THE UNDERSIGNED, each with the capacity
to contract, hereby executes and acknowledges these Articles of Incorporation
for the purpose of forming a corporation not for profit under and by virtue
of the laws of the State of Virginia, Pursuant to Chapter 10 of Title 13.1 of
the Code of Virginia; the undersigned corporation submits the following information:
ARTICLE 1. NAME AND ADDRESS
The name of this corporation shall be Open Door Community Church of Stafford
Inc The physical address of this corporation is 310 Glasgow Street, Fredericksburg,
Virginia.
ARTICLE 2. SHARES
This is a non-stock corporation and is not authorized to issue stock.
ARTICLE 3. PURPOSE
The specific purpose for which the corporation is initially organized is to
ESTABLISH AND OVERSEE PLACES OF WORSHIP, CONDUCT THE WORK OF EVANGELISM WORLDWIDE,
CREATE DEPARTMENTS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES AND TO LICENSE
AND OVERSEE MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL and to also engage in activities which are
necessary, suitable or convenient for the accomplishment of that purpose, or
which are incidental thereto or connected therewith which are consistent with
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This corporation is organized
and operated exclusively for religious purposes within the meaning of Section
501(c)(3), Internal Revenue Code.
Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, this corporation will
not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by (i) a corporation
exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal
Revenue law, or (ii) a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under
Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any other corresponding
provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law. The purposes for
which this corporation is organized are exclusively charitable, scientific,
literary and educational within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States
Internal Revenue law.
ARTICLE 4. QUALIFICATION OF MEMBERS AND MANNER OF ADMISSION
The corporation shall have non-voting membership. The members of the corporation
shall consist of any adult accepted by the Board of Directors expressing a desire
to help further the purposes for which the corporation was organized, and who
displays willingness to regularly contribute time and service in this regard.
A mature person who, of noble character and good reputation within the community,
is willing to contribute time and money for this purpose may, upon request,
be admitted to membership by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors including
the pastor’s approval.
ARTICLE 5. TERM
The date of commencement of corporate existence shall be when these articles
have been filed with the Department of State and approved by it and the respective
filing fee has been paid; the term for which the corporation is to exist shall
be perpetual. This corporation is organized and operated exclusively for religious
purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3), Internal Revenue Code. In
the event of dissolution of the corporation, no part of the corporation’s
earnings or assets shall inure to the benefit of any of its members; the residual
assets of the corporation shall be distributed to one or more organizations
which themselves are exempt as organizations described in Sections 501(c)(3)
and 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue code of 1986, or corresponding sections
of any prior or future law, or to the federal, state or local government for
exclusive public purpose.
ARTICLE 6. NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION
No part of the net earning of the corporation shall ever inure to the benefit
of, or be distributable to its members, directors, officers, or other private
persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay
reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions
in furtherance of the purposes set forth in article 2. No substantial part of
the activities of the corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or
otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the corporation shall not
participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of
statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the corporation shall
not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on: (a) by a corporation
exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal
Revenue law or: (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible
under Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding
provisions of any future United
States Internal Revenue laws.
ARTICLE 7. INITIAL REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT
The street address of the corporation’s Initial Registered Office is 310
Glasgow Street, Fredericksburg Virginia and the name of its Initial Registered
at that office is Rev. Ronald L. Thayer Sr., a resident of Virginia located
in the county of Stafford County.
The Initial Registered Agent is an initial director of the corporation.
I hereby consent to the appointment as Initial Registered Agent of the corporation.
____________________________________
Rev. Ronald L Thayer Sr.
ARTICLE 8. DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of the corporation shall consist of no less than three
(3) directors as determined by the Bylaws. Directors may be removed and the
vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided by the Bylaws.
The Board of Directors shall have the authority to make provision for reasonable
compensation to its members for their services as directors and to fix the basis
and conditions upon which this compensation shall be paid. Any director may
also serve the corporation in any other capacity and receive compensation therefrom
in any form.
The names and addresses of the first Board of Directors are as follows:
NAME ADDRESS
Rev. Ronald L. Thayer Sr. 310 Glasgow Street
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22405
Rev. John Gandy 6333 Pine View Court
Burke, Virginia 22015
Mr. Wesley Melson 611 Grafton Street
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22405
ARTICLE 9. INCORPORATORS
The names and residence addresses of the subscribers to these articles are as
follows:
NAME ADDRESS
Rev. Ronald L. Thayer Sr. 310 Glasgow Street
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22405
ARTICLE 10. BYLAWS
The first Bylaws of the corporation shall be adopted by the Board of Directors
and may be amended, altered or rescinded by the Board of Directors in the manner
provided by such Bylaws.
ARTICLE 11. AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
These Articles of Incorporation may be amended in the manner provided by statute
or in the following manner:
Every amendment shall be approved by the Board of Directors, proposed by them
to the members and approved at a membership meeting for which due notice of
the proposed amendment was given, by affirmative vote of a quorum of the members
present.
Provided, however, that no amendment shall make any changes in the qualifications
for membership nor voting rights of members without approval in writing by all
members.
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, for the purposes of becoming a corporation not for profit
under the provisions of the laws of Virginia, do make and affix our signatures
to acknowledge and file in the office of the Secretary of State these Articles
of Incorporation.
WITNESS our respective hands and seals on the dates and places indicated below.
Incorporators:
_________________________________
Rev. Ronald L. Thayer Sr. 9/15/05
Directors:
__________________________________
Rev. Ronald L. Thayer Sr. 9/15/05
__________________________________
Rev. John Gandy 9/15/05
__________________________________
Wesley Melson 9/15/05