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Preamble: Believing that as a religious and educational society of professors of homiletics in Catholic seminaries and theological schools, CATH has value for its members and for the Church, we, the Association, meeting in the Cenacle, Chicago 11, on April 25, 1992, revised the Constitution and By Laws to deal cooperatively with the issues of Catholic Homiletics. Article I Name The name of this organization shall be: Catholic Association of Teachers of Homiletics (CATH). Official use of the Association's name shall be made only through the authority of the executive Council of the Association. Article II Purpose The purpose of the Association shall be to provide a common organization for the study of Catholic homiletics. The Association, an educational and religious society, shall serve as a forum for mutual sharing of scholarship and support which can lead to the professional development of its members; to underscore the significance of Catholic preaching as a means of proclaiming the Good News; as a resource to the bishops in their responsibility for the continuing formation of their priests respective to their duty to preach; to develop programs in homiletics for the preparation of priests, deacons and non-ordained ministers; to be a unified movement toward the development of advanced degree courses in homiletics within Catholic theological schools. All funds of the organization shall he used solely to achieve its stated purpose. CATH is organized exclusively for, and will be operated exclusively for, educational and religious purposes within the meaning of Section 501(C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Article III Related Organizations The Executive Council shall seek to establish appropriate mutual relationships with organizations having common interests in order to facilitate the fulfillment of the purposes of the organization. Article IV Dissolution This organization may be dissolved by a two-thirds vote of the membership present at a business meeting, provided a written notice of dissolution shall have been sent to all members at least thirty days prior to the meeting, In unusually dire circumstances the Executive Council may recommend dissolution and secure approval with two, thirds majority of membership by a mail ballot. In the event of dissolution, assets of the Association shall be distributed (or purpose. clearly within the stated exempt purposes of section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
BYLAWS
Article I Membership Membership in the Association is open to individuals and institutions interested in the purpose of the organization. Membership and annual dues shall be of two types: regular and institutional. The rights and privileges and fees of membership shall be set by the Executive Council. Article. II Officers: The officers of the Association shall be President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer. These three shall constitute the Executive Council. The members of the Executive Council shall be elected on a six-year cycle:
The President as the chief presiding officer, shall conduct the regular business sessions and shall be responsible for the general welfare of the group. The Vice President shall act in the absence of the President. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a careful record of the annual meeting for the archives of the Association and assist the Vice President in tile necessary mailings to the membership. The Secretary/Treasurer shall also keep a careful record of all expenses and financial holdings of the Association and shall report these at the business meeting of the annual Conference. The annual Conference fee shall be set by the Secretary/Treasurer in consultation with the Executive Council. The Secretary/Treasurer and/or the President shall be authorized to sign for necessary expenses of the Association. In the event of the incapacity of any officer, the Executive Council shall, at its discretion, elect a replacement or establish a procedure for electing one. A majority of the membership of the Executive Council shall constitute a quorum to do official business. The Council shall be the prime policy-making body of the organization, and shall plan the annual meeting. The Executive Council shall have the power to make arrangements for the regular meeting, setting time and place at least two years in advance, to establish relationships with other organizations, to appoint such committees as shall be considered wise and necessary, to recommend departments within the Association, to approve expenses, and to perform other such duties as may be Set forth in the By Laws. Article III Elections Elections shall be held at a business session of the annual Conference. A majority vote of those members present shall be required for election. Article IV. The Annual Conference. There shall be an annual Conference. The program of the annual Conference may consist of papers delivered by scholars on topics relating to Catholic homiletics; sharing teaching strategies and resources; sharing of sabbatical plans and scholarly projects; plans for discussing the ensuing year's work and recommendations for planning the next year's program; a business session for consideration of reports and elections of officers; and meetings of the newly elected officers and committees Article V Amendment Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by the Executive Council and/or by the membership in regular business sessions. Upon passage by a simple majority, proposed amendments shall be submitted to the total membership by mail ballot. A two-thirds majority shall be required for ratification. Article VI By Laws By Laws consistent with this Constitution may be adopted by a majority vote of its members present at a business meeting, provided that appropriate notice is made in writing thirty days in advance of the meeting, or by a majority of membership at the meeting, Article VII Parliamentary Authority Guidelines for the formal meetings shall be Robert's Rules of Order. Article VIII Enabling Clause. The Constitution and By Laws shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. |