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Appendix G-1: Constitution and Goals of Conference of Churches in Aotearoa – New Zealand
1) Interpretation
Annual Forum means a General Forum called once in each year by the Executive Committee and specifically designated as such, and which shall also be the Annual General Meeting for the conduct of the business of the Conference.
Associate Member Church means a Christian Church that wishes to be associated with the Objects of the Conference with reservations to a degree acceptable to Executive Committee and an Annual Forum, within the terms of paragraph 5.3.
CCANZ means the Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Conference means the Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand and may be referred to and known by the acronym CCANZ.
Consensus means the process towards the making of a decision whereby all available opinions on a particular matter are canvassed and there is a working towards a final decision which represents as far as practical a distillation of all the views received during discussion. The consensus process shall not preclude the Members at any meeting from requesting the chairperson to exercise a discretion to put any matter to a simple majority vote in order to achieve a final resolution on that matter. A statement of the understanding which the Conference has of the term consensus appears in Appendix 2 annexed hereto.
Church when used without other qualification means a Member Church or an Associate Member Church of the Conference.
Ecumenical Body means an organisation established for some purpose which deliberately draws its membership from more than one denomination.
Executive Committee means the Committee appointed in accordance with paragraph 10.
General Forum means a meeting of Member Churches and Associate Member Churches consisting of the representatives and others set out in paragraph 13.
Member Church means a Christian Church that is a full member within the terms of paragraph 5.
Objects of the Conference means those objects set out in paragraph 4.
Programme means a body established and mandated by a General Forum on the recommendation of the Executive Committee to work for CCANZ in a particular designated area in terms of paragraph 14.
Representative means a person formally appointed by a Church.
Year means the period from the conclusion of one Annual Forum to the conclusion of the next Annual Forum unless otherwise specifically defined.
Youth means any person under 30 years of age.
2) Name
The name of the Conference is The Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand.
3) Registered Office
3.1) The registered office of the Conference is 409 Great South Road, Penrose, Auckland or such other place as either the Conference in General Forum or the Executive Committee resolves from time to time.
4) Objects of the Conference
4.1) The objects of the Conference shall be:
- To provide a forum for ecumenical discussion between the Churches;
- To be an organisation that will enable the Churches to work together in ecumenical activities;
- To provide the Churches with a means of ecumenical communication;
- To develop and adopt a set of Goals which shall be a source of inspiration and serve as a guide to the continuing activities of the Conference.
4.2) The objects of the Conference may not be interpreted in this Constitution nor applied in the practices of CCANZ in a way that is contrary to the tenets of any Church, as determined by that respective Church in any particular situation.
4.3) The Churches commit themselves to assist each other in the pursuit of these objects.
5) Membership of the Conference
5.1) Churches which confess and seek to obey Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures and therefore seek to fulfil together their common calling to the Glory of the one God the Father Son Holy Spirit, are invited to seek membership of the Conference, as are Churches which follow the spirit of Jesus as revealed in the Scriptures but do not make doctrinal affirmations.
5.2) There shall be two types of members – full members and associate members.
5.3) Churches which may apply for membership according to 5.1 but which do not wish to seek full membership of the Conference are invited to seek associate membership.
5.4) Associate Members shall have only such restricted rights as are expressly provided in paragraphs 12, 13 and 14.
6) Application for Membership
6.1) Any Christian Church desiring to become a Member Church, or an Associate Member Church of the Conference must apply in writing to the General Secretary who shall submit the application to the Executive Committee.
6.2) The application must show how the applicant Church meets the criteria set out in paragraph 5.1, how it accepts and supports the Objects of the Conference in its own life and such other background information as may be requested.
6.3) If the Executive Committee decides that there are insufficient grounds to consider the application it shall either decline the application (without prejudice to future applications) or seek further supporting information from the applicant.
6.4) If the Executive Committee decides that there are sufficient grounds to consider the application it shall refer it with a background report, but no recommendation, to the Member Churches for their consideration.
6.5) On receipt by the Executive Committee of final approval of the application by two thirds of all the Member Churches membership shall be granted by the Executive Committee.
6.6) New Member Churches and Associate Member Churches shall take up their rights at the next Annual Forum after membership is granted.
7) Resignation from the Conference
7.1) Any Member Church or Associate Member Church desiring to resign from the Conference must give formal notice in writing, to the General Secretary who will submit the notice to the Executive Committee at the next available meeting.
7.2) Upon such resignation being accepted by the Executive Committee, notice shall be given to each of the Member Churches and Associate Member Churches and the resignation shall come into effect at the next Annual Forum.
8) Decisions of the Conference
8.1) Meetings of the Conference whether at General Forums, Executive Committee, Programmes or otherwise shall normally decide questions by consensus.
8.2) Only formally appointed representatives shall participate in making decisions of the Conference although others attending the meeting may be invited to speak by the person presiding at or chairing the meeting.
8.3) Churches through their representatives at any meeting, have the right to dissent from or make reservations concerning any act or decision of the meeting and such dissent or reservations shall be recorded and publicised in any statement relating to the act or decision.
8.4) No act or decision of any meeting of the Conference shall restrict or purport to deprive any Church of its authority nor impose any obligation on any Church or its adherents.
9) Officers and Staff
9.1) The officers and staff of the Conference shall be the following:
9.2) There shall be a corporate Presidium of three members.
9.2.1) A new President shall be elected at the Annual Forum, from nominations to the Nomination Committee prior to the Forum, in accordance with paragraphs 10.6, and shall assume office at the conclusion of that Forum.
9.2.2) No two members of the Presidium shall be representatives of the same Member Church.
9.2.3) The three Presidents shall be elected on a staggered basis for individual terms of three years.
9.2.4) Presidents who have completed a full three year term shall not be eligible for re-election on the expiry of their term of office for a period of three years.
9.2.5) In the event of a President resigning or dying before the end of his or her term then a substitute may be selected by the Executive Committee at its next meeting to complete that term, but shall not be eligible for re-election at the end of that term.
9.3) There shall be a General Secretary who shall be responsible to the Presidium on a continuing basis, but subject to decisions of the Executive Committee or any of its Standing Committees or other Committees, for the efficient administration of the Conference activities, the implementing of the Conference’s policies and decisions and control of the Conference’s staff.
9.3.1) The General Secretary shall be appointed by the Executive Committee for a term not exceeding five years commencing from the date of appointment subject to earlier termination by mutual agreement, or on the giving of six months prior notice in writing by the Executive Committee at its discretion, or by three months prior notice by the General Secretary.
9.3.2) The General Secretary shall be eligible for re-appointment for one further term except where the term has been prematurely terminated.
9.4) There shall be a Treasurer who shall be responsible to the Presidium on a continuing basis, but subject to decisions of the Executive Committee or any of its Standing Committees or other Committees, for the efficient administration of the Conference’s finances.
9.4.1) The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Conference for a term not exceeding five years commencing from the date of appointment subject to earlier termination in the same fashion and on the same basis as provided in paragraph 9.3.1.
9.4.2) The Treasurer shall be eligible for re-appointment for one further term.
9.5) The Conference shall have such other staff as determined from time to time by the Executive Committee in the same fashion and on the same basis as provided in paragraph 9.3.1 for the appointment of the General Secretary, and in accordance with paragraph 16.2.8.
10) Executive Committee
10.1) There shall be an Executive Committee of the Conference which shall be responsible for the conduct of the business of the Conference between the meetings of General Forums in terms of paragraph 11.6.
10.2) The Executive Committee shall conduct itself as a servant body of the Conference, and it shall carry out any functions and exercise any powers which may be delegated to it by resolution of the Conference at a General Forum.
10.3) The membership of the Executive Committee shall be as follows:
10.3.1) Each Member Church may have two members of equal status on the Executive Committee;
a) One member appointed by each Member Church in accordance with 10.5, to be known as its appointed member.
b) One member of each Member Church selected by the Annual Forum in accordance with 10.6, to be known as its selected member.
10.3.2) A Member Church may choose in any appropriate year to have both its representatives selected by the Annual Forum under the process in 10.6. For administrative purposes one of these shall still be known as their appointed member.
10.4) Terms of office of Executive Committee members:
10.4.1) Membership of the Executive Committee shall be for a term of three years and the maximum tenure shall be two consecutive terms after which a stand down period of three years is required.
10.4.2) Subject to the transitional provisions in paragraph 24 the terms of office of members of the Executive Committee shall be so organised as to achieve the following:
a) No two members from a particular Member Church shall have terms that expire in the same year;
b) There shall be an approximately equal number of members whose terms will expire in any one year, and in any event there shall be no fewer than three members whose terms expire in the same year;
c) When new members are appointed or are nominated for selection by a Member Church they may be appointed or selected for a shorter period to ensure compliance with paragraphs (a) and (b) above.
10.5) Member Churches shall notify the Annual Forum whom they have chosen to be their appointed member on the Executive Committee before the Nominating Committee meets to consider the selection of the selected members. Member Churches shall give due regard to the desirability of balance on the Executive Committee when choosing their appointed member.
10.6) To assist in the selection of members in terms of paragraph 10.3(b) and 10.4 there shall be a Nominating Committee appointed by each Annual Forum for the succeeding year.
10.6.1) The Nominating Committee shall call for nominations for the vacancies to be filled on the Presidium and on the Executive Committee, to be made by Member Churches by a date specified by the Nominating Committee but which may be extended if this is considered desirable.
10.6.2) A Member Church when requested may nominate up to five people for consideration to fill its vacancy for a selected member on the Executive Committee. In making their nominations Member Churches should give due regard to the desirability of balance on the Executive Committee in terms of paragraph 10.6.4.
10.6.3) From the nominations received, the Nominating Committee shall propose to the closing session of the Annual Forum a list of persons to be elected to the Executive Committee.
10.6.4) In making its proposals, the Nominating Committee shall seek balance on the Presidium and on the Executive Committee between male and female, lay and ordained, age and youth, ethnic origin, and regional balance.
10.7) Should a Member Church not appoint or nominate for a vacancy in the year when it is due to be filled then the Member Church may appoint or nominate as appropriate to fill that vacancy in the following years to complete the term of that vacancy.
10.8) Should a vacancy occur due to election to the Presidium, or for any other reason, of an appointed member of the Executive then the respective Member Church may appoint someone forthwith for the remainder of the term of that vacancy, after having given regard to the desirability of balance. A vacancy for a selected Member may be filled at the succeeding Annual Forum for the remainder of the term of that vacancy.
10.9) The Executive Committee shall appoint two Standing Committees being one for Staff and Personnel dealing with appointments, terms of employment, grievances and termination of contracts, and one for Finance and Budget to be responsible, in consultation with the Treasurer, for the preparation of the annual budget and the monitoring of expenditure.
10.10) The Executive Committee may appoint such other Standing Committees or Sub-Committees for particular purposes from time to time as it deems expedient in terms of paragraph 11.10.
10.11) The Executive Committee, or any of its committees may conduct its business between meetings by conference telephone discussions, or by mail or otherwise as it sees fit.
10.12) Attendance of Officials and staff at Executive Committee meetings shall be on the following basis:
10.12.1) The General Secretary and the Treasurer shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the Executive Committee with full speaking rights, but not having decision making rights.
10.12.2) Staff members may attend meetings of the Executive Committee when requested by the Presidium with appropriate speaking rights but not having decision making rights.
11) Meetings of the Executive Committee
11.1) The Executive Committee shall meet at times and places as it shall determine, but it shall meet at least twice between meetings of the Annual Forum of the Conference.
11.2) Except as otherwise herein provided the meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called by the General Secretary, provided however that a meeting may be called by the Presidium or shall be called on the request of at least five members of the Executive Committee.
11.3) Churches and members of the Executive Committee shall be given at least 14 days written notice of all meetings of the Executive Committee.
11.4) Quorum for Executive Committee meetings shall be seven members.
11.5) If within an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present the members then present, if they include at least one member of the Presidium, may meet as the Executive Committee but no decisions made at that meeting affecting the Conference are to be acted upon until ratified by a subsequent Executive Meeting that does have a quorum.
11.6) The Executive Committee shall be charged with the general conduct of the affairs of the Conference subject to any direction given by a General Forum. The Presidium however shall be entitled at any time to reserve for the decision of a General Forum such matters as the Presidium deems appropriate.
11.7) The three Presidents constituting the Presidium, or as many as are present, shall act as Corporate Chairperson of meetings of the Executive Committee in such manner as they decide.
11.8) The Executive Committee shall be responsible for regulating its own procedures, subject to any contrary direction in this constitution or by the Conference and may by resolution make rules for all or any of the following purposes:
11.8.1) Regulating the proceedings and conduct of the Executive Committee and of any Standing Committee or Sub-committee of the Executive Committee;
11.8.2) Providing for such matters as may be deemed necessary or expedient for duly carrying out the work of the Executive Committee.
11.9) Matters arising at any meeting of the Executive Committee shall be determined by the consensus of the Executive Committee members present.
11.10) The Executive Committee may delegate any of its powers to any Standing Committee or sub-committee consisting of such members as the Executive Committee thinks fit. Any sub-committee so formed shall under the exercise of the powers so delegated, conform to any regulation that may be imposed upon it by the Executive Committee. Any sub-committee shall have the power to consult with suitable persons including persons or parties who are not Conference Members or representatives.
11.11) All proceedings of the Executive Meeting and of any Standing Committee or any Sub-committee meeting shall be recorded in the form of minutes and distributed to the members of those meetings prior to the next meeting of that Committee.
12) General Forums
12.1) General Forums shall be meetings of representatives of the Churches of which at least one in each calendar year is to be designated the Annual.
12.2) General Forums shall be called, on dates to be determined by the Executive Committee, to deal with specified matters of business and to further the continuing work of CCANZ by discussion, action and communication.
12.3) A General Forum shall consider and decide on any specific matter referred to it by the Presidium or the Executive Committee.
12.4) The designated Annual Forum shall receive reports from the Presidium and from the General Secretary dealing with the work of the Executive Committee, the Programmes and the staff during the preceding year, and shall discuss such reports and make such decisions concerning them as it deems appropriate.
12.5) An annual statement of accounts prepared in accordance with paragraph 17, and a budget for the ensuing year, shall be presented to the Annual Forum by the Treasurer or the General Secretary; and the Annual Forum shall discuss these and make such decisions concerning them as it deems appropriate.
12.6) The Annual Forum shall be advised of appointments by the Member Churches to the vacancies on the Executive Committee for the following year.
12.7) The Annual Forum shall select people to the elective vacancies for that year in accordance with the procedure provided in paragraph 10.
12.8) The Annual Forum shall consider and decide on any proposed constitutional amendments in accordance with paragraph 23.
12.9) The Annual Forum may deal with any matter of general business that is raised, provided that if the Presidium so decides, the matter must then be referred to the Executive Committee for further consideration in the light of the discussion that has taken place.
12.10) A quorum for all General Forums shall be a minimum of twenty persons with decision making rights and representing more than half of all the Member Churches.
12.11) Churches and members of the Executive Committee shall be given at least 14 days written notice of all General Forums.
12.12) The three Presidents constituting the Presidium, or as many as are present, shall act as Corporate Chairperson of any General Forum in such manner as they decide.
12.13) In the absence of any member of the Presidium to act as Chairperson the representatives present, provided that they constitute a quorum, shall appoint one of their own number to chair that General Forum, and that representative whilst so acting shall have all the powers of the Corporate Chairperson.
13) Representation at General Forums
13.1) Representatives with speaking and decision making rights at General Forums shall be:
13.1.1) Members of the Presidium;
13.1.2) Members of the Executive Committee;
13.1.3) Representatives of Member Churches up to a maximum of six persons from any one Member Church;
13.1.4) Representatives of Associate Member Churches up to a maximum of three persons from any one Associate Member Church.
13.2) Observers with speaking rights but not having decision making rights at General Forums shall be:
13.2.1) One member from each Programme of the Conference;
13.2.2) A youth delegation of up to six members drawn from the youth structures of the Member and Associate Member Churches, to be coordinated by the Youth Programme;
13.2.3) Three members of Te Runanga Whakawhanaunga i Nga Haahi o Aotearoa.
13.3) Officials and staff with speaking rights but no decision making rights at General Forums shall be:
13.3.1) The General Secretary;
13.3.2) The Treasurer;
13.3.3) Other staff invited to be present by the Presidium.
13.4) Guests with the right to speak by invitation but not having decision making rights shall be:
13.4.1) Members of the local group organising the General Forum;
13.4.2) Such New Zealand guests as are invited to the General Forum by the Executive Committee;
13.4.3) Such guests from overseas as are invited to the General Forum by the Executive Committee;
13.4.4) Such guests from non-Member Churches as are invited to attend by the Executive Committee.
14) Programmes
14.1) The Executive Committee, as it deems appropriate, may recommend to a General Forum the establishment of committees, to be known as Programmes, to give greater effect to the purposes of CCANZ in certain specified areas.
14.2) A General Forum on the recommendation of the Executive Committee and after appropriate consultation, shall establish mandates and policy guidelines, and the Executive Committee may provide specific directions from time to time, for each Programme.
14.3) Churches shall be invited to appoint up to two people to each Programme, and each Programme must have members appointed by at least four Churches.
14.4) Programmes may co-opt such other members from the Churches, and consult from time to time such other people as they see fit to better carry out their activities and obligations.
14.5) Each Programme shall appoint a Convenor to act as chairperson and president for that Programme.
14.6) The Executive Committee may discontinue or reconstitute any particular Programme at any time at its discretion.
14.7) Programmes shall co-operate with bodies in the Churches having responsibilities similar to their own and be prepared to act as a liaison between such bodies in furthering co-operation if this is desired by such bodies.
14.8) Programmes shall not make public statements on any matters but may recommend that the Presidium, the Executive Committee, or a General Forum should do so.
14.9) Programmes shall not issue reports publicly, but may submit reports to the Executive Committee which may issue them in such form, whether amended or not, as it deems appropriate.
14.10) Programmes shall be reviewed by the Executive Committee on a regular basis, in accordance with their Programme Mandate and the priorities of CCANZ.
15) Regional Representation
15.1) The Executive Committee shall endeavour to have the Programmes situated in various regions which may be changed from time to time; but two or more Programmes may be situated in the same region for practical reasons.
15.2) The Executive Committee, at its discretion, may from time to time arrange with individuals who are endorsed by their Member Church, to represent it in a designated region by acting for it when it so requests, and to report to it on local ecumenical activities from time to time.
16) Functions and Powers
16.1) The functions of the Conference shall include the following:
16.1.1) The promotion and furthering of the objects herein expressed;
16.1.2) The establishment of commissions, committees, and such groups as may be necessary to pursue the achievement of the Objects of the Conference. All such commissions, committees and groups shall be responsible to the Conference.
16.1.3) The calling of a consultation on specific subjects as occasion may require;
16.1.4) The making of provision for, the procuring, enlarging or developing of suitable headquarters or other centres for the work of the Conference.
16.2) For the purposes of carrying out its functions, the Conference may from time to time exercise all or any of the following powers:
16.2.1) To accept or acquire real and personal property for the objects of the Conference.
16.2.2) To apply from time to time and at any time as the Conference may think fit, all or any part of the income, capital or both the income and capital of the Conference towards, the Objects of the Conference, or the Conference may in its absolute discretion accumulate the income until it can in the opinion of the Conference be usefully applied for the Objects of the Conference.
16.2.3) To purchase, lease, hire or otherwise acquire (including by way of gift) any real or personal property in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as the Conference may think fit.
16.2.4) To sell, exchange, partition, lease, hire or otherwise dispose of (including by way of gift) any of its real or personal property or any part thereof or any interest therein in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as the Conference may think fit.
16.2.5) To borrow or raise money by way of mortgage, or by the issue of any debenture, debenture stock or bonds, or otherwise on the security of Conference property or any part thereof or otherwise (including without giving security therefore) on such terms or conditions as the Conference may think fit.
16.2.6) To administer all sums of moneys subscribed or given by any person or organisation for the support, maintenance or benefit of the Conference whether by the operation of any trust, devise or bequest or otherwise howsoever, and to administer and apply the same subject to any special provisions attached thereto and to appeal for, collect and receive moneys in furtherance of the purposes hereinbefore referred to, and to administer, control and disburse the same.
16.2.7) To pay all expenses and outgoings as may be incurred in relation to the Conference from time to time.
16.2.8) To appoint, employ and remove or suspend and pay such officers, clerks, employees or persons either for temporary or special services as they may from time to time deem necessary and to determine their duties and powers and fix their salaries and remuneration and (if considered necessary) to require security of such amount as they may deem fit for the proper and efficient discharge of such duties.
16.2.9) To improve, repair and maintain and insure against loss or damage by fire or comprehensive loss any of the property and to discharge out of income or capital all outgoings properly payable in respect of the property without prejudice to the right of the Conference to make it a condition of letting any person into the possession of any of the property (whether as tenant at will or otherwise) that such person shall pay and discharge all or any part of such outgoings.
16.2.10) In arriving at the net income of the Conference, to deduct or set aside or make such other provision as the Conference may think necessary for the purpose of repaying or reducing any mortgage or other indebtedness, liability or encumbrance incurred or become owing in respect of the Conference or any part thereof or any property comprised therein and any such amount so set aside, deducted or otherwise provided shall if the Conference, so decide, cease to be regarded as income and shall be deemed added to the capital of the Conference’s funds and in like manner the Conference may set aside and deduct such sum as it shall think fit to allow for depreciation of any buildings or other erections or any plant, machinery or other assets owned by the Conference and further in the like manner the Conference may set aside such sums or make such other provision as the Executive Committee may think fit for a reserve against losses and contingencies and may write off losses from time to time or resort to the reserve fund in mitigation of losses or for any other purpose and any such deduction, setting aside or other provision under this sub-clause may be made in such manner an such terms and conditions in all respects as the Conference may in its absolute discretion think fit.
16.2.11) To accept or acquire from any source any further property of whatsoever kind or nature and whether encumbered or unencumbered, as an addition to the property owned by the Conference and the trusts herein declared shall thereupon apply to such additional property in the same manner in all respects as to the property originally comprised therein.
16.2.12) To apply for, secure, acquire by grant, legislative enactment, assignment, transfer, purchase or otherwise and to exercise, carry out and enjoy any charter, licence, power, authority, franchise, concession, right or privilege, which any Government or authority or any corporation or other public or other body may be empowered to grant, to apply for, promote and obtain any statute, order, regulation, or other authorisation or enactment which may seem calculated directly or indirectly to benefit the Conference, and to oppose any bills, proceedings or application which may seem calculated directly or indirectly to prejudice the Conference’s interests and to pay for aid, in and contribute towards carrying the same into effect, and to appropriate any of the Conference’s property to defray the necessary costs, charges and expenses thereof.
16.2.13) To make, vary, alter or revoke rules and by-laws and regulations relating to the good government of the Conference, and to meetings of the Conference and its various committees etc and related to any other matter or thing in connection with the administration of the Conference.
16.2.14) To apply or direct the application of the Conference’s property or any part thereof in building, rebuilding, insuring, repairing and maintaining any buildings or other property used for the purposes of the Conference, in improving any lands, in the purchase of chattels, and in the remuneration of servants.
16.2.15) To accept moneys on deposit from any person either at call or for a fixed term and at such rate of interest and generally upon such terms as the Conference may from time to time think fit.
16.2.16) To invest any moneys in any of the modes of investment for the time being authorised by the law of New Zealand for the investments of trust funds (including contributory mortgages of freehold land in the name of the Conference) and to deposit any moneys with any bank or Building Society or municipal or local body.
16.2.17) To delegate such of the powers, authorities and discretions conferred upon the Conference by this paragraph 16 as the Conference may in General Forum resolve to any person, or committee appointed for that purpose and the meetings and proceedings of any committee appointed hereunder shall be governed by the regulation in force for the time being in respect of the meetings and proceedings of the Conference so far as the same are applicable thereto but subject to any conditions imposed by the Conference or any provision herein to the contrary.
16.2.18) To do such other lawful acts and things as are incidental or conducive to the furtherance or attainment of any one or more of the Objects of the Conference.
17) Financial Accounts
17.1) The Conference shall cause proper Books of Account to be kept in which shall be kept true full and complete accounts of the affairs and transaction of the Conference. The Books of Account shall be kept at the Conference’s registered office unless the Conference shall in General Forum otherwise determine. Books of Account shall always be open to the inspection of any Member Church of the Conference.
17.2) All money belonging to the Conference shall as soon as practicable after it has come into the hands of the officer of the Conference responsible therefore be paid into such Bank as the Conference from time to time appoints to an account called ‘The Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand’ account. No money shall be withdrawn from the account or accounts of the Conference except by cheque signed by any two of the following, viz the General Secretary, the Treasurer and three other persons (whether or not employees of the Conference) who may be appointed by the Executive Committee for that purpose from time to time.
17.3) The accounts of the Conference shall be audited by a Chartered Accountant, or firm of Chartered Accountants which Accountant or firm shall be appointed annually by the Conference.
18) Common Seal
18.1) The Executive Committee shall provide for the safe custody of the Common Seal at the registered office of the conference, which Seal shall only be used by the authority of the Executive Committee.
18.2) Every instrument to which the Seal is affixed shall be signed by any two individuals drawn from the following, namely the Presidents, the General Secretary and the Treasurer.
19) Indemnity
19.1) No representative, officer, or servant of the Conference shall be personally liable for any act or default done or made by the Conference or by any representative officer or servant thereof in good faith in the course of the operations of the Conference.
20) Service of Notices
20.1) Any notice to be served upon a Church may be served by sending it through the post by ordinary mail addressed to such Church at its registered address in New Zealand, such registered address being that provided by the Church to CCANZ. Any notice if sent by post shall be deemed to have been served at the time when the letter containing the notice would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post.
21) Winding-Up
21.1) No resolution for dissolving the Conference shall take effect unless it shall have been consented to by a two thirds majority of the Member Churches passed at a General Forum. Every Member Church shall have at least two months prior written notice of the intention to propose such a resolution, which resolution shall be set out in full in such notice.
21.2) Should the Conference be dissolved in accordance with this Rule then any property remaining after the due settlement of the affairs of the Conference and the payment of all debts and claims, shall be paid over or distributed to one or more organisations approved by the Conference having charitable objects similar to those herein, and being approved as Charitable Bodies by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue for the time being.
21.3) If the Objects of the Conference shall fail completely, the property of the Conference shall be realised and dealt with in accordance with the previous paragraph 21.2.
21.4) In the case of the Conference being wound up in any other manner any property of the Conference shall be dealt with accordance with paragraph 21.2 hereof.
22) Severance
22.1) If any provision of this Trust Deed and Constitution shall be declared void or voidable, illegal or unenforceable by any Court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be deemed severable from the remainder of this Deed and Constitution which shall continue in all other respects to be valid and enforceable.
23) Alteration of Constitution
23.1) This Constitution may only be altered as follows:
23.1.1) Alterations may only be made at an Annual Forum or a General Forum called pursuant to paragraph 12.2.
23.1.2) Written notice setting out in full the proposed resolution for such alteration to the Constitution shall be given to the Executive Committee no less than 12 weeks before the General Forum that is to consider the proposal.
23.1.3) The Executive Committee shall no less than eight weeks before the holding of the General Forum give similar notice to the Churches of the proposed alteration or addition. This notice shall set out in full the wording of the proposed alteration.
23.1.4) The General Forum may agree to amend any such proposal.
23.1.5) Any proposed alteration having been approved by the General Forum shall then be referred to the Member Churches for ratification.
23.1.6) The proposed alteration shall take effect unless it is formally rejected by one third of the Member Churches within six months of being referred to the Member Churches.
23.2) Provided always that no alteration to this Constitution may be made if its effect is to change in any manner the charitable nature of the Conference.
24) Transitional Provisions
Pending the full implementation of the provisions in paragraph 9 regarding the Presidium, in paragraph 10 regarding the Executive Committee and in paragraph 14 regarding the Programmes and to ensure a degree of continuity, the transitional arrangements set out in Appendix 1 shall apply.