Constitution-PF

LSI CONSTITUTION

Article I- NAME
The name of the organization shall be Lutheran Science Institute, Inc.

Article II - STATEMENT OF BELIEF
1. We accept the Lutheran Confessions, namely the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, Luther's Small and Large Catechisms, and
the balance of the Book of Concord, as the correct interpretation of Holy Scripture. We firmly believe that the Holy Bible is perfect
and inerrant in all matters, including those that relate to science.

2. We believe and teach that the account of origins as recorded in the book of Genesis is a presentation of actual historical events.
We believe and teach that time, the origin of matter, the forms of energy, the concept of space, and all basic types of life, including
human life, came about through direct creative acts of God during the six days of creation as described in Genesis.

3. We believe and teach the account of the special creation of Adam and Eve as the first man and woman. We believe and teach
that they fell into sin by disobedience of God's direct command and that they pass this sinful nature on to all of their descendants.
We believe and teach that God promised and sent a Savior for all humankind in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. We believe and
teach that Jesus Christ is our Lord and only Savior and that personal acceptance of this fact is necessary for salvation.

4. We believe and teach that faith is created and nourished by the Holy Spirit through the means of grace, the Gospel in Word and
Sacraments (Holy Baptism and the Lord's Supper).

5. We believe and teach that the great flood described in Genesis, commonly referred to as the Noachian Flood, was a historic
event, worldwide in its extent and effect.

6. We believe and teach that there is only one final coming and Judgment of Christ at the end of the world.

Article III - OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this institute shall be:
1. to encourage an appreciation of the blessings of God in the areas of science that have informational, vocational, and
recreational value, and
2. to provide aid in understanding Scripture when it speaks of scientific matters.

Article IV - MEMBERSHIP
1. Membership is restricted to members of congregations of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and those church bodies
in doctrinal fellowship with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
2. Members must be 18 years of age to vote.
3. An individual less than 18 years of age shall be considered a student member.
4. A congregation may have membership to receive benefits or share in the services of the Institute.
5. Associate non-voting patronship is available by action of the Board of Directors.

Article V - OFFICERS
The officers of the organization shall be president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.

Article VI - BOARDS
1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the aforementioned officers and five (5) additional members elected at large from the
current membership, one of whom shall be an ordained pastor. The executive director shall be an advisory member of the Board.
The Board shall, in general, be responsible for the execution of the business of the organization.
2. The executive committee shall consist of the president, secretary, two (2) members of the Board of Directors chosen by the
Board, and the executive director. This committee shall be responsible to the Board of Directors.

Article VII - MEETINGS
1. There shall be an annual meeting of the membership for the purpose of elections and reports. The time and place of the
meeting shall be determined by the executive committee.
2. The Board of Directors shall meet quarterly at such a time and place as it deems suitable.
3. The executive committee shall meet prior to each Board of Directors meeting and at such other times as the executive
committee deems necessary.

Article VIII - AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
1. An amendment must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors accompanied by supporting reasons.
2. The Board of Directors shall mail to the membership a wording of the amendment together with its evaluation and a ballot prior
to the annual meeting.
3. The amendment can be passed only by 2/3 majority of the votes cast.
4. Article II of the Constitution shall not be subject to amendment.
5. All changes must be consistent with the Constitution and By-laws of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

LSI BYLAWS

Section 1 - MEMBERSHIP
Membership is obtained by:
1. the signing of an application which indicates subscription to the Objectives and the Statement of Belief of this Constitution,
2. paying annual dues in advance, and
3. approval of each application for membership by the Board of Directors.

Section 2 - DUES
1. For voting members, dues shall be $15.00 per year.
2. For non-voting membership, dues per year shall be:
$5.00 for minors (under 18), $20.00 for congregations, and, $20.00 for other qualified groups or individuals with the approval of
the Board of Directors, $20.00 for foreign membership.

Section 3 - ELECTION OF OFFICERS
1. A candidate for office must be a voting member or a pastor of his congregation.
2. Officers shall be elected to a term of two (2) years.
3. The election shall be conducted by a mailed ballot with a list of candidates prepared by a ominating committee.
4. The nominating committee shall consist of the executive committee.
5. The president, secretary, and two (2) Board members shall be elected during the even numbered years. The vice-president,
treasurer, and three (3) Board members shall be elected during the odd numbered years.
6. The election shall take place in October, and the installation of new officers shall take place at the annual meeting in November.
7. The nominating committee shall also function as an election committee.
8. The executive director shall be selected by the Board of Directors.
9. In the event that a Board member or officer is unable to complete his term, the president shall make an appointment to fill the
unexpired term. The appointment shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 4 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS, BOARD, AND DIRECTOR
1. The president shall conduct the meetings and be in charge of the affairs of the organization.
2. The vice-president shall assist the president and be responsible in the absence of the president.
3. The secretary is to record the proceedings of all meetings of the organization, to conduct the correspondence of the
organization, to be the custodian of the constitution and by-laws, to maintain an accurate and complete record of the voting
members, and to safeguard all other documents which may be turned over to him.
4. The treasurer is to receive all moneys for the organization, and to make all disbursements which have been allowed. He shall
report receipts and disbursements at the annual meeting and each regular meeting of the Board of Directors. The books of the
treasurer shall be audited by an auditing committee appointed by the Board.
5. The executive committee shall work with the executive director to accomplish the objectives of the organization. The executive
committee is responsible for the annual meeting, the nominating
committee, the audit of the records, and the operation of the organization.
6. The Board of Directors shall direct the business of this organization and oversee the duties of the executive director.
7. The executive director shall direct and promote the work of this organization. He shall work to carry out the objectives of this
organization.

Section 5 - GOALS OF THE INSTITUTE
1. Finding and making available filmstrips and presentations that show the work of God in the world of nature.
2. Aiding teachers of our Lutheran elementary schools. elementary home schools, and other educational institutions to keep a
dynamic Christ at the heart and core of scripturally-sound science education.
3. Seeking out and making available people who are able to give specific aid to those who want Christian advice regarding
science on a more advanced level.
4. Encouraging students who feel threatened by the attacks upon their faith by the philosophies of secular schools, teachers, or
classmates.
5. Sponsoring seminars in which qualified speakers present scientific topics in the light of Holy Scriptures.
6. Publishing a periodical, the LSI Journal, as an aid in promoting our goals of service in the WELS.
7. Sponsoring activities for the enlightenment, entertainment, and fellowship of those who are interested.
8. Keeping abreast of developments in the various fields of science, including those that concern the "scientific evidence" of the
doctrine of evolution.
9. Promoting the Lutheran Science Institute among the pastors, teachers, and laity of the WELS to improve the effectiveness of our
mission.

Section 6 - THE ANNUAL MEETING
1. The announcement of the annual meeting shall be mailed to all members 10 days prior to the day of the meeting together with
the ballot.
2. A quorum shall consist of those members present.
3. The business of the meeting shall be:
a. a full report of the activities of the organization by the president, the executive director, and the various committee chairmen,
secretary, and treasurer.
b. ratification of the work of the officers and Board members.
c. election and installation of new officers and Board members.
d. amendments and any other business (new or old), and,
e. a report of future plans.
4. The meeting shall also serve the purpose of bringing the members together in Christian fellowship during a social hour
following the meeting.

Section 7 - PROPERTIES
1. All books, material, and other articles deemed to be the properties of the Institute shall not be loaned, sold, or given away
without the approval of the executive director.
2. In the event that the Institute should be dissolved, all the properties and assets, or proceeds from the sale of the same, shall go
to the original donors or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

Section 8 - AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS
Upon recommendation of the Board of Directors these By-laws may be amended by a majority of the members present at any
regular meeting, provided that due notice of proposed changes has previously been given to all members and the changes are
consistent with the Constitution and By-laws of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER, REVISED shall apply in all cases where applicable and not
inconsistent with the Constitution and By-laws of this organization

REVISIONS

November 29, 1980 - Article VI of Constitution
June 9, 1984 - General revision
August 21, 1999 - General revision