Interfaith Coalition of Stark County By-laws 2.3
Approved July 14th, 2025

The Vision Statement:

The Interfaith Coalition of Stark Country (Hereafter known as the “Coalition”) seeks to promote Interfaith understanding in our community to achieve Justice and Peace through prayerful collective action. The Coalition strives to create a place where its faith communities work together for Peace, Justice, and reconciliation for all people - where we are free to live, learn, work, play, and pray, alongside and at peace with one another.
The Mission Statement:

The Coalition shall educate, engage, and empower people of diverse cultures and religions to take direct actions that promote peace, Divine justice, and reconciliation. We commit ourselves to this work because life is sacred, sin is forgivable, and mercy is demanded.

I. Affiliation
Section I-1. Members – The unit of membership in the Coalition is the individual. Any individual who supports the vision and mission of the Coalition may become a member upon an annual dues payment in the amount determined by the Council. Each member has one (1) vote.

Section I-2. Supporters – The Council may establish Supporter categories for religious organizations, community groups, etc. who support the vision and mission. Supporters will be recognized but non-voting. Supporters shall pay annual dues according to their ability.

Section I-3. Sustainers – The Council may solicit Sustainers that may be individuals or organizations at fixed levels of giving as determined by the Council. Sustaining organizations will be recognized but non-voting.

Section I-4. Sponsors – The Council may enlist Sponsors to financially support individual campaigns and projects. Sponsors will be recognized but non-voting.

II. Governance

Section II-1. The governing authority of Coalition shall be the Interfaith Council. (Hereafter known as the “Council”). The Council shall be composed of eleven elected individuals from the general membership. Candidates for the Council shall be proposed by a nominating committee and elected by a majority vote of the general membership at a meeting in the 4th quarter.

Section II-2. Council member terms shall be two years, staggered with five members elected in odd years, and six elected in even years. The initial election shall elect six members to a one-year term and five members to a two-year term to establish the rotation. No one shall serve more than three consecutive terms (a one-year hiatus must be taken before an individual may be re-elected).

Section II-3. In the event of a vacancy on the Council, the [Council] Nominating Committee shall propose a candidate to be approved by Council to serve the unexpired term.

Section II-4. The Council shall determine attendance and performance requirements for Council members. Members who fail to meet the attendance/performance requirements may be dismissed by a vote of the Council.

III. Meetings

Section III-1. The Council shall meet at least quarterly. A quorum shall be no less than six members of the Council membership. Council members may attend meetings virtually. Special meetings may be called by the Presider. The Presider shall convene a special meeting upon the request of a majority of the Council.

Section III-2. At least two Annual Events shall be held for the membership and guests of the Coalition.

Section III-3. Any meeting at which business is to be transacted shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.

IV. Officers

Section IV-1. The officers of the Coalition are Presider, Vice Presider, Secretary, and Treasurer. Provision may be made for the appointment of additional leadership positions upon majority vote of the Council.

All officers are voted to serve a two-year term; they will serve as signatories on the Coalition bank accounts (two are required to authorize any transaction); and they will serve as the Executive Committee. This committee will approve all public use of the Coalition name and affiliation (statements, policies, representation, etc.). The Executive Committee shall appoint a Nominating Committee which shall be approved by a majority of the Council

The Presider and Vice Presider may serve no more than three consecutive terms in the same office.

A. The Presider shall:

  1. Preside at meetings of the Council and prepare the agenda;
  2. Be the Coalition spokesperson;
  3. Be a signatory on the Coalition bank accounts;
  4. Participate in Finance Committee meetings.

B. The Vice Presider shall

  1. Preside at meetings of the Council in the absence of the Presider;
  2. Represent the Coalition as delegated by the Presider;
  3. Participate in Finance Committee meetings;
  4. Assume the office of Presider if the Presider is unable to perform duties associated with Presider of the Coalition;
  5. Be a signatory on the Coalition bank accounts.

C. The Secretary shall

  1. Keep a record of all Council and Coalition meetings;
  2. Be responsible for necessary correspondence;
  3. Prepare copies of the minutes of each meeting of the Council/Coalition for its approval at the next respective meeting;
  4. Oversee the membership list and maintain a Coalition Directory;
  5. Be a signatory on the Coalition bank accounts;
  6. Be appointed as the Coalition’s agent authorized to receive service of process on behalf of the Coalition.

D. The Treasurer shall

  1. Oversee the funds and prepare reports that are necessary to the operation and work of the Coalition;
  2. Be responsible for receiving and overseeing funds for all programs planned by standing committees;
  3. Oversee and conduct Finance Committee meetings and duties;
  4. Be a signatory on the Coalition bank accounts.

Section IV-2. Nominations for Council members shall be presented to the Council at the 3rd quarter meeting; elections by the Coalition shall take place at the 4th quarter meeting. Upon the election of new Council members, the current Presider shall convene a caucus meeting of the new Council to elect officers. Newly elected Council officers will assume responsibilities upon their election.

V. Committees of the Council (Administrative) and Coalition (Programmatic)
Section V-1. The Council establishes Council Standing Committees and Coalition Standing Committees and appoints their moderators. Members of the Council select the committee(s) they will serve on, attend committee meetings, support committee responsibilities, and report to Council.

Council Standing Committees are, but not limited to:
Finance
Nominating

Coalition Standing Committees are, but not limited to:
Interfaith Education and Experiences
Social Justice, Peace Issues and Action
Fundraising
Semi-Annual Events
Communications and Public Relations

Section V-2. Committees shall meet monthly or as needed.

Section V-3. Coalition members are invited to serve on Coalition committees of their choice.

Section V-4. With approval of the Committee Moderator, members can invite non-Coalition members to serve on a committee as needed.

Section V-5. The Committee Moderator shall

  1. Conduct committee meetings and oversee committee activities;
  2. Prepare a regular report on committee activities to be presented by the appropriate Council member;
  3. If desired, moderators may attend Council meetings without a vote;
  4. Prepare and submit an annual committee budget to the Council Presider and Treasurer.

A. The Finance Committee of the Council shall

  1. Consist of five members — three Council officers, one of which is the Treasurer; and two additional volunteers or council appointees;
  2. Meet at least 4 times per year;
  3. Review budgetary needs of the Coalition throughout the year;
  4. Prepare and submit to the Coalition a proposed budget for the upcoming year;
  5. When necessary, propose changes in membership dues with dates of collection. The fiscal year shall be January to December.
  6. Oversee an audit as requested by the Council;
  7. Clarify and account for Coalition monies received/disbursed from Coalition activities, grant awards, etc.

B. The Nominating Committee of the Council shall propose candidates for members of the Council as described in Sections II-1, II-2 and II-3.

C. The Interfaith Education and Experiences Committee shall plan and conduct programs that are educational opportunities for the community throughout the year.

D. The Social Justice, Peace Issues and Action Committee shall plan and conduct

  1. Programming consistent with the Coalition Mission;
  2. Public education and training on critical issues of Social Justice and Peace as determined by the Council and consistent with the Vision and Mission Statements.

E. The Fundraising Committee shall

  1. Establish goals in collaboration with the Council Finance Committee;
  2. Develop fundraising strategies;
  3. Identify potential donors and grant-giving organizations;
  4. Plan, conduct and evaluate fundraising appeals and events.

F. The Semi-Annual Events Committee shall plan and conduct:

  1. Fall Forum
  2. Spring Event and Awards Ceremony

G. The Communications and Public Relations Committee shall

  1. Create standards of branding and consistent messaging through media;
  2. Develop resources for public interface, such as brochures, articles, new member packets, photography, website, PowerPoint presentations, Facebook and other social media, news releases for and regarding Coalition events and functions;
  3. Implement public relations-related grants;
  4. Work with the Presider and Secretary to plan and execute communications to members.

VI. Amendments - These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Council. Written notice of the proposed amendment or amendments shall be submitted to the members of the Coalition at least 30 days in advance of a meeting to ratify the amendment or amendments. [An amendment or amendments shall be ratified by a majority of those attending a Coalition meeting for that purpose.]

VII. Dissolution - In the event of dissolution of the Coalition after all invoices and expenses are paid, all remaining funds will be donated to a non-profit organization by vote of the Council. NB if the Coalition attains tax-exempt status, dissolution will be governed by State regulation 1745.50 and/or any relevant IRS codes.