The most current version of the Northern Colorado Covenant of the River Bylaws.
Bylaws of Covenant of the River (aka NCCR)
Article 1 – PRINCIPAL OFFICE
The principal office of the church shall be located at:
901 E. Swallow Rd.
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Article 2 – CHARTER STATEMENT
The intent and purpose of the church shall be to provide a safe and welcoming place for the exploration of the spiritual self, for all who wish to attend with an open mind and an open heart.
Covenant of the River (aka NCCR) is an open eclectic circle. Covenant of the River follows no specific spiritual path, enforces no dogma, requires no initiation. All participants in the group may lead, but the Council organizes and supervises how the group gathers and celebrates together.
Article 3 – STRUCTURE: CIVIL, AND SPIRITUAL
3.1 – Civil Structure
The civil officers of the church may be a President, Vice‐President, Treasurer, and such other offices as the church may establish. The Board of Directors is composed of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and other such offices as the church may establish.
3.1.1 The President shall be a Member in good standing selected from the Congregation by the Board of Directors and shall preside over all sessions of the Board. The President shall be the Head Executive Officer of the church; they shall have general and active management of the business of the church, subject, however, to the right of the Directors to delegate any specific powers, except such as may be by statute exclusively conferred on the President, to any other officer or officers of the church. They shall have the general power and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of President of a church. During absence or disability of the President, the Vice-President shall exercise all the powers and discharge all the duties of the President.
3.1.2 The Vice-President shall attend all sessions of the Board. The Vice President may stand in trust of any duties designated to them at the discretion of the President or simple majority vote of the Board of Directors including general power and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of President of a church.
3.1.3 The Treasurer shall have custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the church, and shall keep the monies of the church in a separate account to the credit of the church. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the church as may be ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President, Directors and Council, at the regular meetings of the Board, or whenever they may require it, an account of all transactions as Head Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the church.
3.1.4 The Secretary shall be a non-voting member of the Board of Directors however retains all other privileges of any member of the Board. The Secretary shall attend all sessions of the Board and act as clerk thereof, and record all the votes of the Board and the minutes of all its meetings. The Secretary shall make any minutes available to any Member that requests them within 60 days of the request.
3.1.5 Elections of the Directors of the church shall be by show of hands.
3.1.6 A meeting of the Board Members will be held the first Thursday of each quarter, designated as the months of March, June, September, and December. If the designated day for the board meetings must be changed it will be done so by vote of the Board no fewer than 14 days prior to the scheduled meeting date.
3.1.7 Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time by the President, or the Board of Directors. At any time, upon written request of any person or persons who have duly called a special meeting, it shall be the duty of the President to fix the date of the meeting, to be held not more than sixty days after receipt of the request, and to give due notice thereof. If the President shall neglect or refuse to fix the date of the meeting and give notice thereof, the person or persons calling the meeting may do so.
Business transacted at all special meetings shall be confined to the objects stated in the call and matters germane thereto, unless all members entitled to vote are present and consent.
3.1.8 Meetings of the Board shall be held at the registered office of the church in this state or at such place, either within or without this state, as may be selected from time to time by the Board of Directors.
3.1.9 Compensation: Directors as such, shall not receive any stated salary for their services. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Director from serving the church in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
3.1.10 Any Director may be removed with or without cause by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors.
3.1.10(a) Any Director may be elected by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors.
3.1.11 Annual meeting: Once per calendar year the Board shall have the annual meeting which shall remain open to the public.
3.1.12 Members. A member shall be defined as an adult who has an active account on the church website AND has attended 3 or more regularly scheduled church events within the previous 3 calendar months AND is in good standing with the church.
3.1.13 Delegation of Authority Clause. The Board may, from time to time delegate to any Person such authority and powers to act on behalf of Covenant of the River as it shall deem advisable in its discretion. Any delegation pursuant to this Section may be revoked at any time by the Board.
3.1.14 The Board of Directors may at any time remove a member of council if they deem it is prudent and in the best interest of the church by a simple majority vote.
3.2 – Spiritual Structure
The Council shall attend to the spiritual and organizational needs of the church independent of the activities of the Board of Directors.
3.2.1 The Council will be appointed by simple majority vote of the existing Council. The Council members will be responsible for the operations and workings of the church independently from the Board of Directors who are charged with the business and accounting of all corporate business. The Council may at any time remove a member to the Council with or without cause, by simple majority vote.
3.2.1(a) The Council may at any time add a member to the Council by simple majority vote.
3.2.2 At all times there are to be no more than 5 and no fewer than 2 members of the Council. In the event that a Council member must be removed and it reduces the number of Council members below the required minimum the Council must appoint a new Council member, permanent or temporary, not later than the next quarterly meeting.
Article 4 – DISTRIBUTION OF POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
4.1 Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the financial accounting and legal operation of the church, with the powers necessary and proper to carry out all administrative functions of the church.
4.1.1 The President, or delegated individuals, shall be authorized to enter into any contract or execute or deliver any instrument on behalf of the church.
4.1.2 The Board of Directors shall be responsible for presenting an annual report as to the general accounting of the overall status of the church, its financial accounts, and any holdings.
4.1.3 The Board of Directors may adopt such rules of procedure and regulations governing the conduct of its business and the organization of the church as it deems necessary, proper and expedient.
4.2 Council
The Council shall attend to the spiritual organization and counseling of the group as is deemed necessary by its members and shall have the sole responsibility for the content of the meetings of the church, as well as the care and keeping of its members spiritually.
4.2.1 At least one member of the Council shall be on the Board of Directors at all times.
4.2.2 The Council shall always be comprised of no fewer than 2 people, and no more than 5 at the discretion and invitation of the existing Council by simple majority vote.
Article 5 – AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be amended or repealed by the vote of the Board of Directors, at any regular or special meeting of the board, duly convened after notice to the members of that purpose.
Amended : 02/09/2023