Michael Fichter

I appreciate each of you for taking the time to provide the great advice. I think I am clear on how to proceed now. Thank you!

I really appreciate all of the help and advice. Thank you. So now I understand that the adoption of any amendment to the proposed revision and the adoption of the revision itself will occur at the January 2024 annual meeting. Is it acceptable to call a meeting to informally discuss an amendment, or would a meeting be considered formal and violate the rules? I am not sure how else we might be able discuss it in advance of the January meeting.

In response to request for current text: Exact text of bylaws pertaining to Amendments: These By-laws can be changed or amended when motion to that effect has been made at a regular meeting of the Church. The motion is debated and voted upon at the annual meeting of the Church. Its adoption requires a two-thirds majority of the votes cast. Exact text of constitution pertaining to Amendments: This Constitution can be amended (with the exception of Article VII) by a 2/3 majority vote of the congregation, providing motion for amendment has been presented or read at the previous annual meeting. Thank you.

A completely new version of our church constitution and bylaws were proposed and read at the annual business meeting in January. Per the current rules governing amendments to the constitution and bylaws, the actual vote on the new documents will occur at the next annual business meeting in January 2024. However, upon review of the proposed new documents, the members have determined that they would like to make some changes (i.e., amend them) before they come up for vote in January. Is it permissible to call one (or more) special meetings to amend the proposed new documents before the vote in January? (Our hope is to complete the process and put the new constitution and bylaws with amendments in effect in January 2024.) Thank you.