BYLAWS of WEST HILLS FRIENDS MEETING of the RELIGIOUS SOCIETY of FRIENDS PORTLAND, OREGON

ARTICLE I – THE SOCIETY

Section 1: West Hills Friends Meeting (the "Corporation" or the “Meeting”) is incorporated as a member based nonprofit corporation under the laws of the State of Oregon. It is an independent Monthly Meeting in the Religious Society of Friends.

Section 2: The Meeting is associated with Northwest Yearly Meeting, a nonprofit corporation in the state of Oregon.

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Membership in the Meeting is open to any person who desires to affiliate with our community as we seek to know and follow the Light of Christ in the manner of Friends.

Section 2: The process of becoming a member requires spiritual discernment. This process is facilitated by the Elders Committee. A person may be enrolled as member by action of the Business Meeting following recommendation by the Elders Committee.

Section 3: Associate membership is available for children of Members. Children of members may apply for membership when they reach an age where they can discern for themselves whether they wish to become regular members.

Section 4: Any member may withdraw from membership at any time by a letter addressed to the Elders Committee. Membership may be terminated for cause by action of the Business Meeting following recommendation by the Elders Committee. In either case, termination shall become effective as of the date of the decision is recorded by the Business Meeting.

ARTICLE III – MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP

Section 1: Regular Meetings for Worship shall be held every Sunday morning in the meeting house, unless the Business Meeting decides otherwise.

Section 2: There shall be opportunities for the religious education of minor children associated with regular Meetings for Worship.

Section 3: Special Meetings for Worship, including weddings, memorials or other observances, may be held according to procedures established by the meeting and overseen by the Elders Committee.

ARTICLE IV – MEETING FOR WORSHIP FOR THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

Section 1: Final authority for management of the Corporation shall be vested in the Meeting for Worship for the Conduct of Business (also known as the “Business Meeting”), which may delegate responsibility to individuals or groups. Deliberations are aimed at discerning the will of God rather than collecting majority opinions. It is expected, therefore, that worship shall surround business deliberations and that policies and practices shall reflect Christian unity as practiced by the Religious Society of Friends. All those who participate in a Business Meeting share a responsibility for seeking God's guidance. We empower the Presiding Clerk to discern the sense of the meeting and to call for a minute that reflects our collective sense of leading. In the event of uncertainty, the Presiding Clerk’s decision as to the sense of the meeting and its expression in a minute shall be final and binding.

Section 2: Regular Business Meetings shall be held monthly, except as otherwise determined by the Presiding Clerk. The date and time of each Business Meeting shall be announced in advance.

Section 3: A Special Meeting for Worship for the Conduct of Business may be called at any time by decision of the Business Meeting, or when necessary by the Presiding Clerk, with prior notice to all members by means of a procedure established by the Business Meeting.

Section 4: The regular Business Meeting in May is also designated the Annual Meeting of the Corporation. The Business Meeting may decide to reschedule the Annual Meeting, provided it gives written notice to the members, at least seven days in advance. For the Annual Meeting of the Corporation, a quorum shall consist of a minimum of 15 adult members of the Meeting.

ARTICLE V – OFFICERS

Section 1: The Clerk of the Meeting (also known as the “Presiding Clerk”), who must be a member of the Meeting, shall serve as the president of the Corporation. The Presiding Clerk serves for a term of three years, renewable at the discretion of the Business Meeting. The Presiding Clerk’s primary responsibilities shall be:

a. To preside at all sessions of Business Meetings , or to delegate that role, calling upon Friends to speak, encouraging conscientious consideration of business according to Quaker practice, aiding Friends in finding unity in Divine Will, gathering the sense of the Meeting and expressing it accurately in a minute after a decision is reached.

b. To prepare for Business Meeting, assuring that the various committees have opportunity for reporting and that there is adequate preparation for making decisions. To this end, the Clerk shall communicate with all standing committees of the Meeting as needed, and alerts those with time-sensitive responsibilities (for example, budget, nominations, and reports to yearly meeting) to the need for punctual action.

c. To speak for the Meeting as a whole, serving as spokesperson, or delegating that role, by signing official documents, contracts, signing official letters of correspondence (such as traveling minutes), and otherwise making sure instructions of the Business Meeting are carried out.

Section 2: The Recording Clerk acts as a Secretary of the Business Meeting and assists and supports the Presiding Clerk at monthly Business Meetings and records the minutes of all Meetings for Business, making sure that they are properly preserved and available to all.

Section 3: The Treasurer, who must be a member of the Meeting, shall oversee receipt and disbursement of all funds and the accurate bookkeeping thereof. The Treasurer shall work closely with the Stewardship Committee and serve on it ex officio, reporting regularly to the Business Meeting, proposing an annual budget, and managing funds according to the approved budget and other instructions from the Business Meeting.

Section 4: The Business Meeting may establish any needed positions for achievement of its purposes and appoint individuals to fill these roles. Each appointed person is authorized to act within the terms of his or her appointment.

Section 5: Terms of service begin July 1. Selection of officers and regular designated ministers shall be made by decision of the Business Meeting upon recommendation by the Nominating Committee prior to July, or at any other Business Meeting to fill a vacancy. An officer may be removed by the Meeting for Business for cause as determined by the Business Meeting.

ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES

Section 1: The Business Meeting has authority to create committees, disband committees and to monitor the work it has delegated to committees. Every committee shall have these responsibilities:

a. Each Committee shall appoint a clerk or contact person. Communication with the committee shall be through the clerk or contact person. When a committee is gathered, the clerk shall have authority to set the agenda and to facilitate discernment. Each committee shall use Quaker process, seeking a "sense of the meeting" for the decisions before it.

b. Each committee shall keep a record of its minutes.

c. Each committee shall report on its activities to the Business Meeting at least once per year.

d. Each committee may request funding through the annual budget. These requests shall be made to the Treasurer for inclusion in the next annual budget. If a committee spends less than what is available in its budget, the surplus is returned to the general fund of the Meeting.

e. With approval of the Business Meeting, a committee may create and administer a standing fund. Money in a standing fund may accumulate beyond a single budget cycle. All disbursements from a standing fund must be in accordance with the documented purpose of that particular fund.

Section 2: The Nominating Committee is appointed by the Business Meeting upon nomination by the Elders Committee. It shall consist of three or more active members or attenders of the Meeting, the terms of one-third expiring each year. The Nominating Committee shall have these responsibilities:

a. Organize the annual selection of effective and faithful officers and committee members, seeking out those with gifts and ability, discerning leadings and willingness, and explaining to candidates the obligations and functions of the appointment.

b. Present to the Business Meeting in May a preliminary roster of those willing to serve the meeting for the coming year, to work with any concerns expressed about nominations, and to present a final list of nominees for approval at the June Business Meeting.

c. Fill vacancies as they occur during the year, reporting changes in service to the Business Meeting.

Section 3: The Elders Committee is responsible for the spiritual health of the Meeting and the vitality of its public ministry. It shall consist of members of the Meeting, serving three-year terms in rotation. Members of the Elders Committee should be recognized for lives guided by the Holy Spirit and for spiritual discernment and maturity. Elders Committee shall meet at least as often as the Business Meeting. Elders Committee shall have these responsibilities:

a. PromotevitalMeetingsforWorshipbydiscerning, supporting and encouraging the health of worship, including both programmed elements and open worship, and by keeping the basic principles of Quaker worship before those attending.

b. Supportothereventsthatpromotespiritualgrowth,includingAllChurchRetreat.

c. Encourage and support Friends seeking membership, and recommend potential members to the Business Meeting after a process of discernment.

d. Becomewellacquaintedwithmembersandregularattenders,giving encouragement as needed and lovingly helping those whose actions or attitudes

cause concern.

e. Promotethedevelopmentofleadershipwithinthemeeting,recognizing and encouraging gifts of ministry and offering discernment and support for those led to

seek a Certificate of Ministry or Recording within NW Yearly Meeting.

f. Supervise and support the work of the pastor, complete an annual performance

review and recommend a base salary to the Stewardship Committee.

g. Recommendthecallingofpastorsandotherministers.

h. NominatenewEldersforapprovalbytheBusinessMeeting.

i. Nominate Friends to serve on the Nominating Committee.

j. Serve the spiritual health of the Meeting as led.

Section 4: The Stewardship Committee is responsible for coordinating financial matters, insurance matters, contractual commitments, and the maintenance of buildings and properties owned by the Corporation. The Treasurer serves on the Stewards Committee ex officio. The Stewardship Committee shall meet monthly, except as otherwise determined by the Clerk of the Stewardship Committee. The Stewardship Committee shall have these responsibilities:

a. Reviewexpenses, anticipate needs and estimate funds needed, and encourage Friends to contribute equitably to meet the financial needs of the Corporation.

b. Receive budget requests and assist the Treasurer in preparing the annual budget for timely presentation to Business Meeting. They also shall interpret budget guidelines in relation to financial needs of the Meeting during the fiscal year, consider special expenses, and recommend to the Meeting necessary actions as they become known.

c. Counsel the Treasurer on handling investments, mortgages, and funds, and assist the Treasurer in accounting for all of them, as well as conducting reviews and, if necessary, audits of the records.

d. Adopt a resolution to open a bank accounts and authorize such actions. This includes the review and agreement of the terms for banking and financial services utilized by the Treasurer, authorization of receipt of checks for accounts in the corporate name, and nomination to the Business Meeting of those who will sign checks and otherwise assist the Treasurer in official capacities.

e. Negotiate leases with long-term tenants, or delegate that role, and recommend rental charges.

f. Manage buildings and grounds including scheduling repair and maintenance as needed.

g. Contractforjanitorialand/or other care taker or repair services as necessaryfor faithful stewardship, and to coordinate and recruit volunteers for working on the care of the property.

h. Negotiateandsecuretheappropriatelevelofinsurancecoverageforassetsofthe Corporation.

Section 5: Other committees may be established to care for the meeting’s concerns in such areas as testimonies for peace and social concerns, religious education, music, and other programs that the Business Meeting may be led to establish.

ARTICLE VII —PASTORS

Section 1: Knowing that spiritual authority is derived from the inward work of God's Spirit, we do not recognize authority based upon title or rank. At the same time, we acknowledge that a Meeting may discern that its collective faithfulness is enhanced under the guidance of a pastor. The Meeting may therefore provide financial support to a pastor, according to the Meeting’s ability and the pastor’s needs. Providing financial support is meant to release the pastor’s time for service, to the benefit of all Friends.

Section 2: The Business Meeting, acting on the recommendation of the Elders Committee, shall determine the duties, term of office and level of financial support granted to each pastor. Terms of service begin July 1. Unless the Business Meeting decides otherwise, pastors are called for two-year terms. By June of each year, the Business Meeting shall discern whether to extend the second year of each pastor’s call. The Elders Committee may remove a pastor from service for cause if the Elders Committee determines that such removal is necessary. In the event that the Elders Committee determine that a pastor shall be removed from service, the Clerk of Elders Committee will notify the pastor, Clerk of the Meeting, and Treasurer within 24 hours of the decision.

Section 3: Whenever two or more pastors have been released for ministry, the meeting shall designate one of them to be the clerk of the pastoral team. The clerk of the pastoral team shall be accountable to the Elders Committee, nurtured by its care, and subject to its annual review. While the Elders Committee expresses its care to all pastors, the clerk of the pastoral team is responsible for supervising other pastors and overseeing their annual reviews.

Section 4: The clerk of the pastoral team should be recognized for a life guided by the Holy Spirit and for gifts of discernment, public speaking and spiritual leadership. In addition to supervising other pastors, the clerk of the pastoral team’s primary responsibilities shall be:

a. Model and share the love of Christin ways that are honest, challenging, thought provoking, and promote the spiritual growth of the Meeting.

b. Teach thevital application of Friends distinctive and testimonies(such as thepeace testimony, simplicity and equality of persons).

c. Recognize and respond to the changing organizational needs of the Meeting.

d. Nurture and maintain ties within the larger Religious Society of Friends.

e. Promote leadership and active participation in the life of the Meeting.

Section 5: Upon recommendation of the Elders Committee, the Business Meeting may designate additional members of the pastoral team and the duties of such additional members of the pastoral team, including those who work as volunteers.

Section 6: In the event of a vacancy in the position of pastor, a Pastoral Search Committee may be appointed by the Business Meeting upon nomination by the Elders Committee. It shall consist of three or more active members or attenders of the Meeting. The Pastoral Search Committee shall recommend a qualified candidate to the Business Meeting, which has final authority in extending a call to ministry.

ARTICLE VIII– PROPERTY AND FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

The Business Meeting may authorize Stewardship Committee to negotiate purchase of real estate and other properties needed for its purposes. Final approval of any such action is retained by the Business Meeting. In conformity to Friends tradition, the Meeting is a steward for the property and will use its property to assist the larger community in accord with its testimonies. The Corporation will avoid financial entanglements that it cannot reasonably meet or that unfairly exploit other persons.

ARTICLE IX – COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES

The Corporation may cooperate, within the terms of its purposes, with any other organization aligned with its values, such as Quaker Voluntary Service, on a temporary or long-term basis by providing:

a. funds,

b. building space Or use,

c. its name in co-sponsorship,

d. volunteer or paid help, or

e. by any other means deemed appropriate by the Business Meeting .

ARTICLE X – FISCAL YEAR

The Corporation’s fiscal year shall begin on the first day of of each calendar year and its financial status shall be reported to the membership by calendar quarters.

ARTICLE XI: DISSOLUTION

Though intended to be perpetual, the Corporation may be dissolved by action of the Business Meeting. This authority may not be delegated to other individuals or groups. .

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENT

These Bylaws may be amended by approval of the Business Meeting at any regular or special meeting, provided that notice, orally or in writing, of any proposed amendment shall be given at a previous regular Business Meeting within the immediately prior three months and reported to the Members.