The Bylaws of
the Oasis at Rita Ranch

ARTICLE I
Name and Principal Office
The name of the Corporation is the Oasis at Rita Ranch. This Corporation will be further
referred to in these Bylaws as the Church. The Church maintains its principal address at
9571 East Paseo San Bernardo, Tucson, Arizona.

ARTICLE II
Purpose
The purpose of the Church is to care for broken people so they learn to care for others
through Jesus Christ.
 

ARTICLE III
Statement of Faith
We believe the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final
authority concerning truth, morality and the proper conduct of humankind. The Bible is
the sole and final basis for our beliefs and practices. For the purposes of church
doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our pastors and home church leaders are our
final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.
We affirm: the profound, inherent, and equal dignity of every human life; marriage as a
union of one man and one woman; religious liberty and the inherent freedom of human
beings.

ARTICLE IV
Affiliation
The Church is autonomous and maintains the right to govern its own affairs. The
Church also reserves the right to affiliate with other churches and organizations that aid
the Church in fulfilling its purpose.

ARTICLE V
Membership
 

SECTION I: General
Membership in the Church shall consist of all persons who have met the qualifications
for membership and have been affirmed by the Directors.
 

SECTION II: Qualifications for Membership
Oasis members must be members of a cooperating home church.
 

SECTION III: Responsibilities of Members
The responsibilities of members are described in the home church membership
agreement. Only members are eligible for participation in formal positions of leadership.
 

SECTION IV: Voting Rights of Members
Every member shall have the right to vote on the following matters:
  1. The annual budget.
  2. The selection and removal of Pastors and Directors.
  3. Changes to the Bylaws.
 

SECTION V: Termination of Membership
A member shall be terminated by the Directors when a cooperating home church
removes him or her from membership in the home church. A home church may remove
a member for one of the following reasons:
  1. Death of the member.
  2. Personal request of the member.
  3. The conduct of the member violates the home church membership agreement
       and damages the reputation of the Church in the community. Members shall be
       dismissed according to the biblical model (Matthew 18:15-17):
         1) The member shall be approached privately by another member in order to
              restore the former to Christ and the Church.
         2) If the former member continues to violate the home church membership
             agreement, the latter member shall approach the former with two or three
             other members in order to restore the former to Christ and the Church.
         3) If the former member continues to violate the home church membership
              agreement, the members of the Church shall be invited to a hearing. If the
              former member refuses to be restored to Christ and the Church, the members
              of the Church shall instruct the Directors to terminate the membership of the
              former.

SECTION VI: Restoration of Membership
A member dismissed by his or her cooperating home church and by the Directors
because of conduct shall be restored by his or her cooperating home church and by the
Directors when the member’s lifestyle is determined to be in accordance with the home
church membership agreement.
 

ARTICLE VI
Membership Meetings

SECTION I: Place
Meetings of the members shall be held at the principal office of the Church or at other
places within or outside Arizona as designated from time to time by the Directors.
SECTION II: General Meetings
A general meeting of the membership shall be held in December of each year at a time
determined by the Directors. This general meeting shall be the annual membership
meeting. The purpose of this meeting shall be to adopt an annual budget and to select
and/or remove Pastors and Directors.
SECTION III: Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called at any time by the Directors or the Pastors for any
purpose by giving notice to the members in accordance with Section IV of this Article.
SECTION IV: Notice Requirements of Membership Meetings
Whenever members are required or permitted to take action at a meeting, notice shall
be given to members no less than two (2) weeks prior to the meeting. Notification of
membership meetings shall be given in any of the following manners:
  1. Weekly program,
  2. Church newsletter,
  3. Oral announcement in a weekly service, or
  4. Delivery by United States mail.
SECTION V: Quorum
Those members present at a duly noticed general or special membership meeting shall
constitute a quorum.
 

ARTICLE VII
Pastors

SECTION I: Selection of Pastors
Pastors shall be chosen in the following manner:
  1. The Pastors shall from time to time recommend to the Directors individual(s) for
       the office of Pastor.
  2. If the Directors approve of the recommendation, they shall nominate the
      individual(s) for the office of Pastor at a general or special membership meeting of
      the Church.
  3. The nominee(s) shall then be elected to the office of Pastor by the members of
       the Church in a general or special membership meeting.

SECTION II: Powers of Pastors
The Pastors shall have the authority to lead the Church in all spiritual matters, and
exercise all authority not granted in these Bylaws to the Members, Directors or Officers.

SECTION III: Meetings, Frequency and Place
The Pastors shall meet regularly and as often as they deem appropriate at the principal
office unless otherwise specified by the Pastors.

SECTION IV: Quorum and Manner of Acting
A majority of the Pastors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Pastors and
the act of the majority of the quorum shall be the act of the Pastors.
 

SECTION V: Removal of Pastors
Pastors shall be removed in the following manner:
  1. The Pastors shall recommend to the Directors that a Pastor be removed from
       office. If there are only one or two pastors, two or more Directors may make the
       recommendation.
  2. If the Directors agree with the recommendation, they shall move to remove the
       individual from the office of Pastor at a general or special membership meeting of
       the Church.
  3. The individual shall then be removed from the office of Pastor by the members of
        the Church in a general or special membership meeting.
 

ARTICLE VIII
Directors

SECTION I: Number and Term
The number of Directors shall be determined by the Directors, provided that such
number is not less than three (3), nor more than sixteen (16). Each Director, with the
exception of the Senior Pastor, serves a one-year term and no Director may serve more
than three consecutive terms. The Directors shall consist of the Senior Pastor and those
selected in the following manner:
  1. The Directors shall from time to time recommend to the Pastors individual(s) for
       the office of Director.
  2. If the Pastors approve of the recommendation, they shall nominate the
      individual(s) for the office of Director at a general or special membership meeting
      of the Church.
  3. The nominee(s) shall then be elected to the office of Director by the members of
      the Church in a general or special membership meeting.

SECTION II: Powers of Directors
The Directors shall have the following powers and responsibilities:
  1. General Corporate Powers: Subject to the limitations of the Arizona Nonprofit
       Religious Corporation Law and these Bylaws, the business of the Church and all
       corporate powers shall be directed or exercised by the Directors.
  2. Specific Powers: Subject to the same limitations, Directors shall have the power
      to:
     A. Determine compensation for all officers, agents and employees of the Church
          and prescribe any powers and duties for them that are consistent with the law
          and with these Bylaws.
     B. Change the principal office of the Church from one location to another, and
          determine the time and place (within or outside the state of Arizona) for any
          meeting of the Directors or Members.
    C. Adopt, use, and alter a corporate seal.
    D. Borrow money and incur indebtedness on behalf of the Church.
    E. Affirm, terminate and restore membership in the Church.
    F. Nominate and move to remove persons for the office of Pastor.
    G. Recommend to the Pastors persons for the office of Director.
    H. Exercise all other powers conferred by the Arizona Nonprofit Religious
          Corporation Law or other applicable laws.
 

SECTION III: Meetings, Frequency and Place
Regular meetings of the Directors may be held without notice if the time and place of
such meetings are fixed by resolution of the Directors.
 

SECTION IV: Special Meetings

   1. Authority to Call: Special meetings of the Directors may be called for any purpose
      and at any time by the joint agreement of the President and any other Director.
  2. Notice Requirements of Board Meetings
       A. Manner of Giving: Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be
            given to each Director by one of the following methods:
            1) Personal delivery of written notice,
            2) First class mail,
            3) Telephone communication directly with the Director,
            4) Facsimile to the Director’s home or office.
      B. Time Requirements: Notice sent by mail shall be postmarked at least four (4)
           days before the meeting. Notice given by personal delivery, telephone or
           facsimile shall be given at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting.

SECTION V: Quorum and Manner of Acting
A majority of the Directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Directors and
the act of the majority of the quorum shall be the act of the Directors.

SECTION VI: Action Without Meeting
Any action required by the Directors may be taken without a meeting if every Director,
individually or collectively, consents in writing to the action. Such action shall have the
same effect as the unanimous vote of the Directors. Such written consent shall be filed
with the minutes of the proceedings of the Directors.

SECTION VII: Removal of Directors
Directors shall be removed in the following manner:
  1. The Directors shall recommend to the Pastors that a Director be removed from
       office.
  2. If the Pastors agree with the recommendation, they shall move to remove the
       individual from the office of Director at a general or special membership meeting
       of the Church.
  3. The individual shall then be removed from the office of Director by the members of
       the Church in a general or special membership meeting.

ARTICLE IX
Officers, Staff, and Volunteers

SECTION I: Officers
The Officers of the Church shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
The Senior Pastor shall serve as President.

SECTION II: Selection of Officers
All Officers, except the President, shall be elected by the Directors.

SECTION III: Removal of Officers
Any Officer, except the President, may be removed from office by the Directors. The
President may be removed from office by removing him as Pastor.

SECTION IV: Vacancies in Offices
Upon vacancy of the Office of President (Senior Pastor), the Directors shall nominate a
Pastor for the Office of President (Senior Pastor). The nominee shall then be elected to
the Office of President (Senior Pastor) by the members of the Church in a general or
special membership meeting. All other vacancies shall be filled by the Directors.
 

SECTION V: President
The President of the Church shall be the Senior Pastor, who shall supervise the
business of the Church and moderate the meetings of the Directors and Pastors. He
may sign, with any other Officer, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, and other
instruments which the Directors authorize to be executed, and shall perform all other
duties of the Office of President.
 

SECTION VI: Vice-President
The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his absence and shall
perform any other duties assigned by the Directors.
 

SECTION VII: Secretary
The Secretary shall:
   1. Keep the minutes of the meetings of the Members and Directors.
   2. Ensure that all notices for meetings are given in accordance these Bylaws.
   3. Keep a current mailing list of all Members.
   4. Perform any other duties assigned by the Directors.

SECTION VIII: Treasurer
The Treasurer shall:
  1. Be responsible for all funds and securities of the Church.
   2. Maintain accurate accounts of the Church’s properties and business transactions.
   3. Furnish financial reports to the Directors.
   4. Be responsible for receiving and distributing all funds.
   5. Perform any other duties assigned by the Directors.

SECTION IX: Staff
All support staff must be able and willing to provide soul care to members when
necessary. Therefore, all staff must be spiritually qualified to carry out their
responsibilities.

SECTION X: Volunteers
All volunteers and staff who work with children shall:
  1. Undergo a national criminal background check before working with minors.
  2. Avoid ever being alone with a minor.
  3. Be trained to report abuse.
   4. Be attendees of the Oasis in good standing and must wait at least six (6) months
       before working with minors.

 

ARTICLE X
Contracts, Checks, Deposits and Gifts

SECTION I: Contracts
The Directors may authorize any person(s) to enter into a contract or execute and
deliver an instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Church.
SECTION II: Checks, drafts, etc.
All checks, drafts, money orders, and other notes shall be signed and countersigned by
any two (2) signatories approved by the Directors.
SECTION III: Deposits
All funds received shall be deposited in a timely manner in any banks or other
depositories that the Directors select.
SECTION IV: Gifts
The Directors may accept any contribution or gift on behalf of the Church.

 

ARTICLE XI
Records and Reports

The Church shall maintain the following records and reports at the Church’s principal
office:
   1. Accurate financial records.
   2. Written minutes of the proceedings of the Members and Directors.
   3. A current mailing list of all Members.
   4. Charitable contribution statements.

ARTICLE XII
Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Church shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last
day of December each year.

ARTICLE XIII
Limitations of Liability and Indemnification
No Director or Pastor shall be liable to the Church for any loss or damage suffered by
the Church because of an action taken or omitted by that person if the action taken was
within the person’s scope of authority, was taken in good faith, and was performed with
the same degree of care that a prudent person would have exercised under the same
circumstances. In any suit, action or other proceedings in which a Director or Pastor is
made a party, provided that the person meets the requirements stated above, the
Church shall pay any final judgment entered against that person or pay the amount
necessary to settle the proceedings, and pay all expenses, including reasonable
attorney fees, incurred in connection with the person’s defense.

ARTICLE XIV
Amendments to the Bylaws
The members may alter, amend or repeal these Bylaws by a two-thirds majority vote.