Constitution and By-Laws of the North American Division Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
This organization shall be known as the North American Division Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The territory of this conference shall be the continent of North America, excepting Mexico and the states of Central America. The object of this conference is to teach the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Section 1. The membership of this conference shall consist of:—
(a) Such union conferences as have been or shall be properly organized and accepted by vote.
(b) Such union mission fields as have been or shall be properly organized and accepted by vote.
(c) Such local conferences outside of any union as have been or shall be properly organized and accepted by vote.
(d) Missions, properly organized, and not included in any union. Sec. 2. The voters of this conference shall be designated as follows:—
(a) Delegates at large.
(b) Regular delegates. Sec. 3. Delegates at large shall be:—
(a) The division conference executive committee and the General Conference Executive Committee.
(b) Such representatives of organized missions in the division as may be recommended by the executive committee, and accepted by the delegates in session. Sec. 4. Regular delegates shall be such persons as are duly accredited by union conferences and by local conferences not included in any union. Sec. 5. Each union conference shall be entitled to one delegate, without regard to numbers, an additional delegate for each conference in its territory, and an additional delegate for each five hundred of its membership. Each local conference, not included in any union conference, shall be entitled to one delegate without regard to numbers, and to one additional delegate for each five hundred members. Sec. 6. (a) Each union mission shall be represented in conference sessions by delegates chosen on the basis of one for the union mission, one for each organized mission within its territory, and one for each five hundred of its members.
(b) Each organized mission field outside of any union, shall be entitled to one delegate.
(c) The delegates of union and local mission fields shall be appointed by the executive committee of the conference. Article V—Executive Committee
Section 1. At each session, the conference shall elect an executive committee for carrying on its work between sessions. Sec. 2. The executive committee shall consist of the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, the presidents of the union conferences, the superintendents of organized union missions, and the secretary of each department of the conference,—namely, the Publishing, Medical, Educational, Young People's, Sabbath School, Religious Liberty, General, Foreign, German, Danish-Norwegian, Swedish, and Negro,—and five additional persons. Article VI—Officers and Their Duties
Section 1. The regular officers of this conference shall be a president, a vice-president, a secretary, and a treasurer, who shall be elected by the conference. One or more auditors shall also be elected by the conference. Sec. 2. President: The president shall act as chairman of the executive committee, and labor in the general interests of the conference, as the executive committee may advise. Sec. 3. Vice-president: It shall be the duty of the vice-president to assist the president in his work, as the executive committee may advise, and, in the absence of the president, to preside at the councils of the members of the executive committee. Sec. 4. Secretary: It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep the minutes of the conference sessions, and of the meetings of the executive committee, and to collect such data from union and local conferences and missions as may be desired by the conference or by the executive committee, and to perform such other duties as usually pertain to such office. Sec. 5. Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive all funds, and disburse them by order of the president, and to render such financial statements at regular intervals as may be desired by the conference or by the executive committee. Sec. 6. Election of officers: All officers of the conference and members of the executive committee except such members as are presidents of union conferences or superintendents of union mission fields, shall be chosen by the delegates at the regular session of the North American Division Conference, and shall hold their offices for the period of four years, or until their successors are elected and appear to enter upon their duties. Article VII—Incorporations, Departments, and Agents
Section 1. Such incorporations and departments may be created as the development of the work requires. Sec. 2. At each regular session of this conference, the delegates shall elect such trustees of all corporate bodies connected with this organization as may be provided in the statutory laws governing each. Sec. 3. The conference shall employ such committees, secretaries, treasurers, agents, ministers, missionaries, and other persons, and shall make such distribution of its laborers, as may be necessary to execute its work effectively. It shall also grant credentials or licenses to its ministers and missionaries. Section 1. This conference shall hold its first regular session in 1915, and shall thereafter hold quadrennial sessions at such date and place as the executive12committee shall designate by a notice published in the ADVENT REVIEW AND SABBATH HERALD at least six weeks before the date of the session. Sec. 2. The executive committee may call special sessions at such time and place as it deems proper, by a like notice, and the transactions of such special sessions shall have the same force as those of the regular sessions. The voters of this conference may enact by-laws and amend or repeal them at any session thereof, and such by-laws may embrace any provision not inconsistent with this constitution. This constitution or its by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voters present at any session, such amendments to be not inconsistent with the constitution of the General Conference, and provided, further, that if it is purposed to amend the constitution at a special session, notice of such purpose shall be given in the call for such special session. Article I—Executive Committee
Section 1. During the intervals between sessions of the conference, the executive committee shall have full administrative power, with authority to grant and withdraw credentials and licenses, and to fill for the current term any vacancies that may occur in its offices, boards, committees, or agents—by death, resignation, or otherwise—except in cases where other provision for filling such vacancies shall be made by vote of the conference. The withdrawal of credentials or the filling of vacancies on the executive committee shall require the consent of two thirds of the members of the executive committee. Sec. 2. Any five members of the executive committee, including the president or vice-president, shall be empowered to transact such executive business as is in harmony with the general plans outlined by the committee, but the concurrence of all five members shall be necessary to pass any measure. Sec. 3. Meetings of the executive committee may be called at any time or place by the president or vice-president; or such meeting may be called by the secretary, upon the written request of any five members of the executive committee. Sec. 4. Previous to each session of the conference, the executive committee shall provide such temporary committees as may be necessary to conduct the preliminary work of the conference. The work of the departments of this organization shall be in charge of the secretaries elected by the conference, associated with the committees selected by the executive committee, when not otherwise provided for by the conference. Section 1. The division conference shall receive a tithe from all its union conferences, and from local conferences outside of any union, and the tithe of the union missions and local mission fields outside of any union. Sec. 2. This conference shall pay a tithe of its regular tithe to the General Conference. Sec. 3. The executive committee shall be authorized to call for such special donations as may be necessary to properly prosecute the work of the conference. Sec. 4. The conference shall receive any percentage of tithes, or any surplus tithes, that may be turned over to it by any field. Sec. 5. The conference shall receive offerings devoted to missions. Sec. 6. All funds received for mission work to be used outside of this conference shall be passed on each month to the General Conference treasury. Section 1. The executive officers shall have the accounts of the conference audited at least once each calendar year, and shall report upon the same to the executive committee of the conference at the annual sessions of the committee, and to the conference at its quadrennial sessions. Sec. 2. The executive committee shall appoint annually six persons not in its employ, who, with the president, the vice-president, the secretary, the treasurer, and not less than five presidents of union conferences or superintendents of union mission fields, shall constitute a committee for auditing and settling all accounts against the conference. G. Dail: I move the adoption of the report. On this motion the question was called on recommendation 14. Recommendation 15 was discussed. W. T. Knox: It would appear to me that there is no argument necessary to make it seem that this measure is the consistent measure to take, following on our action of some two or three days ago. It gives to us a symmetrical organization. One of the first objections I heard raised to our previous action in creating the European Division Conference, was that it gave us an unbalanced condition; that it seemed to place the General Conference in a position where it ceased to be a world-wide conference. One of the principal objections that I have heard expressed at different times to the work of the General Conference officers has been the time that was required at their hands in giving attention to the affairs of North America, thus depriving the other great fields to which God is sending this message, of that attention and care that seemed to be demanded of them. This measure proposes to give to North America an organization of its own, becoming one of the great divisions composing the General Conference, and a full official organization,—with a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. There is in mind, also, although not brought out in the Enabling Act, that they shall have a full complement of departments necessary for the successful execution of their work. This will leave the General Conference officers free to give their attention to the great fields composing the world,—not that they are to turn now from North America, and to give it no attention, to drop its problems and difficulties, but to give to this division the attention called for, and at the same time to give the same fostering care and development to the other fields. As treasurer of the General Conference, there was one possibility in connection with this measure that especially commended itself to me, and that is the541funds. As I have visited among the conferences of America, and appealed to our brethren for their assistance in furnishing funds for the carrying of this message to the world, one of the ever-present questions presented to me is that of the use of General Conference funds in portions of North America. Some of you may recall the statements in the report of the treasurer, showing that there was raised in this field independent of the mission funds, sufficient money to meet the expenditures in America, independent of the mission offerings. Now, however, you will see that provision is made so that it will be possible for all, absolutely all, our general funds to be used in the work of the General Conference. By the division of the tithe from conferences, it will be possible by this measure to care for all the work in North America, and leave all that we designate the Fifteen-cent-a-week Mission Fund to be used in the work outside of North America. Now that, to me, is a very desirable feature. It will be a satisfaction to be able to say to our brethren everywhere that this work that pertains to the North American Division, the assistance to the cities of the Atlantic and Columbia Unions, the work in the South, the care of the Negro work, the care of the North American Foreign Department, which call for thousands of our dollars, will be cared for independent of our mission funds, separated completely from the General Conference funds. The tithe that now comes from local conferences to the General Conference, will constitute the funds of the North American Division Conference. The funds that will belong to the General Conference, for its work, will be the tithe that it receives from all division and union fields throughout the world, and the mission offerings of our people. Now I believe that this measure will appeal to the delegates. In fact, it is the sentiment that was found existing in this field that has given inspiration to the action now brought before you this morning. C. F. McVagh: What is the meaning of “union missions” in this constitution? There might be organized missions in this territory, but I see no great possibility of union mission fields. L. R. Conradi: There might be the possibility of some far parts of Canada or of Alaska being organized some day that way. It leaves the matter open to have such organizations, if necessary. Is there any other question? W. W. Prescott: I would like to make a final appeal in behalf of the name of this division. This long name, to be used constantly in so many ways, in writing and in printing and in speaking, to call it “The North American Division Conference of Seventh-day Adventists,” seems almost discouraging. Now, why not call it “The American Division,” the same as across the water they call theirs “The European Division”? In the provision for the territory they take in not only Europe, but parts of Africa and Asia. Why did not they call it “The Europe-Asia-Africa Division Conference”? They did not want such a long name attached to it. I think we should do the same thing, and call this “The American Division Conference,” and thus save a great deal of time and breath542and ink. I therefore move that the word “north” be struck out. J. W. Westphal: I make an appeal for the name to remain as it is. There are two Americas,—there is a North America and a South America. If this was a question that came up only in the United States, then it would probably be appropriate; but these names are names that go throughout the whole world. We have to deal with them in South America. The people in South America consider that they are Americans just as much as the people here. The full name of “North American Division” is the only way to describe fully where it is and what it is. Consequently, I am in favor of the name remaining as it is. The little extra breath required in speaking the word “north” will be more than saved by not having to make lengthy explanations to the South Americans. W. A. Spicer: It is not only in South America that we would have to take more time for explaining than it would require to give the full name. Somehow throughout the world the United States has preëmpted the name “American.” People from the United States are known as Americans everywhere. I like the words “North American;” for Canada will be a very large part of this new division conference. [H. S. Shaw (of Canada): Hear! Hear!] We must remember the saying that if the nineteenth century belonged to the United States, the twentieth century belongs to Canada. W. J. Fitzgerald: I simply rise to state that we would be everlastingly having to explain in England that the “American Conference” embraced it all. Over there we always speak of the United States as America. M. C. Wilcox: I wish, Brother Chairman and brethren, that we could have a different name than “division.” How would it do to call our conferences “local,” “union,” “general,” and “world”? L. R. Conradi: We are on the motion whether it should be American or North American. H. S. Shaw: I cannot see the force of this argument about this long name. We have the “North Pacific Union Conference,” and we have the “Southwestern Union Conference,” and the “Southeastern Union Conference,” and I do not know as this is any longer than some of those. Voice: And the “Western Canadian Union Conference.” H. S. Shaw: Yes, and we have the Eastern Canadian Union Conference. I hope you will leave it as it really seems to me it should be,—“The North American Division Conference.” The question was then called, and the motion to change the name was defeated, the mover also voting against it. E. L. Maxwell: From the discussion this morning it seems to be evident that it is the plan to have the European Division administer its own mission funds and pay only a tithe to the General Conference; whereas, it is proposed that the North American Division shall not only pay a tithe to the General Conference, but it shall also pay fifteen cents a week a member for foreign missions. Now we who have to raise this money in the local conferences will have to explain to the people this seeming discrepancy. This is what I do not understand. R. C. Porter: It is a very natural plan; in the European Division they have been carrying their regular work into European dependencies adjoining. But in the North American Division we have not been doing so. We simply go on with the plan we have been following all the time. There will be no explanation needed that you did not need to make all the time. Then at any time in the future when Providence and circumstances may direct, we can make such changes as may seem wise. W. T. Knox: Might I add that when you look at the European Division, you find it there with a defined territory, including within its borders the mission fields to which it is furnishing a surplus tithe, while it has 600,000,000 people within its own territory. The territory of the North American Division includes all the union conferences of the United States and Canada, and no more. In that territory, however, there are some union conferences that have mission territory; as, for example, the Pacific Union Conference. It appropriates a portion of its tithe to the support of those mission territories. At present, however, when we look out beyond, we see South Africa, South America, the Far East, the East and West Indies,—territory entirely outside of either the European or North American Division. This territory must be supplied with men and money. Now it would not be a natural thing for the North American Division to attempt to care for mission work throughout the great fields of the world. It is the natural burden and responsibility belonging to the General Conference. No new condition has been created by the organization of this division conference, but we find ourselves in North America related to the mission fields in the same manner as before. B. F. Kneeland: In reference to this proposed constitution and the organization of the North American Union Conference, I would like to know what effect it will have upon the handling of the Sustentation Fund. W. T. Knox: I understand that that, with other matters of similar nature, will have to be determined upon by the organizers of the division conference. B. G. Wilkinson: The memorial sent over from Europe last fall called for triennial sessions for the division, quin-tennial for the General Conference, biennial sessions for the union, and annual for the local. I would like to ask if the drafters of the constitution at this time have taken this question into consideration, or if they are yet to take it into consideration. W. J. Fitzgerald: I would like, for the matter of discussion, to move to substitute the word triennial for quadrennial. The motion was not seconded. R. W. Parmele: The delegates in this section do not seem to know definitely what provision will be made for the support of our colored work and the relief of the institutions in this division. They may be covered in the organization. L. R. Conradi: That will be brought out in the organization. Now are we ready to vote on the constitution as a whole? Question was called, and the report was unanimously adopted. The meeting then adjourned.