FINAL UPDATE
(Following the Approval)
The "proposed" constitutional amendment (below) was approved on Sunday, August 14, 2022.
Minutes for the above meeting were approved at the Voters' Assembly Meeting on Oct 16.
See here the Constitution, Approved on August 14, 2022.
AMMENDMENT DETAILS
(Everything Below is Prior to Approval)
Join us for our 9:00 a.m. worship on Sunday, August 14, 2022, to participate in this vote. We will hold a very brief meeting in the sanctuary at the end of the worship service. No board or financial reports will be presented or discussed in the interest of brevity.
LOCATION: This vote will take place in the main sanctuary at Trinity.
Note the underlined sections of our Constitution, below. The language of Article I ("Name")* is being considered for change from "CURRENT" to "PROPOSED" as follows:
CURRENT: The name of this congregation will be Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Inc. of Port Edwards, Wisconsin, and a religious society organized under Chapter 187 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
PROPOSED: The name of this congregation will be Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Inc. of Port Edwards, Wisconsin, and such entity shall be a nonstock corporation organized under Chapter 181 of the Wisconsin Statutes for religious purposes.
*NOTE: Although this change is in the "name" section of our constitution, we are NOT changing the "Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church" part that most of us think of when we hear "name" talk. Hopefully, that doesn't cause too much confusion, but feel free to contact the church office for clarification. See only the underlined sections above.
NOTICE: The underlined amendments to the organizing chapter of the Wisconsin Statutes was read at the previous Voters’ Assembly meeting (Sunday, July 17, 2022), has already been mailed to all members, and will be announced in the pre-service announcements of all worships services two weeks prior to voting.
AGENDA: A copy of the proposed meeting agenda may be downloaded here.
APPROVAL: Requires 2/3rds majority vote.
JUSTIFICATION: The purpose of this change is to be formally recognized by the State of Wisconsin. Chapter 187 “religious societies” are not registered with the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). Being registered with the State means that other entities, grants, and vendors can easily verify our non-profit status. Chapters 187 and 181 are similar, by default, a non-profit corporation is a non-stock corporation; however, operating under Chapter 181 better facilitates our organizational goals. We will remain a non-profit organization (NPO), and we will continue to uphold the same values and traditions.
LEGAL COUNSEL: The law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP, out of Milwaukee, WI, has provided an associate pro-bono to assist with these matters. To see a copy of the letter of their representation, please visit the church office. We are incredibly grateful for the advice and assistance of Austin R. Kissinger, Esq. He and his assistant have made themselves easily available to Pastor Corey. We look forward to "potentially" organizing our own 501(c)(3) with the IRS and a Foundation (or endowment) for members to direct estate planning gifts.
For more information about Chapter 181 of the Wisconsin Statues, visit:
For more information about Chapter 187 of the Wisconsin Statues, visit:
For more information about our Group exemption, under the 501(c)(3) of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, visit: https://locator.lcms.org/church/C/734663
For more information about the benefits and/or annual requirements of Chapter 181, please contact Pastor Corey Shaffer at Pastor@TrinityLutheranPE.org or call the church office.
Click here for a PDF copy of our church's Constitution and By-Laws (prior to amendment).