As we worked through upcoming FBC meeting and business plans at our most recent elders meeting, the elders realized that the FBC bylaws do not adequately address our current situation with COVID-19 and complicate our ability to do church business virtually (electronically, online) rather than in person.  In seeking advice from others regarding this situation, it became clear to us that we need to amend our bylaws to make sure we are capable of conducting business electronically.  We note for you that the small, proposed amendments add language that allow flexibility without changing the substance of our current bylaws.

In accordance with our bylaws, any amendment requires two weeks prior notice before FBC can vote and adopt the changes.  The following three amendments are the proposed changes to be approved on July 19th:

1) Article IV, add bullet 4.8 which would read as follows:

"During periods when the church is unable to meet in person for worship or business meetings, the Elders shall oversee church meetings and voting methods to allow the church to do business through virtual meetings with digital voting options.  This change would allow for more flexibility when needed but would not change voting number minimums for quorum or passing votes as specified in the bylaws.”

2) Article VI bullet 6.4, replace the second to last sentence of

paragraph 2 with this sentence:

“Election shall be by written ballot except during circumstances where meeting methods are altered as referred to in Article 4.8.”

3) Article VI bullet 6.5, replace the first sentence of the last paragraph with this sentence:

“Election shall be by written ballot except during circumstances where meeting methods are altered as referred to in Article 4.8.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A CURRENT COPY OF OUR BY-LAWS.

John Ellis - Elder renewal

Carol McKissick - Elder renewal and Elder Board Secretary

Scott Goodman - Elder Board Vice Chairperson

Bryan Blair - Elder Board Chairperson

Ian Magnone - Elder Nominee

Ian was born in Virginia, moved to California in middle school, and became a resident of the beautiful Pacific Northwest in 2014. He met his wife, Rachael, shortly after moving to the Seattle area, and through her found his church home at FBC. They have an adorable 3 year old daughter that most of you probably know and love, Kinsley Mae. He is active on the tech team here at First Baptist, a life group leader, and we believe will be a great fit for the Elder board.

2020 has been a difficult year that has interrupted our normal ministries and diminished our standard expenses.  This year's proposed budget seeks to maintain almost all of our ministry budgets that were approved last year with minimized increases in our staffing budget and decreases in our administration budget to help us in making some expected personnel shifts. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF OUR PROPOSED 2020-2021 BUDGET