CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Name and Purpose
Section 1.
The Name of the organization shall be:
The Black Catholic Theological Symposium
Section 2. The purposes for which the Symposium is established are:
To foster among Black Catholics an ethical community of scholarly dialogue characterized by:
(1) a commitment to the fundamental humanity of all persons;
(2) regard for the plurality of cultural, ethnic backgrounds and religious experience among Black Peoples; and
(3) the development of a theology which is authentically Black and truly Catholic; to publish reports, the Symposium's discussions, and research of Symposium membership; to encourage the teaching and discussion of Black Catholic religious and cultural experiences and thought within the theology and/or religious studies curriculum of colleges, universities, and seminaries; to encourage the identification and development of Black Catholic scholars in the fields of Theology, Liturgy, Ethnics, Canon Law, Church History, Biblical studies etc., as well as the identification and development of theoretically grounded practitioners in the fields of pastoral ministry and religious education; and to encourage theologically and theoretically grounded ministry and program development responsive to the needs of Black Catholics within the Church and society.
ARTICLE II
STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1. There shall be four Standing Committees:
(1) The Executive Committee, chaired by the Convener, shall consist of the Past Convener, Convener, Associate Convener, Secretary and Treasurer;
(2) The Program Committee, chaired by the Associate Convener;
(3) The Editorial Board of Black Catholic Theological Symposium chaired by the Editor;
(4) The Membership Committee, chaired by the Secretary.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
Section 1.
The Officers of the Symposium shall be Convener, Associate Convener, Secretary, Treasurer, and Editor of the publications of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium.
Section 2.
All officers shall serve a term of three years and are elected at the Annual Meeting (in odd numbered years). Officers may be re-elected.
Section 3.
All officers shall begin their term of office at the close of the meeting at which they are elected.
Section 4.
If an office is vacated for any reason before the end of a term, the Executive
Committee
can appoint a temporary successor to fill the un-expired term.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
The Symposium shall be composed of Black Catholics holding or working toward the completion of doctoral degrees or their equivalents for accredited institutions of higher learning and engaged in active teaching, ministry and/or research in the field of theology or related disciplines.
Section 2.
As a professional society, members must be actively engaged in the publication of their research, projects or creative expressions according to their particular disciplines.
Section 3.
New members shall be invited by the Executive Committee to participate in one of two levels:
Full Membership is restricted to Black Catholics who hold completed doctoral degrees or their equivalents within the field of theology or related disciplines.
Associate Membership is restricted to Black Catholic doctoral students and those who possess scholarly expertise in the areas of theology or related disciplines.
Affiliate Membership in the Symposium is by invitation only. Prospective members shall be nominated from among (a) those persons whose scholarly expertise or research is concerned with history, thought, and religious practices of Black Catholics or African American religion and culture; and (b) those persons whose employment or ecclesiastical appointments concern Black Catholics. Affiliate members who are not Black Catholics have voice in Symposium meetings but no vote.
Section 4.
Each member of the Symposium shall pay an annual membership fee, the amount to be determined by the Symposium itself. No member who has not paid membership fees shall be permitted to vote.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS
Section 1.
The Symposium shall meet at least once a year at the time and place decided upon by the members in the Annual Meeting or, if the members prefer, such place and time shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
Section 2.
The dates and place if the next annual meeting shall be posted by the Associate Convener to the address of each member as appearing on the membership list of the Symposium no later than two months after each annual meeting. The final notice of the annual meeting shall be mailed at least two months before the date of the meeting. Each member shall keep a current e-mail address on file with the secretary of the Executive Committee.
Section 3.
A number equal to a simple majority of the Full members in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of any business of the Annual Meeting of the Symposium, except as may be otherwise required by these By-Laws.
Section 4.
Special meetings may be held on the call of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
Those By-Laws may be amended at any meeting of the Symposium provided:
a) the proposed amendment is indicated in the final notice of the meeting; and;
b) a simple majority of the Full members vote for the amendment or approve of it in writing.
By-Law History:
First Draft presented by Jamie T. Phelps, O.P. at the Annual Meeting,
June 1992 Version 1 (June 6, 1992)
Version 2 Amended at Annual Meeting, June 1992, Pittsburgh
Final Version Amended and Passed at Annual Meeting June, 1993, San Antonio
