November 2023
(An historical statement from the Preamble of the Constitution and Bylaws of The Evangelical Covenant Church as adopted by The Evangelical Covenant Church in 2002.)
The Evangelical Covenant Church is a communion of congregations gathered by God, united in Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to obey the great commandment and the great commission. It affirms its companionship in faith with other church bodies and all those who fear God and keep God’s commandments.
The Evangelical Covenant Church adheres to the affirmations of the Protestant Reformation regarding the Bible. It confesses that the Holy Scripture, the Old and the New Testament, is the Word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. It affirms the historic confessions of the Christian Church, particularly the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed, while emphasizing the sovereignty of the Word of God over all creedal interpretations.
In continuity with the renewal movements of historic Pietism, The Evangelical Covenant Church especially cherishes the dual emphasis on new birth and new life in Christ, believing that personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is the foundation for our mission of evangelism and Christian nurture. Our common experience of God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ continues to sustain The Evangelical Covenant Church as an interdependent body of believers that recognizes but transcends our theological differences.
The Evangelical Covenant Church celebrates two divinely ordained sacraments, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Recognizing the reality of freedom in Christ, and in conscious dependence on the work of the Holy Spirit, we practice both the baptism of infants and believer baptism. The Evangelical Covenant Church embraces this freedom in Christ as a gift that preserves personal conviction, yet guards against an individualism that disregards the centrality of the Word of God and the mutual responsibilities and disciplines of the spiritual community.
The Evangelical Covenant Church has its roots in historical Christianity, the Protestant Reformation, the biblical instruction of the Lutheran Church of Sweden, and the great spiritual awakenings of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. These influences, together with more recent North American renewal movements, continue to shape its development and distinctive spirit. The Evangelical Covenant Church is committed to reaching across boundaries of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, age, and status in the cultivation of communities of life and service. This document, which is in harmony with the above preamble, is the Constitution and Bylaws of Decorah Covenant Church (“This Church”).
Constitution
The name of This Church shall be Decorah Covenant Church (“This Church”). This Church is a religious corporation incorporated under the laws of Iowa and located in Decorah, Iowa.
This Church is a member congregation of The Evangelical Covenant Church (“ECC”) and its Midwest Conference (“Conference”). It is pledged to work in harmony with the ECC and the Conference, and to faithfully support the mission, ministries, and policies of each.
The congregation of This Church confesses that the Holy Scriptures, the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct.
The congregation of This Church covenants to cultivate a community of worship committed to prayer, preaching and study of the Word of God, the celebration of the sacraments, and fellowship reaching across boundaries of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, age and status. In so doing, we covenant to equip loving, giving, growing Christians to reach out with the good news of Jesus Christ-- evangelizing the lost, ministering to those in need, and seeking justice for the oppressed.
Membership in This Church is granted as provided in the Bylaws to those who through faith in God’s Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, have been born anew to a living hope through the Holy Spirit, have been baptized according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to live a Christian life, promise to faithfully support the mission, ministries, and policies of This Church, and to share in its fellowship and obligations.
The authority of the government of This Church is vested in its membership acting through duly called congregational meetings with certain reserved powers vested in the Conference, acting through its Executive Board. The management, administration and oversight of business and spiritual affairs are delegated by the congregation to appropriate leadership as delineated in the Bylaws. All elected leadership specified in the Bylaws shall be members of This Church.
- Congregational business meetings shall be held regularly, but not less than twice a year. Two of these meetings shall be designated as Semi-Annual Business Meetings. One of these meetings shall be held in October or November, where goals and the annual budget shall be submitted for congregational approval. Another of these meetings shall be held in April or May, where written reports shall be submitted by the pastor(s), staff, and Leadership Team. Independently reviewed financial reports shall be submitted by the treasurer for the church and for each of its organizations. Leadership Team Members for the ensuing year shall be elected by ballot at the spring meeting.
- Notice of all congregational business meetings shall be made public not less than two Sundays prior to the meeting and shall include the date, time and place of meeting, and the purpose(s) for which they are called.
- This Church, as a corporate entity, shall hold title to the assets of This Church.
- In the event of schism within This Church, in which there are competing claims to the assets of This Church by various factions of the membership, the right to use and occupy This Church’s property, real and/or personal, shall remain with the group which abides by the Articles of Incorporation, and Constitution and Bylaws of This Church, as determined by the Executive Board of the Conference. The determination of a schism may be made by the Executive Board of the Conference, upon request of at least 40 percent of the membership of This Church.
- No action for the sale or transfer of assets may be taken when the closure of This Church is under consideration without the prior written approval of the Executive Board of the Conference. In the event the members of This Church vote to close the Church, the property and all assets of This Church shall become and be the property of ECC and the Conference, shared equally for the furtherance of the mission of both.
- This Church may not (i) lease or license any portion of the Church property, (ii) merge or otherwise affiliate with any other entities, or (iii) transfer any of its assets without the written approval of the Conference. Any transaction entered into by This Church hereunder without the prior written approval of the Conference shall be void, and of no force or legal effect.
Amendments in harmony with this Constitution, the Model Constitution for Member Churches of the ECC, non-profit laws of Iowa, and not in conflict with ECC principles and policies may be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of a quorum of members at a Semi-Annual Business Meeting of This Church, provided the proposed amendment was presented in written form at the preceding Semi-Annual Business Meeting. In addition, This Church shall have received prior written approval of such amendments from the Executive Board of the Conference. Any purported amendments to this Constitution which are not adopted in accordance with this Article shall be void, and of no force or legal effect.
In the event of a conflict in any provision of this Constitution with any provision of the Bylaws, this Constitution shall govern.
Bylaws
Section 1. Becoming a Member
- Application for membership. A written application for membership shall be placed with a pastor or with any member of the Leadership Team. Applicants shall complete an inquirer’s orientation to the church, after which they shall appear before the Leadership Team or its designees to give confession of their Christian faith, according to Article V of the Constitution. When the applications have been reviewed and applicants’ testimonies favorably received, they shall be recommended at the next congregational business meeting for acceptance into membership.
- Transfer of Membership. Applicants from other Christian churches shall submit with their written applications for membership letters of transfer when available or make a request to the pastor that such be sought. Action then continues according to the requirements of paragraph a) of this section.
- Reception of New Members. Applicants who are voted into membership of the church shall be welcomed at a regularly scheduled worship service and make public confession of their Christian faith, as outlined in The Covenant Book of Worship.
Section 2. Children of Members. Children of the members of the church and its constituency shall be nurtured under its spiritual care. They shall receive instruction from the pastor(s) and adult members of the church in the Word of God, Christian doctrine, and the history of the church. Children who meet the qualifications for membership according to Article V of the Constitution may apply for church membership as outlined under Section 1, paragraph a) of this article.
Section 3. Responsibilities of Membership. All members of the church shall assume the responsibilities and obligations placed upon them by the Word of God and the Church. They shall, through their witness by life and word, consecrated service, prayer, and financial support further the cause of Christ in the local church, the community in which they live and work, and the Covenant Church worldwide.
Section 4. Discipline.
- Discipline of members. The Leadership Team shall be responsible for admonishing members who willfully neglect their responsibilities to This Church or who err in doctrine or conduct.
- Erring members. Any member known to err in doctrine or conduct shall be counseled according to the procedure outlined in Matthew 18:15-18 and Galatians 6:1. Any member having knowledge of such error shall, in the spirit of Christian love, seek to restore the erring member. If he or she does not heed this counsel, the matter shall be brought to the attention of the Leadership Team in writing, which shall in meekness and gentleness, seek to restore the member.
- Dismissal. After the above process has been completed, dismissal of a member remaining in gross error in doctrine or conduct may result by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all current Leadership Team members. Such action may be appealed by the member to the congregation for consideration at the next congregational meeting.
Section 5. Transfers, Withdrawal and Removal of Membership. Any member desiring to transfer or withdraw from membership shall make such request in writing to the Pastor or Leadership Team. Letters of transfer shall be issued by the Pastor if so requested, provided that the member is in good standing. The Leadership Team shall annually review the membership roster to determine inactivity. Those members determined to be inactive by the Leadership Team may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Leadership Team.
Section 6. Recording. The names of those joining and terminating membership shall be duly recorded and reported to the congregation at the next Semi-Annual Business Meeting following action.
Section 7. Nonmember Friends. Nonmember parish friends shall be enrolled by the church as a part of its total constituency. The church and its pastor shall serve them in all their spiritual needs, and they shall be encouraged to consider this as their church home. They shall be kept informed of the activities of the church.
Section 1. Purpose. The Leadership Team shall be responsible for building, maintaining and overseeing the spiritual welfare of the congregation and for directing and overseeing all ministries and business affairs of This Church.
Section 2. Composition. The Leadership Team shall be comprised of not less than five (5) nor more than seven (7) Leadership Team members, not including the Lead Pastor who is an ex officio member.
Section 3. Advisors. The Leadership Team may appoint other pastors, or staff members as non-voting advisors, who may attend meetings of the Leadership Team, but who shall have no standing as members of the Leadership Team.
Section 4. Qualification. Any member of This Church meeting the biblical standards of character and giftedness for Church leaders may be nominated and elected to the Leadership Team.
Section 5. Election. Leadership Team members shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected by a vote of members voting at a meeting of the congregation called for that purpose.
Section 6. Term of Office. Leadership Team members shall be elected for a term of 3 years and shall not be elected for more than two (2) consecutive terms. After at least one year off, a person may be eligible for subsequent service, subject again to the terms stated in this Article. The Lead Pastor shall be an ex officio member of the Leadership Team for such period of time as he/she is the Lead Pastor of the Church.
Section 7. Vacancies and Removal. A Leadership Team member may resign. A Leadership Team member may be removed from office by a majority vote of congregational members voting at a meeting called for that purpose. Vacancies created by resignation or removal may be filled by appointment through the two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Leadership Team. Appointments shall be made from a list of persons prepared by the nominating committee. A Leadership Team member appointed to serve an unexpired term of less than half the remaining term shall not be precluded from being elected thereafter to two (2) full consecutive terms.
Section 8. Notification of Meetings. All Leadership Team members shall receive a minimum of three (3) days advance written notice of any meeting, including the time and place of the meeting, unless a greater period of notice is required by state law. In emergency situations, the three (3) days advance notice may be waived by the two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire Leadership Team, or by attendance at such meeting by a majority of Leadership Team members. Notice of meetings shall be made via first class mail, postage prepaid, overnight delivery, or electronic transmission. Attendance at a meeting shall constitute waiver of notice,unless a team member is attending only for the purpose of objecting to the form or time of Notice.
Section 9. Quorum. A majority of Leadership Team members shall constitute a quorum.
Section 10. Decisions. The Leadership Team shall strive for unanimity. Matters shall be determined by a majority vote of a Leadership Team quorum, unless a larger percentage is required by (i) the Articles of Incorporation; (ii) the Constitution; (iii) these Bylaws; or (iv) state law. Individual members shall recuse themselves from discussions or votes in which they have a conflict of interest.
Section 11. Organization. The Leadership Team shall elect from among themselves a Chair, a Vice Chair, and a Secretary.
- Chair. The Chair shall preside at all business meetings of the Church and of the Leadership Team. The Chair shall confer with the Lead Pastor in preparing the agenda for such meetings, and shall utilize the counsel that the Lead Pastor can give by virtue of training, experience, and calling.
- Vice Chair. The Vice Chair shall assume the duties of the Chair in the Chair’s Absence and assist in the Chair’s duties.
- Secretary. The Secretary shall keep and preserve the minutes of all business meetings of This Church and of the Leadership Team, conduct and preserve all official correspondence as shall be delegated, and be responsible for the official seal (if any) and documents of This Church.
Section 12. Responsibilities of the Leadership Team. In being responsible to the congregation for building, maintaining and overseeing the spiritual welfare of This Church and for directing and overseeing all ministries and business affairs of This Church, the Leadership team shall:
- present annual mission and ministry objectives to the congregation;
- determine Ministry Teams needed to carry out the mission of This Church and ministry, and appoint appropriate leadership for the Ministry Teams;
- approve policies of This Church;
- be responsible for representing the congregation in certain staff relationships including:
- hiring and dismissal of staff subject to the provisions of these Bylaws;
- annual appraisal of the Lead Pastor and of the ministry staff, and provision of godly counsel or discipline as required;
- annual review and approval of staff compensation and compensation for new staff and other personnel expenses for any staff member or activity;
- establishment of personnel policies;
- approval of changes in staff job descriptions and approval of job descriptions for new staff positions; and
- maintenance of current job descriptions for all staff members;
- be responsible for overseeing the preparation and submission of a proposed budget for each fiscal year to the membership for approval. Upon approval of the budget by the membership, the Leadership Team shall be responsible for seeing that the budget is carried out as approved. The Leadership Team shall have the authority to appropriately adjust budget items and amounts where ministry objectives necessitate but in no event shall total expenditures exceed the total authorized budget without prior notification of the membership. The Leadership Team shall appoint a member of This Church as financial secretary (not necessarily a Leadership Team member) who shall be authorized to receive monies on behalf of This Church and shall appoint a treasurer (not necessarily a Leadership Team member) to disburse funds for Church purposes in accordance with standard accounting procedures for non-profit organizations. The Leadership Team shall annually appoint an independent review of the financial records of This Church and report such findings to the congregation.
- hear and respond appropriately to concerns of members;
- be responsible for the discipline of members as outlined in Article I, Section 4 of these Bylaws;
- act as the trustees/board of directors of This Church for the advancement and protection of its assets. The Leadership Team shall designate those Leadership Team members and any other members of This Church who shall be authorized to sign legal documents on behalf of This Church; and
- be responsible for action on applications for membership as outlined in Article I, Section 1 of these Bylaws.
- facilitate healthy relationship between pastors and congregation in four areas:
- care and encouragement for the pastors, ministry staff, and their families;
- receiving the perspectives and concerns of each pastor and ministry staff member relative to the congregation and ministry;
- communicating the perspectives and concerns of the congregation to each pastor and ministry staff member relative to that person’s ministry; and
- periodic review of personal and Church goals.
Section 12. Unity. Action by the Leadership Team shall be taken in such a manner as to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Section 1. Purpose. Ministry Teams shall be formed as required to implement the varied ministries of This Church.
Section 2. Establishment. Ministry Teams shall be established by the Leadership Team to implement specific ministries. The configuration of Ministry Teams shall be reviewed regularly by the Leadership Team, upon the recommendation of Church staff, in accord with This Church’s purpose, strategies, and objectives for mission and ministry.
Section 3. Duties. The duties of Ministry Teams shall be to:
- meet as required to plan and execute specific mission and ministry objectives;
- recruit and train ministry personnel;
- define and provide the necessary materials required for ministry;
- submit annually to the Leadership Team proposed budgets and objectives for the forthcoming year and manage the financial affairs of This Church consistent with approved budgets; and
- report as requested to the Leadership Team.
Section 4. Leadership.
- The leader of a Ministry Team shall be approved by the Leadership Team in consultation with the pastor(s). The team leader will serve as liaison to the Leadership Team to provide reports and information when requested, and to forward requests to the Leadership Team when necessary.
- Ministry Team members may be selected by the Ministry Team leader. The Leadership Team may remove a Ministry Team member by a majority vote of that Ministry Team.
- Each Ministry Team shall organize itself as required to perform its ministry.
- The Leadership Team may appoint one of its members to be an ex officio member of any Ministry Team, who may also serve as that Ministry Team’s leader.
Section 1. Purpose. Pastoral and additional ministry staff servant-leadership positions are created to help the congregation fulfill Christ’s purposes in the world and among its members.
Section 2. Pastoral Qualifications. Pastors of This Church shall meet the qualifications for character, giftedness, and the call set forth in the Holy Scriptures. The Lead Pastor shall be an ordained pastor in good standing with the ECC. Other pastors shall be credentialed by the ECC in accordance with their qualifications and duties. A pastor shall be a member of This Church by virtue of the call to serve This Church.
Section 3. Call of the Lead Pastor. The Lead Pastor shall be called at a regular or special congregational business meeting, the purpose of which shall be announced two (2) weeks in advance. The Lead Pastor shall be nominated by a pastoral search committee. This committee shall be elected by the membership at a congregational business meeting. It shall be representative of the congregation and have five (5) to nine (9) members, including the Leadership Team Chair. The pastoral search committee shall work closely with the Conference superintendent. The Lead Pastor shall be called by written ballot with a two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present and voting (at which a quorum is present). The call shall be for an indefinite period of time. In the event This Church is receiving aid from the Conference, ECC or both through appropriations at the time of the call, the call shall be with the approval of the Conference Executive Board. In the event This Church has a loan outstanding with National Covenant Properties that is guaranteed by the Conference, ECC or both, at the time of the call, the call shall be with the approval of the Conference Executive Board.
Section 4. Call of Additional Pastors and Credentialed Ministry Staff. Additional staff members to hold ministerial credentials shall be called at a congregational business meeting, the purpose of which shall be announced at least two (2) weeks in advance. The meeting shall include the budget implications of the proposed position. The Leadership Team will recommend one candidate for a call, and the vote shall be by written ballot, with two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present and voting (at which a quorum is present). The Leadership Team may establish the search committee, and may serve as the search committee. In the event This Church is receiving financial aid at the time of the call from the Conference and/or ECC through appropriations, the call shall be with the approval of the Conference. The call shall be for an indefinite period of time unless otherwise noted at the time of call.
Section 5. Duties of the Lead Pastor. The Lead Pastor shall preach and teach the Word of God, administer the sacraments, provide missional leadership, and faithfully carry out pastoral work.
The Lead Pastor shall direct Church staff, providing counsel, encouragement, and Christian discipline so as to assist in the accomplishment of objectives for each staff member. All staff shall be responsible to the Lead Pastor.
The Lead Pastor shall be an ex officio member of the Leadership Team and an ex officio member of all ministry teams and committees and in such capacity shall strive to establish and accomplish objectives and strategies in conjunction with the mission and purpose of This Church.
Section 6. Duties of Additional Pastors and Ministry Staff Members. Additional pastors and ministry staff members shall carry out specific areas of ministry under the direction of the Lead Pastor. They may be designated by the Leadership Team to be the leader or member of one or more Ministry Teams.
Section 7. Cooperation. The pastor(s) shall, both in word and precept, work in harmony with the ECC, the Conference and This Church.
Section 8. Resignation of a Pastor or Ministry Staff Member. A pastor or ministry staff members may resign by submitting a letter of resignation to the Leadership Team. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, six (6) weeks’ notice should be observed.
Section 9. Dismissal. The dismissal of a pastor or ministry staff member should be undertaken only after avenues of remediation have been pursued.
- Dismissal of the Lead Pastor. The dismissal of the Lead Pastor shall be by congregational vote at a special meeting called for that express purpose. Such an agenda item cannot be a part of, or added to, the agenda of any other meeting. The congregational meeting for such a vote may be called by the two-thirds (2/3) action of the Leadership Team, or through the request of the congregation accomplished by a petition for such a meeting signed by at least twenty percent (20%) of the membership. The quorum for such a meeting shall be at least fifty percent (50%) of the membership. The grounds for dismissal shall be presented. Members shall be allowed to speak to the matter. The Lead Pastor shall be allowed to speak to the matter. The vote shall be by written ballot. A majority vote of a quorum (at least fifty percent (50%) of members present and voting is necessary to dismiss the Lead Pastor.
- Dismissal of Additional Pastors and Ministry Staff. Additional pastors and ministry staff called by the congregation may be dismissed by the two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Leadership Team. A meeting to overturn the action of the Leadership Team may be called through the request of the congregation, accomplished by a petition signed by at least twenty percent (20%) of the membership. The quorum for such a meeting shall be at least fifty percent (50%) of the membership. The grounds for dismissal shall be presented. Members shall be allowed to speak to the matter. The pastor or ministry staff member in question shall be allowed to speak to the matter. The vote shall be by written ballot. A majority vote of a quorum (at least fifty percent (50%) of members present and voting) is necessary to overturn the action of the Leadership Team.
Section 10. Charges Against a Pastor. Charges against a pastor shall be submitted in writing to the Leadership Team and the Conference superintendent, which charges, by way of example, may include indiscretion, immorality, doctrinal error, unethical behavior, or disloyalty to the ECC. The superintendent shall confer with the ECC executive minister of the ordered ministry. These two officers shall confer and determine the order of responsibility in pursuing the matter according to the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Ordered Ministry of the ECC regarding discipline, prior to further action by This Church. A pastor or staff member credentialed by the ECC may be suspended by the ECC during this process. However, any minister who fails to become credentialed with the ECC may be suspended or recommended for dismissal at any time without prior notice by the Leadership Team.
Section 1. Nominating Committee.
- Composition. The nominating committee shall consist of at least three members elected by a majority of the members voting at a congregational meeting. The nominating committee shall designate one member to serve as its Chair.
- Term. Members will serve 2- year terms. Terms shall be alternated so that at least one member shall be elected each year.
- Quorum. A majority of committee members shall constitute a quorum of the nominating committee.
- Responsibilities. The nominating committee shall be responsible for nominations to fill the offices of the Leadership Team and any other positions assigned to it either by the Leadership Team or congregation.
- Nominating Procedure. Any member of appropriate character, giftedness, and call may be considered for any position. Ideally two candidates for each office of Leadership Team shall be nominated by the nominating committee.
- Unity. Actions by the nominating committee shall be taken in such manner as to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Section 2. Pastoral Search Committee. The Lead Pastor shall be nominated by a pastoral search committee. The nominee shall meet the criteria set out in Article IV, Section 2 of these Bylaws. This committee shall be elected by a congregational business meeting. It shall be representative of the congregation and have five (5) to nine (9) members, including the Leadership Team Chair. It shall work closely with the Conference superintendent.
Section 3. Other Special Committees. The Leadership Team or the congregation may establish a committee to address a specific task. The committee shall report back to the body which formed it unless otherwise instructed by its founding body. The committee shall terminate upon the completion of its task.
Section 4. Authority of Committees. All Church committees shall be created to perform a specific task, but shall have no authority to act on behalf of the Leadership Team or to otherwise act as directors or trustees of This Church.
Section 1. Congregational business meetings. Congregational business meetings shall be held regularly, not less than semiannually, as specified in Article VII of the constitution. Special congregational business meetings may be called by the chair of the Leadership Team in consultation with the Lead Pastor or by the Leadership Team.
Section 2. Conduct of Meetings. The Chair of the Leadership Team or such other person as may be designated by the Leadership Team in the Chair’s absence shall serve as Chair of any meeting of the membership.
Section 3. Voting. Each member, and only members, shall be entitled to cast one vote on any matter at hand at any meeting of the members. Such votes must be cast in person. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted. The Chair of the meeting may call for open or written balloting where no objection is raised.
Section 4. Quorum. A quorum for congregational meetings of This Church shall be the greater of (i) twenty percent (20%) of the membership, (ii) twenty (20) individual members, and (iii) such greater number as required by the Articles of Incorporation or state law.
Section 5. Rules of Order. All congregational meetings of This Church and of any other committees or organizations shall be conducted according to the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, subject to the provisions of this Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 6. Membership Authority. The congregation of This Church reserves for itself final authority in any matter of its choice. A member may advance an item to the agenda of a congregational meeting by the majority vote of the membership at that meeting, providing that the item is not in conflict with other provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws. An item brought to the agenda in this way shall be decided by a majority vote of the membership, unless the item requires a different percentage by state law, or as required elsewhere in the Articles of Incorporation, or Constitution and Bylaws, in which case that percentage shall be used.
These Bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of a quorum of members at a meeting duly called and noticed, provided such amendments are in harmony with the Constitution, the Model Bylaws for Member Churches of the ECC, nonprofit laws of the state of Iowa, and not in conflict with ECC principles and policies. A proposed amendment to the Bylaws must be presented in writing to the membership not less than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting called for the purpose of voting on Bylaws changes. This Article VII entitled “Amendments” may only be amended with the prior written approval of the Executive Board of the Conference. Any purported amendments to these Bylaws which are not adopted in accordance with this Article shall be void, and of no force or legal effect.