Opinion ID: 1740683
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: the church members voted to close the church

Text: Glad Tidings contends that its members did not authorize the Board to close the church and dispose of its property. Glad Tidings relies on Neb.Rev.Stat. § 21-19, 126 (Reissue 1997). This statute permits a nonprofit corporation to dispose of all or substantially all of its property when the transaction is approved [b]y the members by two-thirds of the votes cast or a majority of the voting power, unless the corporation's bylaws require a greater vote. Glad Tidings' bylaws require a two-thirds vote by the membership present at a regular or special meeting for any assembly property to be sold, leased, mortgaged, or otherwise alienated. The bylaws also provide that if the assembly ceases to function as a church body, its property shall revert to the District Council. Glad Tidings argues that the action the members took at the January 18, 2004, meeting was not a vote either to close the church or to dispose of its property. Church members testified that they did not vote to close the church by standing in unison. Instead, they were only opposed to joining New Life. Yet according to Wine and Brodine, Wine asked the members whether by standing, they were voting to close the church and transfer the church property to the District Council. Wine and Brodine further testified that the members confirmed this was their intent, verbally and nonverbally, and that no one objected. The record shows conflicting evidence before the county court. In a bench trial, the judge sitting as the trier of fact is the sole judge of the credibility of the witnesses, and we do not reweigh the evidence on appeal. [4] Here, the county court determined thatby standing in unison the members voted to close the church. It also found the members knew such a vote would cause the church property to revert to the District Council. Glad Tidings argues, however, that no vote occurred because the church did not follow the proper procedure to take a vote, i.e., by using motions and seconds. Neither Glad Tidings' bylaws nor Nebraska statutes require a particular procedure. [5] A vote can be expressed by ballot, show of hands, or other type of communication. [6] For example, a standing vote occurs when each voter stand[s] up when his or her side of the question is counted, and a voice vote can occur when the voters collectively [answer] aloud. [7] Wine testified he did not use formal parliamentary procedure so the meeting would not feel harsh or cold and to avoid intimidating the small group. Despite the lack of formality, the congregation expressed its decision regarding the church's future through standing, nodding, and verbally responding when Wine questioned the members about their intent. We conclude that the congregation voted to close the church. The church members were aware that by closing the church, the church property would revert to the District Council by operation of the bylaws. The district court did not clearly err in determining that the members voted to close the church and dispose of the property.