BY-LAWS OF
THE BLACK CLERGY CAUCUS OF
THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF LONG ISLAND

ARTICLE II: MISSION
The Black Clergy Caucus of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island exists to provide support for Black Ministries and the concerns of Black Clergy within the Diocese.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Membership
All Black clergy - parochial, non-parochial or licensed within the Diocese of Long Island – who pay a yearly membership due of $50 ($35 retired) and attend at least three meetings per year are members of the Caucus. Membership dues are paid in September of each year. This assists with defraying the cost of mailings and the programs of the Caucus.
In order to be an effective prophetic voice, the Caucus depends upon the regular attendance of its members, their active participation in its work, and their financial support. All these provisions constitute active membership in the Caucus.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS, DUTIES, METHOD OF ELECTION AND TERMS OF SERVICE
Section 1: The President
The Caucus shall have an elected President. The President shall be responsible for presiding at all meetings, for preparing, with the Secretary, the agenda for all meetings, and for being the "voice" of the Caucus.

Section la: The Vice President
The Caucus shall have an elected Vice President who in the event of the absence of the President shall act as the President of the Caucus. The Vice President on the resignation or the failure of the President to perform his/her duties as listed in Article IV, Section 1, shall assume with the acceptance of a quorum of the members, all the duties and responsibilities of the President for the remaining portion of that term.

Section 2: The Secretary
The Caucus shall have an elected Secretary. The Secretary shall be responsible for handling official correspondence for the Caucus, for taking and maintaining minutes from meetings, and for other duties as assigned by the President.

Section 2a: The Assistant Secretary
The Caucus shall have an elected Assistant Secretary whom the event of the absence of the Secretary shall act as the Secretary. The Assistant Secretary on the resignation or failure of the Secretary to perform his/her duties as listed in Article IV, Section 2, shall assume with the acceptance of a quorum of the members, all the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary for the remaining portion of that term.

Section 3: The Treasurer
The Caucus shall have an elected Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for receiving, recording, and distributing the funds of the Caucus, for maintaining the books of the Caucus, for making monthly reports to the Caucus, for overseeing the collection of dues, for making expenditures at the direction of the Caucus, and for other duties as assigned by the President.

Section 3a: The Executive of the Caucus, on the resignation or failure of the Treasurer to perform his/her duties as listed in Article IV, Section 3, shall appoint one of its members, to fulfill all the duties and responsibilities of the Treasurer for the remaining portion of that term.

Section 4: Method and Time of Election
Officers shall be elected by ballot at a June meeting of the Caucus. In even numbered years, the President, the Assistant Secretary and the Treasurer shall be elected. In odd numbered years, the Secretary and the Vice President shall be elected. Officers will serve until their successors are elected.

Section 5: Length of Term of Officers
Officers serve for a period of two years. No individual may serve in the same office for more than two terms in succession.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS
Section 1: Quorum for the Conduct of Business
At least eight (8) active members, as defined in Article III, Section 2, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and for official actions by the Caucus.

Section 2: Day and Time for Regular Meetings
Regular meetings of the Caucus shall convene on the second Wednesday of the months of September through June, beginning at 12 noon, except as modified by the Caucus.

Section 3: Provision for Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Caucus may be called by the President with the consent of three (3) additional members of the Caucus.

Section 4: Conduct of Business
There shall be a written agenda for each meeting, which shall be published to the membership with relevant minutes of the previous meeting and other documents before the meeting occurs. As the agenda provides for the orderly conduct of the meeting, it should be followed. The agenda may be suspended by a majority vote at any meeting.

ARTICLE VI: REPRESENTATION OF THE CAUCUS TO THE DIOCESE OF LONG ISLAND
The President speaks on behalf of the Caucus only on those positions that the Caucus has acted officially. The President may delegate this role to another.

ARTICLE VII: MODIFICATION OF THE CAUCUS' BY-LAWS
Upon timely notice, these By-laws are amended by two-thirds of those voting at two consecutive regularly called meetings of the Caucus.