It is with delight that I present to the Alliance of Baptists family our brand spanking new bylaws. Using the authority given the Board of Directors under the previous bylaws, these new bylaws were unanimously approved at the board meeting April 23 in Nashville, Tenn. In keeping with process outlined by the new bylaws, the power to make changes now lies with the members of the Alliance of Baptists at an annual meeting.

Task Group Members

I hope you will join me in thanking the Task Group on Board Structure who have worked for two years to complete this assignment: Joann Davis, Broadneck Baptist Church, Annapolis, Maryland; David Gooch, Glendale Baptist Church, Nashville, Tenn.; Carl Gregg, Northminster Church, Monroe, La.; Jim Hopkins, Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, Oakland, Calif.; and Nathan Powers, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, Raleigh, N.C. As the Alliance of Baptists vice president, I served as the chair.

Purpose of our Task Group

Immediately following  the Spring 2008 Board of Directors meeting in New Orleans, President Brooks Wicker, with the full support of the board, appointed the  Task Group on Board Structure. The task group’s purpose was to review the current Alliance of Baptists Constitution and Bylaws and to propose changes, as it deemed appropriate. Some of the pressing questions at the time were:  Is the size of the Board too big? Is the current way the Board functions efficient and helpful? How can we expand participation in the Alliance of Baptists beyond the Board?

Process

The Task Group on Board Structure conducted monthly telephone conferences over the course of 2008 - 2009. At the Fall 2008 Board of Directors meeting in Washington, D.C., an outline of preliminary proposed changes was presented. The Task Group on Board Structure sought and received valuable input as well as an affirmation from the Board to proceed with those changes and to craft the necessary language for them. In the spring of 2009, the task group presented the proposed changes to the full membership of the Alliance of Baptists at its convocation in Charlotte, N.C. Following the presentation at the annual meeting, the task group conducted a listening session for those interested in discussing the proposed changes. At that meeting, the task group received valuable input from David Massengill, an attorney from New York City. With his guidance, as well as that of Cathy Tamsberg, a North Carolina attorney serving on the staff of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, the Task Group continued to revise and fine-tune its final proposal throughout 2009 – 2010. In September of 2009, a draft was presented to the Board at their fall meeting in Boston, Mass., and additional input was received. The final draft was presented in Nashville, where after some good discussion and minor revisions, the new bylaws were approved.

Highlights of Proposed Changes

1. The size of the Board has been reduced from 40 to 23: four officers, the immediate past president and 18 board members.   
2. The Executive Committee has been narrowed to the officers and the immediate past president.
3. The addition of “treasurer” as a board officer.
4. Roberts Rules of Order has been replaced with a process of discernment and consensus as a means of decision making.
5. The creation of “communities” to increase participation and involvement in the ministry and mission of the Alliance of Baptists and to help build relationships among Alliance people. 
6. The sole means of revising the bylaws rests with the Alliance membership during an annual meeting.

Introducing Communities

The most exciting thing that will happen in California will be the introduction of “communities”: self-selected groupings of Alliance folks. The “communities” are designed to increase the participation and involvement of people in the mission and ministry of the Alliance of Baptists. “Communities” will also provide an opportunity for Alliance folks to build relationship with one another and get plugged in with what they feel passionate about. We will introduce the concept of “communities” in California, so stay tuned. More exciting information about this unique Alliance creation will be unveiled in the days ahead.