ARTICLE I   ORGANIZATION

1. The name of the organization shall be Michael Sansom Ministries International.

2. The organization shall have a seal which shall be in the form of a gold cross with Michael Sansom Ministries International encircled around it.

3. The organization may, at its pleasure by a vote of the International Executive Council (Directors) and approval of the General Overseer, change its name.

 ARTICLE II   PURPOSES

The following are the purposes for which this organization has been organized:

 Michael Sansom Ministries International has been organized for the purposes of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and God, the father.  To this end, we preach the gospel, establish churches, teach biblical evangelism, minister to those in need, and provide aid to local, regional, national, and international areas through mission work.  In addition, we provide evangelism support to local pastors and churches to aid in church growth.

Since Michael Sansom Ministries International is primarily focused on Evangelism and Missions support, Michael Sansom Ministries International will refer converts to local pastors and churches whose foundational beliefs coincide with the beliefs of this organization.  Thus, ensuring each convert is adequately supported in his/her Christian growth and enhancing our support of local church growth.

Michael Sansom Ministries International pastors will provide pastoral support to those who have not joined a local church, are not able to attend a church, and/or are members of churches established by Michael Sansom Ministries International pastors.  Michael Sansom Ministries International strives to support, not compete, with local pastors.  However, Michael Sansom Ministries International reserves the right to determine which local church or churches will be acceptable referral destinations.

ARTICLE III   MEMBERSHIP

Full membership in this organization shall be open to all who complete all of the following:

• Accept the Michael Sansom Ministries International Articles of Faith.
• Request membership in the Michael Sansom Ministries International organization.
• Show evidence of and exhibit the lifestyle of having become a Christian. 
• Churches are approved for membership by the General Overseer and/or designated Country Leader.
• Individuals are approved for membership by the General Overseer or a local church of this organization.
• Membership in Michael Sansom Ministries International does not prevent a member from joining a local church.  However, the local church pastor must be made aware of this membership to ensure there is no implied conflict of interest between positions held in this organization and those that may be held in the local church. 
• Current active members of a local church, who wish to join Michael Sansom Ministries International, must gain approval of the local pastor first.  This will ensure all efforts of that church member are credited as an evangelistic or missions outreach of that local church.  We consider ourselves a compliment to local church outreaches.

Pseudo membership in this organization shall be open to all who complete all of the following:

• Accept the Michael Sansom Ministries International Articles of Faith.
• Request pseudo membership in the Michael Sansom Ministries International organization.
• Show evidence of and exhibit the lifestyle of having become a Christian. 
• Are approved for membership by the General Overseer and the International Executive Council.

Pseudo membership is defined as membership for informational purposes only. 

Pastors, Churches, Missions, and church organizations may request membership in Michael Sansom Ministries International as pseudo organization members.  Pseudo organization members hold membership for the purpose of information gathering, joint evangelistic efforts, joint prophecy work, and joint Biblical training.  In addition, pseudo organization members do not forfeit membership in their respective denominations.  The General Overseer approves pseudo organization memberships to churches, church organizations, pastors, and missions.  Pseudo members have no voting or other rights, but are allowed to offer comments and suggestions.

All other individuals may request membership in Michael Sansom Ministries International as pseudo individual members.  Pseudo individual members hold membership for the purpose of information gathering, evangelistic knowledge, prophecy knowledge, and Biblical training.  In addition, pseudo individual members do not forfeit membership in their respective churches.  The International Executive Council approves pseudo organization memberships to individuals.  Pseudo individual members have no voting or other rights, but are allowed to offer comments and suggestions.

Michael Sansom Ministries International does not accept tithes from pseudo members or members who are active members of local churches.  Tithes should be given to the local church and/or used to support the local area’s poor.  Donations and subscriptions are accepted, but only as gifts that are above and beyond the tithes and offerings you give to local churches. 

ARTICLE IV   MEETINGS

The annual membership meeting of this organization shall be held on the last Friday in July of every year except if such day be a legal holiday.  Then and in that event, the International Executive Council shall fix the day but it shall not be more than two weeks from the date fixed by these By-Laws.

The General Secretary shall cause to be mailed to every member in good standing at his address as it appears in the membership roll book in this organization a notice telling the time and place of such annual meeting.

 Regular meetings of this organization shall be held in Atlanta, Georgia or other location as detailed in the annual meeting letter.

The presence of not less than fifty percent (50%) of the International Executive Council and thirty percent (30%) of leadership members shall constitute a quorum and shall be necessary to conduct the business of this organization; but a lesser percentage may adjourn the meeting for a period of not more than two weeks from the date scheduled by these By-Laws and the General Secretary shall cause a notice of this scheduled meeting to be sent to all those members who were not present at the meeting originally called.  A quorum as herein before set forth shall be required at any adjourned meeting.

Special meetings of this organization may be called by the General Overseer when he deems it for the best interest of the organization. Notices of such meeting shall be mailed to all members at their addresses as they appear in the membership roll book at least ten (10) days before the scheduled date set for such special meeting. Such notice shall state the reasons that such meeting has been called, the business to be transacted at such meeting and by whom it was called. At the request of fifty percent (50%) of the members of the International Executive Council or thirty percent (30%) of the leadership members of the organization, the General Overseer shall cause a special meeting to be called but such request must be made in writing at least ten (10) days before the requested scheduled date.

 No other business but that specified in the notice may be transacted at such special meeting without the unanimous consent of all present at such meeting.

ARTICLE V   VOTING

 International Executive Council members are appointed by the General Overseer.

At all meetings, except for the election of officers and directors, all votes shall be by voice. For election of officers, numbered ballots shall be provided and there shall not appear any place on such ballot that might tend to indicate the person who cast such ballot. 

 At any regular or special meeting, if a majority so requires, any question may be voted upon in the manner and style provided for election of officers and directors.  At all votes by ballot the chairman of such meeting shall, prior to the commencement of balloting, appoint a committee of three who shall act as "Inspectors of Election" and who shall, at the conclusion of such balloting, certify in writing to the Chairman the results and the certified copy shall be physically affixed in the minute book to the minutes of that meeting.

No inspector of election shall be a candidate for office or shall be personally interested in the question voted upon.

ARTICLE VI   ORDER OF BUSINESS

 1. Roll Call.

2. Reading of the Minutes of the preceding meeting.

3. Reports of Committees.

4. Reports of Officers.

5. Old and Unfinished Business.

6. New Business.

7. Adjournments.

ARTICLE VII   INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (Board of Directors)

The business of this organization shall be managed by an International Executive Council consisting of at least three (3) and not more that twenty (20) members, together with the officers of this organization. At least one of the council members appointed shall be a resident of the State of Georgia and a citizen of the United States.

The International Executive Council members to be chosen for the ensuing year shall be appointed by the General Overseer at the annual meeting of this organization and shall serve for a term of two (2) years.

The International Executive Council shall have the control and management of the affairs and business of this organization. Such International Executive Council shall only act in the name of the organization when it shall be regularly convened by its chairman after due notice to all the council members of such meeting.

Fifty percent (50%) of the members of the International Executive Council shall constitute a quorum and the meetings of the International Executive Council shall be held regularly by the second week of each month.

Each council member shall have one vote and such voting may not be done by proxy.

The International Executive Council may make such rules and regulations covering its meetings as it may in its discretion determine necessary.

Vacancies in the International Executive Council shall be filled by appointment from the General Overseer or, if delegated, a vote of the majority of the remaining members of the International Executive Council for the balance of the year.

The General Overseer (President) of the organization by virtue of his office shall be Chairman of the International Executive Council.

The International Executive Council shall select from one of their members a secretary.  The General Secretary may act in this position when the General Secretary is a member of the International Executive Council.

An International Executive Council member may be removed when sufficient cause exists for such removal.   The International Executive Council may entertain charges against any council member, but removals must be approved by the General Overseer.  A council member may be represented by counsel upon any removal hearing. The International Executive Council shall adopt such rules for this hearing as it may in its discretion consider necessary for the best interests of the organization.

ARTICLE VIII   OFFICERS

The initial officers of the organization shall be as follows:

General Overseer (President):  Michael Eugene Sansom (Permanent)

Vice President:  Vicki Suzanne Sansom (Permanent)

General Secretary:  Vicki Suzanne Sansom (Permanent)

General Treasurer:

 The General Overseer shall preside at all membership meetings. 

• He shall by virtue of his office be Chairman of the International Executive Council.
• He shall present at each annual meeting of the organization an annual report of the work of the organization.
• He shall appoint all committees, temporary or permanent.
• He shall see all books, reports and certificates required by law are properly kept or filed.
• He shall be one of the officers who may sign the checks or drafts of the organization.
• He shall have such powers as may be reasonably construed as belonging to the chief executive of any organization.

The Vice President shall, in the event of the absence or inability of the General Overseer to exercise his office, become acting general overseer of the organization with all the rights, privileges and powers as if she had been the duly appointed General Overseer.

 The General Secretary shall keep the minutes and records of the organization in appropriate books.

• It shall be his/her duty to file any certificate required by any statute, federal or state.
• He/she shall give and serve all notices to members of this organization.
• He/she shall be the official custodian of the records and seal of this organization.
• He/she may be one of the officers required to sign the checks and drafts of the organization.
• He/she shall present to the membership at any meetings any communication addressed to him/her as Secretary of the organization.
• He/she shall submit to the International Executive Council any communications which shall be addressed to him/her as secretary of the organization.
• He/she shall attend to all correspondence of the organization and shall exercise all duties incident to the office of General Secretary.

 The General Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all monies belonging to the organization and shall be solely responsible for such monies or securities of the organization.

• He/she shall cause to be deposited in a regular business bank or trust company a sum not exceeding eighty percent (80%) of funds of the organization and the balance shall be deposited in a savings bank except that the International Executive Council may cause such funds to be invested in such investments as shall be legal for a non-profit corporation in this state.
• He/she must be one of the officers who shall sign checks or drafts of the organization. No special fund may be set aside that shall make it unnecessary for the Treasurer to sign the checks issued upon it.
• He/she shall render at stated periods as the International Executive Council shall determine a written account of the finances of the organization and such report shall be physically affixed to the minutes of the International Executive Council of such meeting.
• He/she shall exercise all duties incident to the office of General Treasurer.

Officers shall, by virtue of their office, be members of the International Executive Council.

No officer shall, for reason of his/her office, be entitled to receive any salary or compensation, but nothing herein shall be construed to prevent an officer or director from receiving any compensation from the organization for duties other than as a director or officer.

ARTICLE IX   CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS

Executive Church Organization:  “World Wide Church of Evangelism.”

Local Church Organizations

The names of local church organizations are determined by the pastor and local church body.

The initial officers of the local church organization shall be as follows:

The Pastor shall preside at all membership meetings of his/her local church. 

• He/she shall by virtue of his office be Chairman of all church boards and councils.
• He/she shall present at each annual meeting of the church an annual report of the work of the church.
• He/she shall appoint all committees, temporary or permanent.
• He shall see all books, reports and certificates required by law are properly kept or filed.
• He/she shall see all books, reports and certificates required by Michael Sansom Ministries International are properly kept, filed, and/or transmitted.
• He/she shall be one of the officers who may sign the checks or drafts of the church.
• He/she shall have such church powers as may be reasonably construed as belonging to the chief executive of any organization.

The Pastor’s Council shall support the Pastor in managing the business affairs and ministries of the local church.  The Pastor shall assign duties to the Pastor’s Council as required.

 The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep the minutes and records of the local church in appropriate books.

• It shall be his/her duty to file any certificate required by any statute, federal or state which pertain to the local church.
• He/she shall give and serve all notices to members of the local church.
• He/she shall be the official custodian of the records and seal of the local church.
• As treasurer, he/she will be one of the officers required to sign the checks and drafts of the local church.  No special fund may be set aside that shall make it unnecessary for the Treasurer to sign the checks issued upon it.
• He/she shall present to the membership at any meetings any communication addressed to him/her as secretary of the church.
• He/she shall submit to the Pastor any communications which shall be addressed to him/her as secretary of the church.
• He/she shall attend to all correspondence of the church and shall exercise all duties incident to the office of Secretary/Treasurer.
• He/she shall cause to be deposited in a regular business bank or trust company a sum not exceeding ninety percent (90%) of funds of the organization and the balance shall be transferred to Michael Sansom Ministries International for deposit in the international organization’s bank account.  The amount sent to Michael Sansom Ministries International may be reduced for new churches or when church membership is low.  Such reduction must be approved by the International Executive Council. 
• He/she shall render at stated periods as the Pastor shall determine a written account of the finances of the organization and such report shall be physically affixed to the minutes of the Pastor’s Council of such meeting.

No church officer shall, for reason of his office, be entitled to receive any salary or compensation, but nothing herein shall be construed to prevent a church officer from receiving any compensation from the church for duties other than as a church officer.

ARTICLE X   SALARIES

The International Executive Council shall hire and fix the compensation of any and all employees which they, in their discretion, may determine to be necessary for the conduct of the business of the international organization.

Local church pastors and church members shall hire and fix the compensation of any and all employees which they, in their discretion, may determine to be necessary for the conduct of the business of the local church organization

ARTICLE XI   COMMITTEES

All committees of this organization shall be appointed by the International Executive Council and their term of office shall be for a period of one year or less if sooner terminated by the action of the International Executive Council.

The permanent committees shall be:

• Missions Board – A committee whose purpose is to promote world-wide missions efforts and communicate with pastors from other countries.
• Web Ministry Board – A committee whose purpose is to promote web ministries, provide data for the Michael Sansom Ministries web sites, and create web-promotable teaching and preaching modules.
• Web Technologies Board – A committee whose purpose is to perform web design/development and maintain the Michael Sansom Ministries International web sites.
• Media Relations Board – A committee whose purpose is to promote media ministries including television, radio, CD/DVD authoring, and others.
• Education Board – A committee whose purpose is to acquire and/or design/development educational materials, produce education programs, and manage ministry education.
• Prophecy Board – A committee whose purpose is to collect, catalogue, and distribute data related to real-world events and other prophecy-related information.

ARTICLE XII   DUES

The dues of this organization shall be $15.00 per annum and shall be payable on the anniversary of each member’s registration.

ARTICLE XIII   AMENDMENTS

These By-Laws may be altered, amended, repealed or added to by an affirmative vote of not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the members and approval of the General Overseer.