Regulations

NAME

15.1    The name of the organisation shall be the “Uniting Church Lay Preachers Association of Tasmania” hereinafter called “the Association”.

PURPOSES

15.2    The purposes of the Association are to:

1. provide mutual support and encouragement for those exercising the ministry of lay preaching within the Uniting Church;

2. encourage lay people within the Church to participate in the proclamation of the Gospel and in witnessing to the faith and love of God in Jesus Christ through the ministry of lay preaching;

3. support the continual equipping and nurturing of people in the ministry of lay preaching through in-service education and continuing education;

4. represent the concerns and interests of Lay Preachers within the life of the Church; and

5.  work in conjunction with the Discipleship Development & Education Committee.

MEMBERSHIP

15.3    Membership of the Association shall be open to:

1. accredited and recognised Lay Preachers;

2.  Lay Preachers in training; and

3. Other members of the Uniting Church whose names appear on the preaching plan of a Uniting Church Congregation.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

15.4    The governing body of the Association will be the Annual Conference, normally held in May each year, at a time and place determined by the Association.

15.5    All members of the Association shall be entitled to attend and participate in the Annual Conference

15.6    The Annual Conference shall:

1. receive and adopt the annual report and the audited financial statements of the Association;

2. elect the officers of the Association and the members of the Executive Committee.

3. elect members of the Association to represent the Association on the Presbytery of Tasmania as provided in the By-Laws for Presbytery membership;

4. make any other decisions deemed necessary in regard to the work of the Association.

OFFICERS

15.7    The officers of the Association shall be:

1. a President, who shall hold office for an initial term of two years, but be eligible for re-election on an annual basis for a maximum term of five years;  and

2. a Secretary-Treasurer, who shall hold office for an initial term of two years, but be eligible for re-election on an annual basis for a maximum term of five years.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

15.8    The Executive Committee shall manage the business and affairs of the Association between Annual Conferences.

15.9    The Executive Committee shall consist of:

1. the President, 

2. the Secretary-Treasurer; and

3. three members, normally one from each pastoral region of the Presbytery, elected at each Annual Conference.

BRANCHES

15.10  Regional and/or local branches of the Association may be formed in accordance with the purposes of the Association and with the approval of the Association.  Such Branches shall organise themselves as appropriate to their local circumstances.

FINANCES

15.11  Members will be invited to make an annual contribution to the funds of the Association at a rate determined by each Annual Conference.

FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS

15.12  All moneys received by the Association shall be paid into a bank account.  All payments shall be made by cheque, signed by at least two appointed signatories.  A cash book shall be kept and the annual accounts shall be audited in accordance with the Regulations of the Church.

AMENDMENTS TO THESE REGULATIONS

Amendments shall be made by the Presbytery in accordance with By-Law 1.14.  If the Association wishes to request an amendment, then such amendment shall be approved by the State Conference and notice shall be given to all members at least one month prior to the State Conference.

This page was last edited 11-Aug-2008