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.