Indigenous Theological Training Institute

The Indigenous Theological Training Institute (ITTI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1996 that provides resources, advocacy and support to people of Native American heritage who seek religious leadership education and spiritual formation through ordained orders, lay leadership roles, or their respective community-based ministerial and leadership positions.

 

 

The Indigenous Theological Training Institute of America, Inc.

By-Laws

I. NAME

The name of this non-profit corporation shall be: The Indigenous Theological Training Institute of America, Inc. (herein after, referred to as ITTI). It shall operate as a theological training, non-profit education corporation, governed by the rules set forth herein.

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of ITTI is to promote theological training to individuals in order to accomplish leadership in the church, and to provide strategic support for the training needs of the indigenous communities of the Americas.

III. FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Corporation will begin on January 01 and end on December 31 of each year.

IV. AUTHORITY

The Corporation will be governed by a board of directors, which will consist of at least nine (9), but no more than fifteen (15) members.

V. QUORUM

A majority of the members of ITTI shall constitute a quorum at an ITTI meeting. A quorum must be present for the transaction of any official business.

VI. OFFICIAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The members of the board of directors will be elected for a three-year term. To achieve staggered terms, members will be elected to different terms of service. A Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer will be elected from the members triennially. No officers may be elected to more than three (3) consecutive terms to the same office. In the event that a board seat is vacated, the board may appoint a replacement for the remainder of the vacated term.

VII. DUTIES OF BOARD MEMBERS

Members will attend board meetings, participate in fundraising, make policy, consider and approve on-going and proposed projects. In addition, members will appear and speak on behalf of ITTI when so authorized by the board. The Chair or his/her assigned delegate shall monitor and supervise the activities of the Executive Director.

Members unable to attend board meetings will notify the chairperson and/or Executive Director two weeks in advance of meeting. Two consecutive absences from regular board meetings may result in replacement. Proxy votes are disallowed, and any representative sent by a board member will have voice but no vote.

The board may, by two thirds (2/3) vote of the quorum, expel or remove any board member for neglect of duty, or gross misconduct. Such charges shall be in writing and formally served upon the accused not less than thirty (30) days or more than forty-five (45) days before the hearing called for such reason. The accused board member shall be given a full and fair opportunity to reply to any and all such charges against him/her, and also the opportunity to summon witnesses in his/her behalf.

VIII. GLOBAL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

The board through its Nominating Committee may designate individuals know to be supportive of alternative approaches to theological education to sit on a Global Advisory Board to assist with policy, program, and development. Efforts shall be made to convene the Global Advisory Board at least once each triennium.

IX. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

The Chairperson shall preside and conduct all meetings of ITTI in an orderly manner. In the scope of his/her authority he/she shall appoint membership to all standing and ad hoc committees at his/her discretion. He/She will work in conjunction with the other elected board members of ITTI to prepare all agendas and authorize expenditures as provided in annual and special budgets approved by ITTI. The Chairperson shall have the same voting rights as any other board member of ITTI. The Chairperson shall be ex-officio member of all committees without vote. The Chairperson acts as an official spokesperson for ITTI on matters and duties specifically authorized by the board of directors.

The Vice-Chairperson shall perform all duties and assume all responsibilities of the Chairperson in his/her absence.

The Secretary will be responsible:

  • For maintaining, along with the Executive Director, the minutes of the proceedings of all ITTI board of directors regular and special meetings;
  • For issuing all necessary notices, copies of agenda, etc.
  • In absence of the chair and vice-chair, the secretary shall perform all the duties and assume all responsibilities of the Chairperson in his/her absence.

The Treasurer will be responsible:

  • For reviewing and monitoring all monies received, with the assistance of the professional staff, and having an annual audit performed;
  • For keeping an accurate account of expenditures through established accounting procedures.

X. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ITTI shall employ an Executive Director who shall be responsible for the day-to-day activities of ITTI. The Executive Director shall be directly responsible to the chairperson of ITTI and the board members thereof. He/she shall be delegated any authority as may be deemed necessary to carry on the duties and responsibilities in accordance with ITTI policies. A position description for the Executive Director shall be approved by the board of directors.

XI. NOTES PAYABLE/LOANS

The Chairperson and Executive Director shall be authorized to sign on behalf of the Corporation, and furthermore carry the responsibility for the execution and delivery of all promissory notes, upon approval of the board of directors.

X. COMMITTEES

  • Executive Committee: there shall be an Executive Committee comprised of the chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, treasurer and one (1) member-at-large. The member-at-large shall be elected at a meeting of the board of directors annually and in accordance with Article VI. The function of the Executive Committee shall be to assure the continuity of operations between meetings. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to act as the representative of the board of directors between board meetings except that all official actions taken by the Executive Committee on behalf of ITTI are subject to review and approval of the board at the next regular or special meeting at which a quorum is present.
  • Nominating Committee
  • Program, Planning, and Evaluation
  • Administration and Finance
  • Journal
  • Scholarship
  • Personnel
  • Ad Hoc Committees: Ad hoc committees shall be appointed by the chairperson as necessary.

XIII. MEETING DATES

Regular meetings of the board of directors of ITTI shall be held at least two (2) times each year. Meeting dates shall be determined by members of the board present at the meeting, when the dates are set. Location shall be determined by the Executive Director and the chairperson. Special meetings of the board of directors of ITTI may be called by the chairperson or in his/her absence two-thirds (2/3) of the board.

Written or printed notice stating time, place, and the purpose of special meeting shall be delivered by email where possible, not less than ten (10), nor more than thirty (30) days before the date thereof to each member of the board.

XIV. AMENDMENTS

The By-laws of ITTI, as officially adopted, shall be amended only in accordance with the following procedures:

  • All board members shall be furnished a copy of proposed change(s) and/or amendments of the official By-laws at least twenty (20) days prior to any official vote on said changes and/or amendments.
  • A majority of the board members of ITTI at a regularly scheduled or special meeting of the board shall be required to adopt any changes or amendments to the By-laws provided that other provisions of this article have been met.

XV. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

ITTI shall conduct its meetings in any manner so designated by the members, and in the absence of such designation, Roberts Rules of Order shall be used.

XVI. POWERS

The powers of the board of directors of ITTI are:

  • To establish from among the purposes for which ITTI is organized, such priorities as shall from time to time be necessary for ITTI to operate offices, employ staff, conduct training programs and conferences, and to do such other things as are necessary to carry out the purposes for which ITTI was organized.
  • To amend these By-laws.
  • To create committees and to delegate authority to them.
  • To enter into agreements with other organizations.
  • To exercise such powers conferred on it by law and are necessary and incidental to the management of the affairs of the corporation.
  • To fix the compensation of all officers and agents of the Corporation.
  • To enter into, approve, or ratify contracts or grants with public or private entities or persons.
  • To actively raise funds and to accept gifts of money, securities and real and personal property.
  • To remove any board member whom it has the power to appoint or elect.

XVII. MISCELLANEOUS

ITTI shall exercise such other powers as may be required to accomplish the objectives set forth in Article II of this document, and as may be exercised in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation.
It is recognized that all powers herein described shall be subject to the laws and regulations of the United States.

 

CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION

THE FOREGOING REVISED CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS WAS DULY ADOPTED ON THE 23RD DAY OF JULY 2010 AT A MEETING HELD IN PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA IN THE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY BY A VOTE OF SEVEN FOR, NONE AGAINST, AND NONE ABSTAINING, OF THE ITTI BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT.

THIS SUPERCEDES ALL PREVIOUS DOCUMENTS.

 

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CHAIRPERSON

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