BY-LAWS OF THE
RIVERSIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA
A FLORIDA CORPORATION

ARTICLE I - AUTHORITY

The By-Laws of Riverside Presbyterian Church of Cocoa Beach, Florida are subject to the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and to the laws of the State of Florida.

ARTICLE II - MISSION (G-3.000)

The Christian Church believes that the way and will of God, the Creator, are made known through the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments; and that he revealed Himself through Jesus the Christ, by whose life, death and resurrection we are saved from sin and death and sealed to His service by His present Spirit.  The mission of the Church is to implement this faith.  In itself, the Church is to manifest the “Beloved Community” of Christ; beyond itself it is to influence the world by word and works, as a “servant people” so that “The kingdom of the world may become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ”.  To that dual joy and obligation this local church in Cocoa Beach is committed.

ARTICLE III - AFFILIATION (G7-0100)

Riverside Presbyterian Church of Cocoa Beach, Florida, is a particular church in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and shall function under the provisions of its Constitution.  Part II of the Constitution is the Book of Order, which includes the Form of Government for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This Form of Government is Presbyterian law for all governing bodies of the Church, and includes that law which pertains to the topics and questions regularly confronting the members and officers of a particular congregation.  References in these By-Laws are to an applicable chapter, section of sub-section of the Form of Government, and appear as: G-3.0000, etc.

Riverside Presbyterian Church is also incorporated in the State of Florida under the provisions of Chapter 617 of the Florida Statutes as a Not For Profit Corporation, and subject to all applicable provisions of the laws of the State of Florida.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP (G-5.0000)

The members of this church are professing Christians, voluntarily associated together for the worship of Almighty God and to receive instruction in the Christian religion.  These members have been received into the communion of the church upon profession of faith in Jesus Christ, or upon presentation of a satisfactory certificate of membership, or in the absence of such, upon the reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ. The Session shall keep rolls of baptized members, active members, inactive members, and of affiliate members. (G10.0302).  All active members are full members of the congregation and the corporation.

ARTICLE V - CONGREGATIONAL AND CORPORATE MEETINGS (G-7.0300)

There shall be an annual meeting of the congregation and corporation during the first quarter of each calendar year for the purpose of transacting any business of the church as is appropriate, including review of the adequacy of the compensation of the pastor or pastors upon report of the prior review by the Session. (G-7.0302)  There shall also be reports by appropriate committees and organizations, including a financial report by the Session.  Special meetings may be called at other times for transacting other business.  Special meetings of the congregation and/or corporation may be called by the Session, the Presbytery, or by the Session when requested by one fourth of the members on the active roll of the congregation.  The call for a special meeting shall clearly state the business to be transacted, and no other business may be considered.  Public notice of the time and place of all meetings of the congregation or corporation must be given from the pulpit on the two successive Sundays next preceding the meeting. (G-7.0303 & 7.0303)

ARTICLE VI - RULES FOR CONDUCT OF CONGREGATIONAL AND CORPORATE MEETINGS (G-7.0300)

The pastor shall be the moderator of all meetings of the congregation and corporation.  When the church is without a pastor, the moderator of the Session appointed by the Presbytery shall preside.  If it is impractical for the pastor or appointed moderator, he/she shall invite, with the concurrence of the Session, another minister of the Presbytery to preside.  When this is not expedient, and when both the pastor or appointed moderator and the Session concur, a member of the Session may be invited to preside. (G-7.0306)

The clerk of Session shall be the secretary of meetings of the congregation and corporation.  If the clerk is unable to serve, the congregation shall elect a secretary. (G-7.0307)

All members on the active roll of the Riverside Church who are present at such meetings are eligible to vote.  No one may act as a proxy for an active member who is not present. (G-7.0301)

A quorum for a meeting of the congregation and/or corporation shall be one tenth of the members on the active roll of Riverside Presbyterian Church. (G-7.0305)

Congregation and corporate meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, except in those instances where the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) provides otherwise.

All meetings shall be opened and closed with prayer.

ARTICLE VII - SESSION (G10.000)

The Session shall consist of the pastor(s) and fifteen elders in active service.  The elders shall be divided into three equal classes, one class to be elected each year at the annual meeting, or at an election meeting called no later than October for that purpose, for a three year term. (G10.0101 and G14.0201)

Election of an elder to a term of less than three years shall be allowed to fill a vacancy.

No elder shall be elected for a term of more than three years, nor shall any elder serve for consecutive terms, either full or partial, aggregating more than six years. An elder having served a total of six years shall be ineligible for reelection to the same board for a period of at least one year. (G14.0201)

The Session shall have the duties, responsibilities, authority and privileges specified in the Form of Government.  It is responsible for the mission and government of the congregation and corporation.  It has authority over all activities of the church except those accorded to the pastor, the congregation or a higher governing body as delineated in the Form of Government.  The Session has delegated certain responsibilities and appropriate authority to the Board of Deacons as set forth in Article VIII of these By-Laws.  The Session may from time to time delegate additional or different responsibilities and authority to the Deacons. (G-10.1002)

The Pastor will be the moderator of the Session.  When this is not expedient, the selection of a moderator shall be in accordance with the Book of Order. (G-10.0103)

Meetings of the Session shall be held monthly, except for a selected vacation month.  Special meetings may be called when the moderator considers it necessary, and he/she shall do so when requested in writing by any two members of the Session.  The Session shall also meet when directed to do so by the Presbytery. (G10.0201)

Conduct of Session meetings shall be in accordance with G-9.0300.  A quorum shall be the moderator and four elders on the Session, except for the reception and dismissal of members, when the quorum shall be the moderator and two members of the Session. (G-10.0202)  Members present at a meeting may not vote as proxy for absent Session members.

The Session, through the Nominating Committee, shall initiate action to fill vacancies on Session and Deacons either at a special meeting of the congregation or corporation or at the next annual meeting.

The Session shall be organized annually to fulfill the responsibilities as cited in G-10.0102, Form of Government.

ARTICLE VIII - BOARD OF DEACONS (G-6.0400)

The Board of Deacons shall consist of twelve deacons and, as advisor(s), the pastor(s) of the church.  The deacons in active service shall be divided into three equal classes, one class to be elected each year at the annual meeting, or at an election meeting called no later than October for that purpose, for a three year term. (G14.0201)

Election of a deacon to a term of less than three years shall be allowed to fill vacancies.

No deacon on a board of deacons shall be elected for a term of more than three years, nor shall a deacon on the board of deacons serve for consecutive terms, either full or partial, aggregating more than six years. A deacon having served a total of six years shall be ineligible for reelection to the same board for a period of one year. (G14.0201)

Under the authority delegated to it by the Session, the work of the Board of Deacons shall fulfill the responsibilities as cited in G-6.0402, Form of Government.

The Board of Deacons shall elect a moderator, a secretary and such other officers as needed from among its members. (G6.0403)  It shall meet monthly except for the selected vacation month.  It shall determine its own quorum. (G6.0405)  A joint meeting of the Session and Board of Deacons shall be held at least annually. (G-6.0405)  The financial and meeting records of the Board of Deacons shall be submitted to the Session at least annually and at other times upon request, for review and approval. (G-6.0404)

ARTICLE IX - THE TRUSTEES

The elders serving on the Session shall serve at the same time as trustees.

Therefore, those elders shall be responsible for the care and management of properties and financial matters of the Riverside Presbyterian Church, including any special funds which may exist. (G-7.0402 and G-10.0201 l,n)  The duties shall be as specified by the laws of the State of Florida, the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Session and formal actions of congregation/corporate meetings.

ARTICLE X - ELECTION OF OFFICERS/NOMINATING COMMITTEE (G-14.0200)

The congregation shall elect men and women from among its active members to be the permanent officers of the church: Elder and Deacon. (G-6.0107 and G-14.0201)  Nominations shall be made by a representative nominating committee of active members of the church, both men and women, giving fair representation to persons of all ages and of all racial ethnic members of Riverside.  At least three members of the committee shall be designated by and from the Session, one of whom shall be named by the Session as chairman.  At least one member shall be designated by and from the Board of Deacons.  Other members of the committee, in sufficient number to constitute a majority (exclusive of the pastor), shall be chosen from the congregation or such organizations in the congregation as the congregation may designate, none of whom may be an active elder or deacon.  The pastor shall be a member of this committee, serving ex-officio and without vote.  The nominating committee shall be chosen annually and no member of the committee shall serve more than three years consecutively. (G-14.0201b)

Full opportunity shall be given to the congregation for nominations by any active member of the church. (G-14.0201e)  Election to church office shall be by majority vote of eligible members present and voting.  A secret ballot shall be used if the number of nominees is greater than the number of elders or deacons to be elected. (G-14.0204)

An elder or deacon may resign from the Session or Board of Deacons for good cause, with the consent of the Session.  On ceasing to be an active member of the church, an officer ceases to be an officer of the church. (G-14.0210)

ARTICLE XI - ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS

These By-Laws, upon approval by a majority of the Session and two thirds of the eligible voters present and voting at a properly called congregation and corporation meeting, supersede all previous By-Laws of Riverside Church of Cocoa Beach, Florida, a Florida corporation.

These By-Laws may be amended by Session and the congregation/corporation in accordance with the same rules applying to their adoption.  Active members will be provided a transcript of these proposed By-Laws, and any subsequent proposed amendments at least one month prior to the meeting at which congregation/corporation members will take action thereon.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE CONGREGATION/CORPORATION

Incorporated amendments made by congregtion on January 19, 1992 and June 2, 1996.