Constitution of Watermark YAG
Adopted:
Preamble: “…And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
“You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.” (Mark 12: 30,31)
I. Definition
A. Name
Watermark Young Adult Group (Watermark YAG)
B. Objectives
1. To promote fellowship in the Christian sense
2. To educate in the matters of Christian Faith
3. To serve in Christian Charity
C. Mission Statement
To serve God by bringing together Chinese American young adults for the above stated objectives to better seek and serve God and His Kingdom
II. Overview of Watermark Young Adult Group Structure
Hospitality/ Outreach
III. Organization of Watermark Young Adult Group
A. Membership
Section 1: Any participant in any Watermark YAG activities and registered in accordance with the Bylaws will be considered a member with full rights and privileges of Watermark YAG member
Section 2: Basic rights and privileges of Watermark YAG members as specified in the Bylaws shall not be denied to any Watermark YAG member
B. Watermark YAG Executive Council
Section 1: Meetings will be called, as necessary, by the President with time and place to be determined on a per meeting basis. Notifications for meetings must be sent out at least one week in advance so that the interested parties may arrange to send a representative.
Section 2: Each office as specified by the Bylaws must be represented at the meetings.
Section 3: Meetings are open to anyone interested. Guests are defined as those attending the meetings and are not heads of committees, members of Watermark YAG as specified in Article III, A, Section 1 nor Watermark YAG officers.
Part (a) Guests have no voting voice
Part (b) Guests may only speak when recognized by the President
Part (c) Guests will be asked to leave if their presence becomes a distraction
Section 4: Meetings will be run in accordance as set in Article V.
C. Watermark YAG Executive Council Offices
Section 1: Exec Offices in General
Only the office of President will be Ex-Officio in Watermark YAG meetings. Each officer is open and encouraged to find a support staff from the membership to carry out their specific officer duties if necessary. Terms of Office are defined in the following sections. Elections are staggered so that new officers may be able to serve with experienced officers. Offices must be approved by majority vote of the membership as defined in Article V except the office of President. The President will be elected by a 2/3 + 1 vote, with voting as defined in Article V.
Section 2: Advisors
Advisors serve purely in an advisory capacity. Final decisions are up to the membership of Watermark YAG. Advisors are considered honorary members and so reserve the rights and privileges of a Watermark YAG member as defined in Article III, A.
IV. Affiliation
A. Holy Roman Catholic Church
B. St. Clare’s Parish
C. San Jose Chinese Catholic Community (SJCCC)
D. Membership
E. Advisors
V. Methods of Operation
A. Agenda
Agendas are set by the President prior to a meeting’s call-to-order.
Agendas must begin and end with prayer.
B. Attendance
Attendance at that particular meeting (executive or general) is required for voting voice.
C. Decisions requiring voting must be done at a general Watermark YAG activity (Bible study, social gathering, etc.) where the voting on the issues is communicated to the membership in advance and quorum is met at the meeting.
VI. Voting
A. Each registered member present at the Watermark YAG meeting where the issue is voted on is given one vote.
B. Quorum for voting at a general Watermark YAG meeting is set when (1) one week notification on the voting issue is given to the general membership and (2) at least 10 members attend
C. The President is the only member of the group that does not vote
D. In case of a tie, the President serves as the tie breaker
E. Voting can be either secret ballot, open ballot, raising of hands or vocal.
VII. Committees
A. Permanent Committees
Permanent committees are those committees that are active and serve an on-going purpose. They are placed as permanent committee status at the discretion of the council.
B. Special Committees
Formed by the council as necessary
C. Committee Heads
Committee heads can be any member of the committee. Executive officers may serve on a committee or as a committee head.
VIII. Constitution and Bylaws: Procedure for Action
A. Ratification
Section 1: Constitution
This constitution must be approved by all groups involved as mentioned at the time of draft (Watermark YAG, High School Bible Study, High School Religious Education)
Section 2: Bylaws
Bylaws must be approved by each individual group they pertain to, as well as the President of the exec council.
B. Amendments
Section 1: Amendments must be proposed in writing
Section 2: Amendments must be presented at a formal exec council meeting.
Section 3: Amendments must pass with 75% majority
Section 4: After passing, date of adoption must be noted when being added to this constitution.
Bylaws
I. Watermark YAG
A. Membership Requirements
Section 1: Age: between 18 and 35
Section 2: Registration
Section 3: Participate in at least one activity/meeting
B. Meetings
Section 1: Meetings where official group business is conducted must meet conditions determined in Article V and VI.
Section 2: Executive meetings are called by the President.
C. Offices and Duties
Section 1: Office of President (Chair).
First role is to represent the interests of Watermark YAG to SJCCC, St. Clare’s, and/or any other persons inquiring. Brings any necessary announcements and communications from all affiliations defined in Article IV. Calls meetings when necessary and prepares agenda. Tends to specific needs of the membership as necessary in accordance with the defined objectives and mission statement (Article I, B/C). Term of office is 24 months.
Section 2: Office of Scribe
Takes minutes of all Exec meetings as called and sends out to membership after the meeting is adjourned. Acts as Sergeant-At-Arms to enforce rules of order for meetings. Collects and keeps account of any financial matters concerning the group. Serves as the President in the absence of the President. Term of office is 24 months.
Section 3: Office of Communications
Maintains current membership list. Maintains membership email and alumni email lists. Sends any communications via email for group announcements. Maintains YAG contacts information. Term of office is 12 months
Section 4: Office of Studies
Determine study topics (Bible, essays, themes, etc.) and determines and schedule facilitators of specific studies. Organizes logistics of each study (time, place, etc.). Term of office is 12 months.
Section 5: Office of Community Service
Organizes each community service activity and logistics. Find different service activities in and out of SJCCC. Term of office is 12 months.
Section 6: Hospitality/Outreach
Engage and welcome any new attendees of any Watermark YAG activity. Collect contact information and assist in registration of new members. Follow up with new members and collect feedback, encouraging their return. Term of office is 12 months.
Section 7: Vacancies
Part (a): Vacancies in the office of President will be temporarily filled by the officers in the following order: Outreach, Community Service, Studies, Communications, Scribe.
Filling of the vacancy will be done by nomination and approval by voting in accordance with Article VI.
Part (a): In case of vacancies in any other offices, the President may appoint an ad-hoc officer temporarily. Filling of the vacancy will be done by nomination and approval by voting in accordance with Article VI.
Section 8: New Offices
New exec offices may be created as necessary with the approval of the council. New exec offices will be subject to conditions as set in Article III, C.
D. Committees
(pw: Watermark)