ADOPTED February 23, 2019
ARTICLE I – NAME
The organization shall be known as The Society of St. John Chrysostom—Western Region (SSJC-WR or The Society).
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
The purpose of SSJC-WR, a religious educational charitable society, shall be to make known the history, worship, spirituality, discipline, and theology of Eastern Christendom, and pray that the historic canonical apostolic Churches may be restored to full communion with one another in the fullness of unity desired by Jesus Christ.
ARTICLE III – AFFILIATIONS
The Society may hold membership in other organizations that further SSJC objectives, and may sponsor affiliate chapters.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
Section A. Eligibility. Those who support the purposes of SSJC-WR and are members in good standing of any of the canonically recognized Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Assyrian Church of the East, or of the Roman Catholic or Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the See of Rome, shall be eligible for membership. Others who do not meet the above requirement but nevertheless are actively committed to the purposes of the Society shall be eligible for membership by invitation of the Executive Committee, upon a majority vote of the Executive Committee. Membership may be revoked by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.
Section B. Two Tiers of Membership
- Executive Membership. Membership in the SSJC-WR Executive Committee shall be by invitation of the Executive Committee, upon majority vote of the existing Executive Committee. Every member of the Executive Committee must have some active function. The establishment of dues for Executive Membership and their amount shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
- Supporting Membership. Those who demonstrate that they are actively committed to the purposes of the Society by making a donation of financial support shall be eligible for Supporting Membership. Supporting Members may attend meetings of the Executive Committee; they have voice but no vote.
ARTICLE V – GOVERNANCE
Section A. Executive Committee. The SSJC-WR shall be governed by an Executive Committee.
- The Executive Committee shall consist of a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and other such offices as the Executive Committee and/or the Chair shall deem necessary or desirable, with such responsibilities and duties as determined by the Executive Committee and/or Chair. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.
- The Executive Committee may appoint standing or ad hoc Committees as it deems necessary or desirable, and eliminate those no longer deemed necessary or desirable.
Section B. Executive Committee Operations. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the wise Christian stewardship of the financial and other assets of the Society. Spending authority is to be vested in the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall schedule and hold such meetings as it deems necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of the Society, and shall collect, prepare, and publish such reports and documents as it deems necessary or desirable.
ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENT AND EFFECTIVE DATE OF BY-LAWS
The By-Laws may be amended, added to, or repealed by majority vote of the Executive Committee. These bylaws shall take effect immediately upon their adoption by the Executive Committee, as shall any amendments or additions.
ARTICLE VII – DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution of the SSJC-WR, any assets remaining after payment of all debts shall be distributed to The National Society of Saint John Chrysostom.