PREAMBLE
We, the members of the First Society of State
Spiritualists, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation of the State of Kansas,
decree the following to be the Constitution and Bylaws of the First
Society of State Spiritualists, Inc., of the State of Kansas, otherwise
known as Sunset Spiritualist Church, and that the doctrine and creed of
this Society/Church are the teachings of Jesus, The Christ, and the belief
in the continuity of life and communication with the so-called dead. The
mission of this Society/Church is to provide for the establishment of arts
and practices that promote religiously and scientifically the existence of
life after death, to further the practice of mediumship, to teach,
counsel, guide and prophesy, and to promote the Doctrines of Divine
Healing as demonstrated by Jesus, The Christ.
ARTICLE I
Sec. 1 The First Society of State Spiritualists,
located at 103 Hanes, Wells, Ottawa County, Kansas, has been duly
incorporated and properly filed as a not-for-profit corporation under the
laws of the State of Kansas. The original Charter was executed on April
22, 1881 and filed with the State of Kansas on October 23, 1891. The First
Society of State Spiritualists is otherwise known as Sunset Spiritualist
Church, and is hereby established as one and the same.
Sec. 2 Sunset Spiritualist Church shall be under
the direct jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees and shall be governed by
this Constitution and Bylaws.
ARTICLE II
Sec. 1 The following Declaration of Principles is
published to the world, not as a creed binding on the conscience of the
individual, but as the consensus of a majority of our members, and in
accordance with American Spiritualists in general, on the fundamental
teachings of Spiritualism.
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We believe in Infinite Intelligence.
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We believe that the phenomena of nature, both
physical and spiritual, are the expression of Infinite Intelligence.
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We affirm that a correct understanding of such
expression, and living in accordance therewith, constitute a philosophy
of life or true religion.
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We affirm that the existence and personal
identity of the individual continue after the change called death.
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We affirm that communication with the so-called
dead and other spiritual beings is a fact proven by the phenomena of
Spiritualism.
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We believe that the highest morality is
contained in the Golden Rule: "Whatsoever ye would that others should do
unto you, do ye also unto them".
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We affirm the moral responsibility of
individuals. They make their own happiness or unhappiness as they obey
or disobey Nature’s physical and spiritual laws.
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We affirm that the doorway to reformation is
never closed against any soul, here or hereafter.
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We affirm that the precepts of Prophecy and
Healing contained in the Bible continue through Spiritualis
Sec. 2 DEFINITIONS: The following definitions are
published to the world, not as all-inclusive or all-conclusive, but as
comprehensive and concise statements, having the sanction of Sunset
Spiritualist Church, for use in court and in practical affairs.
Spiritualism is the science, philosophy and
religion of continuous life, based upon the demonstrated fact or
communication, by means of mediumship, with those who live in the spirit
world.
A spiritualist is one who believes, as the basis
of his or her religion, in the communication between this and the spirit
world, by means of mediumship, and who endeavors to mould his or her
character and conduct in accordance with the highest teachings derived
from such communication.
A medium is one whose organism is sensitive to
vibrations from the spirit world, and through whose instrument
intelligences in that world are able to convey messages and produce
phenomena of Spiritualism.
A spiritualist healer is one who, either through
their own inherent powers or through their mediumship, is able to impart
vital curative energy to counteract unhealthy conditions.
The phenomena of Spiritualism consist of
prophesy, clairvoyance, clairaudience, gift of tongues, laying on of
hands, healing, vision, trance, apports, levitations, raps, automatic
and independent writings and paintings, voice materialization,
photography, psychometry, and any other manifestations proving the
continuity of life as demonstrated through the physical and spiritual
senses and faculties through man.
ARTICLE III
Sunset Spiritualist Church may receive members as
its Bylaws provide.
ARTICLE IV
This real estate and personal holdings of the
First Society of State Spiritualists of Wells, Ottawa County, Kansas, and
any other real or personal property purchased or obtained by this Society
at any later dates, "Cannot be sold, mortgaged, or disposed of in any way.
Must be kept for the use of Spiritualist’s religion". No Bylaws shall be
made at any time, that in any way will make disposal of said properties in
any manner whatsoever.
ARTICLE V
Sec. 1 The elective officers of Sunset
Spiritualist Church shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and
Treasurer who, together with five additional elected members, shall
constitute a Board of nine Trustees.
Sec. 2 All nine Trustees shall be elected
individually by ballot by the members of Sunset Spiritualist Church each
year at the August Business Meeting on the first Sunday of August and
shall be installed and take office at the October Business meeting on the
first Sunday of October.
Sec. 3 The President, Vice-President, Secretary
and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of one year. The five additional
elected members shall be elected for a term of two years, alternating with
two being elected one year and the other three the next.
Sec. 4 Vacancies from death, incapacity, removal
or resignation shall be filled by a vote of the Board of Trustees until
the next August Business Meeting.
Sec. 5 All other representatives of Sunset
Spiritualist Church including attorneys, agents, missionaries, etc. shall
be appointed by the Board of Trustees.
Sec. 6 The President shall appoint a
Parliamentarian and may appoint an official Recorder, who are members in
good standing but who do not hold an elected position on the Board of
Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall have final acceptance of said
appointees.
ARTICLE VI
Sec. 1 The President shall preside at all meetings
of the Board of Trustees, countersign all papers authorized by the Board
of Trustees, have general supervision over the Board of Trustees and
affairs of the Church, report to the membership at the October Business
Meeting regarding said affairs and recommendations for the future, and
perform such other duties as the Bylaws of Sunset Spiritualist Church may
require.
Sec. 2 The Vice-President shall perform all duties
of the President in the absence, death, removal or disability of the
President.
Sec. 3 The Secretary shall have charge of the
secretarial work at all Business Meetings and at all meetings of the Board
of Trustees, and perform such other duties as the Bylaws of Sunset
Spiritualist Church may require.
Sec. 4 The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all
funds, bonds, notes, securities and evidences of property belonging to
Sunset Spiritualist Church, and shall deposit funds and pay debts as
directed by the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer shall furnish a statement
of accounts at the monthly meetings of the Board of Trustees, and perform
such other duties as the Bylaws of Sunset Spiritualist Church may require.
Sec. 5 The Board of Trustees shall have the power
to accept or reject such parties as may make application to the Secretary
for licentiate or ordination, manage all property, have general management
over all affairs, constitute the official Financial Board, and perform
such duties as the Bylaws of Sunset Spiritualist Church may require.
Sec. 6 The Board of Trustees shall manage all
property of Sunset Spiritualist Church and shall have the general
management not otherwise provided for by this Constitution and Bylaws. The
Board of Trustees shall constitute the official Financial Board.
Sec. 7 A quorum shall consist of five members of
the Board of Trustees. Five members must concur in every act of the Board.
The Board of Trustees may act between sessions, if the need arises, by a
telephone poll by the Secretary and a report of yeas and nays recorded in
the Secretary’s minutes.
Sec. 8 The decisions of the Board of Trustees
shall be final in all matters pertaining to the welfare of Sunset
Spiritualist Church.
Sec. 9 The Board of Trustees shall sit in a
judicial capacity as a court of first instance to hear and give first and
final decision in all cases affecting persons commissioned by it, and
shall sit in a judicial capacity as an Appellate Court to hear and give
final decision in all cases on appeal from actions or decisions of persons
commissioned.
ARTICLE VII
The Articles of this Constitution, except Article
IV, may be amended at any October Business Meeting by the majority of
members present, providing all said members are in good standing, having
been notified in writing thirty (30) days before the proposed amendment is
voted on.
ARTICLE VIII
After October 1, 2006, all Constitution and Bylaws
of the First Society of State Spiritualists, Wells, Ottawa County, Kansas,
otherwise known as Sunset Spiritualist Church, that are not in the
revision of the 2006 Constitution and Bylaws, become null and void.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Sec. 1 Robert’s Rules of Order shall be authority
and govern Sunset Spiritualist Church in all matters not provided for by
the Constitution and Bylaws, with the exception of Article IV of the
Constitution.
Sec. 2 Sunset Spiritualist Church shall hold a
Business Meeting on the first Sunday of August for election of officers.
Sec. 3 The officers shall be elected by ballot and
the person receiving the highest number of ballots cast shall be duly
elected. One may hold office for as many terms as elected. Only voting
members in good standing of Sunset Spiritualist Church shall be placed on
the ballot for any office.
Sec. 4 The President shall be presiding officer,
and in his/her absence the Vice-President shall perform all such duties.
In the absence of both of these officers, the Secretary shall preside. In
the absence of all three of these officers, the Treasurer shall preside.
Sec. 5 The Secretary shall keep regular records in
which shall be entered full proceedings of all meetings, all motions
adopted, the names of individuals offering motions and seconding the same,
yeas and nays of ballots, and shall keep on file all letters or special
papers of value to this Church for ready reference.
Sec. 6 The Treasurer shall receive and hold all
finances and valuables of this Church, and shall submit a written report
at each monthly Business Meeting. The Treasurer’s books must be submitted
to an Auditor in time for them to be presented at the October Business
Meeting.
Sec. 7 The Trustees shall provide halls for
lectures or meetings, hold all property in trust for the benefit of this
Church, and through the Treasurer, transact any business which may occur.
ARTICLE II
Sec. 1 Special meetings of absolute necessity
shall be called by the Secretary in written form and/or by telephone at
least seven days prior to the meeting.
Sec. 2 The President (or Pro-tem) may call a
meeting of the members any time it is deemed necessary, or at the request
of the Trustees.
ARTICLE III
Sec. 1 All persons applying for Licentiate or
Ordination shall apply to the Trustees through the Secretary. Applications
must be accompanied by three to five letters of recommendation by persons
who meet the approval of the Trustees. The Trustees shall make the
decision whether, in their judgment, it would be advisable to grant these
requests. Fees shall be collected as voted on by the Board of Trustees,
before full credentials are granted, fully signed by the President and the
Secretary.
Sec. 2 A member applying for Licentiate of Sunset
Spiritualist Church must be actively involved in Sunset Spiritualist
Church for a minimum of one (1) year before making application. A
Licentiate is one who holds credentials and/or education necessary to be
licensed in a given field. Licentiates must provide proof of said
credentials and/or education before being considered for a Licentiate
Certificate. The Board of Trustees shall determine whether the field of
license is appropriate for granting Licentiate credentials for Sunset
Spiritualist Church. A Licentiate must take an active part in Sunset
Spiritualist Church for a minimum of two years and be a member in good
standing before applying for Ordination.
Sec. 3 To become an Ordained Minister, applicant
must have completed a four-year course of study and take an active part in
Sunset Spiritualist Church for a minimum of two years. Recommendation
letters for Ordination must be written by members in good standing of
Sunset Spiritualist Church.
Sec. 4 All Ordained Ministers of Sunset
Spiritualist Church must be members in good standing and submit an annual
report of their activities to the Board of Trustees on or before December
31 of each year. Each Minister’s annual report shall be reviewed by the
Board of Trustees who shall, at their discretion, accept, reject, or set
forth additional requirements to be fulfilled before acceptance is
granted. Action regarding Ministers’ annual reports shall be decided by a
majority vote of at least five members of the Board of Trustees. Ministers
not complying by December 31 of each year will have their Ordination
automatically revoked.
Sec. 5 Any person may become a member of Sunset
Spiritualist Church by declaration of their belief in the Principles of
Spiritualism as set forth in this Constitution and Bylaws, and pledging
their support for the welfare of the Church. Said declaration shall be
made before the congregation at any regular Sunday service. The Board of
Trustees shall provide guidelines for this procedure.
Sec. 6 Being a member of at least 18 years of age
and in good standing of Sunset Spiritualist Church for one full year as
per date of their membership to the Church, and yearly thereafter, shall
entitle said member to one vote in the election of officers and voice in
any business meeting. A credentials committee shall be appointed by the
Board of Trustees before each election to verify membership. Members must
be present to vote.
ARTICLE IV
Sec. 1 Any person holding a Licentiate Certificate
or Ordination Papers from Sunset Spiritualist Church, or holding any
office or position under or membership in Sunset Spiritualist Church, may
have his or her Licentiate Certificate or Ordination annulled or be
removed from office or expelled from membership upon being found guilty of
any of the following:
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Willfully violating the Constitution and Bylaws
of Sunset Spiritualist Church.
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Such conduct, professional or personal, as is
likely to bring the cause of Spiritualism or the reputation of Sunset
Spiritualist Church into public disrepute.
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Publicly advocating doctrines antagonistic to,
or inconsistent with the fundamental teachings of Spiritualism or the
principles of the Constitution of the United States.
Sec. 2 Any person having grounds for grievance or
complaint under Sec. 1 of this Article, or under Article 6, Sec.. 7 and 8
of the Constitution of the First Society of State Spiritualists, may file
a complaint in writing, signed by the complainant, briefly setting forth
the facts relied on to sustain the charge.
Sec. 3 The Secretary of the Board of Trustees
about to conduct a trial shall give notice in writing thirty (30) days in
advance, to all parties concerned, of the time and place of hearing and at
the time of giving such notice shall furnish the accused a written copy of
the complaint or petition filed against them.
Sec. 4 Any party to the grievance or complaint may
employ counsel and summon witnesses if requested by either side. The Board
shall exclude from the hearing all persons except the parties, their
counsel, and witnesses. Witnesses may be sequestered if deemed necessary
by either side.
Sec. 5 A verdict must be reached by a two-thirds
majority vote of the full nine members of the Board of Trustees to be
valid. If the verdict be guilty, the penalty shall be immediately fixed by
a two-thirds majority vote of the full Board of Trustees and both verdict
and penalty announced. It is hereby made mandatory that the Board of
Trustees, having authority to act in the removing of the accused from
office or by imposing such other penalty as the case may require, shall do
so.
ARTICLE V
Only lecturers or mediums approved by the Board of
Trustees are permitted to work for Sunset Spiritualist Church.
ARTICLE VI
Present Charter is to be renewed in the year 2011
and again in 2061. Said charter holdings have been placed on the Church
property list and there are no taxes or inheritance tax on donations.
ARTICLE VII
Sec. 1 The auditors shall audit the books of the
Secretary and Treasurer before the first Sunday of October each year, sign
and date all audited books, and give a full report in writing to the
Secretary. This report shall be read at every October Business Meeting.
Sec. 2 The revision of this Constitution and
Bylaws goes into full effect on October 1, 2006.