Pre-Organization Meetings 1965
September 18, 1965
October 23, 1965
The Pre-Organization Group me at Second Baptist Church of Perth Amboy, N.J. at 8:45 p.m.
After Devotions, the Acting Moderator, Deacon M. Yelverton was presented to take charge as presiding officer of the meeting. There were very brief remarks by the chair, and the meeting opened for business.
The first order of business was reading and adoption of the minutes of the previous meeting which was read by the acting secretary, Deacon Ernest D. Wormley. On motion of Deacon Robert Carter, seconded by Deacon Lee G. Davis, the minutes are adopted, along with the recommendation. The Motion carried.
The recommendation offered in the minutes, and approved with the minutes was, that the Five Unions represented in the motion would formally organize as “The New Jersey State Baptist Deacon’s Convention”.
Deacon Charles Tonic Motioned and Deacon Robert Wiggs Seconded that a Nomination Committee by appointed on nomination of Officers of the convention. The motion carried unanimously.
The motion was offered that Two members of each Union, or organization be selected to work with the committee when it is selected, and the Presidents of each Union or organization serve as advisors to the committee. The Motion carried.
Members of the Committee:
Deacon John Harvey – Deacon’s Union, Trenton & vicinity.
Deacon Cornelious Brown – Deacon’s Union of Monmouth & adj. counties.
Deacon Cupid Johnson – Baptist Deacon’s Association of N.J.
Deacon General Jones – Baptist Deacon’s Association of N.J.
Deacon Samuel Hickerson – Deacon’s Union of South Jersey.
Deacon T. Bodiford – Deacon’s Union of Trenton & vicinity.
Deacon Zaney Leaks – Deacon’s Union of Monmouth & adjacent counties
Deacon Jessie Slaten Motioned, Seconded by Deacon Carl McGhee, that Deacon Lee G. Davis serve as chairman of the committee. The Motion carried.
The Chair then named the Five Presidents to serve as advisors to the committee on the constitution.
Five Presidents: Deacon Robert Carter, Deacon (Rev) Herbert Pressley, Deacon Arkel Spenser, Deacon Charles Tonic and Deacon George Moore.
Constitution Committee: Members appointed by the body.
Deacon Jessie Slaten, Deacon Ernest D. Wormley, Deacon Lawton Jackson, Deacon General Jones, Deacon Daniel Bond, Deacon Robert Wiggs, Deacon William Manely, Deacon Robert Chapman, Deacon Melvin Cheek, Deacon Wm. Thompson, Deacon Richard Robinson, Deacon Charles Tonic, Deacon Ollie Bates, Deacon Chancey Walker and Deacon James Medley.
On Motion by Deacon Robert Carter, Seconded by Deacon Arkel Spenser, Deacon Jessie Slaten was named Chairman of the Constitution Committee.
Deacon Archie Murphy was appointed temporary Treasurer with consent of the body. An amount of $10.65 was collected to help defray cost of mailing expense that will occur. Attendance 37It was Motioned, Seconded and carried that we stand adjourned and meet next with the Shiloh Baptist Church of Trenton, N.J. Rev. Howard Woodson, Jr., Pastor on Saturday, November 27, 1965 at 8 o’clock p.m. We were dismissed with Benediction by Rev. J. Jeffries.
November 27, 1965
The Pre-Organization committee met at Shiloh Baptist Church at 8:30 p.m. Following the devotions; the acting Moderator assumed the Chair, and called for the minutes of the previous meeting. The minutes were read and adopted as read. The report of the committee on Nominations were called for and read by Deacon Lee Davis.
Nomination of officers as follows:
Deacon Lee G. Davis, President; Deacon Samuel Hickerson, Vice President; Deacon Ernest D. Wormley, Recording Secretary; Deacon John Harvey, Assisting Secretary; Deacon Laughton Jackson, Corresponding Secretary; Deacon Cornelious Brown, Financial Secretary; Deacon Joshua Randolph, Treasurer; Deacon Zannie Leeks, Chaplain; Deacon Turner Bodiford, Marshall.
A motion was offered and seconded by Deacon Arkel Spencer and Deacon Archie Murphy that the report of the committee be received and adopted.
The report of the committee of drafting the constitution was called for Deacon Jessie Slaten chaired this committee and Deacon Daniel Bond, Secretary.
Committee as follows:
Deacon Jessie Slaten, Deacon Ernest D. Wormley, Deacon Laughton Jackson, Deacon General Jones, Deacon Daniel Bond, Deacon Richard Robinson, Deacon Ollie Bates, Deacon James Medley, Deacon Robert Wiggs, Deacon James Manley, Deacon Robert Chapman, Deacon Melvin Cheek, Deacon Wm. Thompson, Deacon Charles Tonic and Deacon Chancey Walker.
The draft of the constitution was read, and submitted for discussion and changes if necessary. Following discussion. A motion by Deacon E. O. Wing, second by Deacon Cornelious Brown, that the draft of the constitution be accepted by the body, and adopted. Deacon George Moore offered a suggestion that our official organization date would be set for the 3rd Sunday in January, 1966, and the elected officers be installed at that Service. Deacon E. O. Wing motioned and Deacon Torrence seconded that we hold our official organization and Installation of Officers at the Metropolitan Baptist Church of Newark, N.J. and Rev. B.F. Johnson, Pastor, on January 19, 1966. Deacon Daniel Bond Motioned and Deacon Robert Wiggs Seconded that we appoint a committee to draw up the program for Organization and Installation of Officers at Metropolitan Baptist Church of Newark, N.J. on January 16, 1966. The Motion carried.
A silver offering was collected to help defray expenses of the committees in mailing Minutes of the previous Three meetings to all of the Local unions, etc. An offering on $50 dollars was given and the amount of $3.75 was given for mailing expenses, and the balance of $46.75 turned over to the committee treasurer. Leaving a balance in the treasury of $56.90. The offertory prayer and benediction was given by Rev. (Deacon) H. Presley.
Deacon Malcolm Yelverton, Acting President
Deacon Ernest D. Wormley, Acting Secretary