Western Pennsylvania Christian Orators
By-Laws

Current Copy as Approved July 15, 2005

The Vision of Western Pennsylvania Christian Orators is to assist home-educating parents as they endeavor to develop sound communication skills in Christian students so that they can effectively communicate their ideas, thoughts, and beliefs, thereby positively impacting both the body of Christ and their culture for the cause of Christ.

Article 1: Vision

1. Each Board Meeting shall be opened with the reading of the club's vision statement.

2. The WPaCO Vision Statement, Statement of Beliefs, and Code of Conduct are already in place and remain in place. Nothing in this document in any way overrides those statements.

3. All business and interactions of the WPaCO Board and Club should be handled with a biblical spirit and attitude, as summarized in the Peacemakers' Pledge.

Article 2: Board Membership

1. The WPaCO Board will consist of at least 10 people and no more than 15 people.

2. For the sake of continuity, new board members will generally commit to serve at least two years on the WPaCO Board. Members may serve for more than two years.

3. When a member desires to resign from the WPaCO Board, he or she will normally note this intention at least two months in advance.

4. WPaCO Board membership will be self-perpetuating. That is, when there are openings on the Board, new members will be selected by the Board by 2/3's majority vote.

5. The original WPaCO Board will include all members of the existing Steering Committee and will replace the Steering Committee.

Article 3: Board Meetings

1. The WPaCO Board as a whole will meet as necessary, but at least one time per year. Additional meetings may be called by the Executive Committee as necessary.

2. Board members are expected to attend all meetings. Members who miss two meetings within a year (July 1 to June 30), barring exceptional circumstances, will be asked to resign.

3. Decisions will require a 2/3's majority vote.

4. Absent members will be allowed to vote. These votes must be communicated in advance. Also, the issue must be of such a nature that an "informed vote" can be made in advance.

Article 4: Board Functions

1. The WPaCO Board will set general policies and make major decisions at these meetings. Other major issues can be discussed between meetings. The Board would deal with significant issues such as any decision to expand or divide the group, to oversee new groups, to decide how many tournaments to schedule, and other significant issues. Decisions relating to the implementation of these major decisions will generally be handled by the Executive Committee or the relevant committee.

Article 5: Board Leadership

1. An Executive Committee will be established that will make appropriate decisions between WPaCO Board meetings. This Executive Committee will include at least the Board Chair, the Board Vice Chair, and the Board Treasurer. As many as three additional individuals can be chosen to serve on the Executive Committee, serving as Executive Committee members-at-large.

2. The WPaCO Board Chair will be selected by the Board. He/She will serve a one-year term, from July 1 to June 30. Normally, the Board Chair will not serve more than two consecutive terms.

3. The WPaCO Board Vice Chair will be selected by the Board. He/She will serve a one-year term, from July 1 to June 30.

4. The WPaCO Board Treasurer will be selected by the Board. He/She will serve a one-year term, from July 1 to June 30.

5. The Executive Committee members-at-large will serve a one-year term, from July 1 to June 30.

Article 6: Other Standing Committees

1. The other standing committees of the WPaCO Board will include a Prayer Committee, a Curriculum Committee, and a Tournament Committee. Other committees can be formed at the decision of the Board to meet needs as they arise. Membership on these committees will be decided by the Board. The Prayer Committee, the Tournament Committee, the Curriculum Committee, and other temporary committees will generally include a representative from the Executive Committee. These committees will chose a Committee Chair.

2. Although all Board members should be regularly praying for WPaCO and WPaCO families, the Prayer Committee will particularly fulfill this role. As such, WPaCO members should channel their requests to these individuals.

3. The Tournament Committee will make recommendations to the WPaCO Board about the number of tournaments to be planned. The Board will make this decision, however. The Tournament Committee will be given the task of choosing a tournament director and otherwise overseeing the tournament itself. The Tournament Committee will regularly report to the Board on the fulfillment of these obligations.

4. The Curriculum Committee will seek to implement the vision of the organization by evaluating and selecting curriculum, and by evaluating and selecting teachers. The regular implementation of the teaching schedule will be under their jurisdiction. The Curriculum Committee will regularly report to the WPaCO Board on the fulfillment of these obligations.

Article 7: Changes to these By Laws

1. Changes to this Organizational Structure will be proposed at least two weeks in advance of a WPaCO Board meeting and will require a 2/3's majority vote of the Board.