Article III – Membership

A. Members - Membership in IPMN is open to any member of a PC (U.S.A.) congregation or presbytery who supports the IPMN Mission Statement. One becomes a member by sending a message to the Membership Coordinator affirming one’s support of the Mission Statement. It is expected that members will advocate for a just peace in Israel/Palestine in their congregations and presbyteries and will support the work of the network as they are able. If subsequent actions by any member are found to be inconsistent with the vision of the Mission Statement, then the Steering Committee may, by majority vote, remove that person from the membership rolls.

B. Affiliate Members - This category of membership is for others, Christians of other denominations or people of other faiths, who support the mission and goals of IPMN. These members may participate in the work of the committees to the extent that the committee leadership opts to include them. They may attend the general meetings on the basis of individual invitations issued by the Steering Committee. These members may have voice but not vote in plenary sessions.

Article IV – Relationship to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

A. The IPMN is one of many mission networks established in close consultation and cooperation with the denomination. The 216th General Assembly (2004) directed that "the formation of a Worldwide Ministries Division-related Palestine Mission Network move forward as soon as possible, for the purpose of creating currents of wider and deeper Presbyterian involvement with Palestinian partners, aimed at demonstrating solidarity, and changing the conditions that erode the humanity of Palestinians living in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza." Denominational staff has played a major role assisting IPMN in its establishment, through advising and guiding our work, particularly in the early phases of our work. As affirmed in our Mission Statement, our goal is to support the policies and partners of the denomination.

B. The IPMN recognizes the expertise of the denominational staff and mission co-workers in the issues of Israel/Palestine. We also recognize and support the complex decision-making processes, which determine the denomination’s policies in the region.

C. While we support denominational policies and partners, all PC (U.S.A.) mission networks are independent bodies. Therefore, we are called to speak in a stronger and more prophetic way than the denomination might. We affirm the importance for the IPMN to maintain an independent voice within the denomination speaking to the church but not for the church.

D. The need for independence means that it is inappropriate for denominational staff to be members of the network. IPMN will call upon these professionals to advise IPMN about the complex decision making and issues in Israel/Palestine as needed.

Article V – Officers

A. Network Officers
1. The officers of the network will be Co-Moderators, Secretary, Treasurer.
2. Other officers as may be determined by the membership.

B. Terms of Office
1. The Co-Moderators will be elected for a term of two (2) years and are eligible for reelection to another two-year term.
2. Other officers, Secretary and Treasurer, will be elected for a term of two (2) year terms and are eligible for reelection without restriction.

C. Elections
1. Election of officers shall take place during the membership meeting.
2. The Nominating Committee will propose a slate of officers after circulating positions for which nominations are needed to the IPMN membership.
3. The proposed slate of nominees will be circulated to the IPMN membership at least 4 weeks before the meeting.
4. Nominations from the floor will be accepted after the nominee has agreed to be nominated.
5. In the event of the resignation of one of the officers of the network, the remaining members of the Steering Committee are authorized to appoint a temporary replacement, following a nomination from the Nominating Committee. That position will then be filled on a permanent basis at the next meeting, following the procedures set out above.

Article VII – IPMN Infrastructure

A. Liaisons
1. here may be liaisons as needed to be tasked with, Finance, fundraising, grants, membership, social media, KHA trips, presentations, Communications, Advocacy, Education, and Partnerships or other concerns or initiatives.
2. The Steering Committee shall also have the ability to create additional liaisons as deemed necessary between meetings.

B. Steering Committee
1. There shall be a Steering Committee (SC) composed of the above officers with the addition of at least 4 more and ad-hoc or at-large members, as needed, either for limited periods of time or for two years. Such invitations to participate in the work of the SC may be extended as needed, at the discretion of the Steering Committee.
2. The Steering Committee is accountable to the IPMN membership and is to work collegially to:
i. Conduct a review and evaluation at least bi-annually of the programs/projects of the IPMN
ii. Develop planning processes to enable the IPMN membership to set goals and objectives for the future
iii. Establish teams to accomplish the goals and objectives of the IPMN
iv. Discover and utilize the gifts of IPMN members
v. Approve an annual budget to be submitted for final adoption at the meeting, and authorize expenditures
vi. Promote participation in the IPMN
vii. Develop ways of relating to other groups/organizations with similar foci
viii. Communicate with IPMN members regarding its work and alert IPMN members to information concerning Israel/Palestine

C. Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee shall be named by the Steering Committee on a bi-annual basis.
2. There will be three (3) members of which at least one (1) will be from the Steering Committee. The other two (2) members will be from the general membership. Any IPMN member may submit a nominee for the Nominating Committee.
3. The Nominating Committee shall nominate the IPMN Officers and all other Steering Committee members
4. The names of Nominating Committee members shall be circulated among the IPMN membership
5. The committee shall begin its work preferably four (4) months prior to the meeting.
6. The slate of nominees will be circulated to the IPMN membership at least four (4) weeks prior to the meeting.

D. Teams
1. There may be teams of IPMN based upon the mission and goals of the organization. These may change from time to time.
2. The moderator of each team liaises with a member of the Steering Committee and is responsible for communicating its work and needs with team members.

Article VIII – Membership General Meeting

A. There shall be a meeting of the members of IPMN at least every other year.

B. Notice of this meeting will be sent to members no less than four (4) months prior to the meeting.

C. A quorum is made up of at least 25 attendees, to conduct business.

D. A special meeting may be held at the request of the IPMN Moderator or by the request of one-third (1/3) of the Steering Committee. At least two (2) weeks advance notice shall be given for special meetings.

Article IX – Amendments to the Bylaws

A. Amendments to the bylaws of IPMN shall be approved at a meeting by a sixty (60) percent vote of those members present at the time the vote is taken.

B. Proposed amendments shall be sent electronically to the membership at least four (4) weeks prior to the meeting.

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By-Law Amendments:

9-23-09 Original bylaws approved at general IPMN meeting

10-20-10 Revisions approved at general IPMN meeting

10-12-12 Revisions approved at general IPMN meeting

10-09-19 Revised at 2019 annual meeting