LoginHome » Parish tools » Book of Order » Old Appendices » Appendix F-2: TERMS OF REFERENCE – FORUM OF CO-OPERATIVE VENTURES
Appendix F-2: Terms of Reference – Forum of Co-operative Ventures
122 Terms of Reference Negotiating Churches Unity Council
1) Preamble
a) Each committee is established in conjunction with the work of the FCW Council and under the authority of the regional courts of the negotiating churches. JRCS are required to function as if a committee or sub-committee of each regional court, meeting to make common recommendations to them.
b) The regional courts retain the right to deal directly with parishes, but where consultation with other church courts is required, will normally work through the JRC.
c) Union District Councils may develop their own structures for dealing with Methodist-Presbyterian co-operative ventures and will follow the standard procedures.
2) Area
The area for which the Committee is responsible is decided by the Forum after consultation with regional church courts.
3) Functions
1) To foster a spirit of unity, understanding and co-operation among the negotiating churches.
2) To assist the churches to plan co-operatively by monitoring population trends and suggesting appropriate ministry and mission strategies.
3) To receive from the negotiating churches in the area advice of proposed site or building developments, to offer comment as requested and inform the other negotiating churches.
4) To assist in the establishment of co-operative ventures and in the preparation and approval of agreements.
5) To undertake the oversight of co-operative ventures and to make necessary recommendations to the churches and the Forum.
a) To undertake the oversight of Co-operative Ventures and to make any necessary recommendations to the churches and the Forum relating to the conveying of all consultations required by constitutional agreements (see also 121.1(c)) including visitations, extensions of ministry and new appointments of ministry. (lay, stipendiary and non-stipendiary)
6) To keep regional church courts fully informed of the work of the JRC with clearly identified recommendations as well as through its appointed members and the minutes of the JRC.
7) Such other matters as the churches themselves or the Forum shall request.
4) Membership
The JRC shall consist of the following:
1) Representatives of the regional courts of the negotiating churches. These should include people with experience in dealing with the procedures of their church and/or co-operative ventures, able to assist the JRC reach recommendations which will commend themselves to their church court.
2) Representatives of other churches having local interest in one or more co-operative ventures.
3) Representatives from one third of the co-operative ventures in the region. Retiring in rotation after a maximum three year term. JRCs may adjust this in the light of representation already provided by the church.
5) Representation
a) The basis of representation shall be as for the co-operative ventures section of the Forum scaled to meet local needs. This includes representation of the women of the church. (see also 122)
b) Each church may appoint proxy members to attend in the absence of an appointed member.
6) Officers
a) The JRC shall elect a chairperson and a secretary-treasurer.
b) The term of office for any person so elected shall not normally exceed three years.
7) Finance
a) The regional courts of the member churches will contribute to the financial requirements of the JRC as may be determined from time to time.
b) A financial statement shall be submitted at least annually and be subject to qualified audit.
8) Annual Report
An annual report on the work of the JRC together with the financial report shall be submitted to the JRC and the courts of the member churches.
9) Meetings
a) The JRC shall meet regularly as required, at least three times a year.
b) The frequency of meetings may be varied according to local needs and shall be determined by the JRC.
c) Care should be taken in the timing of the meetings so that the JRC can expeditiously forward recommendations to the regular meetings of the regional church courts.
Basis of Operating: Forum of Co-operative Ventures
122.3 Forum Composition
a) The Forum is made up of:
- Two representatives of each Co-operative Venture wishing to participate
- Two representatives of each Joint Regional Committee
- Two representatives of each of the Negotiating Partners: the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia; the Associated Churches of Christ in New Zealand; the Congregational Union of New Zealand; the Methodist Church of New Zealand – Te Hahi Weteriana O Aotearoa; and the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Members of Standing Committee
- Observers, including resource people and invited guests
b) At least six months prior to each meeting of the Forum, Standing Committee will issue invitations to all Co-operative Ventures, JRC’s, Negotiating Partners and other interested bodies.
122.4 Forum Decision Making
a) Decision making should be by consensus.
b) Should voting be necessary, each Forum member present shall have one vote.
122.5 Forum Leadership
a) The biennial meeting of the Forum shall be facilitated by two facilitators, appointed by Standing Committee.
b) The Chairperson of Standing Committee will act as convenor of business at the biennial meeting of the forum.
122.6 Standing Committee Functions
There shall be a Standing Committee of the forum which shall:
a) Pursue the purpose of the Forum;
b) Promote and support Co-operative Ventures;
c) Promote the development of Local Ecumenical Projects (LEPs);
d) Promote and support the work of the Joint Regional Committees;
e) Present reports and recommendations on behalf of the Forum to the national courts of the Negotiating Partners;
f) Encourage unity through the sharing of new understandings in worship, spirituality, theology, mission, inclusiveness and cohesion;
g) Relate the quest for unity to other developments within the Church;
h) Relate to other agencies in the interests of unity.
122.7 Standing Committee Composition
a) Standing Committee is made up of:
- Ten members representing Co-operative Ventures and elected directly at each biennial meeting of the forum;
- Two representatives of each negotiating partner appointed by whatever mechanisms each partner has for making such appointments;
- The Executive Officer of the Forum of Co-operative Ventures.
b) To obtain the Co-operative Venture members of Standing Committee, each Co-operative Venture will be invited to nominate a person from their area.
- The nominations are to be facilitated by and forwarded to the local JRC accompanied by a person profile;
- Each JRC will collate the nominations and forward them to Standing Committee;
- The complete list of nominated candidates will be circulated to all Co-operative Ventures;
- Nominees need to attend the biennial meeting of the Forum;
- If for any reason sufficient nominations are not received by the due date, the Forum may take appropriate steps to obtain necessary nominations;
- At the biennial meeting of the Forum, five regional caucuses will be held to choose two names each, which will be presented to a plenary session of the Forum for final approval.
c) Standing Committee may coopt up to three members in order to promote the balance and diversity of Standing Committee membership.
d) Standing Committee members should not normally hold office for any continuous period of more than six years.