LoginHome » Parish tools » Resources for Parishes » Book of Order » Old Appendices » Appendix G-2: CONSTITUTION OF CHURCHES EDUCATION COMMISSION
Appendix G-2: Constitution of Churches Education Commission
1) ‘The Churches Education Commission’ is the name of the Commission. This body amalgamates the New Zealand Council for Christian Education and the National Council of Churches’ Christian Education Commission.
2) Purpose
The Commission seeks to stimulate, service and co-ordinate the concern of the member churches and related organisations for Christian and general education in New Zealand.
3) Membership of the Commission
a) The following denominations are members of the Commission with full voting rights:
i) The following are member churches of the Commission: Anglican, Apostolic, Assemblies of God, Associated Churches of Christ, Baptist, Churches of Christ (Life and Advent), Congregational, Methodist, New Life Churches, Open Brethren, Presbyterian, Salvation Army, Society of Friends. Voting representation shall be determined by the Commission having regard to the strength of membership of the various churches and their level of participation in the C.E.C. The Churches shall have the right to a majority of the votes on the Commission. In choosing their representatives, churches, particularly the larger churches, are requested to have regard to geographical spread, experience of Christian education and particularly the local work of the Commission. They are also requested to consider New Zealand’s multicultural nature, various age groups and both sexes.
ii) Representatives of geographical regions elected by the constituent District Committees within that region or by the Commission through its Executive if there is no District Committee. Districts may appoint their Adviser as their voting representative if they choose to do so.
iii) One person who has liaison opportunities with the Conference of Churches of Aotearoa New Zealand Executive appointed by that Executive.
iv) Up to three persons to meet any special purpose co-opted by the Commission from time to time for specific periods.
v) A Treasurer (see also 4(c)) if not otherwise a Commission member appointed by the Commission.
b) The General Secretary shall be a full voting member of the Commission.
c) The following may attend general Commission meetings as participant observers:
i) One person who is an educationalist and has liaison opportunity with the Ministry of Education nominated by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education, and one person appointed by the School Trustees Association.
ii) Members from any church or organisation which the Commission may wish to invite. Such members shall be appointed by those bodies they represent.
4) Meetings of the Commission
a) The Commission shall meet at least once a year, for an Annual General Meeting. Additional meetings may be held if required.
b) The Annual Meeting shall make the following appointments:
i) A Chairperson;
ii) A Vice-Chairperson;
iii) Up to eight other people.
The above shall, with the General Secretary, act as an Executive.
c) The Annual Meeting shall appoint a Treasurer, who shall be a member of the Executive, and an Auditor.
d) An Annual Report and audited accounts shall be presented.
e) The Commission shall report annually to its constituent and affiliated bodies (see also 8) and shall give careful consideration to any recommendations made by them and to recommendations of findings arising from its AGM and Conferences (see also 7).
f) Ten members shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Commission.
g) Minutes shall be kept of all meetings of the Commission, and the Executive. Such minutes shall be open to inspection by any member of the Commission.
h) While it is expected that the Commission shall work on a consensus basis, formal decisions may, subject to any specific provision to the contrary in this constitution, be made on a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote.
5) Role of the Commission
a) The Commission is the agent of the churches acting together in the area of Christian and general education.
b) The Commission is responsible for all actions taken in its name. The Commission is the policy making body. It shall regularly review its work in the light of its Purpose.
c) The Commission shall among its other duties:
i) Define the terms of reference of its Work Groups and constituent District Committees;
ii) Maintain oversight of and liaison with its Work Groups, and constituent District Committees;
iii) Refer business to appropriate Work Groups for action;
iv) Administer its finances;
v) Arrange Conferences when appropriate;
vi) Appoint and dismiss Executive Staff.
d) The Executive, subject always to the direction of the expressed policy of the Commission and working through the Executive staff, shall:
i) Exercise pastoral oversight of all staff;
ii) Draw up terms of reference for Executive Staff positions and be responsible for on-going and regular review of the terms of reference;
iii) Advertise Executive Staff vacancies or projected vacancies;
iv) Make recommendations to the Commission regarding Executive Staff terms of reference, applicants, appointments or pastoral needs;
v) Keep in contact with the appropriate committees of constituent bodies and the Ministry of Education on all relevant matters including their responsibilities to supply members to the Commission;
vi) Call for and receive suggestions regarding the membership of Work Groups and Conference and make recommendations to the Commission regarding their membership;
vii) Have oversight of the election of geographical regional representatives (see also clause 3 (b) (ii));
viii) Prepare an annual budget and maintain an overview of expenditure.
e) The funds and property of the Commission shall be vested in the Trust Board. The Trust Board is the Executive.
6) Work Groups
a) The work of the Commission may be carried out through Work Groups. The number, scope and location of these shall be determined from time to time.
b) Work Groups shall be accountable to the Commission and shall submit an annual budget where appropriate.
7) Conferences
a) Conferences shall be called by the Commission for the purpose of evaluation, goal-setting, and strategy planning. Such Conferences may cover the total view of education or some specified aspect or aspects of the Commission’s work.
b) The Commission shall decide on the composition and size of such Conferences.
c) A report including any recommendations or findings shall be published following each Conference. Such reports shall be given major consideration by the Commission when formulating policy.
8) Constituent and Affiliated Bodies
a) Constituent Bodies are those with the right to appoint a member or members to the Commission.
A geographical region has the right to elect a representative from among the constituent District Committees in its region. (see also clause 3 (a) (ii))
b) The Commission shall provide a recommended model constitution for District Committees.
c) National organisations, regional or local groups may request affiliation to the Commission. Affiliation shall be at the discretion of the Commission.
d) Affiliation shall entitle an affiliated body:
i) To be consulted by the Executive for suggestions for membership of Work Groups;
ii) To supply participants for general Conferences and those with a particular emphasis related to the affiliate’s interests;
iii) To receive all minutes of the Commission and relevant Work Groups;
iv) To be consulted by the Commission or a Work Group;
v) To make direct representation to the Commission or a Work Group.
e) Constituent and affiliated regional or local groups may also be requested to undertake specific tasks on behalf of the Commission or a Work Group.
9) Staff
a) The Commission shall appoint a General Secretary who shall be the chief salaried executive and administrative officer and adviser to the Commission and responsible to it.
b) The Commission may appoint additional salaried Executive Staff including area staff workers. They shall be responsible to the Commission through the General Secretary.
c) The General Secretary in consultation with the Executive may appoint and dismiss other non-executive staff.
10) Funds and Property
a) The funds and property of the Commission shall be vested in the Trust Board. The trustees shall at the direction of the Commission make all such dispositions of the funds and property of the Commission and enter into such documents as may be necessary and proper to give security for any obligation or liability undertaken or, incurred by the Commission.
b) Cheques and other documents shall be signed by the General Secretary or any one trustee.
c) Legacies or donations may be made to the Commission generally or for the purpose of any specific object or Work Group of the Commission.
d) The Commission is the recognised successor of the New Zealand Council for Christian Education, the New Zealand Bible-in-Schools’ League and the National Council of Churches’ Christian Education Commission. In carrying out its Purpose the Commission shall be deemed to be carrying out the Purpose of its predecessors.
e) Upon the adoption of this constitution any property or fund then held by or on behalf of the above organisations or which hereafter shall be given, devised or bequeathed to the above organisations shall be held by or on behalf of the Commission and shall be administered in accordance with the trusts declared by the donor thereof.
11) Amendment of the Constitution
This constitution may be altered, added to, or rescinded by resolution at a Commission meeting, two month’s prior notice having been given to Commission members of such intention. If the proposed amendment is approved by a two-thirds majority it shall then be submitted to those churches listed in clause 3 (a) (i). If the majority of the said bodies approve the proposed amendment shall be operative immediately thereafter, provided that no such alteration, addition or rescission will affect the charitable nature of the trust.
12) Winding-Up
The Commission may resolve by the above procedure (see also 11) to wind itself up. In the event of a winding-up any surplus assets will be transferred to a charitable organisation in New Zealand having similar objects to the Commission.