CONSTITUTION OF : THE UNITING REFORMED CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA STUDENT S SOCIETY. (URCSASSOC)

Transcription

1 CONSTITUTION OF : THE UNITING REFORMED CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA STUDENT S SOCIETY. (URCSASSOC) SECTION ONE : NAME The name of the organization shall be : The Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa Student s Society (here after called : URCSASSOC) 1.1 FOUNDATION The URCSASSOC is based on the Bible as the unfailing word of God and the doctrine that the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) confesses, as contained in the Three Formularies of Unity viz. The Dutch Confession of Faith, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Cannons of Dordt and the Belhar Confession (1986). 1.2 GOALS The URCSASSOC aims to Uplift the students of the URCSA spiritually; Guide students in their call to be ministers of the Word of God; Make students actively involved in mission, service and sacrifice; Unite all students of the URCSA at the University of Stellenbosch; Work actively to promote and built unity within the URCSA with its multi-cultural and multilingual tradition In order to achieve these goals, every member of the society aims to : Live in compliance with the will of God according to the Holy Scriptures; Be a true witness of Christ and never be ashamed of the gospel of Christ Jesus; Go out into the practical life and tell the world that Jesus Christ can liberate people from sin, suffering and oppression Remain faithful to the doctrine of the URCSA, which every member confesses Regularly attend gatherings of the society as well as Church services and prayer meetings. 1.3 MEMBERSHIP Full members All students of the URCSA who register at the University of

2 Stellenbosch receive ipso facto membership of the URCSASSOC Membership shall be subject to the following principles : There shall be no age restriction, No sexism, and No racism Associate members Associate membership may be granted to students who are not students of the URCSA, but have confidence to subscribe to the aims of the URCSASSOC Associate members have the right to vote but cannot hold any office On receiving such membership, members undertake to : Support the URCSASSOC in all its activities; Give an annual donation towards the funds of the society Membership Fee The membership fee shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) Termination of Membership Membership is terminated ipso facto when : A student drops out; A student requests in writting such a termination; A student completes his/her studies; A student terminates his/her membership of the URCSA Membership fee is not refundable on termination of membership. SECTION TWO : THE EXECUTIVE COMMITEE 2.1 COMPOSITION The Executive Commitee (here after called the Executive) shall consists of the following members : Chairperson Deputy chairperson General Secretary Treasurer Public Relationship Officer Projects Officer Gender Officer One additional member

3 Members of the Executive are elected at the AGM for a one-year term of office The Student Chaplain is an ex officio member of the Executive. He/she chairs meetings in the absence of the chairperson; He/she is alternate to the chairperson at meeting of the Curatorium. 2.2 DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE General Duties The executive attends to the general management of the society and draws up a Programme of activities for each year The Chairperson He/she attends to all responsibilities normally associated with this office; He/she has a particular responsibility of looking after the interest of the society and to see to it that the service groups perform their duties; He/she represents the students on the Curatoruim The Deputy Chairperson He/she assists the chairperson in the performance of his/her duties; The General Secretary Keep the minutes of all meetings held; Follow instructions and guard over the implementation of decisions; Handles all correspondence of the society and keep record of all such correspondence; Keeps a register of names and addresses of all the members The Treasurer Draws up an annual budget; Receives all monies of the society and issues receipts for all amounts received; Records all transactions accurately; Draws the financial statement; Reports regularly to the executive with regard to the financial position of the society The Public Relationship Officer

4 Is responsible for the public relations of the society; Issues media statements on behalf of the society after consultation with the chairperson; Manages all notices and publications of the society; Is the chief marketing officer of the society and heads the marketing committee The Gender Officer Promotes gender sensitivity within the society; Heads the gender commitee of the society; Is involved in all activities that illuminate the gender issue The Projects Officer Is responsible for the overall planning, organizing and structuring of social events e.g. Camps, concerts Heads the projects commitee The Additional Member Do duties as decided by the Executive; Fills a vacancy on the resignation of a member of the Executive NEGLECT OF DUTIES Members of the Executive Commitee who are repeatedly guilty of dereliction of duties, should be reprimanded and ministered to with Christian love; If the member, however, persists in the neglect, his/her office may be declared vacant by a majority vote at a special general meeting called by the Executive. SECTION THREE : STRUCTURAL ORGANISATION 3.1 The organization of the society should at all times function at a high level. 3.2 The following books and files should be kept : Two minute books- one for the Executive and one for general meetings of the society; An analysis cash book ; A receipt book for all monies received ; One or more files for reports, correspondence, etc.

5 SECTION FOUR : GENERAL MEETINGS AND GATHERINGS 4.1 The society shall meet at least once per month to attend to its general activities; 4.2. The minutes of the previous meeting will be read ; 4.3 The Executive shall meet forth nightly or as often as conditions deems necessary. 4.4 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Every year, at a time determined by the society, an annual general meeting shall be held to attend to the following matters : Report of Activities The executive shall present a written report of all its activities Audited Financial Report and Budget The treasurer shall present a written audited financial report and budget for approval by the AGM Election of Executive Commitee Members Members of the Executive shall be elected by means of a secret ballot unless otherwise decided by the AGM ; The Student Chaplain or one of the lecturers shall act as electoral officer. SECTION FIVE : CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL FUNCTIONS 5.1. The aim of these functions is to provide the members with a healthy recreation and to develop and intergrate with their respective cultural development; 5.2. It is the collective responsibility of the Executive to see to it that the cultural diversity of the URCSA is acknowledged and promoted. SECTION SIX : FINANCIAL AFFAIRS 6.1 Society Funds Each member shall regard him/herself as being called to assist with fund-raising required for the maintenance, development and organization of the activites of this society ;

6 6.1.2 They shall attend to financial obligations related to student work in broader context. 6.2 Society account Monies of the Society are to be kept in trust in a banking account The treasurer and chairperson or secretary will be signatories of cheques.