BYLAWS OF CHILDREN'S LEADERS ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be Children's Leaders Association.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The purpose of the Children's Leaders Association is to affirm the dignity, credibility and
scriptural necessity of ministry to children and to provide those who minister to children a
fellowship for the purpose of encouragement, training, and providing resources.
We seek to...
1.
Create awareness and to educate the body of Christ as to the value Scripture places on
every child.
2.
Uphold, affirm and equip those who are called to shepherd children.
3.
Be an advocate for every child.
4.
Provide a support system that will develop and strengthen children's ministry.
5.
Provide focus and direction for children's ministry on all levels--local, state, national and
international--in the Church of God.
6.
Covenant with God to be partners and co-workers with parents, families, and local church
bodies to provide every child with scriptural formation that embraces the Pentecostal
faith.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Membership in CLA is open to:
1.
All children's pastors, leaders, teachers, and evangelists who serve in the Church of God.
2.
Church of God, local, district, state, and national leaders.
3.
Other children's ministry leaders who subscribe to Church of God doctrine and teachings.
Revised 3/8/2011
ARTICLE IV - DUTIES AND BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
1.
Support CLA through one's annual membership dues. Membership runs from
conference to conference.
2.
Be eligible to participate in annual CLA meeting at the national conference.
3.
Be eligible to hold office in CLA (if one is a member of the Church of God).
4.
Be included in and receive the annual directory.
5.
Receive communiqué.
6.
Receive a discount card.
7.
Receive favors at the national conference and at regional meetings.
8.
Receive invitations to CLA programs, conferences, forums, etc.
ARTICLE V - ADMINISTRATION
The Children’s Leaders Association shall operate as a ministry of the International Department
of Youth and Christian Education, with representation of a liaison from the department (to be
appointed by the international director), and the CLA Leadership Team of five elected members
and two alternates. At least 3 members shall be Children’s Pastors. Every other member must be
actively involved in Children’s Ministry. In addition, if a State Youth and Discipleship Director
is not elected to the team, one shall be appointed as an ‘Ex Officio’ team member by the liaison
with the approval of the General Director to serve as the 6th member of the CLA Leadership
Team.
1) Chairman
2) Vice Chairman
3) Team Member
4) Team Member
5) Team Member
6) Ex-Officio
7) Liaison
8) Alternate
9) Alternate
The duties of these officers are as follows:
1.
Chairman
a.
Shall serve as chairman of the Leadership Team and CLA.
b.
Shall preside at all meetings of the Leadership Team.
c.
Shall preside at all the CLA meetings.
Revised 3/8/2011
d.
e.
Shall preside at all CLA conferences or functions or appoint someone
else to do so.
Shall cast tie-breaking votes at Leadership Team meetings.
2.
Vice-Chairman
a.
Shall preside at all meetings of the Leadership Team and of CLA in the absence
of the Chairman.
b.
Shall succeed the chairman if the chairman is unable to complete his/her term of
office.
c.
Shall represent CLA at the request of the chairman.
d.
Shall vote during the meetings of the Leadership Team.
3.
Team Members
a.
Shall be elected by the third, fourth and fifth highest majority votes, respectively.
b.
Shall have full voting privileges.
4.
Alternates
a.
Shall be elected by the sixth and seventh highest majority votes, respectively.
b.
Shall fill any vacancies on the Leadership Team.
ARTICLE VI – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
1.
Procedure for nominations of the Leadership Team
a.
A nomination form will be sent to CLA members.
b.
Nomination forms must be returned to YCE Department.
c.
Slate and biographical information will be compiled according to the information
returned.
d.
A Willingness to Serve form and biographical information form will be sent to
nominees.
e.
Willingness to Serve form should be forwarded to CLA Booth chairman.
2.
The Leadership Team shall be elected at the CLA meeting held at the national
conference.
3.
The Leadership Team members shall be elected to one-year terms that run from national
conference to national conference.
a.
The chairman shall be the individual receiving the highest majority vote and the
vice-chairman shall be the individual receiving the second highest majority vote.
b.
The three team members shall be the individuals receiving the next highest
majority votes.
c.
The alternates shall be the two individuals receiving the next highest votes.
4.
Leadership Team members shall serve no longer than five consecutive terms.
Revised 3/8/2011
5.
The Leadership Team shall be responsible for conducting the election at the annual
national conference.
ARTICLE VII - LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETINGS
The Leadership team will hold a minimum of two meetings each year to carry on the business of
CLA.
ARTICLE VIII - SPECIAL EVENTS
1.
Children's Leaders Association shall conduct a yearly National Children's Ministry
Conference.
2.
CLA shall assist with regional and state children's ministry conferences in conjunction
with states and the International C.E. Department.
ARTICLE IX - PUBLICATIONS
CLA shall publish:
1.
A national children's leaders directory.
2.
A CLA brochure.
ARTICLE X - CHANGES OR AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
Constitutional changes may be considered at the national conference during business sessions:
a.
b.
Upon recommendation of the Leadership Team, or
Upon a motion presented to the Leadership Team by a CLA member prior to the
national conference.
A change in the constitution requires a majority vote of registered members at the
national conference.
ARTICLE XI - STATE FELLOWSHIP
That the Leadership Team works with the state directors in communicating with the state
fellowships concerning CLA programs, conferences, forums, etc.
ARTICLE XII - STANDING COMMITTEES
Revised 3/8/2011