Bylaws

ARTICLE II – PHILOSOPHY AND FOUNDATION
The basis and foundation of this organization is the Word of God. In conformity with this Word, we, in our educational program, stand committed to the following Declaration of Faith and Statement of Educational Principles:
A.	Declaration of Faith
	1.	We believe the Bible is the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. (II Tim. 3:16)
	2.	We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Gen. 1:1, John 10:30, John 4:24)
	3.	We believe in the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:33); in His Virgin birth (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23; Luke 1:35); in His sinless life (Heb.:15,7:25); in His miracles (John 2:11); in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14); in His bodily resurrection (John 11:25); in His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:11); and in His personal imminent return in power and glory. (Rev. 19-11-16).
	4.	We believe that all men are sinful by nature and as such at enmity with God and therefore regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential to their salvation. (Rom. 3:19)
	5.	We believe that men are justified on the single ground of faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ and that only by God’s grace through faith alone are we saved. (Acts 13:38-39)
	6.	We believe that Satan is a person and that Hell is a place of eternal conscious punishment of all unsaved. (Job 1:6-7; Matt. 25:46) (Rev. 20:14-15)
	7.	We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts of sin, makes believers children of God through the new birth, assuring them of Heaven, and by His indwelling enables Christians to live a Godly life. (John 16:8; I Cor. 3:16; I Cor. 12:13)
	8.	We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; the saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28-29)

B.	Statement of Educational Principles
	1.	The centrality of God is to be uppermost in all our dealings and should permeate every aspect of our quest of knowledge and wisdom. (Rom. 11:36)
	2.	Parents are responsible for the education of their children, according to the principles of God’s Word. (Prov. 22:6; Luke 2:40)
	3.	In order to bring the children up in the Lord, teachers are to give evidence of a born again life and manifest ability to educate children in the light of God’s Word. (Proverbs 22:6; Luke 2:40)
	4.	Students are conceived as images of God and must therefore be subject to His sovereign will in all things through Christ. (Gen. 1:26-27; Psalm 34:11; Psalm 37:5; Col. 3:17)
	5.	All truth is revelatory of God and must be presented as such. (Isa. 6:3; Psalm 129:16; Rom. 1:2; I Cor. 15:3-4; John 3:16)
	All member schools must adhere to the following non-discriminatory policy:
		No person, on the grounds of race, color, national or ethnic origin, is excluded or otherwise subjected to discrimination in receiving services at a CSPBC member school; nor does this school hire or assign staff on the basis of race, color or ethnic origin.

ARTICLE III - BASIS AND PURPOSES
A.	Basis
	Christian schools in Palm Beach County united to form this organization in the belief that:
	1.	Christian schools are vital in developing and expanding Christian ideals among the youth of this county.
	2.	The youth of this county should be given the opportunity to learn that Christianity is both relative and basic to all of life.
	3.	Christian schools assist parents in fulfilling their scriptural responsibilities regarding the raising of their children.

B.	Purposes
	Mission Statement: The Christian Schools of Palm Beach County exists to provide information, counsel, encouragement, and fellowship for new and established member schools in a supportive, nurturing atmosphere. Its mission is to assist each school to become a Christ-honoring educational institution that is respected not only by its constituency but also by the general public. This organization is formed for the following purposes:
	1.	To promote a philosophy of education based on Christian principles as determined and interpreted from the Holy Scriptures.
	2.	To promote the highest standards of Christian education.
	3.	To strengthen the work of each local school by mutual encouragement and fellowship.
	4.	To foster discussion of the problems faced by Christian school personnel.
	5.	To promote an exchange of ideas among the teachers in Christian schools.
	6.	To promote the professional growth of Christian school administrators and teachers.
	7.	To promote cooperation and unity of purpose between member schools.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the Christian Schools of Palm Beach County shall be limited to Christian Schools and individuals who sincerely uphold the statement of faith (Article II) and the Purposes (Article III) of this Constitution. Members of their sponsoring organization shall not hold membership in the National Council of Churches and/or the World Council of Churches. Each school shall have one vote in business conducted by the organization. Associate membership is available to individuals supportive of Christian school and individuals sponsoring a home school. Associate membership does not carry voting privileges.
	1.	Active membership will receive membership staff development conference fee rates, and the opportunity to participate in joint promotions.
	2.	Membership, and its privileges, shall be on a yearly basis. Active membership will require attendance at three or more meetings during the school year. Some member schools have limited staff so as not to be able to attend three meetings annually. In this case, a letter stating this hardship will be accepted in lieu of attendance at three meetings annually. Active membership will be changed to Associate membership upon review at the annual meeting in May should attendance drop below three meetings during the school year. Associate membership will permit participation in staff development days at an established rate, however, Active memberships will not be available. Associate membership will be available to college students at a fixed rate for Staff Development Conference Day only.
	3.	Membership Standards:
		a.	Complete an application, sent by membership committee.
		b.	Be visited by a representative from the membership committee.
		c.	Each school must comply with all applicable government regulations (health, safety, sanitation, etc.) and must be able to provide appropriate supportive documentation to the committee. This could be in the form of a license or certificate of compliance from the HRS, an HRS inspection report or current accreditation status from a FAANS agency recognized by the CSPBC.
		d.	Each school must sign the Annual Commitment Sheet.
		e.	Approval by two-thirds vote of those present at monthly meeting.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

The officers of this organization shall include a president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary to be elected for two year terms. The president and treasurer shall be elected in odd years and the vice-president and secretary shall be elected on even years. An officer is eligible to serve for a maximum of two full consecutive terms, for a total of four successive years, which must be followed by at least a one year rest.

These officers shall be elected by a majority ballot of members present at the May meeting and shall comprise the cabinet.

The cabinet shall appoint such committees as they deem necessary to carry on the various activities and special events.

The cabinet shall be composed of not more than two members from any one school.

ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

The duties of the officers shall be to lead the Cabinet to carry out the business agreed upon in regular and special meetings of the Christian Schools of Palm Beach County.

The President shall preside over all business and Cabinet meetings. He shall appoint such committees as may be deemed necessary for the proper conduction of the business of the organization. The President shall appoint the chairman of each committee and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. He shall make necessary arrangements for the regular meetings of the organization.

The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President, and shall assist the President in his duties.

The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all meetings and shall provide each member of the organization with a copy of same within a reasonable length of time following each meeting. The Secretary shall maintain a roster of all members, conduct correspondence and maintain adequate records of the organization.

The Treasurer shall serve as purchasing and paying agent for the organization. He shall present a financial report at each regular meeting. He shall deposit and disburse all monies by the direction of the organization.

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS

The members shall meet monthly for the purpose of sharing their faith, encouraging one another, upholding each other in prayer and rejoicing together of God’s grace.

Membership, and its privileges, shall be rescinded when a school is not represented at three consecutive monthly meetings. In particular, this policy will be applied to the annual Staff Development Conference fees, and advertising as a Christian Schools of Palm Beach County member in the annual bulletin insert and newspaper ad.

The annual business meeting shall be in May. This meeting shall be limited to committee reports, election of officers and written motions submitted to the President at lease two weeks in advance of the meeting.

ARTICLE VIII - PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

By cooperative effort of its members the organization shall provide Staff Development Workshops for the professional and spiritual growth of the respective faculties. At least one conference the first Friday in February shall be sponsored each year. All member schools shall support this conference. Since the organization does not assess annual dues, the cost of the staff development programs shall be shared equally by the members. Another form of professional growth provided shall be the opportunity to arrange classroom visitation so teachers may visit and observe a “master teacher” within the member schools.

CONSTITUTION AND DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY