Constitution
Lutheran Student Fellowship Constitution
As amended 05/21/2007
1. Name
The name of this organization for college students affiliated with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod shall be Lutheran Student Fellowship. The organization shall also be known as LSF.
2. Mission Statement
LSF strives to shape college students into Christian leaders by nurturing their faith so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be boldly proclaimed on college campuses, in Lutheran congregations, and throughout the world.
3. Purpose
The purpose of the Lutheran Student Fellowship--Missouri Synod shall be to enable young adults to grow in Christ through service and love to all peoples in the power of the Gospel.
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Leadership (... enables young adults...)
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Service (...through service and love...)
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Faith (...in the power of the Gospel...)
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4. Membership
4.1. Membership in LSF shall occur through one of the following options:
4.1.1. When the local campus ministry elects to affiliate with LSF;
4.1.2. When an organization or group of students within a local campus ministry, town and gown or contact congregation, or Synodical college/seminary, elects to affiliate with LSF;
4.1.3. When an individual chooses to affiliate with LSF.
4.2. Eligibility for Membership
A person shall be eligible for membership who is under the spiritual care of a pastor or congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, including persons who have not yet been confirmed.
4.3. Membership Dues
4.3.1. The National Council shall have the authority to assess membership dues to provide for regional and national operating expenses and for other national projects that the Council deems necessary to the promotion of campus ministry.
4.3.2. The National Council shall provide a method for individuals, not currently part of an LSF chapter, to join LSF, and shall enact a dues assessment appropriate to such status.
4.4. Voting Membership
Voting membership shall be extended to all persons who are eligible for membership in LSF and have paid current dues as enacted by the National Council.
5. Meetings
5.1. Regular meetings of the National LSF Council shall be held annually between May 1 and August 31 of each year. In addition, regular meetings shall be held at national events (i.e. Confabulation or other Gathering) when held.
5.2. Special meetings of the National LSF Council may be held provided that all council members are given 30 days prior to such meeting. Special meetings may be called by the President, the Facilitator(s), or by written request of one half of the sitting members of the National Council.
5.3. All members present at a properly called meeting shall constitute a quorum. However, a quorum of one third of the voting members, representing no less than four regions, and a two-thirds majority ballot shall be required for adoption of an amendment to the Constitution or the removal of an officer or member.
5.4. Special meetings may be conducted through the use of phone or other electronic conference.
5.5. Individual matters, not meriting a special meeting yet requiring the ascent of the council, may be decided by electronic ballot. The question shall lay open for discussion for no less than three days. Upon the calling of the question, the ballot shall remain open for no less than three days. Any balloting method must allow the secretary to record the name and vote of each participating member. At least one half of eligible members must vote before a decision may be rendered.
6. Function
LSF will provide college students, as well as others who may respond to LCMS campus ministries, additional opportunities to grow in the grace and love of Jesus Christ and to glorify Him through acts of love and service, specifically to...
6.1. Provide opportunities for Christian growth through personal sharing of the Word.
6.2. Reach out to those in the academic community, including international students, with the Gospel message of God's love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ.
6.3. Participate in training programs in witnessing, Gospel communication, leadership and skill development.
6.4. Serve in the mission of the Church whether locally, nationally or overseas.
6.5. Assist LCMS congregations located in college communities to develop and foster a ministry with students in the campus setting.
6.6. Provide a support system for individuals and small groups of students without a supporting LCMS congregation.
6.7. Encourage students, as they prepare for their Christian vocation, to consider full-time work in the Church.
6.8. Promote and utilize student leadership on a local, regional and national basis.
6.9. Be an advocate in presenting the needs and abilities of college and university students to the Church.
6.10. Facilitate a positive transition from home congregation to campus ministry.
6.11. Establish linkage with Lutheran Youth Fellowship (LYF) for the purpose of promoting campus ministry.
7. Local Structure
LSF recognizes that local groups are sometimes diverse in membership and organization. Therefore, affiliated local ministries, groups or organizations may organize in a way most suitable to their local situation.
8. Regional Structure
8.1. Regional configurations will be defined by the LSF National Council. Regions can apply for realignment based on geographic hardship as long as there are five active chapters within each proposed new region, and the proposed new regions do not break apart existing LCMS governing districts, and each proposed new region holds at least one regional event annually.
8.2. Each Region shall have an administrative board which will meet to plan and promote regional activities. Each local ministry or group is entitled to have a representative on this board. In addition, those holding membership on an individual basis may also serve on the administrative board of the Region. Representatives on the regional administrative board must be enrolled college students who are affiliated with an LCMS congregation or an LCMS campus ministry.
8.3. Each regions administrative board shall elect from among the board members a chairman, a secretary-treasurer, and two representatives to the National Council. Other officers may be elected as needed. The board shall also select as an advisor an individual serving in an LCMS campus ministry position. All terms of office are for one year except that of Regional Advisor. The term for Regional Advisor shall be for two years. In the absence of existing regional officers, appropriate job descriptions for regional officers are the responsibility of the National Council and are to be sent to regional officers immediately after their election/appointment to office.
8.3.1. Regional officers may also serve as representatives to the National Council.
8.3.2. It is strongly encouraged that at least one of the representatives to the National Council be an underclassman.
8.4. In the event that a Regional Advisor resigns or moves out of campus ministry or out of the region the LSF National Council shall appoint a replacement.
8.5. In the event that a National Representative from a region resigns the president of that region, in consultation with the remaining officers and the Regional Advisor, shall appoint a replacement.
8.6. In the event that a region has not had an election for officers, the LSF National Council shall request the Regional Advisor to appoint a chapter member to serve the region as National Representative.
8.7. The Regions, through activities and resources that nurture Christian growth and relationships, shall seek to provide opportunities for students at schools within the Region to come together for retreats, gatherings or other special events.
9. National Structure
9.1. LSF, as a national organization, shall consist of a National Council composed of the National Representatives from each Region and the national officers.
9.2. The Council shall meet at least annually, including at least one meeting held between May 1 and August 31.
9.3. A President, Vice-president, and Secretary/Treasurer shall be elected by the Council from among its members to a one-year term and shall be eligible to serve only one term per office.
9.4. To be eligible to be elected President, the candidate must have one year of National Council experience, in the event that a minimum of two experienced Council Members do not accept the nomination for the office of President, then the entire Council becomes eligible; first year council members are eligible for all other offices. Candidates are elected to office by a simple majority.
9.5. The President, Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer shall be from different regions.
9.6. Officers, once elected, can be removed from office by a two-thirds majority ballot of the National Council, in Christian and lawful order, for one of the following reasons: persistent adherence to false doctrine, scandalous life, willful neglect, or inability to perform the duties of the office.
9.7. In the event that any one of the officers of the National Council resigns, the Executive Board in consultation with the remaining National Council and the LSF Facilitator(s) will appoint a replacement from among the members of the National Council.
9.8. The National Council shall plan, promote, coordinate and implement the purposes and functions of LSF, and in general, provide leadership for all aspects of the organization.
9.9. In order to be ratified and implemented, a motion to the National Council must receive a simple majority of the vote. Amendments to the LSF Constitution must receive a two-thirds majority of the vote in order to be ratified and implemented.
The National Council shall conduct a National Gathering of students when deemed necessary.
9.10. Officers and Leadership
9.10.1. Terms of office
9.10.1.1. The term for LSF officers shall begin at the conclusion of the annual summer council meeting and conclude at the end of the next summer council meeting.
9.10.1.2. The term for LSF National Representatives shall begin at the beginning of the annual summer council meeting and conclude at the beginning of the next summer council meeting.
9.10.2. General duties of national officers
9.10.2.1. Show a Christ-like example to LSF members and communities in which he/she lives.
9.10.2.2. Possess a willingness to serve.
9.10.2.3. Be active in spiritual and social growth.
9.10.2.4. Desire to help LSF move forward in mission.
9.10.2.5. Be excited about ministry opportunities.
9.10.2.6. Have a sense of adventure and creativity.
9.10.2.7. Speak positively of LSF and its people.
9.10.2.8. Appoint National Committees and their chairpersons from the National Council.
9.10.2.9. Appoint communication positions as necessary and to provide them with current Regional and National information.
9.10.3. President
9.10.3.1. Be a caring support and resource for all new and established campus ministries.
9.10.3.2. Be a caring support and resource for council members in the execution of their duties.
9.10.3.3. Be the primary student LSF representative before all Synodical organizations.
9.10.3.4. Help coordinate the National Council Meeting.
9.10.3.5. Set agenda for National Council Meeting with assistance of the LSF Facilitator(s)
9.10.3.6. Lead and maintain good order in the National Council Meeting.
9.10.3.7. Attend all LSF national council meetings and be active in other national events pertaining to LSF.
9.10.3.8. Help evaluate the success of specific programs and suggest changes when needed.
9.10.3.9. To maintain good communication with the National Council and the Regions.
9.10.3.10. Serve as ex-officio on any and all committees and has the option of attending committee meetings.
9.10.4. Vice President
9.10.4.1. Be a caring support and resource for all new and established campus ministries.
9.10.4.2. Act as advisor to all Committees and appointees of the National Council.
9.10.4.3. Assist the President when and where the need arises.
9.10.4.4. Help coordinate the National Council Meeting.
9.10.4.5. Lead and coordinate all national events by chairing the national event committee.
9.10.4.6. Attend all LSF national council meetings and be active in other national events pertaining to LSF.
9.10.4.7. Help evaluate the success of specific programs and suggest changes needed.
9.10.4.8. Take over for the President if the President is not able to fulfill his/her duties.
9.10.5. Secretary/Treasurer
9.10.5.1. Keep accurate minutes of the National Council.
9.10.5.2. Process and send out Council minutes to Council Officers and National Representatives following all Council meetings.
9.10.5.3. Maintain an archive of all Council minutes and other items brought up at the annual council meeting.
9.10.5.4. Collect minutes from committees and mailings from National Officers to add to the archive.
9.10.5.5. Keep track of addresses and phone numbers of the National Council and maintain accuracy of the National Council address list.
9.10.5.6. Support and supplement Regional correspondence.
9.10.5.7. Chair communications committee.
9.10.5.8. Keep accurate records of the receipts and disbursements of the National LSF council in books which shall be and remain the property of the National LSF council.
9.10.5.9. Submit a brief financial report at every regular meeting, as well as a complete annual report at the annual meeting for the preceding year. When a new Treasurer has been elected, the preceding Treasurer shall make the annual report for the period of his tenure. A committee appointed by the President shall audit the books at the annual meeting each year.
9.10.6. Facilitator(s)
9.10.6.1. The Lutheran Student Fellowship Facilitator(s) is a volunteer missionary assigned to assist the National Council of LSF in the implementation and coordination of its plans and programs.
9.10.6.2. The term of the Facilitator(s) shall begin at the start of the Summer National Meeting and last for two years with terms ending in alternating years. In the event that the facilitator is unable to fulfill the term, an appointed replacement shall complete the term. The replacement shall be selected by the National Council and approved by the Lutheran Campus Mission Association Board of Directors.
9.10.6.3. The Facilitator(s) shall be nominated by the National Council and confirmed by the Lutheran Campus Mission Association Board of Directors.
9.10.6.4. Duties
9.10.6.4.1. Act as the advocate for LSF.
9.10.6.4.2. Act as contact for organizational questions.
9.10.6.4.3. Act as an advisor and resource for LSF National and Regional Officers.
9.10.6.4.4. Assist the regions of LSF in the recruitment of new chapters and strengthening existing ones.
9.10.6.4.5. Work with the LSF national event planning committee in arranging and coordinating the plans for national events.
9.10.6.4.6. Oversee the development and maintenance of a resource archive for use by LSF chapters and officers
9.10.7. National Representatives
9.10.7.1. Duties at National level:
9.10.7.1.1. Attend all National Council Meetings.
9.10.7.1.2. Plan, implement, and attend all national events.
9.10.7.1.3. Be advocates in presenting the needs and abilities of college students to the church.
9.10.7.1.4. Help develop and approve program resources.
9.10.7.2. Duties at the Regional level:
9.10.7.2.1. Interpret the National Council's decisions and actions to the region.
9.10.7.2.2. Contribute LSF regional articles of national and regional interest to church periodicals (district newsletters) for publication.
9.10.7.2.3. Coordinate programs and activities established by the National Council.
9.10.7.2.4. Serve as liaison with young adult and youth ministries of Synodical districts within a region.
9.10.7.2.5. Contact campus ministries that have no LSF chapter or an inactive LSF chapter to encourage their participation.
9.10.7.2.6. Continue to support active LSF chapters.
9.10.7.2.7. Provide orientation for the Regional officers.
9.10.8. Pastoral Advisor
9.10.8.1. Be an LCMS ordained minister.
9.10.8.2. Be supportive and excited about LSF and LCMA.
9.10.8.3. Be visionary and mission minded in the campus mission field.
9.10.8.4. Serve as an advocate of and an advisor to LSF.
9.10.8.5. Will confirm LCMS theological soundness in all documents created/changed by LSF.
9.10.8.6. Will organize and plan services for national LSF events.
10. Committees
10.1. Committees and their chairpersons shall be appointed by the officers-elect with advice from the outgoing officers, Pastoral Advisor, and Facilitator(s).
10.2. The committee chair shall be in complete charge of his/her committee.
10.3. The President shall not serve as a committee chair, but is ex-officio and may attend and vote at meetings.
10.4. The President and Vice-President shall support all chairpersons and be available to help, encourage, and advise chairpersons in their duties.
10.5. The Vice-President shall chair the committee for all national events in the year the committee is formed and vice-chair in the year after the committee is formed.
10.6. The Secretary shall chair the Communications Committee.
10.7. No person shall be a chairperson of more than one committee in any given year.
10.8. The committees shall petition the officers for any changes and/or vacancies within the committee.
11. Policies
LSF, locally, regionally and nationally will reflect the Synod's doctrinal and confessional position. Policies of the organization are subject to review by the Board for Mission Services through the Lutheran Campus Mission Association.
12. QUORUM
All members present at a properly called meeting shall constitute a quorum.
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