Above are the proposed Bylaws Amendments, in the current draft form.
If you have recommended changes, omissions, rewording, please respond as soon as possible. We are asking for replies by October 21, 2008, so that National Council may use this input for decisions about Bylaws wording. Reply to LenaDOK@aol.com, using the form for amendments.
Section 1. Communicants of Episcopal Church Section 2. Rule of Prayer/ Rule of Service Section 3. Membership Section 4. Resignation or Death Section 5. Reinstatement Section 6. Dues Section 7. No money making policy
Article I. Name The name of this Order shall be "The Order of the Daughters of the King, Inc." Article II. Object The object of this Order shall be the extension of Christ's Kingdom through Prayer, Service and Evangelism.
Article III. Members
Section 1: All members must be women communicants of the Episcopal Church, or of other Churches in communion with it, or of Churches with the Historic Episcopate but not in communion with it.
Section 2: Every woman who becomes a member of The Order of the Daughters of the King shall take the vow to observe the two Rules of the Order: The Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service, at a Service of Admission in the Church.
The Rule of Prayer: Each member promises, in addition to seeking to grow daily in a life of prayer, to pray daily for the spread of Christ’s Kingdom; for God’s blessing upon all members of the Order; and for the spiritual growth of the parish.
The Rule of Service: Each member promises to take part regularly in the worship, study and work of the Church; to undertake a personal program of evangelism to bring others to Christ; to give aid to the Priest-in-charge for the up-building of the parish; and to minister to God’s people wherever she is.
Corporate Communion of the Order: In addition to faithful participation in the Eucharist, each member shall regard it as her duty and privilege to prepare for and attend, if possible, a Corporate Communion of the Order on All Saints’ Day.
Section 3: Membership A. In an existing parish or Institutional Chapter:
Upon approval of the Rector or Priest-in-charge, any woman communicant of a parish or mission who accepts the two Rules of the Order, shall be eligible for membership after a three-month preparation period of concentrated study, training, prayer and service.
Any baptized woman communicant in a church-related or non-church related institution who accepts the two Rules of this Order and is approved by the head of the Institution, its Chaplain or the Bishop if it is a non-church related institution (retirement, assisted living facility or prison) shall be eligible for membership.
B. In a Diocesan Chapter, sometimes called a Bishop’s Chapter:
Those eligible to become members shall be women in rural areas, or in parishes where there is no chapter. In special cases a woman who is unable to belong to the Chapter in her parish may be eligible.
Preparation for membership shall be under the direction of the Chapter President, the Diocesan President or the Bishop.
C. Daughters-at-Large:
Daughters who are not members of a chapter shall be called Daughters-at-Large.
Daughters who leave the Episcopal Church to become members of Churches having Affiliate Chapters may become Daughters-at-Large in such Churches and should follow the appropriate procedures for Daughters-at-Large in that Church.
Daughters in good standing who leave their church to become members of churches in which chapters may be formed but in which no chapters have yet been formed may remain Daughters-at-Large subject to their vows and their obligation to continue to pay membership dues (new: 2006 Triennial).
They shall pay National, Provincial and Diocesan dues and any offering to the National Office.
Contact should be maintained with the National Chairman for Daughters-at-Large whose name and address appear in The Royal Cross and with the Provincial and Diocesan Chairman for Daughters-at-Large.
D. Junior Daughters of the King
There shall be Junior Daughters of the Order. They shall be under the direction of the National Council, one of whose members shall be appointed Chairman for Junior Daughters. The Junior Chapter shall be under the guidance and support of the Senior Chapter in the parish where one exists.
The Directress of the Chapter shall be a Senior Daughter.
Section 4: Resignation or Death A. If a member finds that she cannot fulfill the vow, she may resign from the Order, after consultation with her Priest- in-charge or Rector. She or the Secretary of the Chapter shall return the Cross of the Order to the National Office and ask that her name be removed from the Membership list. There shall be no refund of dues or registration fees upon resignation.
B. Any Daughter, unable to attend meetings because of advanced age, failing health or invalidism:
Should not feel it necessary to, or be required to, resign and return the Cross. She has taken the vow and is entitled to wear the Cross in good faith.
If a member is unable to pay dues, her Chapter is encouraged to pay them for her so she may continue her membership, receive The Royal Cross and be listed at the National Office. Scholarship funds are available upon request.
C. When a member dies:
The National Office should be notified immediately by the Chapter President.
The Cross should be returned to the National Office by the Chapter President or it may be buried or attached to a suitable marker.
Section 5: Reinstatement A. A member may be reinstated with the approval of her Rector or Priest-in-charge, at a Service of Rededication and the payment of dues for the current year.
B. A Daughter-at-Large or a member of a Diocesan Chapter, with the approval of the Bishop, may be reinstated in the same manner.
Section 6: Dues A. Registration fees are set by the National Council to reflect current costs. Consult the current issue of The Royal Cross for the amount of the registration fee.
B. Dues are established by the National Convention.
C. Checks or money orders shall be made payable to The Order of the Daughters of the King, Inc., and sent to the National Office.
D. The Greek Fleury Cross, which belongs to the Order, shall be sent with a form for admission for each member. A subscription for The Royal Cross will be sent to all registered members in good standing.
E. National, Provincial and Diocesan dues are payable annually to the National Office.
F. A contribution of seven hundred dollars ($700) will constitute lifetime payment of National, Provincial, and Diocesan dues and will free the member from future payment of such dues.
G. Affiliate Dues:
Dues for affiliate members shall be determined by National Council in consultation with the national organization of the Affiliate Chapter to reflect the costs of services to such chapters including the cost of The Royal Cross.
Payment:
a. Members of Affiliate Chapters having their own national organization shall pay dues to that organization. b. Members of Affiliate Chapters having no national organization shall pay dues directly to the National Office of The Order of the Daughters of the King, Inc.
Section 7: No money making policy A. Daughters of the King shall not raise money in the name of the Order.
B. Individual members shall not be excluded from participating in church affiliated organizations whose purpose is to raise money.
C. Donations may be accepted to further the work of the Order.
Article IV. Chapters Section 1: Organization of Chapters
A. Three or more women communicants in any parish or mission who accept these bylaws, with the approval of the Rector or Priest-in-charge, may organize as a Chapter.
B. Three or more women communicants in a church related Institution may, with the approval of the head of the institution or chaplain, organize as a Chapter.
C. A Chapter may be organized in a non-church related institution with the approval of the Bishop of the Diocese in which such institution is situated. Chapters so formed shall be under the supervision of the Bishop or a deputy appointed by the Bishop.
D. The Order of the Daughters of the King may be organized in any autonomous church of the Anglican communion, in a church in communion with it, or in churches with the Historic Episcopate but not in communion with it. Chapters in autonomous churches of the Anglican communion or in churches in communion with it will be International (Branch) Chapters. Chapters in churches with the Historic Episcopate but not in communion with it will be Affiliate Chapters. Such International (Branch) and Affiliate Chapters may develop their own convention, Council support system, bylaws and/or handbook provided that:
Affiliate Chapters must subscribe to our Rule of Life. Affiliates must subscribe to our bylaws unless they are in conflict with their own church policy.
The three-month preparation period shall be required.
At a Service of Admission the members shall take vows of Daily Prayer and Service for the purpose of the extension of Christ’s Kingdom.
Any International (Branch) or Affiliate Chapter of the Order thus established is requested to report to the National Office of the Order or to the national organization in their church which shall in turn report to the National Office of the Order. The report will include information about members and about activity in Prayer and Service. Reports of National organizations of International (Branch) or Affiliate Chapters will also include the number of Chapters.
A member of the Executive Board or a representative appointed by them shall have seat and voice but no vote at conventions of all International (Branch) and Affiliate Chapters.
E. Three or more women in parishes or missions without a Chapter, who are in good standing in a diocese, who accept these bylaws may, with the approval of the Diocesan President and Bishop, organize a Diocesan Chapter, sometimes called a Bishop’s Chapter. In a diocese where there is no Diocesan Assembly the approval of the Bishop is sufficient.
F. All chapter officers shall assume office on September 1st of the year in which they are elected.
Note: July 1997-Bylaws were amended as follows: That the name “Branch Chapter” be changed to “International Chapter.”
Section 2: Inactive Chapters
A. If a chapter has fewer than three members who are current in the payment of their dues, it shall be removed from the list of active chapters after three (3) years. A final notice shall be sent by the diocesan president to the Rector or Priest-in-charge, to the Chapter President, to the national office, and to each member drawing attention to this action at least three months before the action takes place.
B. To Disband a Chapter- A chapter wishing to disband, after consultation with the Rector or Priest-in-charge and the Diocesan Officers, shall notify the National Office and return to the National Office its charter and the crosses of those who relinquish membership, along with all monies pertaining to the chapter. Those who wish to continue their membership may do so as members of a Diocesan Chapter, if there is one, or as Daughters-at-Large.
C. Reinstatement of a Chapter- A chapter having been inactive for three years, or less, may upon approval of the Priest-in-charge, be reinstated by paying dues for all members for the current year and by renewing vows at a Service of Rededication.
Section 3: Diocesan and Provincial Assemblies
A. When three or more Chapters are chartered in a Diocese they shall form a Diocesan Assembly to strengthen the Order and to facilitate communication with each other. A Diocesan Assembly is entitled to a delegate and an alternate to the National Convention.
B. Three or more Diocesan Assemblies within a Province of the Church may form a Provincial Assembly. Such an Assembly is entitled to representation on the National Council with its elected president.
C. All Diocesan Officers shall assume office on September 1st of the Triennial Year. Such officers may be elected at any time.
D. Provincial Officers’ terms of office shall coincide with those of the National Council.
A. The National Council of the Order shall be composed of fifteen (15) members selected by ballot by the convention and a representative from each Province where there is a Provincial Assembly. The representative shall be the elected President of that Province. Where there is no Provincial Assembly, a Provincial Representative shall be appointed by National Council.
B. All members shall have the same status, except that only the National Council members who have been elected by ballot by the Convention shall be eligible to become National Officers of the Order.
C. The term of all officers shall commence at the adjournment of the Convention at which they are elected.
D. The President or appointed representative of a national Affiliate Order or of a Provincial or National International Branch) Order is encouraged to attend meetings of the National Council and will have seat and voice but no vote.
Section 2: Powers of the National Council
A. The National Council shall have the power to elect the officers of the Order.
B. It shall have the power to enact Roberts’ Rules of Order for the transaction of business and to execute all legislation of the Order.
C. The National Council shall have power to enact Standing Rules for the transaction of business and to execute all legislation of the Order between conventions.
D. National Council Members, with permission from the National President, shall have the right to invite Honorary members to attend meetings where they shall have seat and voice but no vote.
Section 3: Meetings
A. The National Council shall meet at least annually.
B. Special meetings may be called by the President, or at the written request of three (3) members of the Council, or of members of the Order from fifteen (15) dioceses.
C. Quorum: One half (1/2) of the members shall constitute a quorum.
The officers of the Order shall be elected by the National Council after the adjournment of the National Convention for a term of three (3) years.
Eligible nominees are submitted for the office of President.
Voting shall be by ballot, separately and sequentially for each officer: President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, the person with the highest number of votes for each position being elected.
If only one nominee is presented for Secretary or Treasurer, the election may be by acclamation.
In the event that no elected member of the National Council feels qualified to be National Treasurer, the Executive Board may select a member from the Order who shall sit on National Council with voice but no vote.
No elected member of Council shall be eligible to be elected President until she has served one term on the Council.
A vacancy in any office shall be filled by the President with the consent of the Executive Board.
All National Council members shall serve no more than three (3) terms.
Section 2: Duties of the National Officers
A. President
The President shall preside at all meetings of the National Council and the Executive Board.
She shall appoint all committees, subject to the approval of the National Council.
She shall be ex-official member of all committees.
She shall perform all duties pertaining to her office.
She shall have power to fill all vacancies in the Convention elected membership of the Council, with the consent of the Executive Board. Any officer or National Council member thus appointed shall serve for the remainder of the term.
B. Vice Presidents
In the absence of the President, the 1st Vice President, or if she is absent, the 2nd Vice President, shall perform the duties of the President.
In case of the resignation or death of the President, the 1st Vice President shall automatically become the President.
C. Secretary
The Secretary shall keep all minutes of the meetings of the National Council, the National Convention and the Executive Board meetings.
D. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have charge of all money belonging to the Order.
She shall receive written monthly reports of all money belonging to the Order which pass through the National Office and shall render full statement of receipts and disbursements at each National Council Meeting and at the National Convention.
She shall invest any funds of the Order under the direction of the Finance Committee, appointed by and accountable to the National Council.
She shall be bonded for the faithful discharge of her duties in such sum and such surety or sureties as shall be required by the National Council.
All financial records shall be reviewed and reconciled by a CPA annually and/or when the office of either Treasurer or National Administrator is vacated. At the end of each interim year the financial records shall be reviewed by a competent financial advisor appointed by the Executive Board of the National Council of the Order
Article VII. Meetings Section 1: National Convention
A. The Order shall hold a National Convention in the year of General Convention.
B. The Convention is the governing body of the Order. It shall be composed of one delegate from each Chapter and one delegate from each Diocesan Assembly, together with the members of the National Council of the Order, including the Provincial Representatives.
Each delegate is entitled to one vote.
Each delegate may have an alternate who may take her place in the delegate’s absence.
If a chapter does not have at least three members who are current in the payment of dues, that Chapter shall be disqualified from representation at the Convention.
C. Quorum: one third (1/3) of the voting delegates shall constitute a quorum.
D. Nominations:
At the opening of the Convention, the President shall announce a committee of three (3) to present nominations for membership to the National Council.
Additional nominations may be made from the floor by a delegate of a Diocesan Assembly which has not proposed a nominee. Written consent of a proposed nominee must be secured with a resume of her qualifications in writing, given to the Committee on Nominations twenty-four (24) hours before nominations are opened.
Each Diocesan Assembly may nominate one member of the Order for election to National Council, having obtained her consent. The name and qualifications of the member nominated must be sent to the National Office by January 1 of the National Convention year.
Eligibility for nomination: To be eligible for election to National Council, a Daughter must be current in the payment of dues, must have held some office in a Chapter, Diocesan Assembly or Provincial Assembly and must have been a member of the Order at least three (3) years.
Section 1. The officers of the National Council and one elected member of National Council appointed by the National President shall constitute the Executive board (new: 1997 Triennial). (This amendment replaces the previous wording: The elected officers of the National Council, the Chairman of the Finance Committee and the Chairman of the Junior Daughters of the King shall constitute the Executive Board.)
Section 2. The President may appoint a past National Council President to serve as advisor to the Executive Board with seat and voice but no vote.
Section 3. It shall conduct the business of the Council between meetings with general power to transact the business.
Section 4. It shall determine the policies of the Order, except as instructed or limited by vote of the Council or by provisions of these bylaws.
Section 5. It shall assist the President as she shall request in transacting business of the Order.
Section 6. The Executive Board shall inform the National Council of any decisions in writing, listing those Executive Board members voting and how they voted.
Article IX. Provincial Representatives Section 1. The primary duty of the Provincial Representative is to interpret the work, ideals and aims of the Order from the National Council to the Daughters in her Province and in turn to interpret the work and problems of her Province to the Council.
Section 2. She shall attend all National Council meetings and the National Convention and shall submit a written report covering the state of her Province to the National Council and to the Convention.
Article X. National Office Administrator
Section 1. National Office The National Office shall be managed by a person in a salaried position under the direction of the President of the Order. This person shall have charge of the National Office.
Article XI. Emblem, Colors, Motto Section 1. The Emblem of the Order shall be a modified Greek Fleury Cross of silver or silver-colored metal, inscribed with the words “Magnanimiter Crucem Sustine” and the letters “FHS”. It shall be worn faithfully by the members.
Section 2. The colors of the Order shall be White and Blue.
Section 3. The motto of the Order shall be:
"For His Sake... I am but one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do. What I ought to do, by the Grace of God, I will do. Lord, what will you have me do?"
Section 1. The official magazine of the Order shall be The Royal Cross.
Section 2. The Editor and an Assistant Editor, if needed, shall be selected by the National Council of the Order.
Section 3. A report shall be made to the Council annually and to the National Convention.
Article XIII. National Chaplain The National President shall nominate the National Chaplain, with the approval of the National Council. The President shall request the Presiding Bishop to appoint the nominated Chaplain.
Article XIV. Parliamentary Authority The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order (Newly Revised) shall govern the proceedings of The Order of the Daughters of the King, Inc. in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.
Article XV. Amendment These bylaws, as a whole or in part, may be amended at any National Convention by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all delegates present and voting at any Convention, provided the amendment(s) has been submitted to the Chapters in writing at least three (3) months before the National Convention convenes.
