CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I - NAME, MOTTO AND VISION
Section 1 - This religious association of lay women shall be known as MOTHER BUTLER GUILD.
Section 2 - The motto of the Association is "All for Jesus through Mary.:
Section 3 - The vision and mission of the Association is "To know Jesus and make Him known. To love Jesus and make Him loved."
ARTICLE II - AIMS
Section 1 - The Guild shall have as its primary aim the sanctification of its members and through their witness, of their fellowmen. All activities of the Guild shall have for their main objective the spiritual enrichment of the members and all those embraced by the Guild's apostolate.
Section 2 - It shall seek to encourage all the members to imitate the virtues of Mother Joseph Butler in her apostolate of active service to the church, particularly through participation and promotion of the care and upkeep of the sanctuary and sacristy which she seriously undertook during her lifetime.
Section 3 - It shall strive to make the members fully aware of providing, maintaining and caring for the sacred items necessary for liturgical celebrations in their respective parishes. It shall also encourage its members to help other poor parishes meet their sacristy needs.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 - The Mother Butler Guild shall be open to all Catholic women of good moral standing in the parish. Application for membership includes a probationary period of three months. The approval of the Parish Priest shall be necessary before any applicant may be admitted as a member.
Section 2 - There shall be two classes of members. Active and Honorary. Active members are those who shall regularly attend the meetings of the Guild and actually take part in its service. Honorary members are those who without doing the above, contribute financially for the projects of the Guild.
ARTICLE IV - ORGANIZATION
Section 1 - The National Council. The National Council shall be composed of the Nation Executive Board (NEB), the National Spiritual Director, the Regional Coordinators and all Archdiocesan/Diocesan/Military Ordinate of the Philippines (MOP) Council Presidents, as well as Presidents of Parish Units in a diocese that has not yet formed its Diocesan Council and Presidents of Special Units.
Section 2 - The National Executive Board (NEB). The National Executive Board shall be chosen according to the rules and/or policies of Governance as stipulated in the By-Laws. The NEB shall be the highest governing body of the Mother Butler Guild tasked by these statutes to guide and guard the MBG vision and mission through Spirit-inspired policies that proclaim, preserve and promote knowledge and love of Christ, and its servant-service in the Church alongside Jesus, our Servant-God
The President of the Archdiocesan Council of the seat of government shall automatically sit in the National Executive Board.
Section 3 - The Archdiocesan / Diocesan Council. The Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council shall be organized in a local ecclesiastical territory (archdiocese/diocese) with the consent of the Local Ordinary. It shall be composed of at least five (5) Parish. Units at the start before it can be recognized as a Council. It shall carry out the policies, operations and directives of the MBG on the local level emanating from the National Executive Board and cascaded for implementation to all Parish Units of the archdiocese/diocese. It shall also be responsible for the growth and development of the MBG apostolate/ministry in its area of jurisdiction, the spiritual life of its office and members, as well as the enhancement and fruitfulness of their service.
Section 4 - The Parish Unit. The Mother Butler Guild shall be organized in each parish with the consent of the Parish Priest and shall be known as the Parish Unit of an archdiocese/diocese. While its duties and prerogatives follow the pattern of the organizational structures on the national and archdiocesan/diocesan levels, the Parish Unit is recognized as the basic unit of the MBG where actual service to the Lord in the sanctuary and all that this entrails are carried out, and where love for the House of the Lord is witnessed to on a daily basis.
Section 5 - Special Unit. The Mother Butler Guild established in a Shrine and/or Institution, i.e. Seminary, that is outside the jurisdiction of a parish shall be considered a Special Unit following the structure, prerogatives and duties of a Parish Unit.
Section 6 - The MBG MOP Council. The Mother Butler Guild Military Ordinariate of the Philippines Council hereinafter called the MBG MOP Council shall have the same organizational structure, prerogatives and duties as an Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council. In lieu of Parish Units, it shall be constituted by the Military Camps where the MBG apostolate/ministry has been established with the consent of the MOP Local Ordinary. Such Military Camps shall be referred to as MOP Units. The MOP Unit shall have the same structure, prerogatives and duties as a Parish Unit.
The President of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines (MOP) Council shall automatically sit in the National Executive Board since the latter's coverage is nationwide.
Section 7 - The "Formandi" Youth Group. In some MBG Parish Units, young girls are entrusted to the care of the MBG and to help them in their work. In such cases, the Formandi Youth Group shall be composed of young girls aged 13 and above. The Parish Units with such young girls will help look after their spiritual formation and knowledge of faith with the consent and guidance of the Parish Priest, as well as expose them to MBG service. Induction as active members of the MBG is reserved for ladies 18 years of age and above.
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS
Section 1 - The National Executive Board (NEB) shall be composed of the following:
- National President
- Vice President for Spiritual Concerns
- Vice President for Pastoral Concerns
- Vice President for Household Concerns
- Executive Secretary
- Recording Secretary
- Treasurer
- Auditor
- Custodian of Liturgical Articles
- President of the Manila Archdiocesan Council
- President of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines (MOP) Council
- Members
Section 2 - The officers of the Parish Unit shall be elected by their members after the Parish Priest has been duly informed that such election is to take place. Elections are to be held every three (3) years.
Section 3 - The Parish Unit/Archdiocesan/Diocesan/MOP Council and National Executive Board Officers shall serve for three (3) years. Their term of office shall commence on January 1 of a particular year and to end three years thereafter on Dec 31. Elections shall be held either on October or November of the year when the term of incumbent officers shall end on Dec. 31 of said year.
Section 4 - The term of office and manner of selection of the officers of the National Executive Board, Archdiocesan / Diocesan / MOP Council, Parish Unit, MOP Unit and Special Unit of the MBG, as well as their duties, responsibilities and privileges are defined in the By-Laws on governance.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I - PARISH UNIT
Section 1 - The members of the Guild from a particular parish shall compose the Parish Unit of said parish. All officers of the MBG in all its organization's structural levels: national, archdiocesan and diocesan must come from a Parish Unit. In the case of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines Council, from a MOP Unit.
Section 2 - Election is the means whereby officers of the Parish Unit are chosen. The officers of the Parish Unit are elected by the members of the Unit every three (3) years, with every term of office to begin on January 1 of a particular year and to end three (3) years thereafter on December 31, i.e. to begin Jan. 1, 2014 and to end on Dec 31, 2016. Hence, all elections are to be held either in October or November of the year wherein the term of elected officers ends on December 31.
The officers and members of a Parish Unit shall function under the guidance of the Parish Priest who shall be their Spiritual Director or any other priest from the parish designated by him. He should be duly informed prior to the holding of an election of officers.
Section 3 - The Officers of a Parish Unit are as follows:
- President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Custodian of Liturgical Articles
- Auditor (if necessary)
Section 4 - The elected officers of the Parish Unit are to hold office for one term of three (3) years. In the event of the death or incapacity of a serving President, the Vice-President shall take her place. In the event of grave misconduct and/or scandal caused by any elected officer occurs, the Parish Priest with the concurrence of the Archdiocesan / Diocesan Council concerned, after due diligence by the latter, shall remove said erring officer and choose her replacement from among the members of the Unit. Said replacement shall serve the unexpired term of the erring officer. The Archdiocesan / Diocesan Council concerned shall inform the National Executive Board of such situation as soon as it happens and render a written report as soon as a conclusion has been reached.
Section 5 - The Parish Unit shall have three (3) Standing Committees the composition of which shall be appointed by the President of the MBG Parish Unit with the concurrence of the Parish Priest. There committees are as follows:
1. Spiritual Concerns - for the spiritual formation and maturity in faith growth of its officers and members;
2. Pastoral Concerns - for the well being of the members and their in-service development and the expansion of the apostolate;
3. Household Concerns - for the needs of the unit in relation to sourcing materials and funds for the MBG work.
Section 6 - The duties of the officers shall be as follows:
- The President shall call and preside over all meetings, give assignments to the members, receive their reports and supervise the work of the Parish Unit; sign/countersign checks, vouchers, minutes of the meetings and other pertinent correspondence; appoint ad hoc working committees whenever necessary; exercise discretion over and accept privileges pertaining to all matters affecting the Guild with the approval of Spiritual Director; represent the Unit at the meetings of the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council and sit in as a member of said Council.
- The Vice President shall have the responsibility for the promotion of the membership of the Unit; assume all duties and responsibilities and powers of the President in the absence or incapacity of the latter.
- The Secretary shall take down and keep the minutes of every meeting in a permanent record and read the same at the regular meetings of the Unit; furnish the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council with an annual report of the Unit's activities, a list of vestments and altar linens sewn by the members; handle all matters pertaining to the Unit's records and correspondence which the President may assign her to write. She shall likewise take care of notifying all members of meetings and activities of the Unit, disseminate announcements and/or notices which the President may issue from time to time.
- The Treasurer shall collect and deposit in the Bank Account of the Unit the fees and contributions from the members, submit a financial report during the regular meetings of the Unit; furnish the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council a yearly financial statement of her Unit's funds; remit to the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council the monthly contribution due from her Unit.
- The Auditor shall conduct an audit of Treasurer's books and assist in the preparation of the annual financial report of the Parish Unit that will be submitted to the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council.
- The Custodian of Liturgical Articles shall take charge of the safekeeping of the Unit's properties, the vestments, linens and vessels of the parish, keep a record of these and make these available to those in charge of the Unit's activities. She shall likewise prepare an annual inventory report of the liturgical articles and properties of her Unit and submit this to the Mother Butler Guild Parish Unit and to the Parish Priest.
ARTICLE II - THE ARCHDIOCESAN / DIOCESAN COUNCIL
Section 1 - The Archdiocesan / Diocesan Spiritual Director who shall either be the Local Ordinary or any other priest appointed by him, all officers of the Archdiocesan / Diocesan Council and all Parish Unit Presidents of the Archdiocese/Diocese shall constitute the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council.
Section 2 - The officers of the Archdiocesan/Diocesan/MOP National Council shall be as follows:
- President
- Vice President for Spiritual Concerns
- Vice President for Pastoral Concerns
- Vice President for Household Concerns
- Executive Secretary
- Recording Secretary
- Treasurer
- Auditor
- Custodian of Liturgical Articles
They shall hold office for a term of three (3) years.
Section 3 - All officers of the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils must be serving as active members of their respective Parish Units of the Archdiocese/Diocese where they belong. All Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council officers shall be chosen by election at a special meeting convoked for this. They shall be elected through one of there three (3) methods:
- through the votes of the members at large of the Archdiocese/Diocese;
- through the votes of a fixed number of representatives from each Parish Unit of the archdiocese/diocese
- through the votes of the Presidents of the Parish Unites of the archdiocese/diocese.
The choice of which method shall be used for the election of the Archdiocesean/Diocesan Council Officers shall be determined by incumbent (existing) Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council during an election year, with the concurrence of the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Spritual Director and the Local Ordinary, if he is not the latter.
This election process shall likewise be followed by the MBG MOP Council.
Section 4 - The duties of the officers shall be as follows:
The President shall be responsible to the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Spiritual Director, to the National Council and to the members at large of her particular Archdiocese/Diocese for the effective performance of the Council; call and preside over all meetings; with the consensus of the Archdiocesean/Diocesan Council officer, create ad hoc committees whenever necessary, define their functions, appoint their coordinators and members, and supervise their works; receive Progress Reports of the Parish Units; authorize disbursements after consultation with the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Executive Board; sign/countersign together with one other signatory and /or Treasurer checks and vouchers; sign together with the Recording Secretary Minutes of Meetings; sign office correspondence; see to it that the Mother Butler Guild apostolate is promoted and established in as many, and if possible in all parishes in the Archdiocese/Diocese; take up, arbitrate and assist in solving problems elevated to the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council by any Parish Unit; keep a complete and updated record of all Parish Units in the Archdiocese/Diocese; exercise discretion and accept privileges pertaining to all matters affecting the Council with the approval of the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Spiritual Director.
The Vice President for Spiritual Concerns shall be responsible for the on-going formation of the officers and members of the Parish Units, as well as the enhancement of their knowledge of the faith and Church liturgy; see to it with due diligence that formation programs from the National Executive Board are implemented in all Parish Units in the Archdiocese/Diocese, monitored and evaluated regularly with semi-annual progress reports submitted to the National Executive Board.
The Vice President for Pastoral Concerns shall be responsible for initiating, organizing and following up the establishment of the Mother Butler Guild apostolate in the parishes, monitoring their progress, keeping alive their commitment to constant renewal and growth; promote membership development in all MBG Parish Units; make regular visits to the Parish Units and be sensitive to any problem - internal and external, perceived and real - and elevate this to the attention and action to the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council for early resolution and remedy.
The Vice President for Household Concerns shall be responsible for establishing a practical fiscal system, as well as a directory of suppliers of basic items needed by the Parish Units in the performance of their MBG tasks; animate solidarity among the Parish Units in sharing of resources, services and talents.
The Executive Secretary shall take care of notifying all members of meetings and activities of the Guild in the Archdiocese/Diocese emanating from the Council, as well as such other notices which the President may issue from time to time; disseminate pertinent information authorized by the President; handle outgoing correspondence which the President may assign her to make.
The Recording Secretary shall take down and keep minutes of all meetings (regular and special) of the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council and furnish the National Executive Board a copy of these; maintain at all times an accurate and updated list of officers and members of the Council and all Parish Units, of their regular meeting dates, places and time; prepare an annual report of the summary of her Council's activities with the concurrence of the President, and submit this to the NEB at the end of every year; keep records, journals, correspondence of the Council in a neat orderly file.
The Treasurer shall collect and receive payments/dues from all Parish Units treasurers, issue the corresponding receipts and deposit these in the Council's Bank Account; keep an accurate record and accounting of all revenues and expenditures of the Council; make payments authorized by the President, concurred in by the other Council officers and approved by the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Spiritual Director; submit a monthly financial statement during the Council's regular monthly meeting, as well as an annual financial statement to the NEB, and remit to the latter the monthly contribution of her Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council to the National Council.
The Custodian of Liturgical Articles shall take charge of the safekeeping of the Archdocesan/Diocesan properties (vestments, linens, sacred vessel, etc.), keep a clear and updated record of these; make available to those in charge of Archdiocesan/Diocesan liturgical activities all the articles needed during liturgical celebrations and the effective implementation of MBG tasks.
The Auditor shall audit the financial books, statements, records (list of receipts, vouchers, etc.) twice a year and make and submit an audit report to the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council; assist the Treasurer in the preparation of the annual Financial Statement to be submitted to the National Executive Board at the end of every year.
The Vicariate Coordinators in Archdioceses and Dioceses with this level of organization, shall be responsible for the Parish Units in their respective vicariates, establishing and sustaining the MBG apostolate therein; and take on the tasks assigned by their Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council; shall be at all times in communion with other vicariates, and most especially with their Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council.
ARTICLE III - THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1 - Composition of the National Executive Board (NEB). The constitution of the National Executive Board (NEB) shall be as follows:
- National President
- Vice President for Spiritual Concerns
- Vice President for Pastoral Concerns
- Vice President for Household Concerns
- Executive Secretary
- Recording Secretary
- Treasurer
- Auditor
- Custodian of Liturgical Article
- President of the Seat of Government (Archdiocese of Manila) Council
- President of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines (MOP) Council
- Members
Section 2 - Selection of the National Executive Board. The National Executive Board (NEB) shall be selected as follows:
1. Ten (10) nominees shall come from the incumbent (existing) National Executive Board during a special meeting of the NEB convened for this purpose which shall be preceded by reflection and prayer to the Holy Spirit. The first ten (10) nominees garnering the highest number of votes shall be declared as the ten (10) official nominees from the NEB. The NEB shall select their nominees prior to the National Consultation Seminar (NSC).
2. Five (5) nominees shall come from the National Consultation Seminar (NSC) convened prior to the National Convention, preferably a year or at least six (6) months before the latter.
3. In the event of a tie, among the NEB or NCS nominees this shall be elevated/submitted to the National Spiritual Director for resolution.
4. The fifteen (15) nominees (from the NEB and NCS) shall be submitted to the National Spiritual Director who will select the final thirteen (13) nominees to be ratified by the National Convention since two (2) seats in the NEB are already allotted to the President of the MBG Manila Archdiocesan Council and the MOP Council by virtue of this Constitution and By-Laws. All fifteen (15) shall be presented to the National Convention for ratification.
Section 3 - Election of the Officers of the National Executive Board. A week after the National Convention that ratified the composition of the NEB, the incumbent President of the NEB shall convene the incoming NEB and as its first act, shall elect from among themselves the officers of the NEB
Section 4 - The Regional Coordinators shall be elected during the National Convention held every three (3) years by the respective Archdiocese/Diocesan Council Presidents of the following regions:
1. Northern Luzon
2. Central Luzon
3. Southern Luzon
4. Bicol
5. Central Visayas
6. Eastern Visayas
7. Western Visayas
8. Mindanao
Section 5 - Selection of the officers of the MBG Military Ordinariate of the Philippines (MOP) Council. The officers of the MOP Council shall be elected in the same manner and process as that of the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council Officers and shall have the same prerogatives and duties, as well as tenure of office.
Section 6 - Duties of the National Executive Board Officers:
1. The National President to the National Council the National Spiritual Director and the MBG members at large for the smooth, effective, and Christ-filled performance and status of the National Council; call and preside meetings (regular and special) of the NEB; create ad hoc (working) committees whenever necessary for the good of the MBG, define their functions, appoint their coordinators and members, receive their reports and supervise their work; evaluate the progress of all MBG structural organization not only in terms of services rendered, but also the spiritual life and faith advancement of all officers and members of the guild; promote the propagation of the MBG apostolate in all dioceses; motivate and instill in all members a dedicated and self-effacing love-filled service to our Lord on the altar
2. The Vice President for Spiritual Concerns shall be responsible for the on-going formation which the MBG National Executive Board shall initiate and promote in all levels, as well as monitor and evaluate the progress of how the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils are enabling their members to know Jesus and to understand how their identity is grafted to Him, so that they can better make Him known and loved; recommend ways and means by which the liturgy will be better understood, appreciated and served by the MBG officers and memebrs.
3. The Vice President of Pastoral Concerns shall take care of the systematic approach of placing the MBG apostolate at the service of the Church in Archdioceses/Dioceses not yet served by the guild; strengthen the commitment of the members, promote the MBG apostolate and attract lay women to join the ranks for the Mother Butler Guild, and come up with a program for membership development; make sure that all pastoral activities of the Guild are rooted on the pastoral charity of Christ so that all MBG officers and members are urged to love Jesus and make him loved
4. The Vice President for Household Concerns shall be responsible for setting up a fiscal system that includes the source of logistical requirements of the MBG apostolate, i.e. procurement and distribution of supplies, development materials used for the altar service; consolidate a network with other Church groups and/or entities that could help facilitate the work and activities of the Guild, ever conscious of maintaining communion, internal and external, as a main feature of Christian life.
5. The Executive Secretary shall be responsible for notifying all officers and members of meetings, regular and special activities and projects of the National Executive Board; disseminate pertinent information, write and take care of correspondence authorized by the President, as well as such directives which the President may issue from time to time.
6. The Recording Secretary shall take down and keep the Minutes of meetings regular and special; maintain at all times an accurate and updated list of all officers and members of Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils, Parish Units and their induction dates; keep a systematic file of all incoming and outgoing reports and correspondence as well as any and all communications governing the Guild; inform and copy furnish the President with important reports coming from the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils, including those from Parish Units especially those involving problems or irregular situations concerning the MBG.
7. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all payments and dues from the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils, as well as any pertinent fee or donation to the National Council, and issue their corresponding receipts; record all such payments in a log book and keep an accurate accounting of these for inclusion in Financial Statements she is to make and render to the NEB regularly; make payments authorized by the President in consultation with the NEB and keep a record of these for inclusion in the aforementioned Financial Statements; keep a record of all MBG National Council preoperties in collaboration with the Custodian or Liturgical Articles; prepare and submit the Financial Statement for the National Convention every three (3) years.
8. The Auditor shall make an internal audit of the Treasurer's books and records at least twice a year; assist the Treasurer in the preparation of the General Financial Statement for submission during the National Convention.
9. The Custodian for Liturgical Articles shall take charge of the safekeeping of the properties of the National Council, i.e. vestments, linens, sacred vessels, liturgical equipment and/or furnishings keep a record of these neatly and in an orderly manner; make available to those in-charge of the national activities and liturgical celebrations the articles needed for the effective performance and implementation of MBG duties.
10. The Regional Coordinators shall look after the expansion of the MBG apostolate and its subsequent nurture in Archdioceses/Dioceses of their respective regions where the MBG serves; be responsible for the membership development in their regional bases; inform the National Executive Board of any concerns/issues - positive and negative - that affect and/or influence the MBG, individually and collectively, especially making known to the NEB any problems whenever and wherever these arise; oversee the progress the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils in their regions and submit an annual report to the NEB; maintain rapport with all officers and members in their respective areas; help facilitate the implementation of the formation program initiated by the NEB, making sure that this is carried out, especially in the Parish Units of far flung areas; attend whenever possible the standing invitation of the NEB to its regular monthly meetings so that unity and communion are preserved and enhanced in all levels of the MBG organization.
ARTICLE IV - THE NATIONAL COUNCIL
Section 1 - Composition. The National Council shall be composed of the National Executive Board, with its officers serving likewise as the officers of the National Council, the National Spiritual Director, the Regional Coordinators, the Archdiocesan/Diocesan/MOP Council Presidents, as well as Parish Unit Presidents of a Diocese where a Council has not yet been established and Presidents of Special Units.
Section 2 - Selection of the National Spiritual Director shall be appointed by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) through the joint recommendation of the Episcopal Commission on the Lay Apostolate (ECLA) and the MBG National Executive Board. His term of office shall be at the consensus of the CBCP and ECLA, in solidarity with the MBG NEB.
Section 3 - Authority of the National Spiritual Director. The National Spiritual Director is the guardian of the Church Magisterium for the Mother Butler Guild. He is also the anabler of the MBG for moral values, maturity in faith, and enhancement of its spiritual life. Regarding the MBG governance, he shall approve the final list of nominees to the National Executive Board prior to ratification by the National Convention. Any and all amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws need his approval. He shall also sit as Ex-Officio member of the National Executive Board.
ARTICLE V - MEETINGS
Section 1 - The National Convention shall be convoked every three (3) years at a date, time and place designated by the National Executive Board.
Section 2 - A National Consultation Seminar shall be convened every two (2) years prior to the convocation of a National Convention and to prepare for it, and whenever the National President deems it necessary.
Section 3 - The National Executive Board shall meet regularly every month at a date, time and place agreed upon. The President may call a special meeting of the National Council and/or the National Executive Board after due to notification to and consultation with the rest of the National Executive Board.
Section 4 - The Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils shall meet once a month at an appointed date, time and place in their respective Archdiocese/Diocese.
Section 5 - The Parish Unit shall meet once a month at an appointed date, time and place within the parish.
Section 6 - The monthly meeting agenda for all levels shall be as follows:
1. Opening Prayer Segment
Section 8 - Each and all Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils shall gather their Parish Units for Mass and Communion on the feast of Mother Joseph Butler on July 22 of every year.
Section 9 - Each and all Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils shall organize an Annual Recollection for all their officers and members (Parish Units) preferably during the seasons of Lent and/or Advent.
Section 10 - The National Executive Board shall come together for a Recollection and/or Retreat preferably during the seasons of Lent Christ, our Servant-God.
ARTICLE VI - FEES
Section 1 - All active members shall each pay a minimum monthly fee of ten (10) pesos to their Parish Unit. The Parish Unit may, upon agreement of all its members, raise the amount of the monthly fee should there be a need for this. However, no member shall be turned away because of inability to pay such increased fees due to her economic situation.
Section 2 - All Parish Units shall remit a monthly contribution of fifty (50) pesos to their respective Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils. The capacity of a Parish Unit requesting for a lower monthly fee shall be considered and determined by the Council.
Section 3 - All Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils shall each remit an annual contribution of one thousand two hundred (1200) pesos to the National Council, or if remitted monthly one hundred (100) pesos a month.
Section 4 - Parish Units shall strive to finance their own projects in their respective parishes with the help of their honorary members, as well as through fund-raising activities it may organize with the approval of their Spiritual Director.
Section 5 - The National Council and Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils with the approval of their Spiritual Directors may raise funds through benefits and special programs/activities to fund their MBG projects.
Section 6 - The National Executive Board and the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council are to help provide the MBG Parish Units with practical knowledge on fund generation that will encourage them towards self-sufficiency in their care and enhancement of the liturgy.
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
Section 1 - The Constitution may be amended by a majority of the members present in a National Convention in which all members have been duly informed of the proposed amendments.
Section 2 - The By-Laws may be amended during the convocation of the National Consultation Seminar by a majority vote of the members present.
Section 3 - All amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws are subject to the approval of the National Spiritual Director.
ARTICLE VIII - EFFECTIVITY
Section 1 - The Constitution and By-Laws shall take effect immediately upon approval of the National Spiritual Director and ratified by the Episcopal Commission on the Laity.
Section 2 - The terms of office of all officers in all levels - Parish, Archdiocesan/Diocesan/MOP and National - shall commence in January of any year. Election shall be held either in October or November prior to the expiration of a given term of office.
1. Ten (10) nominees shall come from the incumbent (existing) National Executive Board during a special meeting of the NEB convened for this purpose which shall be preceded by reflection and prayer to the Holy Spirit. The first ten (10) nominees garnering the highest number of votes shall be declared as the ten (10) official nominees from the NEB. The NEB shall select their nominees prior to the National Consultation Seminar (NSC).
2. Five (5) nominees shall come from the National Consultation Seminar (NSC) convened prior to the National Convention, preferably a year or at least six (6) months before the latter.
3. In the event of a tie, among the NEB or NCS nominees this shall be elevated/submitted to the National Spiritual Director for resolution.
4. The fifteen (15) nominees (from the NEB and NCS) shall be submitted to the National Spiritual Director who will select the final thirteen (13) nominees to be ratified by the National Convention since two (2) seats in the NEB are already allotted to the President of the MBG Manila Archdiocesan Council and the MOP Council by virtue of this Constitution and By-Laws. All fifteen (15) shall be presented to the National Convention for ratification.
Section 3 - Election of the Officers of the National Executive Board. A week after the National Convention that ratified the composition of the NEB, the incumbent President of the NEB shall convene the incoming NEB and as its first act, shall elect from among themselves the officers of the NEB
Section 4 - The Regional Coordinators shall be elected during the National Convention held every three (3) years by the respective Archdiocese/Diocesan Council Presidents of the following regions:
1. Northern Luzon
2. Central Luzon
3. Southern Luzon
4. Bicol
5. Central Visayas
6. Eastern Visayas
7. Western Visayas
8. Mindanao
Section 5 - Selection of the officers of the MBG Military Ordinariate of the Philippines (MOP) Council. The officers of the MOP Council shall be elected in the same manner and process as that of the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council Officers and shall have the same prerogatives and duties, as well as tenure of office.
Section 6 - Duties of the National Executive Board Officers:
1. The National President to the National Council the National Spiritual Director and the MBG members at large for the smooth, effective, and Christ-filled performance and status of the National Council; call and preside meetings (regular and special) of the NEB; create ad hoc (working) committees whenever necessary for the good of the MBG, define their functions, appoint their coordinators and members, receive their reports and supervise their work; evaluate the progress of all MBG structural organization not only in terms of services rendered, but also the spiritual life and faith advancement of all officers and members of the guild; promote the propagation of the MBG apostolate in all dioceses; motivate and instill in all members a dedicated and self-effacing love-filled service to our Lord on the altar
2. The Vice President for Spiritual Concerns shall be responsible for the on-going formation which the MBG National Executive Board shall initiate and promote in all levels, as well as monitor and evaluate the progress of how the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils are enabling their members to know Jesus and to understand how their identity is grafted to Him, so that they can better make Him known and loved; recommend ways and means by which the liturgy will be better understood, appreciated and served by the MBG officers and memebrs.
3. The Vice President of Pastoral Concerns shall take care of the systematic approach of placing the MBG apostolate at the service of the Church in Archdioceses/Dioceses not yet served by the guild; strengthen the commitment of the members, promote the MBG apostolate and attract lay women to join the ranks for the Mother Butler Guild, and come up with a program for membership development; make sure that all pastoral activities of the Guild are rooted on the pastoral charity of Christ so that all MBG officers and members are urged to love Jesus and make him loved
4. The Vice President for Household Concerns shall be responsible for setting up a fiscal system that includes the source of logistical requirements of the MBG apostolate, i.e. procurement and distribution of supplies, development materials used for the altar service; consolidate a network with other Church groups and/or entities that could help facilitate the work and activities of the Guild, ever conscious of maintaining communion, internal and external, as a main feature of Christian life.
5. The Executive Secretary shall be responsible for notifying all officers and members of meetings, regular and special activities and projects of the National Executive Board; disseminate pertinent information, write and take care of correspondence authorized by the President, as well as such directives which the President may issue from time to time.
6. The Recording Secretary shall take down and keep the Minutes of meetings regular and special; maintain at all times an accurate and updated list of all officers and members of Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils, Parish Units and their induction dates; keep a systematic file of all incoming and outgoing reports and correspondence as well as any and all communications governing the Guild; inform and copy furnish the President with important reports coming from the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils, including those from Parish Units especially those involving problems or irregular situations concerning the MBG.
7. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all payments and dues from the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils, as well as any pertinent fee or donation to the National Council, and issue their corresponding receipts; record all such payments in a log book and keep an accurate accounting of these for inclusion in Financial Statements she is to make and render to the NEB regularly; make payments authorized by the President in consultation with the NEB and keep a record of these for inclusion in the aforementioned Financial Statements; keep a record of all MBG National Council preoperties in collaboration with the Custodian or Liturgical Articles; prepare and submit the Financial Statement for the National Convention every three (3) years.
8. The Auditor shall make an internal audit of the Treasurer's books and records at least twice a year; assist the Treasurer in the preparation of the General Financial Statement for submission during the National Convention.
9. The Custodian for Liturgical Articles shall take charge of the safekeeping of the properties of the National Council, i.e. vestments, linens, sacred vessels, liturgical equipment and/or furnishings keep a record of these neatly and in an orderly manner; make available to those in-charge of the national activities and liturgical celebrations the articles needed for the effective performance and implementation of MBG duties.
10. The Regional Coordinators shall look after the expansion of the MBG apostolate and its subsequent nurture in Archdioceses/Dioceses of their respective regions where the MBG serves; be responsible for the membership development in their regional bases; inform the National Executive Board of any concerns/issues - positive and negative - that affect and/or influence the MBG, individually and collectively, especially making known to the NEB any problems whenever and wherever these arise; oversee the progress the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils in their regions and submit an annual report to the NEB; maintain rapport with all officers and members in their respective areas; help facilitate the implementation of the formation program initiated by the NEB, making sure that this is carried out, especially in the Parish Units of far flung areas; attend whenever possible the standing invitation of the NEB to its regular monthly meetings so that unity and communion are preserved and enhanced in all levels of the MBG organization.
ARTICLE IV - THE NATIONAL COUNCIL
Section 1 - Composition. The National Council shall be composed of the National Executive Board, with its officers serving likewise as the officers of the National Council, the National Spiritual Director, the Regional Coordinators, the Archdiocesan/Diocesan/MOP Council Presidents, as well as Parish Unit Presidents of a Diocese where a Council has not yet been established and Presidents of Special Units.
Section 2 - Selection of the National Spiritual Director shall be appointed by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) through the joint recommendation of the Episcopal Commission on the Lay Apostolate (ECLA) and the MBG National Executive Board. His term of office shall be at the consensus of the CBCP and ECLA, in solidarity with the MBG NEB.
Section 3 - Authority of the National Spiritual Director. The National Spiritual Director is the guardian of the Church Magisterium for the Mother Butler Guild. He is also the anabler of the MBG for moral values, maturity in faith, and enhancement of its spiritual life. Regarding the MBG governance, he shall approve the final list of nominees to the National Executive Board prior to ratification by the National Convention. Any and all amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws need his approval. He shall also sit as Ex-Officio member of the National Executive Board.
ARTICLE V - MEETINGS
Section 1 - The National Convention shall be convoked every three (3) years at a date, time and place designated by the National Executive Board.
Section 2 - A National Consultation Seminar shall be convened every two (2) years prior to the convocation of a National Convention and to prepare for it, and whenever the National President deems it necessary.
Section 3 - The National Executive Board shall meet regularly every month at a date, time and place agreed upon. The President may call a special meeting of the National Council and/or the National Executive Board after due to notification to and consultation with the rest of the National Executive Board.
Section 4 - The Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils shall meet once a month at an appointed date, time and place in their respective Archdiocese/Diocese.
Section 5 - The Parish Unit shall meet once a month at an appointed date, time and place within the parish.
Section 6 - The monthly meeting agenda for all levels shall be as follows:
1. Opening Prayer Segment
- Song - Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ (1st stanza)
- Prayer: Come Holy Spirit followed by the MBG Prayer
- Spiritual Reading (the Gospel of the day), followed by a minute of silence, then a brief sharing of reflections on the gospel reading (facilitated by the presiding officer and participated in by all officers and members present)
- Words/Blessing of Spiritual Director
- Notes on Catholic Faith / values and attitudes of a Mother Butler
- Brief notes on liturgy
- Roll Call
- Reading and approval of Minutes of previous meeting
- Financial Report
- Progress Reports on Spiritual/Pastoral/Household Concerns
- Communication/Information incoming and outgoing
- President's announcements
- Assignments/activities/schedules/other matters
- Song: Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ (2nd stanza)
- Prayer at close of meeting
- MBG HYMN
Section 8 - Each and all Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils shall gather their Parish Units for Mass and Communion on the feast of Mother Joseph Butler on July 22 of every year.
Section 9 - Each and all Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils shall organize an Annual Recollection for all their officers and members (Parish Units) preferably during the seasons of Lent and/or Advent.
Section 10 - The National Executive Board shall come together for a Recollection and/or Retreat preferably during the seasons of Lent Christ, our Servant-God.
ARTICLE VI - FEES
Section 1 - All active members shall each pay a minimum monthly fee of ten (10) pesos to their Parish Unit. The Parish Unit may, upon agreement of all its members, raise the amount of the monthly fee should there be a need for this. However, no member shall be turned away because of inability to pay such increased fees due to her economic situation.
Section 2 - All Parish Units shall remit a monthly contribution of fifty (50) pesos to their respective Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils. The capacity of a Parish Unit requesting for a lower monthly fee shall be considered and determined by the Council.
Section 3 - All Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils shall each remit an annual contribution of one thousand two hundred (1200) pesos to the National Council, or if remitted monthly one hundred (100) pesos a month.
Section 4 - Parish Units shall strive to finance their own projects in their respective parishes with the help of their honorary members, as well as through fund-raising activities it may organize with the approval of their Spiritual Director.
Section 5 - The National Council and Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils with the approval of their Spiritual Directors may raise funds through benefits and special programs/activities to fund their MBG projects.
Section 6 - The National Executive Board and the Archdiocesan/Diocesan Council are to help provide the MBG Parish Units with practical knowledge on fund generation that will encourage them towards self-sufficiency in their care and enhancement of the liturgy.
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
Section 1 - The Constitution may be amended by a majority of the members present in a National Convention in which all members have been duly informed of the proposed amendments.
Section 2 - The By-Laws may be amended during the convocation of the National Consultation Seminar by a majority vote of the members present.
Section 3 - All amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws are subject to the approval of the National Spiritual Director.
ARTICLE VIII - EFFECTIVITY
Section 1 - The Constitution and By-Laws shall take effect immediately upon approval of the National Spiritual Director and ratified by the Episcopal Commission on the Laity.
Section 2 - The terms of office of all officers in all levels - Parish, Archdiocesan/Diocesan/MOP and National - shall commence in January of any year. Election shall be held either in October or November prior to the expiration of a given term of office.