BY-LAWS
CONFERENCE OF MESSIANIC YISRAEL
Revised 30th day, 5th Chodesh, 5765 (6 August 2005)
 
1.  ORGANISATION.
1.1 The Conference Of Messianic Yisrael (COMY) is a membership-based, non-profit, international organization of Messianic Yisraelites.
 
1.2 COMY Members may have widely varying doctrinal beliefs, but all unite around a central Foundational Statement - "On This We Stand" (OTWS).  The text of this statement may not be altered without the unanimous approval of the COMY Council and notice to all Members.

1.3 COMY is supported financially on a free-will offering basis.  There is no charge for Membership, but all Members are encouraged to support COMY as their ability allows, and as directed by the Ruach.

 
2.  MEMBERSHIP.
2.1 COMY has two levels of membership - Individual, and Organization.
 
2.2 Individual members may join by attesting agreement to OTWS, and submitting a personal testimony.  Upon review by the Membership Working Group, if these conditions are met, the person will be added as an Individual Member.
 
2.3 Organizations include Congregations, Assemblies, Companies, Ministries, and other such entities.
2.3.1 Organizations may join by attesting agreement to OTWS, and submitting a personal testimony of the group leader along with answers to any other questions the COMY Council may see fit to include on the Application Form.  Upon review by the Membership Working Group, if these conditions are met, the Organization will be added as an Organization Member.
 
2.3.2 The leader of an Organization Member, regardless of size or number of members, will become a member of the COMY Council, and upon successful completion of the Semikhah process, a member of the Semikhah Council.  Additional persons from that Organization Member may also complete the Semikhah process, and will likewise become members of the Semikhah Council, but without voting rights.  Only the current leader of an Organization Member will be entitled to vote.
2.4 Removal or censure of any Member will only be allowed if that Member later rejects part or all of the OTWS Foundational Statement, for an intentional act of deceit in the Application, or for conduct which brings reproach on the Name of YHWH.
2.4.1 A written statement from the Member to these effects will be considered conclusive, provided that it has been verified to be authentic by the Council.
 
2.4.2 If allegations are raised by any Member that another Member has rejected part or all of the OTWS Foundational Statement, or submitted a false Application, then the Membership Working Group will investigate the matter and make a full report to the Council.
 
2.4.3 If allegations are raised by any Member that another Member has engaged in conduct which brings reproach on the Name of YHWH, then the Semikhah Working Group will investigate the matter and make a full report to the Council.  In such matters, judgment will be by the standards of Torah alone, and the Council may take whatever action it feels is appropriate for discipline and mutual accountability in the case of a Semikhah Council member.  No member will be judged against if the conduct alleged is an arguably legitimate interpretation of Torah.
 
2.4.4 In any proceeding as above, the accused Member will receive immediate notice of the investigation of the matter, and will have the right to make written and verbal evidence to the Working Groups or Council as they wish.
 
2.4.5 Any removal or censure as above will require a vote of 70% of voting Semikhah Council members who are not witnesses in the matter.
 
2.4.6 The full records of any removal or censure of a Member will be sealed for privacy, and all COMY Council members will respect the privacy of the individuals involved.  Any request to view the records must be brought for a vote by the Semikhah Council.
  
3.  COMY COUNCIL.
3.1 The affairs of COMY are to be completely governed and controlled by the COMY Council, on the vote of its members which have received Semikhah and become members of the Semikhah Council, with voting rights in all affairs of COMY.  When the COMY Council meets in regular or special session, all motions voted on by the Semikhah Council will be done in full view of all COMY Council members.
3.1.1  The COMY Council may set a recurring meeting schedule as it sees fit.  Whenever such a schedule is set or changed, notice will immediately be sent to all members through the COMY Council e-forum group. 
 
3.1.2  Other meetings of the COMY Council may be scheduled by any three members of the Council with a minimum of five days notice to all members through the COMY Council e-forum group. 
 
3.1.3  Special sessions of the COMY Council may be scheduled by any three members of the Council with a minimum of 24-hours notice to all members through the COMY Council e-forum group, provided that the subject thereof be of a nature that can not wait the normal notice period, and that the special session will be limited to such subject. 
3.2 In all matters unless otherwise provided, the vote of the Semikhah Council will be final by majority.  A quorum of 70% of all voting Semikhah Council members must be present at any meeting of the COMY Council to affect a vote.  An Organization Member may designate an alternate member who has received Semikhah to stand-in  in the absence of of the normal voting member (group leader).
  
3.3 The Semikhah Council members will in the first Chodesh each year choose four such to form the Semikhah Working Group for the year.  This is the only Working Group which is open to Council members alone.  The function of this Group will be to review applications for Semikhah from COMY Members and make a recommendation report to the COMY Council.
3.3.1 At least three of the Group members will personally interview any Semikhah applicants and prepare an individual report of the interview.  After three interviews have been completed, each interviewer will forward their report to the Group for discussion and a determination if additional inquiry is needed.
 
3.3.2 The Group will verify personal contact and identification information, check references, and in all other ways available perform the due-diligence of COMY in regards to Semikhah.

3.3.3 The Group will be responsible for verifying that the knowledge and skills appropriate for Semikhah, as established by the Semikhah Council, have been met, or are met after Semikhah in a timely manner as each case requires.

 
3.3.4 Once the Group has reached unanimous consensus, a report and recommendation will be submitted to the full COMY Council, containing the application, interview reports, and other evidence collected by the Group.
 
3.3.5 The COMY Council is to consider the matter in prayer for seven days.  If any member, through the giftings of the Ruach, is given a Word or direction on the matter during this time, such is to be brought to the Council, and if necessary, additional inquiry made by the Semikhah Working Group.
 
3.3.6 On the eighth day, the Semikhah Council alone will vote on the issue of Semikhah, and may grant Semikhah by a 70% positive vote.  If granted, the COMY Council will collectively pray over the applicant and consecrate them for the service of YHWH in the Body.  The Semikhah Working Group will conclude all administrative paperwork for credentials.

3.3.7 All Members receiving Semikhah will, upon such, covenant to a mutual accountability one with the other, to walk with integrity and righteousness before YHWH.  They will support one another in ministry as able, to equip, pray for, and provide respite for each other.

 
4.  WORKING GROUPS.
4.1 The daily operations of COMY will be handled by various Working Groups, each focused on a specific area of body-ministry.
 
4.2 Any Member may, with the approval of the Council, begin a new Working Group for any ministry purpose as they feel led by the Ruach haKodesh.  A Working Group must have at least one member.
 
4.3 All Members are to be encouraged to find a place or places where they can be involved and contribute the gifts which have been given to them by YHWH.  Members may join any Working Group, subject only to any contrary direction from the Council.
 
4.4 COMY will have the following permanent Working Groups:
4.4.1 Membership.  Processes all applications for Membership, and maintains the listings of Members.  Coordinates with the Technology Group on the posting of Membership related information.
 
4.4.2 Finance.  Handles COMY funds and bank account(s), and the receipt of donations.  The Group is to prepare a monthly report which will be available to all Members.  All accounts are to be handled in full transparency to the COMY Council and disbursements require approval of the COMY Council on either an on-going or special basis.
 
4.4.3 Technology.  Responsible for the COMY web systems and any technology related needs.
 
4.4.4 Outreach.  Coordinates witnessing and outreach efforts.
 
4.4.5 Teaching.  Manages the various COMY teaching programmes and schedules broadcast slots.
 
4.5.6 Midrash.  Moderates the COMY Midrash group.
5.  CHANGES.
5.1 Changes to these by-laws will require the affirmative vote of 70% of the total voting Semikhah Council members, not withstanding rules of quorum.
 
5.2 No change may be approved which would lessen a voting level requirement of the by-laws without the approval of the same number of the Semikhah Council members as would have been required by the section being changed.

5.3 Any change adopted will be published to all Members via e-mail and posted on the COMY website.