General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1
INTERNATIONAL SABBATH-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION
L. T. NICOLA
ARTICLE I.—NAME
THIS organization shall be known as the International Sabbath-school Association of Seventh-day Adventists. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.2
ARTICLE II.—OBJECT
The object of this association shall be to unify and extend the Sabbath-school work of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination throughout the world. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.3
ARTICLE III.—MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. This association shall be composed of all the Sabbath-school associations, and Sabbath-schools outside of these associations, which have been properly organized, and that shall report quarterly to this body. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.4
SEC. 2. The legal voters of this association shall be as follows: All accredited ministers and licentiates, and all members and workers from any Sabbath-school association, present at any regular meeting of this association. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.5
ARTICLE IV.—OFFICERS
SECTION 1. The officers of this association shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, one or more Field Secretaries, a Treasurer, and an Executive Committee of nine, of which the President and Vice-President shall be members. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.6
SEC. 2. These officers shall be elected at the regular sessions of the association, and shall hold their office for the term of two years, or until their successors are elected, and appear to enter upon their duties. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.7
SEC. 3. The Secretaries of all associations outside of the United States shall be considered Corresponding Secretaries of this association. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.8
SEC. 4. The Presidents of all associations outside of the United States shall be considered as honorary Vice-Presidents of this association, and entitled to take part in the deliberations of the Executive Board whenever present at its meetings. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.9
ARTICLE V.—SESSIONS
SECTION 1. This association shall hold a regular session every alternate year, in connection with the regular session of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.10
SEC. 2. The Executive Committee may call extra sessions at such times and places as they may deem proper. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.11
ARTICLE VI.—DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT
SECTION 1. The duties of the President shall be to take the general oversight of the work of the association, to preside at all meetings of the association and of the Executive Board, and to call special meetings thereof. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.12
SEC. 2. The Vice-President, in the absence of the President, shall perform the duties of that office. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.13
ARTICLE VII.—DUTIES OF THE SECRETARIES AND TREASURER
SECTION 1. The duties of the Recording Secretary shall be: (1) To record the proceedings of the association, and to submit a yearly summary to the Executive Board, to be presented at the regular session; (2) To present such other summary reports as may from time to time be ordered; (3) To make reports at such other times as may be ordered. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.14
SEC. 2. The duties of the Corresponding Secretary shall be to advance by correspondence the interests of the Sabbath-school Association in all parts of the world, and to give isolated schools and associations such instruction as shall enable them to act in harmony with the body. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.15
SEC. 3. The duties of the Field Secretaries shall be to advance, by personal, active labor and correspondence, the interests of the Sabbath-school association in the territory over which they are placed. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.16
SEC. 4. The duties of the Treasurer of this association shall be to receive and hold all moneys belonging to the association, giving receipts therefore, and paying out the same as the association or Executive Board may direct, through the written order of the President. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.17
ARTICLE VIII.—DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
The functions of the Executive Board shall be: (1) To represent this association when not in session assembled, to execute all its recommendations and orders, and to fill all vacancies which may occur from death or otherwise; (2) To assist, either personally or by authorized agents, in organizing and conducting Sabbath-schools, Sabbath-school associations, and Sabbath-school conventions; (3) To induce those possessing the requisite ability and having a heart in the work, to write in the interest of Bible study and proper Sabbath-school instruction, to secure the publication and distribution of needed Sabbath-school literature, and to provide suitable lessons for all divisions of the Sabbath-school; (4) To make all necessary provisions for rendering the sessions of this association interesting and profitable; and in general, to labor to make our Sabbath-schools efficient in preparing their members to be fruitful workers in the grand mission of the third angel’s message. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.18
ARTICLE IX.—FUNDS
The funds for defraying the expenses of this association shall be obtained by the tithes from the State associations, and by contributions and donations. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.19
ARTICLE X.—AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be altered or amended by a two-thirds’ vote of the members present at any regular meeting. GCB July 1, 1896, page 745.20