A. Nominations and Elections
From SMI’s inception, members have participated in determining how the ministry functions. Members continue to participate in important decisions by voting. Each membership receives one ballot, which counts as one vote for Board of Directors elections or any proposed share increases.
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For Board Members—The SMI Board consists of nine members of SMI. Six Board members are elected by the membership to staggered three-year terms. (Vacancies in these positions may be filled by Board appointment.) Members nominate candidates and vote by mail. Elections are announced in the newsletter and held each fall. The qualifications for Board members are available upon request. Samaritan Ministries founder, Ted Pittenger, is a permanent Board member and will appoint the other two Board members.
If the elected positions are contested, the two candidates receiving the most votes are elected. A candidate only receiving a plurality will be the winner unless the Board determines that a runoff should occur between the highest candidates. If there is only one candidate for each position, members will be provided with a “Yes/No” ballot, and each candidate must receive a simple majority of the votes cast to be elected.
To be eligible for Board membership, nominees must agree with the Bylaws doctrinal statements, including the following Board member Statement of Faith:
- I believe the Bible alone is the inspired Word of God; therefore it is the final and only source of absolute spiritual authority.
- I believe in the triune God of the Bible. He is one God Who is revealed in three distinct Persons—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
- I believe Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, and continues to be such even after His resurrection—fully God and fully man. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, was bodily resurrected on the third day, and now is seated in the heavens at the right hand of God the Father.
- I believe that all people are born with a sinful nature and can be saved from eternal death only by grace alone, through faith alone, trusting only in Christ's atoning death and resurrection to save us from our sins and give us eternal life.
- I believe in the bodily resurrection of all who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, and the bodily resurrection to judgment of all who have not.
- All I believe and do should be for the glory of God alone.
- For Share Increases—All proposed share increases for Classic or Basic will be submitted to the membership of that program for their approval. The share increase will not be implemented if more than 50% of the households in that program vote against the proposed share increase.
- For Advisory Input on Other Issues—The Board may seek an advisory vote of the members on any issue, e.g. whether to make changes in the Guidelines concerning what medical needs should be shared.
B. Communicating With Each Other
At SMI we believe all members of the Body of Christ should give input for the mutual edification of the whole body. We encourage members to communicate with staff about all issues of health care. Your input can help us be more aware of ways to improve the ministry. You may know about new and effective medical treatments. You may know of ways to negotiate discounts or use different treatments to keep costs down. You may know of specific medical, spiritual, or financial needs. You may know of ways the staff can better serve our members and encourage a spirit of community. Input offered in a spirit of love is highly valued, and we welcome it. Our staff and members should always communicate with these scriptural admonitions in mind: “But the fruit of the Spirit is ... kindness ... gentleness” GAL 5:22-23 and, “Let your speech always be gracious... ”COL 4:6 (ESV)
C. Membership Level Requirement
All the persons in a membership must share at the same membership level, all either being in Samaritan Basic or all in Samaritan Classic.