ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be "The Fellowship of Christian Faculty and Staff at the University of Hawaii at Manoa", hereafter abbreviated FCFS.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of FCFS is to glorify God. We will meet for regular Christian fellowship, in obedience to Christ's prayer in John 17:20-21, that through our unity the world will know that Jesus is the Son of God. In seeking to glorify God, we will encourage, support, and pray for Christian faculty, staff, and students, as prescribed in Hebrews 10:25 and Ephesians 6:18, pray for the well-being of the entire University community, and provide a positive Christian witness on campus.

FCFS activities may include, but are not limited to, regular lunchtime meetings, workshops and seminars, sponsoring guest speakers, and organizing social and outreach activities. In these, and all other FCFS activities, we agree to abide by established University policies.

This association is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, the association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an association exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by an association, contributions to which are deductable under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). Upon winding up and dissolution of this association, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the association, the remaining assets shall be distributed to a non-profit fund, foundation, or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, and or scientific purposes and which has established its tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Membership in FCFS shall be open to all current and retired faculty and staff who desire to have a positive Christian influence within the University community and who agree with the following Statement of Faith:

We believe:

1. The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, inerrant Word of God and is the final authority for all Christian living.

2. In the Deity, pre-existence, and incarnation of Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5, John 3:16).

3. The truth and necessity of Jesus Christ's sinless life and substitutionary death to redeem the world (John 1:29), the historic fact of His bodily resurrection, and expectation of His personal return.

4. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and does not depend on works or merit (Ephesians 2:8).

5. In the presence and power of the Holy Spirit who convicts, renews, teaches, and empowers believers for godly living (John 14:26, John 15:7-15, Romans 12:1-2).

Voting Membership

For periodic election of steering committee members and for policies or decisions which the steering committee deems require the approval of the membership of FCFS, voting shall be open to members as defined above who agree with the purposes of FCFS and its statement of faith, and who regularly attend FCFS's general meetings (regular attendance is defined as participating in a minimum of 3 FCFS sponsored events of any kind during the academic year in which the vote is taken). The Co-Chair shall be responsible for maintaining the current membership list. The Steering Committee is authorized by two-thirds majority vote, with at least five steering committee members present, to remove individuals from the membership list who do not satisfy the membership requirements, and to add new members who do satisfy the requirements.

The steering committee will provide opportunities for those within the University community who are interested in becoming voting members by making available a copy of this constitution, keeping accurate attendance records of FCFS's regular meetings, and providing a list of eligible voters before any election.

ARTICLE IV: STEERING COMMITTEE

The steering committee shall consist of 7 members, three of whom shall fill the positions of Chair, CO-Chair, and Treasurer as designated by the steering committee. The Chair will be responsible to plan, set the agenda, organize, facilitate, publicize and conduct steering committee meetings. A meeting shall be considered to have a quorum if it is publicized to all steering committee members three days in advance and has at least 50% of those members in attendance.

In order to provide continuity during the establishment of FCFS, founders will make up the steering committee for the academic years of 1995/1996 and 1996/1997. These are Tom Conlon, Carl Evenson, Pow-foong Fan, June Firing, Dick Green, Mitiku Habte, and Chuck Hayes. At the end of each academic year thereafter three members will rotate off the steering committee, based on length of service (determined by drawing lots within the original members for the second and third years). Those who are rotated off the committee will wait at least one academic year before being eligible to serve again, unless no other eligible and willing candidates are available. Elections for membership on the steering committee shall be announced to the general FCFS membership and held at the end of each academic year thereafter. This election shall be by the general membership of FCFS and may be held by mail ballot. Nominations will be submitted to the steering committee, who will then determine the slate of candidates. Election shall be by a majority of those voting. Terms of the officers and steering committee shall end on June 30th and begin on July 1 of each year.

ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES

The Chair, with the approval of the steering committee, shall have authority to establish any committees deemed necessary to assist in carrying out purposes and goals of FCFS.

ARTICLE VI: FINANCES

Initially the FCFS will handle no funds until authorized to do so by the steering committee. After such authorization the Treasurer of the steering committee shall maintain a record of accounts, receipts, property records, and a checking account; establish and abide by a two-signature policy on the checking account; establish and maintain FCFS as a nonprofit organization and file IRS and State of Hawaii reports as required; maintain an accurate expense log; issue an annual financial report to the steering committee and more frequent reports upon request.

FCFS funds shall not be loaned to any individual or group within or without the FCFS organization, nor dispersed for any purpose without the formal approval of the steering committee.

An audit will be performed each year between July 1 and Sept. 30 by the newly elected officers for the following year.

The annual dues will be set for the following academic year by the outgoing steering committee in the last quarter (April-June) of the fiscal year. Dues will be purely voluntary, and payment or non-payment will not affect voting membership.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

The power to alter, amend, change, modify, or repeal the constitution is vested in the general membership. This power shall be exercised by a two-thirds majority of the voting members.

Proposed changes shall be submitted in writing to the steering committee by any voting member of FCFS. The Chair shall make all members aware of the proposal as soon as possible by furnishing each with a written copy. There will be a special meeting of the general membership for discussion, followed by a vote conducted as outlined in Article IV.

ARTICLE VIII: DISSOLUTION

The steering committee is empowered to dissolve the FCFS by a two thirds vote of all members of the steering committee,and in consultation with the whole FCFS. This step shall not be taken lightly. Reasonable grounds for this might include the following: serious divergence of the group's direction from the goals and purposes of FCFS or from its Statement of Faith (Article III); serious loss of commitment of the leadership and members of FCFS to its goals and purposes. Upon the dissolution of FCFS, all reasonable financial obligations shall be paid and the remaining assets of FCFS shall be distributed to the charitable organization Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC), for use by the Christian Leadership Ministries (a ministry of CCC) or its successor unit within CCC. These distributed assets shall be dedicated to one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Insofar as possible, the distributed assets shall be used in accordance with the particular exempt purpose(s) and for the activities described in Article II above, at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and/or at other similar public universities in the United States. However, if the named recipient is not then in existence or no longer a qualified distributee, or unwilling or unable to accept the distribution, then the assets of this organization shall be distributed to a fund, foundation, or organization which is organized and operated exclusively for the purposes specified in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

AMENDMENTS, adopted 7/16/96

1) Change Mania to Manoa in Article I.

2) Article III, under Voting Membership, paragraph 1: Change "it's" to "its".

3) Article III, under Voting Membership, paragraph 1:

Replace "(regular attendance is defined as attending a minimum of 3 meetings during the academic year in which the vote is taken)" with: "(regular attendance is defined as attending a minimum of 3 FCFS-sponsored meetings of any kind during the one-year period immediately preceding the vote)"

4) Article III, under Voting Membership, paragraph 1:

Add to end of paragraph 1: The CO-Chair shall be responsible for maintaining the current membership list. The Steering Committee is authorized by two-thirds majority vote, with at least five steering committee members present, to remove individuals from the membership list who do not satisfy the membership requirements, and to add new members who do satisfy the requirements.

5) Article VI: Finances

Replace last paragraph with: "An audit will be performed each year between July 1 and Sept. 30 by the newly elected officers for the following year."

6) Article VI: Finances

Add the following paragraph: The annual dues will be set for the following academic year by the outgoing steering committee in the last quarter (April-June) of the fiscal year. Dues will be purely voluntary, and payment or nonpayment will not affect voting membership.

7) In order to satisfy IRS requirements for tax-exempt organizations, ADD:

ARTICLE VIII: DISSOLUTION

The steering committee is empowered to dissolve the FCFS by a two thirds vote of all members of the steering committee, and in consultation with the whole FCFS. This step shall not be taken lightly. Reasonable grounds for this might include the following: serious divergence of the group's direction from the goals and purposes of FCFS or from its Statement of Faith (Article III); serious loss of commitment of the leadership and members of FCFS to its goals and purposes. Upon the dissolution of FCFS, all reasonable financial obligations shall be paid and the remaining assets of FCFS shall be distributed to the charitable organization Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC), for use by the Christian Leadership Ministries (a ministry of CCC) or its successor unit within CCC. These distributed assets shall be dedicated to one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Insofar as possible, the distributed assets shall be used in accordance with the particular exempt purpose(s) and for the activities described in Article II above, at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and/or at other similar public universities in the United States.

AMENDMENTS adopted 1/22/97:

8) ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

Add the following paragraphs, to comply with IRS regulations:

This association is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, the association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an association exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by an association, contributions to which are deductable under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).Upon winding up and dissolution of this association, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the association, the remaining assets shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation, or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, and or scientific purposes and which has established its tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

9) ARTICLE VIII: DISSOLUTION

Add to dissolution provision as second paragraph:

However, if the named recipient is not then in existence or no longer a qualified distributee, or unwilling or unable to accept the distribution, then the assets of this organization shall be distributed to a fund, foundation, or organization which is organized and operated exclusively for the purposes specified in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

10) ARTICLE III, under Voting Membership, paragraph 1:

Replace "(regular attendance is defined as attending a minimum of 3 FCFS-sponsored meetings of any kind during the one-year period immediately preceding the vote)" with: "(regular attendance is defined as participating in a minimum of three FCFS-sponsored events of any kind during the one-year period immediately preceding the vote)"