The secretary takes and maintains minutes of board meetings.
ARTICLE V - Board Committees
The board has no standing committees. When the board deems necessary, it can appoint a temporary committee to work projects.
ARTICLE VI - Amendments to the Bylaws
These bylaws may be amended subject to approval of a vote of two-thirds of the sitting directors.
These by-laws originally drafted and ratified March 22, 2007.