Hi Ianao: There are several connections, some direct and some indirect:
The indirect connection is that the Society sets forth in the "Organization" Book the qualificatons for Elders and the atandards by which they direct Elders to form and hold Judicial Committees. The Society, through its direct representative, the Circuit Overseer, Appoints Elders, and threfore, they can be considered "Agents in Fact" under the laws of agency in each State.
Further, the Society Trains Elders at Kingdom Ministry School, where they issue the FLOCK book and follow-up notes and instructions to be added to that book. These instructions include legal, financial and Judicial matters to be "strictly" followed. This Training is advanced by the "visits" and meetings the Circuit and District Overseers have with the Eldrs at Kingdom Halls and at Assemblies and Conventions.
The Society directly corresponds with each "Body of Elders" and thus the term "BOE" letter. These letters direct Elders on all matters pertaining to legal, financial, organizational, and Judicial activities related to DFing and DA.
The Society church government is by law, a "heirarchial" organization which means that they have a direct organizational control over each congregation and its ELders ... and the Society also assigns Elders via the CO to their "Official" positions such as the PO. Each Congregation is registered with the Society and has a corresponding Congregation Number.
Judicial Appeals are often directed to the Circuit Overseer as the Society's Representative (Agent) to appoint other Elders to hear such Judicial cases. If this fails the "accused" can APPEAL to the Society, thus making them the last in the chain of Judicial Discipline including but not limited to Disfellowshipping. Ther Society can uphold or overturn any local decision, thus making them THE established authority.
Finally, a JW about to be DF'd can write to the Watchtower Society, and their Legal Department will represent both the Soceity and the Elders as their "Clients" thus making the Watchtower Society "Agent in Fact" for the Elders. This riciprocal "agency" is mutual and at the sole control of the Watch Tower Society.
The Watchtower Society also has the sole and exclusive right to remove any Elder over and above the objections of any subordinates in the chain of command. The Society can "Appoint" in the same manner, and by-pass local Elders and CO's.
Any removal or appointment of an Elder must be recorded with the Society as well as receive their documented acceptance of such action. Without the "Red" line or "Green" check mark on the Circuit Overseers form from the Society followed by the Society's "Official" signature, Elders cannot be appointed or removed.
Last but NOT LEAST, is that the local congregation Elders must notify the Society via Watch Tower forms that a person has been DF'd, DA'd, or Reinstated ... and these records are maintained by the Society ... and the Society sends back a confirmation ... and if the Society reviews its files, it can without notice, overturn any such Judicial Decisions, and return the form to the local Cngregation with a Letter stating how they have acted to Veto local decisions.
Therefore, all Judicial Action is "In Fact" at the direction, training, instruction and discretion and CONTROL of the Watchtower Bible and Tracy Society of New York, Inc, its Governing Body, and the newly created Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witness, Inc. along with the Branch and Service Departments.
The "LINK" is inseparable, continuous, and meets the standards of the Law of Agency. Hence, that is why the recent civil lawsuits can be filed regarding molestation victims against the world headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses, aka Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc and all its subsidary and subrodinate organizations, including the local Elders as Co-Defendants.
Anyone who wished to establish a solid documented "link" were they about to be Disfellowshipped, should visit with an attorney and have their attorney contact the Watchtower Legal Department and the Local Elders via Certified Letter. Once the Society attorneys respond, then this method will prove and established relationship. The Society will take control. All other documentation and books cited above will be supporting evidence that in fact the Watchtower Society controls and directs the staus of Disfellowshiped persons among Jehovah's Witnesses.
