I. Objectives

A. To move us from our present appointive form of membership to a more representative/democratic form.

B. To enable youth to grow in their understanding of the Annual Conference connection and more fully develop their leadership potential in the life of the church.

C. To develop a forum for youth to dialogue on the issues facing their church and to offer a formal means for their collective voice to be presented to the connected church.

D. To offer an avenue for including more youth and their respective leaders in the programming function of the CYC.

II. The New CYC Structure: Outline:

A. Youth Membership (21)*

Youth members will be elected at the Youth Annual Conference (YAC) to be held each year between May 1st and June 30th. Persons nominated for elective positions must NOT be expected to experience their 19th birthday on or before June 30th of the YAC year that will complete their term and must be enrolled in 7-12 grade for the school year of office held.

1. President (1)

Elected for a one or two year term, based on age at the time of election, by majority vote of the delegates of the YAC. Youth must have held an office on CYC for one year before running for this position.

2. Vice-President / Chaplain (1)

Elected for a one or two year term as described for the position of President.

3. Secretary/Treasurer (1)

Elected for a one or two year term as described for the position of President. Youth must have held an office on CYC for one year before running for this position.

4. District Representatives (7)

Elected to one or two year terms by the delegates of the district meeting together in District sessions.

5. Youth Design Team Co-Chairs (5)

Meeting around design team interests during the YAC, youth present would elect a youth chair and an adult co-chair to lead the group in directing Conference programming in their specific areas of interest for the length of their term. The five design teams could be as follows, but might change through the year's depending on program needs:

a. Retreats Design Team

b. Missions Design Team

c. Conference - Wide Trips Design Team

d. Rallies Design Team (including Memphis Annual Conference Youth Day)

e. Youth Service Fund Design Team

6. At-large Members (6)

These positions will be appointed, by the President, under the guidance of the Youth Coordinators, to insure inclusiveness.

* All elections to the CYC are tentative to final approval at the meeting of the Memphis Annual Conference.

B. Adult Membership (10)

1. The Senior High Youth Coordinator (1)

Appointed by the Annual Conference Nominating Committees and elected at Annual Conference, this position will serve as the lead adult and will work closely with the President to oversee the work of the CYC.

2. The Junior High Youth Coordinator (1)

Appointed by the Annual Conference Nominating Committee as above.

3. The District Youth Coordinators (7)

Appointed by the District Council's on Ministries and/or District Superintendents respectively.

4. The Youth Service Fund Design Team Co-Chair (1)

Elected at YAC by the YSF design team.

C. Ex-Officio Membership (w/o vote) (6)

1. The cabinet representative (1).

2. The PMT staff person related to youth (1)

3. The remaining design team co-chairs: Missions, Rallies, Retreats & Trips (4)

D. Covenant

Persons accepting nominations, and being elected, will covenant with the CYC to be present at meetings and carry out their responsibilities. Persons who do not attend at least 50% of required meeting will be removed and have their position placed for nominations at the next YAC.

E. Executive Committee

This body will design and carry out the Youth Annual Conference and represent the CYC in the absence of the full body. This committee consists of the following:

1. President

2. Vice-President/Chaplain

3. Secretary/Treasurer

4. At-large members, appointed by the President(2)

5. The youth coordinators (2)

6. The youth PMT staff

7. The YSF design team co-chair

The Executive Committee will design, plan and lead the Youth Annual Conference each year under the guidance of the Youth Coordinator and Program Ministry Team staff person. An Executive Committee member or their designate, will serve on each design team as a liaison.

F. The Nominating Committee

To be elected within the CYC membership, will offer at least one nomination for each of the following positions to the floor of the YAC as needed:

1. President

2. Vice-President/Chaplain

3. Secretary/treasurer

(Other nominations may be received from the floor of the YAC by any voting delegation for these three positions.)

III. The Youth Annual Conference

Date and Place - The YAC will be held between May 1st and June 30th each year at Lambuth University or other institutions as necessary. It may be held over a weekend or a full week.

A. Participation

Each church charge in the Memphis Annual Conference will be permitted to bring as many participants (age 12-18) that they choose to be responsible for overseeing. At least one adult chaperone must be in attendance for every 8 youth. (This adult must meet the qualifications outlined in the Annual Conference policy on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse.) For example:

1-8 youth = 1 adult

9-16 youth = 2 adults*

17 to 24 youth = 3 adults, etc.

* Attention should be given to ensure that mixed groups have an adult of each sex, respectively.

B. Voting and Delegates

1. Each local church charge will have 1 adult vote (e.g. - youth coordinator or designate) and a maximum of 6 youth votes: one vote for each youth in attendance up to the maximum of 6.

2. Voting on the floor will be by delegation. Each church charge may cast their total votes in any division they deem appropriate. (For example: If two-thirds of the group agrees with a resolution and the other third disagrees, the delegation may cast their 6 votes as "4 For and 2 Against". (The manner in which the group handles the vote should be decided at the beginning of each week.)

3. All participants at the YAC will have voice on the floor of the Conference when recognized by the President.

C. Resolutions

1. Any local church or group may submit a resolution to the YAC. All resolutions will be reviewed by the Executive Committee of the CYC and may be combined with other resolutions where differences are insignificant.

2. The CYC Executive Committee will offer an opinion on each resolution for consideration by the larger body, however, each resolution will be voted on for acceptance or rejection by the full body meeting in delegation. The majority vote will determine the decision.

3. All resolutions that are accepted by the YAC will be presented to the next Memphis Annual Conference meeting in session where appropriate.

4. All resolutions must be submitted 10 days prior to YAC.

D. Special Group Meeting

1. District Meetings

The youth will meet briefly each morning in a district session to consider some of the following agenda items:

(a) Election of the District Representative to the CYC and an alternative.

(b) Resolutions or legislative changes to present to the YAC full body.

(c) Planning for District Youth Events.

2. Design Team Meetings *

The youth will be invited to participate in a design team meeting each afternoon to consider the following:

(a) Election of a chair, vice-chair, and adult co-chair

(b) Do planning for upcoming responsibilities

* Design teams will be an optional activity. Youth may choose from a list of interest groups if they do not want to be part of a design team.

E. Elections

1. Nominations will be made, either in special group meetings or on the floor of the YAC from the list of declared candidates. Time will be set aside, either in special meeting or on the floor of the YAC, for speeches to be delivered by the nominees. Elections will be held on the last day of the event. The majority vote will determine the new officer.

2. Nominations must be made from a list of "Declared Candidates". A "declaration form" will be sent to all churches and youth groups for use in declaring candidates for nominations to CYC positions up for election. The form will include personal information, a statement of the commitment involved and the signature of the Pastor recommending the person and stating that they are a member of the United Methodist Church. Attached to the "declaration form" must be a covenant, signed by the candidate, stating they will fulfill the obligations of any office they are elected to fill.

3. Persons may declare the candidacy by mail prior to the YAC or up until the close of the first day of the session in which they will be elected.

F. Design of the Week

The YAC will be an event filled with the many activities available on the Campus of Lambuth, or another institution, along with a multitude of special activities. The YAC will be meetings, bible study, concerts, fun and games, contests, worship and an unlimited list of experiences that will make the week, or weekend, equivalent to a week of camp or a retreat experience.

G. Fees

Each church will pay a minimal fee for each participant to cover the cost of room, board and program. The fee will be set in cooperation with Lambuth University or other institution housing the event.

IV. Amendment Clause:

All amendments to the CYC Bylaws must be brought to YAC for discussion and vote. Amendments must be read and tabled for twenty-four (24) hours before a vote can be taken.