Interdenominational Church
Ushers Association of
Maryland, Inc.
Departments and Committees
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Board of Trustees | Executive Committee | JRB School of Ushering | Alumni | William H. Davis Honor | Public Relations/Doorkeeper/News | Henry Sorrell Health Unit | Hospitality | Outreach Ministry | Historical Society | Bylaws | Elizabeth Lane Education | Transportation | Election Committee | Nominating Committee | Young Adult | Junior & Young People | Marion L. Harris Chorus | Men's Fellowship Committee | Credential Committee
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees shall be composed maximum 16 members, each of whom shall be elected at the Annual State Convention. The State President, State Financial Secretary, and State Treasurer shall also be members of the Board of Trustees. Each Trustee shall be at least twenty one (21) years of age, having met membership requirements in Article III Sections 3A or 3B and 4A or 4B, and shall hold office for the term for which he/she was elected or until his/her successor has been elected and qualified.
The State Board of Trustees shall: (1) manage the business of the Association with the assistance of the President when the Association is not in convention; (2) adopt the rules and regulations for conducting the business of the Board in compliance with the policy of the Executive Board, these rules and regulations to be reviewed and approved annually by the State Convention upon recommendation of the Executive Board; (3) keep a complete record of the acts and proceedings of its meetings; (4) present to the President for the Annual Report a full statement of the condition and affairs of the Association; (5) cause to be issued charters or certificates of membership; (6) pass upon such matters as may be referred to the Board by the Units or church usher boards; (7) select one or more financial institutions as the depository of the funds of the Association; (8) approve the plans for the Convention and other meetings of the Association; (9) secure by adequate bond or otherwise, at the expense of the Association, the fidelity of the Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and employees handling corporate (Association) fund; (10) approve bills for payment and authorize the issuance of drafts (Board Chairperson and Financial Secretary); (11) meet before the next State meeting (after the Annual State Convention) to elect Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Chaplain, Chaplain; (12) prepare a budget; (13) select one or two of its members to be liaison(s) between the Board and each committee and Department Chairperson; (14) appoint an audit committee; (15) review the proposed budget; (16) make recommendations to the President concerning appointment of Officers; (17) make recommendations to the President concerning changes in policy and procedure; (18) review the expenditures of the Association; (19) provide advisory capacity to the State President in the areas of: (a) reviewing the Annual Calendar; (b) the composition of Ad-hoc Committees; (c) the Association and implementation of State-wide Programs, such as Memorial Service, Organizational Day, etc.
Executive Committee
The Executive Board of the Association shall be the President, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th (when called for in Article IV, Section 5B) Vice Presidents, Recording Secretary, Assistant Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Assistant Financial Secretary, Chaplain, Assistant Chaplain, four (4) Marshals, a Parliamentarian, Trustees (maximum 16), Elected and Appointed Officers, Unit Presidents, and Past State Presidents. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by the Roberts Rules of Parliamentary Procedures, latest edition.
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It shall be the duty of the Executive Board to approve the department rules and regulations, (2) review and approve proposed By-Laws for final action by the State Convention, and (3) hear and decide controversies between officers, members, departments, and affiliates while sitting at the highest tribunal of the Association.
The Executive Board shall meet prior to and at the close of the Annual State Convention and on every 5th Friday. The State President shall be the Chairperson and the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees shall be the Vice Chairperson. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.
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The election of officers shall be held at the Annual State Convention. Elections will be governed by plurality vote. The person receiving the highest number of votes cast and counted will determine who shall serve in the office.
No church shall have more than four (4) elected officers.
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Person running for office must have the endorsement of their Unit President.
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With the exception of the President and Treasurer, all officers shall be elected by ballot to serve for one Annual Convention.
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The President and Treasurer shall be elected to serve for two years commencing on the odd convention year (i.e. 2011), and shall serve no more than a two (2) year term. The Board of Trustees is elected annually without term limitations. At no time should the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer be changed at the same time.
John R. Brown School of Ushering
JOHN R. BROWN SCHOOL OF USHERING
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The Ushering Department shall be under the general direction of the State Chairperson, who shall work with the Cluster Chairpersons in trying to unify Church Ushering as set forth in the Usher’s Manual adopted by the National Association and any other manual the Ushering Department deems necessary.
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Additionally, it shall be the duty of this department to schedule workshops to conduct a workshop at the State Convention, and to award certificates according to the merits of delegates.
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Both dean and assistant dean must be graduates of the School of Ushering, with a National Diploma and an Instructor’s Certificate.
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The dean shall represent the state in the School of Ushering. The Assistant shall assist the dean and represent the department if the dean is absent.
Mary McClenon Alumni Association
ALUMNI DEPARTMENT
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This department shall be composed of members and graduates of the School of Ushering. The department shall have a State Chairperson who is a graduate from the National School of Ushering. The Alumni Chairperson shall represent the state in the Alumni Department. The duties shall be the same as the duties at the National Level.
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In addition the department shall use the three judge system in any contest. Each judge shall hold a National Diploma and an Instructor’s Certificate.
William H. Davis Honor Club
WILLIAM H. DAVIS HONOR CLUB
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The purpose of this department is: (a) to perpetuate the name of William H. Davis, who served as National President for 25 years; (b) to give honor to all ushers who have attended and served the State for 15 years or more; (c) to encourage growth in the State by giving honor to those who are bringing in new churches, and those who are increasing in their Clusters; and (d) names of qualified members must be submitted by the board president through the Cluster Chairperson.
Public Relations /Doorkeeper /Newsletter
PUBLIC RELATIONS
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This department shall have a State Chairperson and shall be empowered to establish the image of the I.C.U.A. of Maryland, Inc., in the Unit of the State and to promote knowledge relative to the aims, objectives, and activities of the Association through the media or the press. This department shall also be responsible for the Bulletin, Doorkeeper, Newsletters, and other Public Relation areas.
Henry Sorrell Health Unit
HENRY SORRELL HEALTH UNIT
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Each Chairperson shall have a certificate issued in Basic and Advanced First Aid and a certificate issued in CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation), issued within a two year period . This department must (a) set up and manage a First Aid station; (b) inspect sanitary conditions in and around the place of the State Convention and report same; (c) have at least one nurse to the general membership of the Association and (d) visit the sick.
Hospitality
HOSPITALITY
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This department shall have a State Chairperson. It shall be the duty of this department to visit the sick and bereaved whenever possible and see that sick and bereaved members receive sick and/or sympathy cards within a week of notification.
Outreach Ministry
OUTREACH MINISTRY
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The department shall have a chairperson appointed by the State President. It will promote evangelistic ventures to meet the needs of the less fortunate where the Association deems appropriate.
Historical Society
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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This department shall have a State Chairperson. The duties of this department shall be to prepare a history of the highlights of the Association and present same to the State Convention. The history shall be recorded in a permanently bound book after adoption.
THOSE WHO PAVED THE WAY
Bylaws
BYLAWS COMMITTEE
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The purpose of the Bylaws Committee is to continue to establish, review, revise and make periodic recommendations for the Bylaws as needed.
Elizabeth Lane Education
ELIZABETH LANE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
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This department shall be under the general direction of the State Chairperson.
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This department shall supervise the State Scholarship Contest. The five fields of endeavor shall be oration, essay, vocal, instrumental music, and spelling bee, as stipulated in the rules and regulations of the National United Church Ushers Association of America, Incorporated.
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Any Junior or Young Adult Usher, who is a member of the Unit and that Unit is a member of the State Association, is eligible; scholars from second year high school through first year college; non-professional in the contested field; must have served on their Church Usher Board at least two years before entering the contest.
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Given the sensitivity and the expertise that is needed in a variety of things, the State President should be extremely careful in appointing the person to Chair this Department.
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The Allen E. Morse Memorial Scholarship shall be under the administrative structure of the Elizabeth Lane Education Department.
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Recipient must be a Junior or Young Adult member of an Usher Board who’s Senior Usher Board is a member of a Local Organization (Unit) which is a member of the State Association.
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Only scholars from the senior year of high school to the second year of college are eligible.
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Person applying for the scholarship can receive an application from the Chairperson of the Elizabeth Lane Education Department.
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The application for the scholarship must be received by the Elizabeth Lane Education Department by the end of March each year.
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The units will be eligible to receive a scholarship in the amount of $500 on a rotating basis. If a unit does not have a recipient, the scholarship will go to the next unit on the list. The unit without a recipient will revert to the bottom of the rotation.
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Funds for the scholarship will be generated by an annual fund-raiser and individual contributions.
Transportation
This department will be handled by the Board of Trustees and will be responsible for transportation to Memorial Services, Sunday afternoon turnouts, State Convention, National Conventions, and any other functions or special affairs within the State where is needed.
Election Committee
ELECTION COMMITTEE
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To conduct a fair and unbiased election from a list of eligible candidates provided by the Nominating Committee. The election shall be by ballot.
Nominating Committee
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
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The Nominating Committee is appointed by the Board of Trustees. It shall prepare a list of eligible candidates by the March State Meeting.
Young Adult
YOUNG ADULT DEPARTMENT
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The primary purpose of this auxiliary shall be to provide training in all functions of the State Association for those persons not on the senior board. If a church does not have a Young Adult Board and a Young Adult is serving on the senior board, that usher is eligible to become a member of the Young Adult Department in the state and at the national levels as long as they meet the age requirements. The age requirements are 21-35 years old.
The department shall have the following officers: President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, and Chaplain. The state President will appoint a Young Adult Coordinator. All officers shall be elected by ballot to serve for one year (except the president) or until their successors are elected, with their term of office beginning at the close of the Annual State Convention at which they are elected.
The president shall be eligible to serve two consecutive terms in the same executive office. The Young Adult Department must abide by the By-Laws of the State. The Young Adult President shall be the spokesperson at the State Convention. The department will conduct their meetings in a room other than the regular meeting room. Each session will begin as soon as the State devotions are over. In all areas of discussions not covered by the By-Laws, the department should refer the matter to the Senior Department for decision.
Junior & Young People Department
JUNIOR & YOUNG PEOPLE DEPARTMENT
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The primary purpose of the department shall be to provide training in all functions of the State Association for those persons not on the senior board. If a church does not have a Junior Board and a Junior is serving on the senior board, that usher is eligible to become a member of the Junior Department in the state and at the national levels as long as they meet the age requirements.
The age requirements are 8-21 years old. The department shall have the following officers: President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, and Chaplain. The state President will appoint a Junior Supervisor. All officers shall be elected by ballot to serve for one year (except the president) or until their successors are elected, with their term of office beginning at the close of the Annual State Convention at which they are elected. The president shall be eligible to serve two consecutive terms in the same executive office.
The Junior Department must abide by the By-Laws of the State. The Junior President shall be the spokesperson at the State Convention. The department will conduct their meetings in a room other than the regular meeting room. Each session will begin as soon as the State devotions are over. In all areas of discussions not covered by the By-Laws, the department should refer the matter to the Senior Department for decision.
Marion L. Harris Chorus
MARION L. HARRIS CHORUS
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Marion L. Harris Chorus is handled by the Board of Trustees. This department shall have a State Chairperson with a Board Liaison. The State Chairperson should be appointed according to his/her musical knowledge. This department shall be responsible to the State to render music whenever and wherever necessary.
Men's Fellowship Committee
MEN'S FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE
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The committee encourages greater participation of males as ushers and increases their attendance on the state level. These men can serve as mentors to the Young Adults and Junior male ushers.
Credential Committee
CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
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The Credentials Committee shall be appointed prior to the convention. The committee shall prepare a list of the delegates who have registered prior to the convention. The first order of business of the convention shall be the report of the Credentials Committee.
It's All About "LOVE"!!!
John 13:34
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A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another;
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
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