CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS
OF
BIG SKY TRES DIAS, INC.
The purpose of TRES DIAS is to foster and guide the growth of the Tres Dias movement, to assure continued adherence to its Essentials and to advocate its purpose of developing Christian leaders, and to help to sustain their commitment to Christ as they pursue Christian Apostolic Action in their environments.
TRES DIAS STATEMENT OF BELIEF
1. We believe and profess our faith in one Triune God – The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).
2. We believe and profess that Jesus Christ is the only Savior and is God in the flesh (John 1:1, 1:14, 3:36, 14: & Heb. 2:17).
3. We believe and profess that The Holy Spirit is God and is The Lord and Giver of life, who continues to work in believers today to sanctify, edify and empower the whole Christian church on earth – – – for His purpose (Job 33:4, Acts 1:8, John 14:26 & Rom. 8:11).
4. We believe and profess that the Holy Scriptures are the inspired and completely true Word of God (II Tim. 3:16-17).
5. We believe and profess that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; that forgiveness of sins is received through confession and repentance – – and that our sins are washed away through the blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38, I John 1:9 & Rom. 3:23).
6. We believe and profess that salvation is a gift of God’s grace received through personal faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8).
7. We believe and profess that the Body of Christ is to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of The Son of God (Eph. 4:3, 13).
8. We believe and profess that God’s unconditional love, as made manifest to us through Jesus Christ, is the primary witness by which people are renewed, edified and changed (I Cor. 13:8).
9. We believe and profess that God has called us to live holy lives that will bring glory to His name (Col. 3:1-25).
Note: For purposes of standards and principles, Tres Dias ascribes to those stated in the “Authorized King James Version” of the Bible of 1611 (KJV).
Qualification for Community Leadership (this includes, but is not limited to, team members, elected and other local secretariat officers, and members of standing and special committees of the local secretariat):
o Any person serving in a Community Leadership position must be living a life that is not in a state of rebellion against God. A state of rebellion against God can best be described as an unrepentant, open, and active participation in or advocacy of activities contrary to the commands (for example, “The TEN COMMANDMENTS”) and guidelines in *Scripture for holy living and Christian leadership. Some examples (although not limited to these areas) are:
– dependence upon alcohol or illegal drugs;
– involvement in illegal activities whereby such involvement knowingly violates federal,
state or local laws, statutes or ordinances;
– involvement in lustful, immoral, or perverted activities such as, but not limited to,
pornography and/or any sexual relationship outside of a lawful marriage between a
man and a woman;
– involvement in the occult or Satanic worship;
– openly professed allegiance to any non-Christian religion or organization which denies
the deity of Jesus Christ.
* NOTE: For purposes of standards and principles, Tres Dias ascribes to those stated in the “Authorized King James Version” of the Bible of 1611 (KJV).
1. Name and Address: The official name of the organization shall be Big Sky Tres Dias, Inc. The official mailing address shall be PO Box 1, Highwood, MT 59450.
2. Purpose: The purpose of the organization is to glorify God through Jesus Christ by developing Christian leaders who will Christianize the environments in which they find themselves. The organization will use the Tres Dias method of the group reunion to sustain leaders in their environments.
3. Membership: The membership of the organization shall consist of anyone who has completed the Tres Dias three-day experience. Members shall be known as Pescadores.
4. Secretariat:
4.1 Purpose: The purpose of the Secretariat is to serve as the Board of Directors of the community and to serve, guide and foster growth of the community by:
4.1.1. Being aware of the needs of the members as they Christianize their environments.
4.1.2. Establishing policy or taking other action to meet these needs and to encourage the members.
4.1.3. Following “The Essentials of Tres Dias”.
4.1.4. Communicating policies and actions of the Secretariat to all members of the community.
4.1.5. Approving the planning, scheduling, and carrying out of programs in the Tres Dias community (pre-weekend, weekend, post-weekend phases).
4.1.6. Exchanging support with other Tres Dias communities.
4.1.7. Informing and promoting dialogue with Christian organizations.
4.2 Membership: The membership of the Secretariat shall consist of:
4.2.1 General Members: Everyone who, in response to an open invitation to all Pescadores, will serve as non-voting members.
4.2.2 Voting Members:
4.2.2.1. Initial Qualifications: The qualifications for initially becoming a voting member are:
4.2.2.1.1. To have been a Pescador for at least six (6) months;
4.2.2.1.2. To have attended two (2) out of four (40 consecutive meetings;
4.2.2.1.3. To be regularly involved in Secuela and/or reunion group (ie. Christian based covenant group, bible study, small group) and to regularly attend a Christian Church;
4.2.2.1.4. To be willing to attend Secretariat meetings and to participate on committees;
4.2.2.1.5. Then, upon request to Secretariat, will be accepted as a voting member and may vote in fourth or subsequent meeting.
4.2.2.1.6. To follow the Essentials of Tres Dias, to abide by the Big Sky Tres Dias, Inc. Constitution and By-Laws, and to adhere to the Big Sky Tres Dias Statement of Belief;
4.2.2.2. Continuing Qualification: Once a member has requested voting member status, he/she shall have voting status through the following December. In December of each year, members who have attended 50% or more of the regularly scheduled Secretariat meetings for which they had voting status during the past year, are extended as voting members through December of the following year. Voting members who attended less than 50% of these meetings will be notified that they will not have voting member status starting in January.
4.2.2.3 Reinstatement: A member who previously had voting status may reinstate himself to voting membership by attending two (2) out of three (3) consecutive meetings. Then, upon request to the Secretariat, he will be accepted into voting member status and may vote in any third or subsequent meeting through the next November.
4.2.2.4. Those appointed as Rectors of Tres Dias weekends are expected to attend Secretariat meetings for a time period as necessary to review potential team members with the Secretariat, observe the policies of the Secretariat for the duration of team meetings, and report following the Tres Dias weekend.
4.2.2.5. Since membership on the Secretariat is voluntary, there is no fixed expiration date for one’s membership.
4.2.2.6. For purposes of determining Quorum and Voting the Secretary shall maintain a list of current Secretariat voting membership.
4.2.2.7. A name may be removed from the membership list; at the request of the individual.
4.3 Operating Year
4.3.1. The operating year will begin on January 1 and conclude on December 31.
4.3.2. Selection of Officers:
4.3.2.1. In September of every 2nd year, the President of the Secretariat shall appoint a nominating committee to serve for a two-year period.
4.3.2.2. In October of every 2nd year, the Nominating Committee will present a slate of officers, at which time nomination may be made from the floor.
4.3.2.3 In November of every 2nd year, the Secretariat members will elect a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Vice President is optional.
4.3.2.1 A nominating committee will be formed in the fall of every odd-numbered year by the most recent out-going Rector and Rectora. The appointed nominating committee will serve for a two-year period. The nominating committee will present a list of potential officers after having visited with said nominees. This list will then be presented to the entire Secretariat and voted on before December 31st. This process should be done in a timely manner to ensure committed people are found to serve and the Secretariat can have adequate discussion.
4.3.2.4. The officers two-year term shall begin January 1st.
4.3.2.5 Anyone accepting nomination as a Big Sky Tres Dias, Inc. officer shall have been a Pescador for 1 year; shall have worked one Tres Dias weekend; shall be in regular attendance at a Secuela and reunion group (ie. Christian based covenant group, bible study, small group); shall regularly attend a Christian Church; shall follow the Tres Dias Essentials; shall adhere to the Big Sky Tres Dias Statement of Faith and abide by the Big Sky Tres Dias, Inc. Constitution and By-Laws.
4.3.2.5. Officers shall not succeed themselves; however, the Secretary and the Treasurer may serve two consecutive terms.
4.3.2.6. The nominating committee shall be responsible to provide nominees to the Secretariat to fill vacancies and additional nominations can be made from the floor.
4.4 Officers and Duties
4.4.1. President – The President may be a former Rector of Big Sky Tres Dias, Inc. The President shall call and chair meetings, and serve as the official representative of this body for a two-year period.
4.4.2. Vice-President – The Vice President may be a former Rector of Big Sky Tres Dias, Inc. The Vice President shall chair meetings in the absence of the President and shall perform duties assigned to him/her by the President or Secretariat.
4.4.3. Secretary – The Secretary shall take minutes of the business meeting and maintain lists of attendance and voting membership.
4.4.4. Treasurer – The Treasurer shall receive and disburse the funds of this organization. The Treasurer shall also present a monthly statement at every meeting or upon request and an annual report for review of the Secretariat.
4.4.4.1 Bank Account – The location of the Big Sky Tres Dias, Inc. bank account may be changed with a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of voting members.
4.5 Committees
Committees shall serve to increase the effectiveness of the Secretariat, and shall report directly to the Secretariat. Any Pescador may serve on these committees, with the exception that the President and Vice President of the Secretariat may not serve on a standing committee while in office. The committee chairperson shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Secretariat. The chairperson shall choose the membership of his/her committee and should strive for diverse representation. Chairpersons shall serve for a two-year term concurrent with the officer’s term. Chairpersons may be reappointed.
4.5.1. Permanent Committees:
4.5.1.1. Pre-Weekend Committee – shall be responsible for establishing the criteria for accepting candidates, preparing application forms, reviewing, accepting, and notifying candidates, and planning ongoing programs for candidate orientation.
4.5.1.2. Weekend Committee – shall be responsible for the approval of proposed team members, and assisting the rectors to understand and carry out the method of the Tres Dias weekend. Members will be former Rectors of Big Sky Tres Dias, Inc.
4.5.1.3. Post-Weekend Committee – shall be responsible for providing an ongoing program to provide for the continual spiritual growth of Pescadores.
4.5.1.4. Communications Committee – shall be responsible for:
4.5.1.4.1. The preparation, printing, and distribution of the newsletter. Articles dealing with policy are to be reviewed by the Secretariat.
4.5.1.4.2. Obtaining and distribution of Tres Dias literature, as appropriate.
4.5.1.4.3. Maintaining and arranging for mailing labels or e-mail address lists, as required.
4.5.1.5. Food Committee shall be responsible for menus, food purchases, food preparation, training of cooks, and maintaining inventory of needed supplies for food preparation, handling, and storage.
4.5.2. “Ad Hoc” Committees may be appointed for specific purposes as the need arises.
4.6 Meetings
4.6.1. The Secretariat shall meet not less than attempt to meet four times a year by the general meeting or conference call.
4.6.2. Any voting member may request that the Secretariat meet if there is business to be brought before the members. The member shall contact the current President who will direct the Secretary to give notice to members either telephonically, in person, in writing or by e-mail.
4.7 Voting and Conducting Business
4.7.1. Normal and Routine Business, which includes normal and routine expenses for conducting weekends and up to $500.00 for non-budgeted and unusual expenses, will be decided by a simple majority of voting members in attendance at any meeting. Non-budgeted amounts over $500.00 will be treated as “change of policy decisions.” (next item)
4.7.2. Change of Policy Decisions – All voting members of the Secretariat will be notified by mail or e-mail within 20 days after a meeting where a policy decision has been moved and seconded. Having been notified of the next meeting and content of the issue, 50% of voting members in attendance at the next meeting of the Secretariat will decide the issue.
4.7.1 Normal and Routine Business – All expenditures shall be approved by the Secretariat.
4.7.1.1. The Rector(a) will be responsible for presenting a budget, two (2) months in advance of the weekends, to the Secretariat for the upcoming weekends. The budgets will be prepared in conjunction with the Treasurer and will be approved by a simple majority of the voting members in attendance at the meeting. Each weekend should attempt to stay within the approved budget.
4.7.3. Constitution and By-Law Changes – All voting members of the Secretariat will be given 20 days written notice by mail or e-mail after a Constitution and By-Law change has been moved and seconded. The Constitution and By-Law change will be brought up at the next meeting of the secretariat and the issue will be decided by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the voting members present.
4.8 Criteria for the Weekend Leadership – It is the intent of the Secretariat of Big Sky Tres Dias, Inc. to ensure that the Rector(a), Vice-Rector(a), and Spiritual Directors agree with and abide by the Big Sky Tres Dias Statement of Belief and the Tres Dias Essentials. All people in leadership capacities should be in regular attendance at their Christian Church and should attend regular Secuelas and Reunion Groups (ie. Christian based covenant group, bible study, small group).
4.8.1. All Spiritual Directors must be approved by the Secretariat with a simple majority of the voting members present. The list of approved Spiritual Directors will be maintained by the Secretary.
5. Dissolution
If the members determine the corporation shall be dissolved, written notice of the dissolution of the corporation shall be given to the Montana Attorney General. Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all the assets of the corporation exclusively for the purposes of the corporation in such a manner, or to such organization for educational, religious, of or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) and 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1936, or the corresponding sections of any prior or future United States Internal Revenue Law, as the Board of Directors shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the District Court of the County in which the principal office of the corporation is then located exclusively for such purposes to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
That we, the undersigned, being the Officers of BIG SKY TRES DIAS, INC., do hereby certify that the above and foregoing Bylaws were duly adopted and in all respects ratified and confirmed and approved as Bylaws of said corporation on this 14th day of August 2005 and that the same do now constitute the Bylaws of said corporation.
______________________________
Paul Kroeger, President
______________________________
Linda Chase, Secretary
______________________________
Erin Weisgerber, Treasurer
2005
Revised 2021