Upstate SC American Christian Writers
Chapter Bylaws
(Board Approved 2013)
Article I - Name
The name of the organization shall be American Christian Writers, Upstate SC Chapter.
Article II - Purpose
The mission of this organization is to bring people together who desire to write for the glory of Jesus Christ and for the Christian (CBA) market. Our statement of faith is listed on the side bar link.
We desire to train novice and experienced writers to use their God-given talents to write to nurture others; to create manuscripts that encourage, uplift, and entertain while inspiring readers to come to know or draw closer to the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to do it with excellence across all genres. The officers may also decide to limit emphasis/training to one particular genre; such as, Christian fiction, for as long as the officers deem desirable.
Qualified and professing Christians, who are versed in God's Word and the subjects of writing, editing or publishing, and who adhere to the ACW statement of faith, will be invited to speak and network with our group. Critiquing and/or reading sessions can be scheduled to examine and share insights to the writers' manuscripts. ACW will encourage the development of speaking skills by inviting our members to speak inside and outside of our chapter.
Article III - Officers
Section 1 - Officers
A. Officers shall be president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. (secretary/treasurer may be combined)
B. Term of office is to be two years, unless otherwise specified.
Section 2 - President
A. The president shall plan and preside at all meetings and keep an e-mail list for the organization. The president will send email announcements for meetings.
B. Speakers will be selected by the president and approved by the officers.
Section 3 - Vice President
The vice president will facilitate meetings in the absence of the president and assist in other duties, as needed, and assume the presidency, if vacated.
Section 4 - Secretary
The secretary shall keep records of the chapter, including the minutes of the meetings, membership lists, create needed labels. The secretary shall also register attendees at meetings and make a sign-up sheet. The list of attendees shall be included in the minutes.
Section 5 - Treasurer
The treasurer shall receive and take responsibility for all funds of the organization, keep a record of receipts and disbursements, and give a report of the organization's current financial status at board meetings. The president and treasurer shall sign the bank signature card and either of them shall be able to enact financial transactions for the chapter.
Article IV - Membership
Membership in the American Christian Writers Upstate SC Chapter is open to anyone interesting in writing, regardless of race, gender or age, who professes faith in Jesus Christ and adheres to our national organization's Statement of Faith. People of other faiths are welcomed to attend meetings or workshops to learn practical writing skills. Instead of membership fees, the chapter will charge a fee for individual classes or workshops as needed to cover expenses.
Article V - Training and Scholarships
At the discretion of the Board, the chapter will award up to two scholarships for up to $400 each for writers conferences to be attended by board members or other deserving writers to receive training and to keep abreast of the Christian writing industry. These scholarships will be awarded annually or every other year as the chapter can afford to do so.
Article VI - Meetings
Meetings will be held monthly, every other month or quarterly as the officers deem desirable.
Article VII - Amendments
Any changes in these bylaws will require the action of two thirds of the officers in a called board meeting with advanced notice of desired changes.
