Revised Constitution

Western North Carolina Conference
The United Methodist Church

Brotherhood/Sisterhood

The Brotherhood/Sisterhood of the Western NC Conference UMC, Inc.
Constitution and Policies
As established on December 31, 2025

Revised June 10, 2026

PREAMBLE: At the fourth Annual Session of the Western North Carolina Conference held at Charlotte, North Carolina, December 1, 1893, with Bishop W. W. Duncan presiding, a resolution was offered and unanimously approved calling for the formation of a Conference Brotherhood. The Rev. H. L. Chreitzburg then read a proposed Constitution and By-Laws. On the motion of Dr. J. H. Weaver, it was resolved that an organization under the proposed Constitution and By-Laws be effected at once and that the secretary of the Annual Conference call the roll of the members of the Conference. The roll was called, and 129 clergy members and 15 lay patrons became charter members. The organization was completed by the election of Rev. J. H. Weaver, D.D., president; Rev. C. M. Campbell, Vice-President; and Rev. H. L. Chreitzburg, Secretary and Treasurer. The original name was changed in 1987 to the Brotherhood/Sisterhood of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. In 2024-2025, two organizations more consistent with current not-for-profit IRS guidelines were formed: one, the WNCC Brotherhood/Sisterhood, Inc. for charitable contributions in support of the second, the Brotherhood/Sisterhood of the Western NC Conference UMC, Inc.

I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this organization shall be to foster a sense of mutual helpfulness and support among the clergy and laity of the Western North Carolina Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church by providing a fund for the benefit of the families of deceased clergy.

II. BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS: The Board of Directors shall consist of nine elected members nominated from the membership of the Brotherhood/Sisterhood of WNCC UMC plus one laity representative participating in the WNCC Brotherhood/Sisterhood.

Three of these Directors shall be elected to the following offices: president, vice-president, and recording secretary. These members and officers of the Board of Directors shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected at the Annual Meeting of the membership. They shall be designated to serve in three classes of three persons each, with each class elected for a term of three years. A member of the Board of Directors may be re-elected for up to two additional three-year terms, after which the member must rotate off the Board of Directors. This member will be eligible for re-election after three years. Vacancies shall be filled at the Annual Meeting with the person elected to complete the term that was vacated. Upon completion of said term, the person so elected shall be eligible for election up to two additional terms as provided above.
The Board of Directors shall provide oversight and guidance in all matters pertaining to the Brotherhood/Sisterhood, including but not limited to: the administration of the organization, the investment of assets, the collection of membership fees, the promoting of the Brotherhood/Sisterhood, and any other responsibilities as needed between Annual Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet on the call of the President and shall transact all matters of business pertaining to the Brotherhood/Sisterhood between the Annual Meetings. In addition to these elected members of the Board of Directors, there shall be the following:
1. The President shall preside at Annual Meetings and meetings of the Board of Directors and otherwise perform the duties of a presiding officer. In the absence of the President, these duties shall be performed by the Vice-President.
2. The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Annual Meetings of the Brotherhood/Sisterhood Meeting and of the meetings of the Board of Directors and perform the duties usually required of a recording secretary.
3. The Immediate Past President shall be a member of the Board of Directors and shall chair the Committee on Nominations. The officers of the Brotherhood/Sisterhood shall appoint an additional six members for the Committee on Nominations selected from the Brotherhood/Sisterhood of WNCC UMC. These members shall be divided into three classes to serve three years each with the privilege of serving consecutively for up to two additional terms of three years, after which they must rotate off for three years.
4. The Executive Director shall be appointed from the membership of the Brotherhood/Sisterhood by the Board of Directors and shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors.
5. The Financial Secretary shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and shall be an ex-officio member (without vote) of the Board of Directors.
6. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, and Executive Director with power to act on behalf of the Board of Directors should emergency action be necessary between regular meetings of the Board of Directors.
7. The Lay Representative shall be responsible for encouraging laity throughout the Conference to become non-beneficiary members of the Brotherhood/Sisterhood.

III. MEETING OF THE MEMBERSHIP: shall be held at a time and place designated by the President at least once a year. The meeting may be held virtually and prior to but no later than the session of the Annual Conference. Annually the officers and other members of the Board of Directors shall be elected. In addition, the benefit and membership fee will be set for the next period.

IV. MEMBERSHIP IN THE BROTHERHOOD/SISTERHOOD: All clergy members of the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church may become beneficiary members of the Brotherhood/Sisterhood by making application and the payment of an initiation fee that will be applied to the applicant’s first annual membership fee. Annual membership fees, eligibility, and benefits shall be established yearly based on the recommendation of the Board of Directors and ratified by the members. Annual membership fees shall be set for each member and shall enumerate the benefits and fees based upon each member’s cumulative fees paid less any outstanding commitments to any legacy organization(s). Membership may be terminated upon non-payment of annual membership fees by the prescribed due date, plus any extension allowed by the Board of Directors. Termination of membership shall remove the former member of any claim against the Brotherhood/Sisterhood for fees paid or benefits

V. BENEFIT PAYMENT: As soon as practical after the death of a beneficiary member, the Executive Director shall arrange for delivery to the beneficiary/beneficiaries the benefit recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by the previous session of the Annual Meeting. Unless otherwise designated by the beneficiary member, the surviving spouse of the deceased beneficiary member shall be the beneficiary. When there is no surviving spouse or other designated beneficiary, the benefit shall be paid to the estate of the deceased member. Any beneficiary, other than the surviving spouse, must be designated by the member in a written and notarized statement filed with the Executive Director.

VI. SUSPENSION AND FORFEITURE OF MEMBERSHIP: Beneficiary members with unpaid membership fees as of August 31, shall have membership and benefits suspended until all outstanding membership fees are paid. The Executive Director may continue to send statements of outstanding membership fees to former members and otherwise encourage former members to reinstate membership, but the notices do not constitute evidence of benefits eligibility. A person whose membership has been terminated for non-payment of dues may reinstate membership at any time by paying in full all past due membership fees for a period of up to two years following the expiration of membership benefits with benefit eligibility based on the membership fees and benefits amount established by the Board of Directors.
When a beneficiary member leaves provisional, associate, or full membership in The United Methodist Church, beneficiary membership and corresponding membership fees paid to and benefits related to membership in the Brotherhood/Sisterhood shall be forfeited, and there shall be no claim for benefits or fees paid against the Brotherhood/Sisterhood. A Local Pastor who is a beneficiary member of the Brotherhood/Sisterhood may retain membership in the Brotherhood/Sisterhood as long as he/she is recognized by their District Committee on Ordained Ministry as available for pastoral appointment and by payment of all membership fees. This provision applies to retired local pastors, those on incapacity leave, and those who have moved to another level of Conference membership. A local pastor who is no longer recognized by the District Committee on Ordained Ministry or has surrendered his/her local pastor status, either voluntarily or involuntarily, will have no claim against the Brotherhood/Sisterhood for fees paid or benefits.

VII. TRANSFER: Beneficiary membership in the Brotherhood/Sisterhood shall not be forfeited by transfer to a church that is a member of the World Methodist Council or one named by the Pan-Methodist Commission in ¶433.1 & 2 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, provided that the member continues to be a clergy member of that church in good standing as outlined in paragraph VI. above and continues to pay the membership fees.
When a clergy member is received by transfer into the Western North Carolina Conference, the member of the Conference may join the association as a beneficiary member by application, payment of the initiation fee, and by fulfilling all other beneficiary membership requirements as defined in paragraph IV.

VIII. FUNDS FOR INVESTMENT: Funds coming into the Brotherhood/Sisterhood that are not immediately needed for payment of benefits or expenses shall be invested by the Executive Director as directed by the Board of Directors. The interest may be used to increase the reserve funds or to pay expenses of the Brotherhood/Sisterhood. The investments shall be made in government-insured savings and loan associations, government-insured savings banks, US Government securities, and The United Methodist Foundation of WNC. All other investments must be authorized by the Board of Directors.

IX. AMENDMENTS: The Constitution and Policies of the Brotherhood/Sisterhood may be amended at an Annual Meeting of the Brotherhood/Sisterhood by a majority vote of the members present and voting, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been published at least two weeks before said meeting.

X. DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION: If the Board of Directors determines it is no longer reasonable and proper to continue the Brotherhood/Sisterhood, written notice of the desire to dissolve the Brotherhood/Sisterhood must be sent to all members (beneficiary and non-beneficiary) at least one month prior to the next Annual Meeting. The vote to dissolve must be carried by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting.
If the members vote to dissolve the Brotherhood/Sisterhood, all assets are to be deposited with the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina to be distributed equitably to the surviving spouse, to one or more other designated beneficiaries, and/or to the estate of the current beneficiary members upon the member’s death.

Policies
1. EMPLOYED STAFF
a. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: The Executive Director shall keep all financial records of the Brotherhood/Sisterhood. When the Executive Director learns of the death of a beneficiary member, notices shall be sent to the surviving members. The Executive Director shall receive and care for all funds coming to the Association and shall disburse and invest the same as directed by the Constitution and Policies. Operating Expenses shall be paid out of the treasury. A report shall be made at least annually to the Board of Directors detailing all receipts and disbursements.
b. FINANCIAL SECRETARY shall assist the Executive Director with the record keeping of all financial transactions including organizational and operating expenses, the receiving and depositing of funds, and regular communications with laity and clergy members regarding their contributions and fee payment status. For each check disbursed, there must be two valid signatories. The Financial Secretary and other members designated and approved by the Board of Directors shall be able to serve as check co-signers.
c. BOND: The Executive Director and the Financial Secretary shall be bonded. The amount of the bond shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
d. COMPENSATION: The Executive Director and the Financial Secretary shall receive an annual salary as determined by the Board of Directors. Secretarial help may be employed as needed.
2. CHECK DISBURSEMENT: For each check disbursed, there must be two valid signatories. The Financial Secretary and other members designated and approved by the Board of Directors shall be able to serve as check co-signers.
3. MEMBERSHIP NOT ASSIGNABLE: Membership in the Brotherhood/Sisterhood shall not be assigned, transferred, or in any way pledged for debt.
4. AUDIT: The Board of Directors shall review and examine all financial records and authorize an outside audit of the books at least biennially.Type your paragraph here.