Constitution and Bylaws of the National ACW
" The Love of Jesus calls Us"
ANGLICAN CHURCH WOMEN - CANADA
2016 - Updated
PREAMBLE:
Anglican Church Women of Canada is a loosely knit fellowship of all women in the Anglican Church of Canada and others who agree with and support the purpose of the Anglican Church Women of Canada. This purpose is: to give the women of the Anglican Church the opportunity to unite in a fellowship of worship, study and service which will lead them into Christian service in the parish, community, diocese, nation and world.
This fellowship is served by a constituted National Executive which shall support the ministry of and shall collate and represent the collective voices of Anglican Church Women of Canada.
Constitution
and
Bylaws
Of
THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
ANGLICAN CHURCH WOMEN OF CANADA
I NAME The name of the organization shall be The National Executive (National Executive) of the Anglican Church Women of Canada (ACWC).
II PURPOSE
The Purpose of the National Executive shall be: to provide a national forum and voice for women’s ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada; to provide opportunity for its members to share faith and fellowship and to learn from each other; to provide support in their common leadership; to discuss items of common mutual concern and to determine relevant common policies and procedures.
III MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
1. Serving Diocesan ACW Presidents and Diocesan Coordinators of Women’s Ministry in Integrated Dioceses
2. President of the Prince Edward Island Anglican Church Women
3. The ACW Chaplain
IV OFFICERS OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE1. The officers shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.2. The Past President may serve three years (or until replaced) in an advisory capacity.
V COMMITTEES OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE.
1. Executive Committee
a. The Past President shall chair the Nominating Committee
b. Three members shall be elected to the Nominating Committee at the annual meeting.
c. The Nominating Committee shall solicit nominations for vacant officers’ positions from the members eligible to attend the annual meeting. Such nominations are to be received no later than four (4) months prior to the annual meeting.
d. The Nominating Committee shall notify the members of the slate of officers two (2) months prior to the annual meeting.
e. Additional nominations may be made up to one (1) month prior to the annual meeting.
f. The Nominating Committee will present the nominations for vacant officer
positions to the annual meeting.
3. Standing Committees
From time to time the organization may establish such Standing Committees as may be necessary.
4. Duties of Officers
a. President
i. shall preside at all meetings and the annual meeting
ii. shall submit an annual report to the annual meeting
iii. shall be the official representative of the organization
iv. shall be ex-officio member of all committees
v. shall interpret the constitution
b. Vice President
i. shall be responsible for public relations
ii. shall fulfill the duties of President when necessary
iii. shall be prepared to succeed to the office of President
iv. shall fulfil other duties as requested by the Executive Committee
c. Secretary
i. shall be responsible for keeping official records including the minutes of all meetings
ii. shall maintain up to date membership lists of the Diocesan Presidents/Coordinators and representatives of women’s ministry in Dioceses without ACW boards
iii. shall be responsible for general correspondence of the organization
d. Treasurer
i. shall be responsible to keep the financial records of the organization
ii. shall receive, record and disburse by cheque all income as authorized
iii. shall provide an audited financial statement at the annual meeting
iv. shall serve a five (5) year term
VI ELIGIBILITY1. Each nominee for an officer shall:
a. be in attendance at the conference
b. shall have previously attended at least One National Conference as a voting member. In the case
of Vice President or President they shall have previously attended at least Two National
conferences
c. the recommendation of one of: her Bishop, Diocesan President/Coordinator or the Ecclesiastical Provincial Representative
d. have a reporting relationship into the Diocesan ACW structure
e. be an example of Christian life and a worshipping member of her parish
VII TERM OF OFFICEThe President , Vice President and Past President shall each serve for a term of three (3) years; the Secretary for two (2) years and the Treasurer for five (5) years. No person may serve more than one term in any office and no more than two consecutive terms. The term of officers shall begin immediately after their election.
VIII VACANCIES1. The Executive Committee shall have the power to fill all vacancies in executive positions with the exception of the President until the next national conference.
2. If the President is in any way unable to fulfill her duties for a period of more than two (2) months, she shall be relieved of her duties. The Vice President shall assume the Presidency until the next National Conference or until the President is able to return to her office.
IX SIGNING AUTHORITY
Signing authority shall be given to the President and Treasurer and one other officer. Any two of these three signatures shall be sufficient
X ECCLESIASTICAL PROVINCES REPRESENTATIVES
1. At each National Conference there will be
a) One elected representative for each Ecclesiastical Province (EP).
2. Responsibilities:
a) to chair the meeting of the EP
b) to ensure minutes of the meeting are recorded.
c) to present a verbal report during the National Executive Annual Meeting
d) to provide a written report to the National Secretary and each of the members of their
EP within two (2) months of the Conference to be included in the minutes to be a liaison between the President/National Board and the ACW’s of their EP.
XI CHAPLAIN
1. The Chaplain is named by the host diocese of the National Executive Annual Meeting (normally the Chaplain to the host Diocesan ACW Board).
2. Duties:
a. In consultation with the National President and Meeting Coordinator, prepare worship for the meeting.
b. Submit reflections to the National Newsletter
c. Provide pastoral services to members attending the meeting
3. Term of Office: one year
XII THE NATIONAL BOARD
1. Composition
a. The members of the Executive Committee
b. One representative from each of the four Ecclesiastical Provinces, as elected in a meeting of each Ecclesiastical Province (usually to be held at the Annual National Conference).
c. The Chaplain
d. The Past President (if serving)
2. Duties
a. The Board shall:
i. carry out the purpose of the national organization
ii. be responsible for managing all funds of the national organization
iii. present the budget to the national organization at the annual meeting
iv. Assist in planning and enabling the national conference
XIII ELECTIONS
1. Elections shall be held at the Annual National Conference.
2. Elections shall be held by secret ballot.
3.Should there be more than two nominees for any office, and no nominee receives a majority of votes on the second ballot, on each succeeding ballot the name of the nominee receiving the least number of votes shall be dropped until one nominee receives a majority vote.
XIV THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE ANNUAL NATIONAL MEETING
1) The Annual National Meeting of the National Executive shall be held at a time and place determined at the previous annual meeting.
a. The National Executive Officers may meet prior to the National President's Conference
2) The purpose shall be:
a. To provide an important network of Christ-centred support for each other, the Church and the community at large;
b. To facilitate and carry out programs that will unite Anglican women in Canada of all ages and cultural backgrounds;
c. To provide an opportunity for training, education and worship;
d. To elect officers;
e. To receive reports from the National Board;
f. To receive the audited financial statement.
3) Voting Members:
a. Eligible voting members of the Annual National Meeting shall be:
i. The Diocesan ACW President/Coordinator or representative from each of the dioceses in the Anglican Church of Canada and the President from P.E.I.
ii. The National Coordinator/President of women’s groups within the Anglican Church of Canada as agreed to by the members at the Annual Meeting.
4) Quorum:
A quorum shall be two-thirds of the eligible voting members.
5) Extended conference: From time to time the members of the Annual National Meeting may determine to hold a conference to be attended by a broader representation of Anglican Church Women from across Canada. The date, location and format of such a gathering shall be determined at the Annual National Meeting.
XV AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
The by-laws of the organization may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of eligible voters at the Annual National Meeting, providing written / electronic notice has been given to all delegates at least Fifteen (15) days prior to the Annual National Meeting.
Revised 2016
Constitution and Bylaws of the National ACW
" The Love of Jesus calls Us"
ANGLICAN CHURCH WOMEN - CANADA
2016 - Updated
PREAMBLE:
Anglican Church Women of Canada is a loosely knit fellowship of all women in the Anglican Church of Canada and others who agree with and support the purpose of the Anglican Church Women of Canada. This purpose is: to give the women of the Anglican Church the opportunity to unite in a fellowship of worship, study and service which will lead them into Christian service in the parish, community, diocese, nation and world.
This fellowship is served by a constituted National Executive which shall support the ministry of and shall collate and represent the collective voices of Anglican Church Women of Canada.
Constitution
and
Bylaws
Of
THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
ANGLICAN CHURCH WOMEN OF CANADA
I NAME The name of the organization shall be The National Executive (National Executive) of the Anglican Church Women of Canada (ACWC).
II PURPOSE
The Purpose of the National Executive shall be: to provide a national forum and voice for women’s ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada; to provide opportunity for its members to share faith and fellowship and to learn from each other; to provide support in their common leadership; to discuss items of common mutual concern and to determine relevant common policies and procedures.
III MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
1. Serving Diocesan ACW Presidents and Diocesan Coordinators of Women’s Ministry in Integrated Dioceses
2. President of the Prince Edward Island Anglican Church Women
3. The ACW Chaplain
IV OFFICERS OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE1. The officers shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.2. The Past President may serve three years (or until replaced) in an advisory capacity.
V COMMITTEES OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE.
1. Executive Committee
- The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Officers of the organization. The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President. Meetings may be held electronically.
a. The Past President shall chair the Nominating Committee
b. Three members shall be elected to the Nominating Committee at the annual meeting.
c. The Nominating Committee shall solicit nominations for vacant officers’ positions from the members eligible to attend the annual meeting. Such nominations are to be received no later than four (4) months prior to the annual meeting.
d. The Nominating Committee shall notify the members of the slate of officers two (2) months prior to the annual meeting.
e. Additional nominations may be made up to one (1) month prior to the annual meeting.
f. The Nominating Committee will present the nominations for vacant officer
positions to the annual meeting.
3. Standing Committees
From time to time the organization may establish such Standing Committees as may be necessary.
4. Duties of Officers
a. President
i. shall preside at all meetings and the annual meeting
ii. shall submit an annual report to the annual meeting
iii. shall be the official representative of the organization
iv. shall be ex-officio member of all committees
v. shall interpret the constitution
b. Vice President
i. shall be responsible for public relations
ii. shall fulfill the duties of President when necessary
iii. shall be prepared to succeed to the office of President
iv. shall fulfil other duties as requested by the Executive Committee
c. Secretary
i. shall be responsible for keeping official records including the minutes of all meetings
ii. shall maintain up to date membership lists of the Diocesan Presidents/Coordinators and representatives of women’s ministry in Dioceses without ACW boards
iii. shall be responsible for general correspondence of the organization
d. Treasurer
i. shall be responsible to keep the financial records of the organization
ii. shall receive, record and disburse by cheque all income as authorized
iii. shall provide an audited financial statement at the annual meeting
iv. shall serve a five (5) year term
VI ELIGIBILITY1. Each nominee for an officer shall:
a. be in attendance at the conference
b. shall have previously attended at least One National Conference as a voting member. In the case
of Vice President or President they shall have previously attended at least Two National
conferences
c. the recommendation of one of: her Bishop, Diocesan President/Coordinator or the Ecclesiastical Provincial Representative
d. have a reporting relationship into the Diocesan ACW structure
e. be an example of Christian life and a worshipping member of her parish
VII TERM OF OFFICEThe President , Vice President and Past President shall each serve for a term of three (3) years; the Secretary for two (2) years and the Treasurer for five (5) years. No person may serve more than one term in any office and no more than two consecutive terms. The term of officers shall begin immediately after their election.
VIII VACANCIES1. The Executive Committee shall have the power to fill all vacancies in executive positions with the exception of the President until the next national conference.
2. If the President is in any way unable to fulfill her duties for a period of more than two (2) months, she shall be relieved of her duties. The Vice President shall assume the Presidency until the next National Conference or until the President is able to return to her office.
IX SIGNING AUTHORITY
Signing authority shall be given to the President and Treasurer and one other officer. Any two of these three signatures shall be sufficient
X ECCLESIASTICAL PROVINCES REPRESENTATIVES
1. At each National Conference there will be
a) One elected representative for each Ecclesiastical Province (EP).
2. Responsibilities:
a) to chair the meeting of the EP
b) to ensure minutes of the meeting are recorded.
c) to present a verbal report during the National Executive Annual Meeting
d) to provide a written report to the National Secretary and each of the members of their
EP within two (2) months of the Conference to be included in the minutes to be a liaison between the President/National Board and the ACW’s of their EP.
XI CHAPLAIN
1. The Chaplain is named by the host diocese of the National Executive Annual Meeting (normally the Chaplain to the host Diocesan ACW Board).
2. Duties:
a. In consultation with the National President and Meeting Coordinator, prepare worship for the meeting.
b. Submit reflections to the National Newsletter
c. Provide pastoral services to members attending the meeting
3. Term of Office: one year
XII THE NATIONAL BOARD
1. Composition
a. The members of the Executive Committee
b. One representative from each of the four Ecclesiastical Provinces, as elected in a meeting of each Ecclesiastical Province (usually to be held at the Annual National Conference).
c. The Chaplain
d. The Past President (if serving)
2. Duties
a. The Board shall:
i. carry out the purpose of the national organization
ii. be responsible for managing all funds of the national organization
iii. present the budget to the national organization at the annual meeting
iv. Assist in planning and enabling the national conference
XIII ELECTIONS
1. Elections shall be held at the Annual National Conference.
2. Elections shall be held by secret ballot.
3.Should there be more than two nominees for any office, and no nominee receives a majority of votes on the second ballot, on each succeeding ballot the name of the nominee receiving the least number of votes shall be dropped until one nominee receives a majority vote.
XIV THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE ANNUAL NATIONAL MEETING
1) The Annual National Meeting of the National Executive shall be held at a time and place determined at the previous annual meeting.
a. The National Executive Officers may meet prior to the National President's Conference
2) The purpose shall be:
a. To provide an important network of Christ-centred support for each other, the Church and the community at large;
b. To facilitate and carry out programs that will unite Anglican women in Canada of all ages and cultural backgrounds;
c. To provide an opportunity for training, education and worship;
d. To elect officers;
e. To receive reports from the National Board;
f. To receive the audited financial statement.
3) Voting Members:
a. Eligible voting members of the Annual National Meeting shall be:
i. The Diocesan ACW President/Coordinator or representative from each of the dioceses in the Anglican Church of Canada and the President from P.E.I.
ii. The National Coordinator/President of women’s groups within the Anglican Church of Canada as agreed to by the members at the Annual Meeting.
4) Quorum:
A quorum shall be two-thirds of the eligible voting members.
5) Extended conference: From time to time the members of the Annual National Meeting may determine to hold a conference to be attended by a broader representation of Anglican Church Women from across Canada. The date, location and format of such a gathering shall be determined at the Annual National Meeting.
XV AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
The by-laws of the organization may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of eligible voters at the Annual National Meeting, providing written / electronic notice has been given to all delegates at least Fifteen (15) days prior to the Annual National Meeting.
Revised 2016