PAM Chapters

How to Start a PAM Chapter

Revision No. 4: April 17, 2002

Starting anything can be done very simply by getting together, recognizing a common interest and collectively deciding to band together on the basis of the recognized interests of the group. In organizing a PAM Chapter the desire is to design for a purposeful, long, and useful life span.

PAM is a national organization. The national organization offers services to the whole Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). If there are only a few Presbyterian congregations in a given area, each separated by many miles that make getting together difficult, the national organization with the annual national conferences could be very sufficient. However, the purpose for establishing a local chapter could be to provide a more frequent reason to travel the distance, to get together, to strengthen common ties with others of the same interest. Establish the need for a local chapter.

PAM Mission Statement

The Presbyterian Association of Musicians is committed to strengthening and enriching worship, the very heart of the church’s life and ministry. PAM welcomes musicians, pastors, educators and lay people who love and serve the Triune God and share this commitment. PAM strives to educate and empower its members and to form faithful disciples in the Presbyterian Church, USA through music, liturgy and the arts.

(adopted July 2009)

From the Constitution of The Presbyterian Association of Musicians come to an understanding of the purpose and objectives of PAM.

Section 3. Purpose and objectives: The Association is a nonprofit organization formed exclusively for religious, educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 {c} {3} of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 whose objectives are

1. To equip its members to provide leadership in an evolving understanding of worship.
2. To develop in the congregations of members the highest potential participation in and understanding of music in the church.
3. To encourage the composition of new music for the church.
4. To encourage and support Presbyterian seminaries and schools in providing adequate training in worship and music.
5. To exchange ideas, materials and techniques among Presbyterian musicians that they may render a more effective service to Christ and His church; to work with other groups of similar purposes.

If a group has found a purpose and in fact wants to establish a local chapter, know at the onset that there are all kinds of help and helpers available. Also, there are a lot of good suggestions and recommendations that have come from experience. A good place to start is at the PAM National Office:

PAM National Office
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville KY 40202-1396

Alan Barthel, Executive Director: alan.barthel@pcusa.org
Creston Parker, Digital Media Director & Executive. Assistant: creston.parker@pcusa.org
Phone: 888-728,7228 x5759 (ED) or x5288 (AA) (Toll Free)
Fax: 502-569-8465

From this starting point you will find an immediate welcome to your inquiries. You can obtain:

• The Constitution of The Presbyterian Association of Musicians
• By-Laws for PAM (Local) Chapters
• The Name of the Regional Network Representative (if there is one in your area)
• Copies of several informational pieces on PAM
• Other current materials which are constantly being updated and added.

Getting the local Chapter organized is simple:

• Call a meeting of interested persons. Give adequate notice of the organizational meeting complete with purpose, time, and place of meeting.
• Being a Presbyterian gathering, begin with Prayer.
• State the purpose of the meeting and share the Constitution (national) and By-Laws for PAM Chapters.
• Seek a motion and vote to organize and accept the Constitution and By-Laws.
• Elect Officers:
  
  President
  Vice President
  Secretary
  Treasurer
  Others as you feel necessary for your local chapter
• If possible at the first meeting seek and designate a name for the chapter.
• Send a copy of the minutes of the organizational meeting and the names and addresses of those who attended to the PAM National Office.
• Also send a copy of the By-Laws for your chapter. Your minutes should indicate acceptance of the By-Laws as suggested by the National Offices. Your chapter By-Laws should conclude with an adoption date. From a legal standpoint, your local chapter becomes legal as soon as your By-Laws are received and accepted by the PAM National Office.
• The current edition of Robert's Rules of Order should be your guide for the business portion of the meeting.
• As a historical record, you might like to obtain a signature list of the names of those present as these will be your founders and charter members for the chapter (once they pay their national and local dues . . . . of course!)
• Close the organizational portion of the meeting after any other business with prayer (and include a blessing for the party and celebration to follow). May the chapter live and prosper forever, world without end. Amen.

During the formation process establish well-instituted, -constructed and -maintained relationships with the Presbytery, the AGO (if there is a chapter in the area) and other denominational groups. Certainly representation to and in these organizations is essential so as no to come into competition and conflict, and to mutually support each other and respect each other's schedules.

The chapter mailing list always needs to be a high priority. One method would be to begin with every church name in your Presbytery. As you get to know the musician(s) in each of these congregations add (do not replace) these individual names to the list. Do not make the mistake of limiting your mailing list to only those who pay dues. Also include the appropriate people within your Presbytery and Synod and the PAM National Office and Officers on your mailing list.

In your chapter meetings, mailings, functions, in all that you do, become recognized and distinguish yourself as a caring community. PAM is an organization with a lot of educational resources, resource personnel, referral services, certification programs, seed money grants, membership advantages and a tremendous pipeline of information to share.