The General Committee may invite any Christian denomination which supports the aims and objectives of the Lay School to become a sponsor. A sponsoring organization undertakes to:

• appoint annually one person to the General Committee for a renewable one-year term
• name a representative of the denomination to serve as Dean of the School on a one-year rotational basis
• provide a facility for the Lay School's operation, where possible, on a one-year rotational basis
• make available funds on loan, if necessary

Section 1.   President

The President

1. Shall preside at all meetings of the General Committee and the Executive Committee
2. Shall perform the duties normal to the office of president
3. Shall be ex-officio a member of all committees

The Vice-President

1. In the absence of the President, shall preside at meetings of the General Committee and the Executive Committee
2. Shall assist the President in all duties of that office

The Secretary

1. Shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the General Committee and the Executive Committee and distribute them to the members of the Committees concerned
2. Shall solicit appointments to the General Committee from the sponsoring organizations and the host congregation, in accordance with ARTICLE VI.
3. Shall notify members of their appointment to committees
4. Shall keep a current list of members of the General Committee
5. Shall keep an up-to-date list of elected officials, including their dates of expiration of tenure
6. Shall collect, preserve all books, papers, letters and documents relative to, or of interest to the Lay School
7. Shall dispose of any records of the Lay School in accordance with the resolutions of the Executive Committee
8. Shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President, the General Committee, or the Executive Committee

The Treasurer

1. Shall have the custody of the funds of the Lay School which shall be deposited in a Chartered Bank
2. Shall pay all accounts
3. Shall report on the financial standing of the Lay School to all meetings of the General Committee and of the Executive Committee
4. Shall prepare for submission to the Executive Committee an annual budget and such interim budgets as necessary
5. Shall prepare an Annual Statement of Receipts and Expenditures for submission to the Annual General Meeting

The Registrar

1. Shall maintain a roll of all individuals attending the Ottawa Lay School of Theology
2. Shall be responsible for the preparation of enrolment forms
3. Shall accept pre-enrolment registrations
4. Shall have overall responsibility for the operation of the registration process at the start of each term
5. Shall maintain a roll of all individuals who have attended the school

The Executive Committee is composed of the officers enumerated in ARTICLE IV and the chairpersons of the Standing Committees identified in the bylaws. The Executive has power to co-opt other persons as required.

Section 2.   Quorum

50% of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.

Section 3.   Powers and Duties

The Executive Committee is authorised

1. to act on behalf of the Lay School between meetings of the General Committee
2. to receive reports from the Curriculum and Staff Committee and the Publicity and Promotion Committee and such other Committees as may from time to time be appointed
3. to prepare an annual budget for submission to the General Committee at its Annual General Meeting
4. to appoint interim replacements to fill any vacancies which occur between meetings of the General Committee
5. to oversee banking activities on behalf of the Lay School

1. Membership of the General Committee shall be open to anyone who supports the aims and objectives of the Ottawa Lay School of Theology.
2. The General Committee shall consist of the persons named in ARTICLE V and the following:
   • 1 representative named by each sponsoring denomination
   • 3 members at large selected from each sponsoring denomination
   • 6 members at large not affiliated with any of the sponsoring denominations
   • 1 clergy representative from the host congregation (or delegate)

1. There shall be at least three meetings of the General Committee held each year. The Annual Meeting of the General Committee, to receive reports and elect officers, shall be held as soon as convenient after the conclusion of the Fall Term of the School. Other meetings will normally be held before the opening of the Fall Term and following the end of the Winter Term.
2. Ten days' notice of any regular or special meeting shall be given to all members.
3. 50% of the members shall constitute a quorum.

Section 3.   Duties

1. to consider and determine the annual budget for the ensuing school year
2. to set course fees payable by students, and honoraria for lecturers
3. to establish and appoint members to the committees
4. to receive and act upon nominations to the General Committee
5. to elect officers of the Executive Committee described in ARTICLE V
6. to receive reports and approve plans with respect to the work of the Lay School
7. to delegate authority to the Executive Committee to conduct the current affairs of the Lay School
8. to consider and approve bylaws and regulations for the functioning of the Lay School as may from time to time be required
9. to appoint replacements to fill vacancies in the Executive Committee

1. The Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the General Committee before the commencement of the Fall term; it shall consist of three members, at least two of whom are current members of the General Committee.
2. The Nominating Committee shall nominate candidates for the following offices, for such terms not exceeding three years as will provide for varying dates of expiration of tenure of office:
   • President
   • Vice-President
   • Secretary
   • Treasurer
   • Registrar
   • Convenor of Curriculum Committee
   • Convenor of Publicity and Promotion Committee
   • Convenor of Books Committee
3. The Nominating Committee shall submit its report to the meeting of the General Committee at which elections are to be held.
4. The Nominating Committee shall nominate members at large for renewable one-year terms, in accordance with ARTICLE VI.
5. Elections shall be held at the Annual Meeting of the General Committee, as specified in ARTICLE VI. The tenure of office for elected positions shall commence as specified in the bylaws.
6. All elections shall accept nominations from the floor. After nominations are closed, voting shall be by ballot, unless the ballot is waived by unanimous consent.

1. Any member of the General Committee may propose amendments to this constitution. Notice of any proposed amendment must be given to all members of the General Committee at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which it is to be considered.
2. An amendment presented for consideration may be approved, with or without modification, by a simple majority vote.
3. An amendment which has been approved as per subsection (b) shall become effective only if ratified, without modification, by a two-thirds majority vote at a subsequent meeting of the General Committee, held not less than thirty days following its approval.

Section 2.   Bylaws

The General Committee may enact new bylaws, or amend any existing bylaw, by a two-thirds majority vote at any meeting.  

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Last updated: December 03, 2009