Article I – Name
The name of this society shall be the Dorcas Lutheran Women’s Missionary League of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas, of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.  This society shall be a member of the Capitol Zone and the Texas District.

The objects of this society shall be:
a)      to promote growth in Christian knowledge.
b)      to develop and maintain a greater mission awareness among the women of St. Paul Lutheran Church,
c)      to further a love for and to help provide for active participation in Christian fellowship and service,
d)      to promote and support active participation in all mission projects, and
e)      to foster and support the program and objects of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

Any woman who is a communicant member of this congregation, expresses a desire to join, and participates by promoting the objects of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League shall be considered a member of this society.

One delegate and one alternate for each twenty members shall be elected to represent this society at the biennial convention of the Texas District Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

The society shall have a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

 

The President shall:
a)      preside at all meetings of the society and at executive committee meetings;
b)      appoint a Christian Growth Chairman and a Public Relations Chairman;
c)      appoint any other committees deemed necessary;
d)      be a member ex-officio of all committees except the Nominating Committee; and
e)      perform whatever additional duties the society may prescribe.
 

The Vice President shall:
a)      assist the President:
b)      act as President in the President’s absence or inability to act;
c)      be Chairman of the Bylaws Committee; and
d)      perform whatever additional duties the society may prescribe.

 

The Secretary shall:
a)      keep minutes of all meetings of the society and provide written copies at each meeting;
b)      keep a record of the membership and attendance;
c)      submit the names and addresses of all officers and those filling vacancies to the Zone Secretary and to the District Membership Chairman;
d)      conduct such correspondence as may be required; and
e)      perform whatever additional duties the society may prescribe.
 

The Treasurer shall:
a)      receive all moneys of the society;
b)      keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements;
c)      make all payments authorized by the society;
d)      forward all mite box offerings to the financial officer or as directed by the district;
e)      submit monthly and annual reports;
f)        submit her records annually for financial review; and
g)      perform whatever additional duties the society may prescribe.

Article VI – Nominations and Elections

A nominating committee of three members shall be appointed in March.  The nominating committee members are appointed in alphabetical order through an automatic process of taking the next three names on the membership roster.

The committee shall submit a slate consisting of two nominees for each office at the May meeting of the society. The consent of the nominees, to serve if elected, shall have been secured.

If there is only one (1) candidate per office, a voice vote may be taken. A majority of votes cast shall constitute election to office.

 

Officers shall be elected by ballot at the May meeting to serve for a term of two years or until their successors are elected. The President and the Secretary shall be elected in the even years, and the Vice President and the Treasurer in the odd years.

 

Newly elected officers shall be installed at the May meeting.

 

All officers shall be eligible to serve not more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office.

 

Meetings shall be held monthly except for the months of June, July and August. The members present to any duly called meeting shall constitute a quorum.

 

The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers, the Christian Growth Chairman, the Public Relations Chairman and the pastor as counselor in an advisory capacity. A majority of the officers shall constitute a quorum.

The Executive Committee shall:
a)      approve committee appointments;
b)      make recommendations to the society; and
c)      fill all vacancies in offices.

The Christian Growth Committee shall consist of the Chairman and any others she may appoint and shall:
a)      arrange for regular meeting programs;
b)      distribute and encourage the use of the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly; and
c)      cooperate with zone, district and national Christian Growth Committees in furthering Bible Study topic discussions, workshops and retreats.

The Public Relations Committee shall consist of the Chairman and any others she may appoint and shall:
a)      relay activities of the society to the District News; and
b)      take care of the necessary publicity of the society.

There may be such special committees as the society deems necessary to carry on its work. The society shall determine the authority and responsibilities of the committees.

 

There are no dues, but voluntary contributions will be accepted at each meeting. These contributions shall be used to meet any local expenses and to pay the registration fee and travel of all duly elected delegates to the district convention. All expenditures shall have the approval of the society.

 

Mission or mite box offerings shall be collected separately from the regular voluntary offerings and the total mite box offerings shall be sent monthly to the district financial secretary.

The pastor of the congregation shall serve in an advisory capacity to the society.

The rules contained in the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the proceedings of the society in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws, standing rules, guidelines, applicable law, or Christian principles.

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting at the regular meeting provided previous notice has been given of such contemplated amendment and provided the amendment has been given prior approval by the District Bylaws Committee.