lifeisgood, you make a lot of sense. I sent you a PM.
-Sab
What Are Their Motives?
by headisspinning 42 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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AndersonsInfo
In January of 1945, the original articles of incorporation of the Watch Tower Corporation of PA saw major change. For example, originally, the corporation operated on a stock-share basis, each donation of ten dollars entitled the contributor to one share, and one share equaled one vote. Thereafter, according to Article V on page 7-8 of the Charter, the corporation operated on a non-stock basis. Shares of stock (votes) could no longer be purchased.
Before the change, Article V previously read: "The corporation has no capital stock. Each donation of Ten dollars to the funds of said corporation shall entitle the contributor, or his assigns, to one non-forfeitable, non-assessable, and non-divident-bearing share, and to one vote for every such share in said corporation. Certificate of membership so acquired shall be issued by the Secretary, counter-signed by the President, to the person entitled thereto."
Article V in the Charter was changed to read: "The corporation has no capital stock. It is not operated on a stock-share basis but on a non-stock basis. It does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit, incidentally or otherwise, to its members, directors or officers." Further on it states: "Membership at any one time shall be not more than 500 and not less than 300." "...All members shall be of the same class and each shall be entitled to one vote at all meetings of members. Voting may be by proxy when done in the manner providfed by the by-laws. No member shall sell, transfer or assign his vote. The right to vote is personal and cannot be conveyed by will or other instrument upon a member's death."
"The total number of voting shares of shareholder-members of the corporation in good standing at the time of said meeting was 232,266. The total number of voting shares of shareholer-members appearing at said meeting in person and by proxy was 225,305. The total vote upon the foregoing resolution when separately offered and adopted was: 225,302. FOR the resolution 225,255. AGAINST the resolution 47 votes." All those who owned the shares that totaled up to 232,266 overwhelmingly agreed during this 1945 Corporate Meeting to give up the share arrangement based on one vote for each share and each share cost $10.00. From January 1945, onward, it would no longer be that way. It would be one vote per person, that is, if that person had been invited to be one of the up to 500 members of the Corporation.
Another point: In 2000, Article 9 of the PA Charter was amended again. Regarding distribution of assets, if both Watch Tower of PA and Watchtower of NY were dissolved, it would not be the directors of either corporation who would decide what other 501c3 non-profit organization the assets would go to, but that choice would be made only by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. All remaining assets would be distributed to "any organization designated by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses that is organized and operated exclusively for religious, educational, and/or charitable purposes." This cleared the way, if necessary, for assets to go to a tax exempt corporation which is not religious, but educational, or created for another charitable purpose. That corporation might be The Christian Congregation of JWs incorporated August 21, 2000 that took the place of the Watchtower of NY as far as the duties of the Service Dept. are concerned.
If you want to read the original Charter and all amendment changes for the PA corporation and the Charters and changes for other WT corporations, they are for sale for a small sum through my website, www.watchtowerdocuments.com
I hope the above information is helpful to the discussion herein.
Barbara
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ziddina
Marking...
And boy, would I ever like to see the paper trail to support what Free2BeMe said...