Part I. Membership of the Union
1. Application for Affiliation
2. Application for Association
3. Application for Class B Membership
(Subscribing Members)
4. Allocation of District Council
5. Overseas Regional Councils
6. Overseas Representatives
7. Spiritualists' Lyceum Union
8. Credential Cards
9. Proxies
10. Subscriptions
11. Register of Members
Part II. The National Executive Committee and the Council
12. Elections and Appointments
13. National Executive Committee,
Standing Committees and Sub-Committees
14. The Council
15. Qualifications for Office
16. Nominations for Elective Positions
17. Nominations for Financial Director and
Chairmen of Standing Committees
18. Voting in Elections
19. Council Member to National Executive
Committee
20. Council Accredited Representative
21. Vacancies
Part III. The Council of Ministers
22. The Council of Ministers
23. Nominations
Part IV. Elective Auditors
24. Qualifications
25. Nomination and Election
26. Duties
Part V. General Meetings
27. Summoning of General Meetings
28. Motions for Annual General Meeting
29. Motions at General Meetings
30. Voting at Meetings
Part VI. Standing Orders
31. General
32. The Chair
33. Rules of Debate
34. Motions
35. Amendments
Part VII. General
36. Notices to the Union by Email
37. Interpretation
SCHEDULE 1
Duties and Functions of Designated Standing Committees
SCHEDULE 2
Duties and Functions of Sub-Committees of the National Executive
Committee
SCHEDULE 3
Stansted Hall Estate
SCHEDULE 4
Standing Orders for Meetings of the Council
PART I. MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNION
1. Application for Affiliation
(1) An application by a body for affiliation to
the Union shall be made on the prescribed form in duplicate to the
General Secretary of the Union.
(2) No restricted body shall be accepted into
affiliation with the Union.
(3) A copy of every application by a body within
the United Kingdom shall be forwarded by the General Secretary to the
Secretary of the District Council in which the body is situated for
investigation and report as prescribed in Bye-laws B. In case of
doubt as to which is the appropriate District Council and/or where
special circumstances exist, the Officers of the Union shall decide.
(4) Where an application for affiliation has
been accepted on a provisional basis full affiliation shall be granted,
deferred or rejected by the National Executive Committee only after the
receipt of a report from the appropriate District Council or the expiry
of six months from the date of such acceptance, whichever is the
earlier.
2. Application for Association
(1) An application by a society for association
with the Union shall be made on the prescribed form in duplicate to the
General Secretary of the Union.
(2) A copy of every application by a body within
the United Kingdom shall be forwarded by the General Secretary to the
Secretary of the District Council in which the body is situated for
investigation and report as prescribed in Bye-laws B. In case of
doubt as to which is the appropriate District Council and/or where
special circumstances exist, the Officers of the Union shall decide.
(3) Where an application for association has
been accepted on a provisional basis full affiliation shall be granted,
deferred or rejected by the National Executive Committee only after the
receipt of a report from the appropriate District Council or the expiry
of six months from the date of such acceptance, whichever is the
earlier.
3. Application for Class B Membership
(Subscribing Members)
(1) An application by an individual for Class B
membership of the Union shall be made on the prescribed form to the
General Secretary of the Union. Such application must be endorsed
by two fully paid-up Class B members of the Union, at least one of whom
shall be allocated to the District Council in which the applicant
resides and have been a Class B member for a period of not less than
three years immediately prior to the date of application; in special
circumstances it shall be supported by such other recommendations as may
be acceptable to the National Executive Committee.
(2) No person shall become or remain a Class B
member if he is a member of, holds any award or appointment of, or takes
part in the management of, a restricted body.
(3) Every application or a copy thereof shall be
forwarded by the General Secretary to the Secretary of the District
Council in which the applicant resides for investigation and report as
prescribed in Bye-laws B. In case of doubt as to which is the
appropriate District Council and/or where special circumstances exist,
the Officers of the Union shall decide.
(4) An application from a resident outside the
United Kingdom shall be made on the prescribed form and shall be
supported by such other recommendations as may be acceptable to the
National Executive Committee.
(5) No person shall become a full Class B member
unless he has completed the SNU Induction Course.
(6) Where an application for Class B membership
has been accepted on a provisional basis full Class B membership shall
be granted, deferred or rejected by the National Executive Committee
only after the receipt of a report from the appropriate District Council
or the expiry of twelve months from the date of such acceptance,
whichever is the earlier.
(7) Provisional Class B membership shall cease
upon rejection of the application.
(8) Class D membership shall cease upon
acceptance into full Class B membership.
(9) The names of all applicants who have been
refused Class B membership shall be notified to the secretaries of all
district councils.
4. Allocation of District Council
(1) Except as provided in sub-paragraph (2)
below, Class B members, affiliated bodies and associated bodies shall be
allocated to the district council area in which the member resides or
the meeting-place of the body is situated as the case may be.
(2) A request by a Class B member for transfer
to a district council other than the one in which he resides may be
granted by the National Executive Committee subject to consultation with
the district councils concerned.
(3) Class D members shall be allocated to the
district council area in which the meeting-place of the registering
Church is situated.
(4) A request by an affiliated body or an
associated body for transfer to a district council other than the one in
which its meeting-place is situated may be granted by the National
Executive Committee subject to the prior passing in general meeting of
an ordinary resolution with special notice to this effect and subject to
consultation with the district councils concerned.
5. Overseas Regional Councils
(1) Overseas affiliated and associated bodies
may be grouped into Regional Councils by the National Executive
Committee, who may from time to time vary such grouping.
(2) Each such Regional Council shall consist of
not less than five such bodies together with such other persons as may
be admitted by the National Executive Committee.
(3) The National Executive Committee shall from
time to time make regulations for the composition and administration of
such Regional Councils and the conduct of their meetings.
(4) Such Regional Councils and their Officers
and Committees shall have such functions, powers and responsibilities as
may from time to time be prescribed by the National Executive Committee.
In the exercise of such functions, powers and responsibilities they
shall conform to such regulations and directions as may from time to
time be imposed either generally or specially by the National Executive
Committee.
6. Overseas Representatives
(1) For any overseas region in which no Regional
Council is for the time being established, the National Executive
Committee may from time to time appoint an Overseas Representative, who
shall have the functions, powers and responsibilities prescribed in (3)
below.
(2) No person shall be eligible for appointment
as an Overseas Representative unless he is a fully paid-up Class B
Member of the Union and is fluent in English and, where appropriate, in
the principal language of the region.
(3) The duties and functions of the Overseas
Representative shall relate only to the country to which he is appointed
and shall be as follows:-
(a) To further the objects of the Union and
promote the advancement and diffusion of the religion and religious
philosophy of Spiritualism.
(b) To assist the National Executive Committee
or any of its committees, as and when required, in carrying out its
duties and functions in relation to members and bodies.
(c) To investigate applications for Class B
membership and submit a recommendation thereon to the National Executive
Committee.
(d) To investigate applications for affiliation
or association and submit a recommendation thereon to the National
Executive Committee.
(e) To liaise with Kindred and Associated Bodies
not less than once a year and submit a report thereon to the National
Executive Committee.
(f) To report to the National Executive
Committee any matter coming to his knowledge which appears to him to be
liable to involve the Union in financial liability or to bring discredit
on the Union or on the Spiritualist movement, and any legal dispute
which may affect the Overseas Regional Council or the Union generally.
7. Spiritualists' Lyceum Union
The Spiritualists' Lyceum Union shall be entitled to elect one of its
members for each 50, or part of 50, affiliated Lyceums, as its
accredited representative or representatives to attend and vote at
general meetings of the Union. Such representatives shall be
elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Lyceum Union or in default
thereof by the Central Committee of the Lyceum Union.
8. Credential Cards
(1) A credential card issued to a member of the
National Executive Committee shall be valid for his period of office.
(2) A credential card issued to the accredited
representative of the Council shall be valid for his period of office.
(3) A credential card for a Class A, C or D
member shall relate to a calendar year but shall remain valid until 31st
March of the following year or until such earlier date as a new
credential card shall be issued to replace it.
(4) A credential card for a Class B member shall
relate to a subscription year as provided for in paragraph 10 below but
shall remain valid until 31st December of the following subscription
year or until such earlier date as a new card shall be issued to replace
it.
(5) Credential cards for Class A or C member or
members shall be issued by the General Secretary on receipt of:-
(a) payment of all outstanding and current
subscriptions;
(b) the prescribed Annual Return Form, duly
completed, showing amongst other things the names and addresses of the
principal officers and accredited representative/s; and
(c) a copy of the audited statements of accounts
for the last financial year, in the prescribed or other satisfactory
form.
(6) Credential cards for Class B members shall
be issued by the General Secretary on receipt of payment of all
outstanding and current subscriptions.
9. Proxies
(1) If a Class A or Class C member is unable to
represent his affiliated body at a general meeting of the Union he may
appoint another full member of his body as a proxy after consultation
with the Committee (if possible) as to suitable persons.
(2) If the accredited representative of the
Council is unable to represent it at a general meeting of the Union he
may appoint another member of the Council (other than an Officer or the
Council Member to the National Executive Committee) as a proxy.
(3) An instrument of proxy must be in the
following form and must be presented to the General Secretary or his
deputy before admission to the meeting:-
"I,
..................., of ....................., being an accredited
representative of
................ aand being registered as such at the office of the
Union, hereby appoint
..............
,
of
......................, as my proxy to attend and use my credential card
at the general
meeting of the Union to be held at ..................... on the
.......... day of .......... 20......
and at every adjournment thereof.
Signed ........................................
Dated .........................................
10. Subscriptions
(1) The subscription of a Class B member shall
become due and payable in advance on 1st October in each year, the
twelve months ending on the following 30th September constituting the
subscription year.
(2) All other subscriptions shall become due and
payable in advance on 1st January in each year.
11. Register of Members
A register of the various classes of members shall be maintained at the
Union's office.
PART II. THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND THE COUNCIL
12. Elections and Appointments
Except as otherwise provided, all elections and appointments shall take
place annually.
13. National Executive Committee, Standing
Committees and Sub-Committees
(1) Every member of the National Executive
Committee is expected to attend its regular meetings, to maintain the
confidentiality of its business, to take a due share in its work, both
at meetings and by correspondence, and at all times to conduct
themselves as representatives of the National Executive Committee.
They shall not become accredited representatives as Class A members or
act as accredited representatives of District Councils or other
Branches.
(2) The Officers are responsible to the National
Executive Committee for the supervision of the work of the Union's
office and for the despatch of business between meetings of the National
Executive Committee, and shall make such decisions in an emergency as
they deem necessary, subject to report at the following meeting.
(3) The Financial Director shall be responsible
to the National Executive Committee for superintending the financial
affairs of the Union and for such other duties as the National Executive
Committee may assign to him.
(4) (a) The Officers may
designate and regulate the number of Standing Committees as they deem
necessary.
(b) Each Standing Committee shall consist of:-
(i) a Chairman appointed annually in
accordance with Article 27(2)(d);
(ii) such persons as may be deemed from time to
time by the National Executive Committee to be ex-officio members of
that Standing Committee;
(iii) not more than five other persons appointed
annually by the Chairman after consultation with the President.
(c) The Chairman of each Standing Committee, in
consultation with the President, shall appoint a Secretary to the
Committee, who, subject to (e) below, shall be a member of the
Committee.
(d) Every member of a Standing Committee shall
be a Class B member.
(e) Every appointed member of a Standing
Committee shall hold office until the conclusion of the Annual General
Meeting following his appointment or the earlier termination of his
appointment by the National Executive Committee.
(f) Each Standing Committee shall have power,
subject to the reasonable requirements of the General Secretary, to call
upon the services of the clerical, accounting and secretarial staff of
the Union.
(5) Each Standing Committee shall carry out such
duties and functions as are provided in Schedule 1 of these Bye-laws,
together with such other duties and functions as may be assigned to it
from time to time by the President.
(6) Every member of a Standing Committee is
expected to attend its regular meetings, to maintain the confidentiality
of its business, to take a due share in its work, both at meetings and
by correspondence, and at all times to conduct themselves as
representatives of the Standing Committee.
(7) (a) The National
Executive Committee may delegate any of its duties and functions to
individuals or sub-committees. Any such individual or
sub-committee shall, in the exercise of such delegated duties and
functions, conform to any regulations that may be imposed by the
National Executive Committee.
(b) Each sub-committee of the National Executive
Committee shall consist of:-
(i) a Chairman appointed annually by the
National Executive Committee;
(ii) A Secretary or Clerk appointed annually by
the National Executive Committee;
(iii) such persons as may be deemed from time to time
by the National Executive Committee to be ex-officio members of that
sub-committee;
(iv) not more than six other persons appointed
annually by the National Executive Committee.
(c) Every member of a sub-committee of the
National Executive Committee shall be a Class B member. No person
shall be eligible for any position on the Arbitration Committee or the
Appeals Board if he is an employee of the Union.
(d) Every member of the following sub-committees
shall hold the qualification prescribed below:-
(i) in the case of the Education Committee
and the Training & Awards Committee, any appointment or award of the
Union with the exception of the Award of Merit, the Gold Service Award
and the Long Service Award;
(ii) in the case of the Healing Committee, the
Union's Diploma or Certificate of Recognition in Spiritual Healing;
(iii) in the case of the Ministers Administration
Committee, Ministership or appointment as an Officiant.
(e) Every appointed member of a sub-committee of
the National Executive Committee shall hold office until the termination
of his appointment by the National Executive Committee.
(f) Each sub-committee of the National Executive
Committee shall have power, subject to the reasonable requirements of
the General Secretary, to call upon the services of the clerical,
accounting and secretarial staff of the Union.
(8) Each sub-committee of the National Executive
Committee shall carry out such duties and functions as are provided in
Schedule 2 of these Bye-laws.
(9) Every member of a sub-committee of the
National Executive Committee is expected to attend its regular meetings,
to maintain the confidentiality of its business, to take a due share in
its work, both at meetings and by correspondence, and at all times to
conduct themselves as representatives of the sub-committee.
(10) (a) There shall be a Ways and
Means Committee, of which every member of the National Executive
Committee shall be a member.
(b) The quorum for a meeting of the Ways and
Means Committee shall be six members.
(c) The Ways and Means Committee shall meet only
on those occasions when a scheduled meeting of the National Executive
Committee is unable to take place owing to lack of a quorum.
(d) The Ways and Means Committee shall discuss
those matters which it considers urgent and which would have been placed
before the scheduled meeting of the National Executive Committee and it
shall make recommendations thereon for subsequent postal resolution by
the National Executive Committee.
(e) The Ways and Means Committee shall have no
power to hold ad-hoc meetings or to take decisions.
(11) (a) The National Executive
Committee may at any time appoint not more than three Ordinary Members,
who shall carry out the duties and functions assigned to them by the
National Executive Committee.
(b) Every Ordinary Member shall hold office
until the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting following his
appointment.
14. The Council
(1) Every National Councillor shall hold office
from the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting following his election
or appointment to the conclusion of the second Annual General Meeting
thereafter.
(2) Immediately following notification of a
change of National Councillor the General Secretary shall supply the
incoming National Councillor with information relevant to the discharge
of his duties, including the requirements of this paragraph and the
dates, times and venues of meetings.
(3) An induction meeting shall be held for all
incoming National Councillors, which they shall be required to attend.
Such meeting shall be held immediately prior to their first Council
meeting and shall be conducted by an Officer or Officers of the Union
and the Council Member to the National Executive Committee.
(4) The Council shall deal only with matters
raised by or on behalf of the National Executive Committee or National
Councillors which affect the Union as a whole. The Council may set
up working parties from its own number to consider specific matters and
report thereon to the Council.
(5) The agenda for each Council meeting shall be
prepared by the Council Member to the National Executive Committee and
shall consist of:-
(i) matters raised by the National
Executive Committee or the Officers of the Union at any time;
(ii) matters added at the direction of the
Council Member to the National Executive Committee not later than three
weeks prior to the Council meeting;
(iii) matters notified in writing by any other
National Councillor to the Council Member to the National Executive
Committee not later than four weeks prior to the Council meeting.
(6) The duties and functions of National
Councillors shall be as follows:-
(i) To attend the regular meetings of the
Council.
(ii) To maintain the confidentiality of Council
business.
(iii) To take a due share in the work, both at
meetings and by correspondence or other communication.
(iv) To make such written reports to the district
council executive committee and district council general meetings on
such Council business as may be appropriate.
(v) To submit for inclusion on the Council
agenda matters which affect the Union as a whole.
(vi) At the direction of the Council, to place matters
on the agendas of the district council executive committee meetings and
district council general meetings and report thereon to the Council.
(vii) To conduct themselves at all times as representatives
of the Council.
(7) The duties and functions of the Class B
National Councillor shall be as follows:-
(a) to promote the recruitment of Class B
members;
(b) to liaise with District Council Class B
Representatives;
(c) to take up matters concerning Class B
members with the Council and head office as appropriate;
(d) to be fully conversant with Class B
membership administration at head office;
(e) to speak on motions affecting Class B
members;
(f) to organise Conferences of Class B members
from time to time to discuss points of common interest;
(g) to appoint panels, as and when required,
under paragraph 1 of these Bye-laws.
(8) The duties and functions of the Council
Member to the National Executive Committee shall be as follows:-
(i) To represent the Council on the
National Executive Committee.
(ii) To make such written and verbal reports to
or on behalf of the Council as may be necessary from time to time.
(iii) To act as spokesman for the Council at general
meetings on motions or other matters as directed by the Council.
(iv) To co-ordinate, compile and report communication
from National Councillors to the Council between meetings.
(v) To assist in conducting the induction
meeting for incoming National Councillors.
(9) (a) The Council
shall elect an accredited representative annually to attend and vote at
general meetings of the Union.
(b) Such accredited representative must be a
National Councillor other than an Officer or the Council Member to the
National Executive Committee.
(c) Such accredited representative shall be
elected from among persons nominated for this position by National
Councillors.
(d) Such accredited representative may be
removed from office by resolution of the Council either at a meeting or
by postal vote.
(e) The Council shall ensure that its minutes,
together with relevant memoranda, documents, etc., are circularised
promptly to all members of the National Executive Committee in addition
to National Councillors.
(f) All such minutes and documents shall be the
property of the National Councillors for the time being and shall be
retained by them for a period of not less than two years.
(g) Every National Councillor shall within six
weeks of his retirement or resignation hand over only to his successor
all documents relating to the business of the Council for the two years
immediately prior to his retirement or resignation. In the event
of his failure to comply the General Secretary shall supply the
appropriate documentation to his successor.
(10) National Councillors shall not become accredited
representatives as Class A members or act as Accredited Representatives
of District Councils or other Branches.
15. Qualifications for Office
(1) No person shall be eligible for any position
if he is a member of any restricted body or holds any position in, or
any award or appointment of, such body.
(2) The following additional conditions must be
fulfilled to render a person eligible for position:-
(a) President, Vice-President and Financial
Director
(i) Any one of the following :-
(1) Membership of the National Executive
Committee or Council during a period or periods totalling not less than
two years; or
(2) Chairmanship of a sub-committee of the
National Executive Committee during a period or periods totalling not
less than two years within the seven years immediately prior to the date
of nomination; or
(3) Membership of a Standing Committee or a
sub-committee of the National Executive Committee during a period or
periods totalling not less than three years within the seven years
immediately prior to the date of nomination; or
(4) Membership of a district council executive
committee during a period or periods totalling not less than five years
within the ten years immediately prior to the date of nomination.
(ii) Full membership of an affiliated church or
churches and Class B membership of the Union, both at the date of
nomination and also over a period of not less than ten years immediately
prior to the date of nomination.
(iii) The receipt of not less than ten valid
nominations for office.
(b) Chairmen of Standing Committees
(i) Class B membership of the Union, both
at the date of nomination and also over a period of not less than four
years immediately prior to the date of nomination.
(ii) The receipt of not less than four valid
nominations for office.
(iii) The holding of the following over a period of
not less than three years immediately prior to the date of nomination:-
(a) in the case of the Chairman of the Education
Committee, the holding of any Union Diploma except the Approved
Teacher's Diploma (TSNU);
(b) in the case of the Chairman of the Training
& Awards Committee, the holding of any Union Diploma which required the
passing of a practical assessment;
(c) in the case of the Chairman of the Healing
Committee, the holding of the Union's Diploma in Spiritual Healing
(DSNU(H));
(d) in the case of the Chairman of the Ministers
Administration Committee, the Ministership of the Union.
(c) Ordinary Members
Class B membership of the Union, both at the date of appointment and
also over a period of not less than four years immediately prior to the
date of appointment.
(d) Class B National Councillor
(i) Class B membership of the Union, both
at the date of nomination and also over a period of not less than four
years immediately prior to the date of nomination.
(ii) The receipt of not less than four valid
nominations for office.
For the purpose of this sub-paragraph a year may be reckoned as the
period from the date of one Annual General Meeting to that of the next
Annual General Meeting, and in the case of a serving member of the
National Executive Committee or Council may include the period that will
elapse between the date of nomination and the date of the following
Annual General Meeting.
(3) No candidate shall be eligible for office
unless on or before the 14th day after the close of nominations for that
office:-
(i) he is a fully paid-up Class B member
of the Union, having qualified for a current credential card in
accordance with the Articles of Association; and
(ii) he has accepted candidature by informing
the General Secretary in writing of his willingness to carry out the
duties of the office if elected or appointed as the case may be, and his
agreement to resign if his loyalties to another organisation conflict
with his duties and loyalties to the Union.
16. Nominations for Elective Positions
(1) Nomination forms, stating the positions to
be filled and the names of the retiring holders, shall be issued not
later than the 15th February to each Class B member holding a valid
credential card at the date of issue of nominations and to the secretary
of each affiliated body. The forms shall carry a statement drawing
attention to the qualifications required of a candidate and to the
conditions qualifying members to vote in the elections.
(2) With each set of nomination papers there
shall be issued a small envelope marked with the class of membership,
and a larger envelope similarly marked and addressed to the General
Secretary.
(3) Each Class B member may make one nomination
for each position for which he is entitled to vote, and each affiliated
body may make one nomination for each position for which its accredited
representative or representatives is or are entitled to vote.
Nominations shall be valid only if made on the official form. A
nomination made by a Class B member must be signed by him, and a
nomination made by an affiliated body must be signed by two of its
officers.
(4) The nomination form must be sealed in the
small envelope, which must be enclosed in the larger envelope. The
outer envelope must bear the name in block letters and the usual
signature of the Class B member or in the case of an affiliated body two
of its officers and be returned to the General Secretary so as to reach
him not later than the 31st March. Until the count the sealed
envelopes shall remain unopened in the custody of the General Secretary,
who may in preparation for the count sort them into categories.
(5) The nominations shall be counted by the
elective auditors. The elective auditors shall first check the
names on the outer envelopes with the official list of members and shall
put aside unopened any envelopes bearing names of persons who appear not
to be qualified nominators or as to which there appears to be doubt or
duplication. They shall then open the outer envelopes which they
have accepted as valid and place the inner envelopes, still sealed, in
ballot boxes. Thereafter they shall open the inner envelopes and
count the nominations. The elective auditors shall certify the
result of the count in writing to the President and Vice-Presidents.
(6) In the event of the death or withdrawal of a
candidate between the receipt of his acceptance of candidature and the
issue of voting papers his name shall be removed from the voting paper.
(7) All nomination papers and outer envelopes
shall be retained at the office of the Union for two years after the
declaration of the result.
17. Nominations for Financial Director and
Chairmen of Standing Committees
(1) Nomination forms, stating the positions to
be filled and the names of the retiring holders, shall be issued not
later than the 15th February to each Class B member holding a valid
credential card at the date of issue of nominations and to the secretary
of each affiliated body. The forms shall carry a statement drawing
attention to the qualifications required of a candidate and to the
conditions qualifying members to vote in the elections.
(2) With each set of nomination papers there
shall be issued a small envelope marked with the class of membership,
and a larger envelope similarly marked and addressed to the General
Secretary.
(3) Each affiliated body and Class B member may
make one nomination for each position of Financial Director and Chairmen
of Standing Committees. Nominations shall be valid only if made on
the official form. A nomination made by a Class B member must be
signed by him, and a nomination made by an affiliated body must be
signed by two of its officers.
(4) The nomination form must be sealed in the
small envelope, which must be enclosed in the larger envelope. The
outer envelope must bear the name in block letters and the usual
signature of the Class B member or in the case of an affiliated body two
of its officers and be returned to the General Secretary so as to reach
him not later than five weeks before the Annual General Meeting.
Until the count the sealed envelopes shall remain unopened in the
custody of the General Secretary, who may in preparation for the count
sort them into categories.
(5) The nominations shall be counted by the
elective auditors. The elective auditors shall first check the
names on the outer envelopes with the official list of members and shall
put aside unopened any envelopes bearing names of persons who appear not
to be qualified nominators or as to which there appears to be doubt or
duplication. They shall then open the outer envelopes which they
have accepted as valid and place the inner envelopes, still sealed, in
ballot boxes. Thereafter they shall open the inner envelopes and
count the nominations. The elective auditors shall certify the
result of the count in writing to the President and Vice-Presidents.
(6) All nomination papers and outer envelopes
shall be retained at the office of the Union for two years after the
declaration of the result.
18. Voting in Elections
(1) Sets of voting papers shall be issued:-
(a) not later than nine weeks before the Annual
General Meeting, to or in respect of members who have qualified for
current credential cards;
(b) thereafter, in respect of Class A or Class C
members who so qualify not later than six weeks before the Annual
General Meeting.
(2) The voting papers shall be issued to the
secretaries of the respective affiliated bodies.
(3) With each set of voting papers there shall
be issued a small envelope marked with the class of membership, and a
larger envelope similarly marked and addressed to the General Secretary.
(4) The voting papers must be sealed in the
small envelope, which must be enclosed in the larger envelope. The
outer envelope must bear the name in block letters and usual signature
of the Class A, Class C or Class B member and (in the case of a Class A
or Class C member) also bear the name of the affiliated body and
district council, and be returned to the General Secretary so as to
reach him not later than five weeks before the Annual General Meeting.
Until the count the sealed envelopes shall remain unopened in the
custody of the General Secretary, who may in preparation for the count
sort them into categories.
(5) The votes shall be counted by the elective
auditors. The elective auditors shall first check the names on the
outer envelopes with the official list of members and shall put aside
unopened any envelopes bearing names of persons who appear not to be
qualified voters or as to which there appears to be doubt or
duplication. They shall then open the outer envelopes which they
have accepted as valid and place the inner envelopes, still sealed, in
ballot boxes; thereafter they shall open the inner envelopes and
count the votes. The elective auditors shall certify the result of
the count in writing to the President and Vice-Presidents, who shall
cause the result to be notified to candidates and published as soon as
practicable, and the result so certified and published shall be final
and conclusive unless declared invalid by reason of some substantial and
significant defect of procedure, by the National Executive Committee or
by the Arbitration Committee.
(6) (a) The candidate
with the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.
(b) If there are two offices to be filled from
the same election, the two persons with the highest number of votes
shall be declared elected.
(c) In the event of an equality of vote the
President shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.
(7) In the event of either:-
(a) the death of a candidate between the issue
of voting papers and the close of the Annual General Meeting; or
(b) the withdrawal of all candidates between the
close of voting and the close of the Annual General Meeting
fresh elections shall be held in as nearly as possible the same manner
as the regular elections. The dates for issue and return of
nomination forms and voting papers shall be fixed by the National
Executive Committee, who shall allow not less than four weeks between
the issue and return of voting papers. The incumbent shall vacate
office and the person elected shall take office at the end of seven days
after the certification by the elective auditors of the results of the
elections.
(8) All voting papers and outer envelopes shall
be retained at the office of the Union for two years after the
declaration of the result.
19. Council Member to National Executive
Committee
(1) The Council shall elect annually one member
of the National Executive Committee from among National Councillors.
(2) Nomination forms for such position, together
with a list of National Councillors elected or appointed to serve for
the forthcoming electoral year, shall be issued to each National
Councillor not later than fourteen weeks before the Annual General
Meeting.
(3) With each nomination form there shall be
issued a small envelope, and a larger envelope addressed to the General
Secretary.
(4) Each National Councillor may make one
nomination. Nominations shall be valid only if made on the
official form. Three valid nominations shall be required to render a
candidate effectively nominated.
(5) The nomination form must be sealed in the
small envelope, which must be enclosed in the larger envelope. The
outer envelope must bear the name in block letters and the usual
signature of the National Councillor and be returned to the General
Secretary so as to reach him not later than eleven weeks before the
Annual General Meeting. Until the count the sealed envelopes shall
remain unopened in the custody of the General Secretary.
(6) The nominations shall be counted by one of
the elective auditors. The elective auditor shall first check the
names on the outer envelopes with the official list of members and shall
put aside unopened any envelopes bearing names of persons who appear not
to be qualified nominators or as to which there appears to be doubt or
duplication. He shall then open the outer envelopes which he has
accepted as valid and place the inner envelopes, still sealed, into a
ballot box. Thereafter he shall open the inner envelopes and count
the nominations. The elective auditor shall certify the result of
the count in writing to the General Secretary.
(7) No candidate shall be eligible for the
position unless on or before the fourteenth day after the close of
nominations for that position he has informed the General Secretary in
writing of his willingness to carry out the duties of the office if
elected and his agreement to resign if his loyalties to another
organisation conflict with his duties and loyalties to the Union.
(8) The election of the Council Member to the
National Executive Committee shall take place by postal vote.
(9) A voting paper shall be issued not later
than eight weeks before the Annual General Meeting to all National
Councillors.
(10) With each set of voting papers there shall be issued a
small envelope and a larger envelope addressed to the General Secretary.
(11) The voting paper must be sealed in the small envelope,
which must be enclosed in the larger envelope. The outer envelope
must bear the name in block letters and the usual signature of the
National Councillor and be returned to the General Secretary so as to
reach him not later than five weeks before the Annual General Meeting.
Until the count the sealed envelopes shall remain unopened in the
custody of the General Secretary.
(12) The vote shall be counted by the elective auditors.
The elective auditors shall first check the names on the outer envelopes
with the official list of members and shall put aside unopened any
envelopes bearing names of persons who appear not to be qualified voters
or as to which there appears to be doubt or duplication. They
shall then open the outer envelopes which they have accepted as valid
and place the inner envelopes, still sealed, into a ballot box.
Thereafter they shall open the inner envelopes and count the votes.
The elective auditors shall certify the result of the count in writing
to the General Secretary.
(13) The candidate with the highest number of votes shall be
declared elected. In the event of an equality of votes the President
shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.
(14) All nomination papers, voting papers and outer
envelopes shall be retained at the office of the Union for two years
after the declaration of the result.
20. Council Accredited Representative
(1) The Council shall elect annually an
Accredited Representative to attend and vote at general meetings of the
Union.
(2) Nomination forms for such position, together
with a list of National Councillors elected or appointed to serve for
the forthcoming electoral year, shall be issued to each National
Councillor not later than fourteen weeks before the Annual General
Meeting.
(3) With each nomination form there shall be
issued a small envelope, and a larger envelope addressed to the General
Secretary.
(4) Each National Councillor may make one
nomination. Nominations shall be valid only if made on the
official form. Three valid nominations shall be required to render
a candidate effectively nominated.
(5) The nomination form must be sealed in the
small envelope, which must be enclosed in the larger envelope. The
outer envelope must bear the name in block letters and the usual
signature of the National Councillor and be returned to the General
Secretary so as to reach him not later than eleven weeks before the
Annual General Meeting. Until the count the sealed envelopes shall
remain unopened in the custody of the General Secretary.
(6) The nominations shall be counted by one of
the elective auditors. The elective auditor shall first check the
names on the outer envelopes with the official list of members and shall
put aside unopened any envelopes bearing names of persons who appear not
to be qualified nominators or as to which there appears to be doubt or
duplication. He shall then open the outer envelopes which he has
accepted as valid and place the inner envelopes, still sealed, into a
ballot box. Thereafter he shall open the inner envelopes and count
the nominations. The elective auditor shall certify the result of
the count in writing to the General Secretary.
(7) No candidate shall be eligible for the
position unless on or before the fourteenth day after the close of
nominations for that position he has informed the General Secretary in
writing of his willingness to carry out the duties of the office if
elected and his agreement to resign if his loyalties to another
organisation conflict with his duties and loyalties to the Union.
(8) The election of the Council Accredited
Representative shall take place by postal vote.
(9) A voting paper shall be issued not later
than eight weeks before the Annual General Meeting to all National
Councillors.
(10) With each set of voting papers there shall be issued a
small envelope and a larger envelope addressed to the General Secretary.
(11) The voting paper must be sealed in the small envelope,
which must be enclosed in the larger envelope. The outer envelope
must bear the name in block letters and the usual signature of the
National Councillor and be returned to the General Secretary so as to
reach him not later than five weeks before the Annual General Meeting.
Until the count the sealed envelopes shall remain unopened in the
custody of the General Secretary.
(12) The vote shall be counted by the elective auditors.
The elective auditors shall first check the names on the outer envelopes
with the official list of members and shall put aside unopened any
envelopes bearing names of persons who appear not to be qualified voters
or as to which there appears to be doubt or duplication. They
shall then open the outer envelopes which they have accepted as valid
and place the inner envelopes, still sealed, into a ballot box.
Thereafter they shall open the inner envelopes and count the votes.
The elective auditors shall certify the result of the count in writing
to the General Secretary.
(13) The candidate with the highest number of votes shall be
declared elected. In the event of an equality of votes the
President shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.
(14) All nomination papers, voting papers and outer
envelopes shall be retained at the office of the Union for two years
after the declaration of the result.
21. Vacancies
(1) A vacancy in the office of President,
Vice-President or Financial Director shall be filled by the National
Executive Committee either by co-option or election of a qualified
person or may remain unfilled if a period of less than three months
remains of the term of office.
(2) A vacancy in the Chairman of a Standing
Committee shall be filled by appointment by the Officers after
consultation with the members of that Committee.
(3) A vacancy in the office of Council Member to
the National Executive Committee shall be filled by the Council by
election of a qualified person.
(4) A vacancy in the office of District Council
National Councillor shall be filled by the executive committee of the
district council.
(5) A vacancy in the office of the Lyceum
National Councillor shall be filled by the Central Committee of the
Lyceum Union.
(6) A vacancy in the office of the Class B
National Councillor shall be filled by the National Executive Committee
either by cooption or election of a qualified person, or may remain
unfilled if a period less than three months remains of the annual term
of office.
(7) A vacancy in the office of elective auditor
shall be filled by the National Executive Committee by appointment of a
qualified person.
(8) Except as provided for in (9) below,
elections for a vacancy shall be held in as nearly as possible the same
manner as the regular elections. The dates for issue and return of
nomination forms and voting papers shall be fixed by the National
Executive Committee, who shall allow not less than four weeks between
the issue and return of nomination forms and not less than four weeks
between the issue and return of voting papers.
(9) Elections for a vacancy in the office of
Council Member to the National Executive Committee shall be held in such
manner as the National Executive Committee shall determine.
PART III. THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
22. The Council of Ministers
(1) There shall be a Council of Ministers,
appointed annually by the National Executive Committee, which shall
consider, advise upon, and make recommendations to the National
Executive Committee on, the spiritual and religious aspects of
Spiritualism and their promotion through the Ministry. No member
of the National Executive Committee or Council shall be a member of the
Council of Ministers.
(2) The Council of Ministers shall consist of
six Ministers of the Union who have been duly nominated by Ministers and
Officiants from among Ministers who are fully paid-up Class B members of
the Union.
(3) The members of the Council of Ministers
shall be appointed in alternate years, three in one year, three in the
alternate year, each serving for a term of two years. The retiring
members of the Council of Ministers shall vacate office and the persons
appointed shall take office from the conclusion of the Annual General
Meeting.
(4) The Council of Ministers shall meet twice
annually. The Vice-President (Spiritual) shall summon and preside
as Chairman at every meeting, unless he is absent or unwilling, in which
event a person delegated by the Officers shall preside.
23. Nominations
(1) Nomination forms, stating the number of
positions to be filled and the names of the retiring holders, shall be
issued not later than 30th April to each Minister and Officiant of the
Union.
(2) With each nomination form there shall be
issued a small envelope, and a larger envelope addressed to the General
Secretary.
(3) Each Minister and Officiant may make one
nomination for each position to be filled. Nominations shall be
valid only if made on the official form.
(4) The nomination form must be sealed in the
small envelope, which must be enclosed in the larger envelope. The
outer envelope must bear the name in block letters and the usual
signature of the Minister or Officiant and be returned to the General
Secretary so as to reach him not later than 31st May. Until the
count the sealed envelopes shall remain unopened in the custody of the
General Secretary.
(5) The nominations shall be counted by the
elective auditors. The elective auditors shall first check the
names on the outer envelopes with the official list of Ministers and
Officiants and shall put aside unopened any envelopes bearing names of
persons who appear not to be qualified nominators or as to which there
appears to be doubt or duplication. They shall then open the outer
envelopes which they have accepted as valid and place the inner
envelopes, still sealed, into a ballot box. Thereafter they shall
open the inner envelopes and count the nominations. The elective
auditors shall certify the result of the count in writing to the General
Secretary, who shall notify the National Executive Committee.
(6) All nomination papers and outer envelopes
shall be retained at the office of the Union for two years after the
declaration of the result.
PART IV. ELECTIVE AUDITORS
24. Qualifications
(1) No person shall be eligible for the position
of elective auditor if he is a member of any restricted body or holds
any position in, or any award or appointment of, such body.
(2) In addition to the above, the qualifications
for elective auditor shall be Class B membership of the Union for the
three years immediately preceding nomination, and the receipt of not
less than four valid nominations for office. An elective auditor
shall not hold any position on the National Executive Committee, the
Council or a Standing Committee.
25. Nomination and Election
(1) Paragraph 16 of these Bye-laws shall apply
to the nomination of candidates for election as elective auditors.
(2) No candidate shall be eligible for office
unless on or before the 14th day after the close of nominations:-
(i) he is a fully paid-up Class B member
of the Union, having qualified for a current credential card in
accordance with the Articles of Association; and
(ii) he has accepted candidature by informing
the General Secretary in writing of his willingness to carry out the
duties of the office if elected and his agreement to resign if his
loyalties to another organisation conflict with his duties and loyalties
to the Union.
(3) The voting shall take place by ballot at the
Annual General Meeting, and the candidate with the highest number of
votes shall be declared elected.
(4) All nomination papers, voting papers and
outer envelopes shall be retained at the office of the Union for two
years after the declaration of the result.
26. Duties
(1) The duties of the Elective Auditor shall
include:-
(a) verifying the amount and value of stock and
other assets as shown in the Union's records;
(b) acting as credential officers at any general
meeting of the Union;
(c) verifying and counting the nominations and
votes as provided for in paragraphs 16(5) and 18(5) of these Bye-laws;
(d) reporting on other matters specifically
referred to them by the National Executive Committee.
(2) The Elective Auditors shall, not later than
15th April in each year, submit to the General Secretary a written
report on the foregoing matters for presentation to the next Annual
General Meeting of the Union.
PART V. GENERAL MEETINGS
27. Summoning of General Meetings
(1) The National Executive Committee shall
determine the date and place of the Annual General Meeting.
(2) The arrangements for the meeting and
ancillary activities, including a Consultative Conference, may be
deputed to a committee or committees appointed by the National Executive
Committee for the purpose.
(3) When an extraordinary general meeting is to
be held (other than a meeting held in connection with the Annual General
Meeting) all arrangements, including date and place, shall be made by or
on the authority of the Officers or National Executive Committee.
(4) The notice convening a meeting shall state
that Class A/Class C members may appoint proxies and a form of proxy
shall be included.
28. Motions for Annual General Meeting
(1) A motion for the Annual General Meeting may
be proposed or seconded by the committee of a Church or Kindred Body, by
a Class B member, or by a district council or its executive committee,
by the Lyceum Union or its Central Committee, or by the National
Executive Committee or Council. Every such motion, by whomsoever
submitted, shall be submitted to the General Secretary in writing and
shall be signed and dated by the mover and, where appropriate, by the
seconder. All motions submitted by the Committee of a Church or
Kindred Body or by a Class B member must also bear the name of a
seconder.
(2) No person acting in the capacity of a Class
A, Class B or Class C member shall propose or second more than three
motions for inclusion on the agenda of any one general meeting.
(3) The appropriate committee shall examine all
motions and notes of explanation submitted, shall advise the proposer
whether, in its opinion, they are in order, and may recommend changes of
form and/or of substance, or the amalgamation of motions on the same
subject. Any advice so given shall be expressed to be without
prejudice to the power of the Chairman of the Annual General Meeting to
give his ruling at the meeting on any point of order.
(4) Notwithstanding any advice by the
appropriate committee, any proposer whose original notice of motion
reaches the General Secretary 26 weeks prior to the Annual General
Meeting shall be entitled to have his motion placed on the agenda in
such form as he pleases unless in the opinion of the committee it
contains defamatory or offensive matter.
(5) The text of all notices of motion received
26 weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting, embodying such changes as
have been agreed, shall be issued on or before the 22 weeks prior to the
Annual General Meeting with an invitation to submit amendments on or
before 14 weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting.
(6) The text of all notices of motions and
amendments received 14 weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting shall
be issued to all district councils, Branches, affiliated bodies and
associated bodies on or before nine weeks prior to the Annual General
Meeting.
(7) For inclusion in the circulated agenda
notices of motions must reach the General Secretary 14 weeks prior to
the date of the Annual General Meeting.
(8) Any motion on the agenda which, in the
opinion of the appropriate committee, has in substance already been
decided by a three fourths majority at either of the two preceding
Annual General Meetings or at an intervening extraordinary general
meeting shall be specially marked as such, and such motion shall not be
discussed at the meeting unless leave to introduce it is granted by the
Chairman of the Annual General Meeting or by a majority vote of the
meeting.
(9) Subject to the foregoing and to any
directions given by the National Executive Committee, the form and
content of the agenda to be circulated shall be as determined by the
appropriate committee.
29. Motions at General Meetings
A motion may be proposed or seconded in general meeting by a Class A, B
or C member, by an accredited representative or by a member of the
National Executive Committee.
30. Voting at Meetings
(1) Before admission to the meeting each Class B
member and accredited representative shall be provided upon production
of his credential card or cards and proxy form, if any, with a voting
card or cards.
(2) On a show of hands the votes shall be
counted by tellers appointed by the meeting, unless the Chairman of the
Annual General Meeting dispenses with their services, and the
declaration of the results by the Chairman of the Annual General Meeting
shall be conclusive unless a ballot is forthwith demanded.
(3) When a vote by ballot is duly demanded, this
shall, subject to any direction by the Officers, be taken forthwith by
the tellers appointed by the meeting. Each voter shall register
his vote on the appropriate voting card, which shall be collected by the
tellers, and the scrutineers appointed by the meeting shall count the
votes registered, keeping separate votes of different values.
PART VI. STANDING ORDERS
31. General
(1) The business of general meetings shall be
conducted in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association
and Bye-laws of the Union and with these Standing Orders. On
points of interpretation and in cases not provided for the Chairman
shall give a ruling.
(2) The order of business shall be as printed on
the circulated agenda, unless ruled otherwise by the Chairman.
(3) In these Standing Orders the term "member"
includes "delegate" and "proxy".
(4) All printed minutes, reports and accounts
shall be taken as read.
(5) With the exception of any official recording
made by or on behalf of the Union, no sound or visual recording shall be
permitted unless a motion to the contrary is carried by a three-fourths
majority of the members present and entitled to vote and voting.
(6) A motion for suspension of the whole or any
part of these Standing Orders shall not be accepted.
32. The Chair
The Chairman shall vacate the Chair if he wishes to take an active part
of a controversial nature in any proceedings.
33. Rules of Debate
(1) A member desiring to speak shall rise in his
place and await the Chairman's leave to speak. He shall then give
his name and qualifications and, if a delegate or proxy for a delegate,
the name of the Church or other body which he represents, and state his
business. If two or more members rise at the same time, leave to
speak shall be given by the Chairman.
(2) A member desiring to move next business
shall rise in his place and say, 'Mr Chairman, I move next business.'
If the motion is seconded, it will immediately be put to the vote.
If passed, no further action will be taken on the business in hand,
unless such business is a motion or an amendment to a motion, in which
case the motion to move next business shall be construed as a motion
that the vote be taken in accordance with the provisions of paragraph
33(6).
(3) Except by leave of the Chairman, no person
other than the mover of a motion or amendment (who shall have the right
of reply as provided below) shall speak more than once to any motion or
amendment, except to explain a point in his own speech which has been
misunderstood, in which case he shall not introduce new matter.
(4) The mover of a motion or amendment shall be
allowed five minutes to introduce the motion or amendment and three
minutes to reply at the end of the debate; other speakers on a motion or
amendment shall be allowed three minutes. Speakers on items of
general business shall be allowed five minutes. These times may be
extended at the discretion of the Chairman.
(5) When replying at the end of the debate, the
mover of the motion or amendment shall not introduce new matter.
If new matter is nevertheless introduced, the Chairman shall give an
opportunity to another member or members to respond thereto.
(6) A member desiring to move that the vote be
taken on any motion or amendment shall rise in his place and say, 'Mr
Chairman, I move that the vote be taken.' If the motion is
seconded, it will immediately be put to the vote, provided that not less
than two persons other than the proposer and seconder have spoken for
and two against the motion or amendment or have been given the
opportunity to do so. No person who has spoken on the motion or
amendment may propose that the vote be taken. The mover shall have
the right of reply if the motion that the vote be taken is passed.
(7) A motion or amendment on the circulated
agenda, if not moved by the person who gave notice of it, may be moved
by any member present.
(8) Points of order may be raised on questions
of procedure, relevance or offensive language. A member who wishes
to raise a point of order shall rise in his place, say, 'Mr Chairman, on
a point of order' and await the Chairman's leave to proceed; he shall
then state his point briefly. No speeches shall be permitted but
the Chairman shall give his ruling forthwith.
(9) Except as provided under paragraph 34(3), a
member may by motion object to a ruling from the Chair. Such
motion shall be in the form 'That the Chairman's ruling be not accepted'
and shall not be considered unless not less than twelve members rise in
their places to support it. No discussion shall be permitted, but
before putting the motion the Chairman may explain the reasons for his
ruling, including the authorities upon which it is based. Unless
the motion is carried by a three-fourths majority of the members present
and entitled to vote and voting the ruling shall stand.
34. Motions
(1) Every motion and amendment other than one in
the exact terms included in the circulated agenda or a formal or routine
motion shall be submitted in writing, signed and dated by the mover and
seconder and shall be read out by the Chairman both immediately after it
is moved and again before it is put to the vote.
(2) No motion or amendment, whether included in
the circulated agenda or submitted in accordance with paragraph 34(1),
may be withdrawn.
(3) Pursuant to the requirements of Article
20(3) and except as provided under paragraphs 31(5), 33(2), 33(6), 33(9)
and 34(4), the Chairman shall disallow a motion or an amendment which
has not been included in the circulated agenda if in his judgement the
subject-matter is such that no vote ought to be taken thereon until
notice has been given to the National Executive Committee or to all
members. In deciding whether to disallow an amendment to a
resolution proposed as a Special Resolution the Chairman shall consider
whether it introduces significant considerations which could not
reasonably be foreseen by members receiving notice of the meeting, and
in case of doubt he shall disallow it.
(4) If the Chairman has not disallowed a motion
or an amendment under paragraph 34(3), then a member may by motion
object to the taking of a vote thereon until notice has been given to
all members. Such motion shall be in the form 'That the motion (or
amendment) not be voted upon until notice has been given to all members'
and shall not be considered unless not less than twelve members rise in
their places to support it. No discussion shall be permitted.
To be effective the motion must be carried by a three-fourths majority
of the members present and entitled to vote and voting.
(5) The Chairman shall not accept a motion or
amendment which he considers to be of an objectionable or frivolous
nature.
(6) When a motion has been defeated no motion to
the same effect shall be brought forward at the same meeting.
(7) A declaration by the Chairman that a motion
or amendment has been lost or carried shall be conclusive unless
challenged in accordance with paragraph 31(9) before the meeting
proceeds to the next business.
35. Amendments
(1) A motion or amendment may be amended by
(a) omitting words;
(b) adding or inserting words;
(c) striking out certain words and substituting
others;
(d) striking out all the words after the first
('That') and substituting others dealing with the same subject.
(2) An amendment must be relevant to the motion
or amendment as the case may be and not contradict it.
(3) An amendment may be reconsidered by
resolution of the meeting.
(4) When amendments have been negatived the
original motion or amendment as the case may be shall be put.
(5) When amendments have been agreed to, the
original motion or amendment as the case may be, as amended, shall be
put as the substantive motion.
(6) Formal corrections made necessary by
amendments may be made by the Chairman.
PART VII. GENERAL
36. Notices to the Union by Email
A notice or requisition to the Union or the National Executive Committee
or the General Secretary given by email shall not be accepted unless
authenticated in such manner as the Union may from time to time require.
37. Interpretation
In these Bye-laws:-
(1) The term 'restricted body' means any
religious organisation which:-
(a) incorporates within its title, principles or
statement of beliefs any reference to the principles, beliefs, religious
leader, symbols, trappings or practices of any other religion or
religious denomination; or
(b) introduces, includes, utilises or otherwise
promulgates any symbols, trappings or practices of any other religion or
religious denomination; or
(c) permits a body which falls within (a) or (b)
above to be accepted into affiliation with, or membership of, such
organisation.
(2) The term 'member' in relation to a
restricted body shall include a person who regularly attends its
services for the purpose of pursuing its beliefs.
(3) The term 'Class A Member' means a Church
delegate, being an accredited representative of a Church.
(4) The term 'Class B Member' means a
subscribing member, being an individual Spiritualist. Except where
the context indicates otherwise the term shall refer to a person
accepted into full membership.
(5) The term 'Class C Member' means a Kindred
Body delegate, being an accredited representative of a Kindred Body.
(6) The term 'Class D Member' means a full
member of a Church who has been registered as an Affiliate Member.
SCHEDULE 1
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF DESIGNATED STANDING COMMITTEES
The duties and functions of the Standing Committees listed below shall
include the following:-
(1) Accreditation Committee
(a) To receive minutes and reports from the
following bodies:-
(i) the Education Committee;
(ii) the Training & Awards Committee;
(iii) the Healing Committee;
(iv) the Registrations Office.
(b) To collate matters arising therefrom which
it considers require the attention of the National Executive Committee.
(c) To advise each appropriate body of decisions
made thereon by the National Executive Committee.
(2) Communications Committee
(a) To receive minutes and reports from the
following bodies:-
(i) the Public Relations Committee;
(ii) the Publicity & Promotions Committee
(iii) the Information Technology Committee;
(iv) SNU International.
(b) To collate matters arising therefrom which
it considers require the attention of the National Executive Committee.
(c) To advise each appropriate body of decisions
made thereon by the National Executive Committee.
SCHEDULE 2
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF SUB-COMMITTEES
OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The duties and functions of the sub-committees of the National Executive
Committee listed below shall include the following:-
(1) Appeals Board
(a) To deal with all appeals against decisions
in relation to complaints and other appellable matters under Bye-laws F.
(b) To make, vary and revoke its rules of
procedure.
(c) To keep records of all appeals referred to
it and decisions thereon.
(d) To hear appeals.
(e) To exercise such powers in relation to
appeals as are provided for in Bye-laws F.
(2) Arbitration Committee
(a) To deal with all complaints in relation to
matters for which responsibility is not assigned under Bye-laws F to
another body.
(b) To make, vary and revoke its rules of
procedure.
(c) To keep records of all complaints referred
to it and decisions thereon.
(d) To appoint mediators as may be necessary.
(e) To appoint members of the Arbitration Panel
to hear complaints.
(f) To exercise such powers in relation to
complaints as are provided for in Bye-laws F.
(g) To require security for costs before
undertaking any hearing.
(h) To make orders for costs in accordance with
Bye-laws F.
(3) Arthur Findlay College Committee
(a) To provide educational facilities at
Stansted Hall ("the Hall") for the purpose of advancing the religion and
religious philosophy of Spiritualism and the understanding of allied
philosophies.
(b) To administer the Arthur Findlay College
("the College"), its finances and its staff.
(c) To maintain the custody and upkeep of the
contents of the Hall, including the Library and any additions thereto.
(d) To cultivate and maintain the grounds
designated in Schedule 3.
(e) To ensure the economic and full use of the
residential accommodation at the Hall throughout the year.
(f) To maintain, repair and decorate the
buildings designated in Schedule 3.
(g) To consider, advise upon and recommend to
the National Executive Committee such structural alterations or
extensions to the designated buildings as it thinks desirable.
(4) Education Committee
(a) To consider every thesis submitted for the
Fellowship, to refer it to two or more Assessors who are suitably
qualified in the subject matter, and to submit a recommendation thereon
to the National Executive Committee.
(b) To arrange for correspondence courses and
group study to prepare students for each of the prescribed examinations,
and other courses on subjects of general interest to Spiritualists, and
to prescribe fees for them.
(c) To arrange for periodical examinations of
appropriate standard for each course subject, to prescribe from time to
time the syllabus and fees, and to determine the conditions for the
conduct of examinations.
(d) To appoint and revoke the appointment of,
and to delegate appropriate authority to, organisers, examiners,
invigilators, tutors and assessors.
(e) To recommend for appointment by the National
Executive Committee suitable persons as Assessors for theses and as
Honorary Expert Advisors.
(f) To investigate complaints made against
Fellows alleging their unsuitability to hold such award, and to submit
reports and recommendations thereon to the National Executive Committee.
(g) To formulate, revise and publish from time
to time as necessary the education syllabus of the Union.
(h) To have responsibility for any matter in
connection with educational publications.
(5) Finance Committee
(a) To oversee the Union's finances under the
Chairmanship of the Financial Director of the Union.
(b) To cultivate and maintain the grounds
designated in Schedule 3.
(c) To maintain, repair and decorate the
buildings designated in Schedule 3.
(d) To consider, advise upon and recommend to
the National Executive Committee such structural alterations or
extensions to the designated buildings as it thinks desirable.
(e) To carry out such alterations and extensions
to the designated buildings as the National Executive Committee may from
time to time direct.
(f) To administer the occupancy of the
designated buildings or any part thereof and to receive the rents
arising therefrom.
(g) To obtain, prepare and submit advice on
trusts and properties to the National Executive Committee or other
bodies or persons concerned.
(h) To deal with the purchase, sale or other
disposal of property.
(i) To consider applications for
assistance from churches in trust or absolute proprietorship with the
Union.
(j) To make, recommend or apply for
advances or grants.
(k) To cooperate with the SNU Trust on
facilities for churches.
(6) General Purposes Committee
(a) To consider, advise upon and recommend
changes in the structure of the Union relating to status and policy.
(b) To consider and advise the National
Executive Committee upon all matters in connection with the Union's
constitution.
(c) To advise upon any other matters not dealt
with by any of the Standing Committees or by the National Executive
Committee.
(7) Healing Committee
(a) To promote and encourage the practice, study
and investigation of the art and science of Spiritual Healing.
(b) To work as far as possible in co-operation
with the medical profession.
(c) To encourage and support Churches and other
affiliated bodies to commence and maintain Spiritual Healing Groups.
(d) To assist in the training of potential
Spiritualist healers.
(e) To receive and deal with all applications
for registration of Spiritualist Healers.
(f) To maintain records of all Registered
Healers in various categories.
(g) To consider applications for, and to award,
the Diploma in Spiritual Healing. Before making any award the
Committee shall satisfy itself as to the qualifications of the
applicant. The Committee shall conduct such enquiries and/or tests
as it thinks proper.
(h) To consider applications for, and to award,
the Certificate of Recognition in Spiritual Healing.
(i) To prepare students for national
assessment for healing awards.
(j) To arrange for periodical Area Boards
for the assessment of candidates for the Diploma and Certificate of
Recognition in Spiritual Healing.
(k) To publish from time to time the procedure
relating to all healing awards.
(l) To record and bank all appropriate
moneys received.
(m) To perform such other duties and functions as may
be assigned to it from time to time by the National Executive Committee.
(8) Information Technology Committee
(a) To maintain and develop the Union's
websites.
(b) To advise on the maintenance and development
of information technology systems within head office.
(9) Ministers Administration Committee
(a) To consider recommendations for training and
assessment for the Ministership and the positions of Officiant and
Approved Celebrant and to submit recommendations thereon to the National
Executive Committee.
(b) To arrange for the training of approved
candidates for the Ministership and the positions of Officiant and
Approved Celebrant.
(c) To arrange for the assessment of approved
candidates for the Ministership and the positions of Officiant and
Approved Celebrant.
(d) To formulate and revise as necessary the
procedures for assessment for the Ministership and the positions of
Officiant and Approved Celebrant.
(e) To consider the recommendations of the
Ministers Assessment Panel for appointment to the Ministership and the
positions of Officiant and Approved Celebrant and to submit
recommendations thereon to the National Executive Committee.
(f) To satisfy itself as to the
qualifications and availability for duties of candidates for training,
for assessment and for appointment to the Ministership and the positions
of Officiant and Approved Celebrant.
(g) To arrange for the ordination of Ministers
and services of acceptance of the position of Officiant and Approved
Celebrant.
(h) To arrange for the issue of appropriate
documentation in respect of the Ministership and the positions of
Officiant and Approved Celebrant.
(i) To arrange for the support of
newly-appointed Ministers, Officiants and Approved Celebrants.
(j) To appoint and revoke the appointment
of, and to delegate appropriate authority to, Regional Superintendent
Ministers.
(k) To conduct an annual review of all
Ministers, Officiants and Approved Celebrants and submit recommendations
to the National Executive Committee.
(l) To investigate complaints made against
Ministers, Officiants and Approved Celebrants alleging their
unsuitability to hold such award and to submit reports and
recommendations thereon to the National Executive Committee.
(m) To formulate, revise and publish from time to time
appropriate documentation and literature.
(n) To arrange for the holding of periodical
conferences and refresher courses for Ministers, Officiants and Approved
Celebrants.
(o) To arrange for the dissemination of
information about Ministers, Officiants and Approved Celebrants.
(10) Philosophy & Ethics Committee
(a) To consider and advise upon the philosophy
of SNU Spiritualism.
(b) To formulate guidance on the spiritual,
philosophical, moral and ethical aspects of SNU Spiritualism.
(c) To consider, advise upon and recommend to
the National Executive Committee ways of raising the profile of SNU
philosophy.
(d) To publish and revise from time to time
appropriate literature.
(11) Public Relations Committee
(a) To foster good relations with the media and
external bodies, including government departments, local authorities and
other religious organisations.
(b) To monitor and promote the image of National
Spiritualism at all levels.
(c) To initiate and respond to publicity.
(d) To publish promotional literature.
(12) Publicity & Promotions Committee
(a) To publicise and promote the Union to the
public at large.
(b) To organise publicity and promotional
events.
(c) To prepare and maintain a list of exponents
suitable for all aspects of publicity work.
(d) To arrange for specialist training where
necessary in connection with publicity work.
(13) Spirit of Youth
(a) To encourage young people to take an active
role in the Union and work for and promote SNU Spiritualism in Churches,
districts and communities and an awareness of the Union's education
system.
(b) To foster friendship between young
Spiritualists through social activities and by building a network of
contacts and support for each other.
(14) Spiritualist Aid
To raise funds on behalf of the Spiritualist movement to aid worthy
charitable causes.
(15) Training & Awards Committee
(a) To consider applications for, and to award,
non-healing Diplomas. Before making any award the Committee shall
satisfy itself as to the qualifications of the applicant. The
Committee shall conduct such enquiries and/or tests as it thinks proper.
(b) To consider applications for, and to award,
non-healing Certificates of Recognition.
(c) To consider recommendations for, and to
award, the Gold Service Award and the Long Service Award.
(d) To consider applications for, and to grant
the award of, Approved Teacher.
(e) To prepare students for national assessment
for non-healing awards.
(f) To arrange for periodical Area Boards
for the assessment of candidates for non-healing Diplomas and
Certificates of Recognition.
(g) To formulate and revise as necessary the
classes of non-healing Diploma available and to publish from time to
time the procedure relating to all non-healing awards.
(h) To arrange the practical training and
assessment of students of the Teaching Training Course.
SCHEDULE 3
STANSTED HALL ESTATE
(see accompanying plan)
SCHEDULE 4
STANDING ORDERS FOR MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL
1. General
(1) The quorum necessary for the transaction of
the business of the Council shall be ten, including two Officers.
(2) The business of meetings of the Council
shall be conducted in accordance with these Bye-laws and with these
Standing Orders. On points of interpretation and in cases not
provided for the Chairman shall give a ruling.
(3) Unless decided otherwise by the Officers or
the Chairman, the business to be transacted at meetings of the Council
and the order of such business shall be as follows:-
1. Invocation.
2. Apologies for absence.
3. Minutes of previous meeting.
4. Matters arising from the minutes.
5. NEC Report to Council.
6. NEC items of business.
7. Council Member to NEC's items of business.
8. Any items of business notified by other members of
Council.
9. Close of meeting.
(4) All printed minutes and reports shall be
taken as read.
(5) A motion for suspension of the whole or any
part of these Standing Orders shall not be accepted.
2. The Chair
(1) The President shall preside as chairman at
every meeting of the Council, unless he is absent or unwilling to
preside, in which event the Vice-President (Administrative) shall
preside, unless he also is absent or unwilling, in which event the
Vice-President (Spiritual) shall preside, unless he also is absent or
unwilling, in which event the Councillors present shall choose one of
their number to be chairman of the meeting.
(2) The Chairman may nominate, in order of
preference of the preceding sub-paragraph, an Acting Chairman to preside
for any part of a meeting during his temporary absence from the Chair.
(3) The Chairman shall vacate the Chair if he
wishes to take an active part of a controversial nature in any
proceedings.
3. Rules of Debate
(1) A member desiring to speak shall indicate
his wish and await the Chairman's leave to speak. If two or more
members indicate at the same time, leave to speak shall be given by the
Chairman.
(2) A member desiring to move next business
shall say, 'Mr Chairman, I move next business.' If the motion is
seconded, it will immediately be put to the vote. If passed, no
further action will be taken on the business in hand, unless such
business is a motion or an amendment to a motion, in which case the
motion to move next business shall be construed as a motion that the
vote be taken in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3(6).
(3) Except by leave of the Chairman, no member
other than the mover of the motion (who shall have the right of reply as
provided below) shall speak more than once to any motion or amendment,
except to explain a point in his own speech which has been
misunderstood, in which case he shall not introduce new matter.
(4) The mover of a motion or amendment shall be
allowed five minutes to introduce the motion or amendment and three
minutes to reply at the end of the debate; other speakers shall be
allowed three minutes. These times may be extended at the
discretion of the Chairman.
(5) When replying at the end of the debate, the
mover of the motion or amendment shall not introduce new matter.
If new matter is nevertheless introduced, the Chairman shall give an
opportunity to another member or members to respond thereto.
(6) A member desiring to move that the vote be
taken on any motion or amendment shall say, "Mr Chairman, I move that
the vote be taken." If the motion is seconded, it will immediately
be put to the vote, provided that not less than two persons other than
the proposer and seconder have spoken for and two against the motion or
amendment or have been given the opportunity to do so. No person
who has spoken on the motion or amendment may propose that the vote be
taken. The mover shall have the right of reply if the motion that
the vote be taken is passed.
(7) A motion or amendment on the circulated
agenda, if not moved by the person who gave notice of it, may be moved
by any member present.
(8) Points of order may be raised on questions
of procedure, relevance or offensive language. A member who wishes
to raise a point of order shall rise in his place, say "Mr Chairman, on
a point of order" and await the Chairman's leave to proceed; he
shall then state his point briefly. No speeches shall be
permitted, but the Chairman shall give his ruling forthwith.
(9) Except as provided under paragraph 4(4), a
member may by motion object to a ruling from the Chair. Such
motion shall be in the form "That the Chairman's ruling be not accepted"
and shall not be considered unless not less than six members support it.
No discussion shall be permitted, but before putting the motion the
Chairman may explain the reasons for his ruling, including the
authorities upon which it is based. Unless the motion is carried
by a three-fourths majority of the members present and entitled to vote
and voting the ruling shall stand.
4. Motions
(1) A motion may be proposed or seconded by any
Councillor.
(2) Every motion and amendment, other than one
in the exact terms included in the circulated agenda or a formal or
routine motion, shall be submitted in writing by the mover and shall be
read out by the Chairman both immediately after it is moved and again
before it is put to the vote.
(3) No motion or amendment, whether included in
the circulated agenda or submitted in accordance with paragraph 4(2),
may be withdrawn.
(4) Except as provided under paragraphs 1(7),
3(2), 3(6), 3(9) and 4(5), the Chairman shall disallow a motion or an
amendment which has not been included in the circulated agenda if in his
judgement the subject-matter is such that no vote ought to be taken
thereon until notice has been given to all members.
(5) If the Chairman has not disallowed a motion
or an amendment under paragraph 4(4), then a member may by motion object
to the taking of a vote thereon until notice has been given to all
members. Such notice shall be in the form 'That the motion (or
amendment) not be voted upon until notice has been given to all members'
and shall not be considered unless not less than six members support it.
No discussion shall be permitted. To be effective the motion must
be carried by a three-fourths majority of the members present and
entitled to vote and voting.
(6) The Chairman shall not accept a motion or
amendment which he considers to be of an objectionable or frivolous
nature.
(7) When a motion has been defeated no motion to
the same effect shall be brought forward at the same meeting.
(8) A declaration by the Chairman that a motion
or amendment has been lost or carried shall be conclusive unless
challenged before the meeting proceeds to the next business.
5. Amendments
(1) An amendment to any resolution shall require
only a simple majority of those voting.
(2) A motion or amendment may be amended by
(a)
omitting words;
(b)
adding or inserting words;
(c)
striking out certain words and substituting others;
(d)
striking out all the words after the first ('That') and substituting
others dealing with the same subject.
(3) An amendment must be relevant to the motion
or amendment as the case may be and not contradict it.
(4) An amendment may be reconsidered by
resolution of the meeting.
(5) When amendments have been negatived the
original motion or amendment as the case may be shall be put.
(6) When amendments have been agreed to, the
original motion or amendment as the case may be, as amended, shall be
put as the substantive motion.
(7) Formal corrections made necessary by
amendments may be made by the Chairman.
6. Voting
(1) Questions arising at any meeting shall be
decided by a majority of votes of those present and voting. In the
case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting
vote.
(2) Every Councillor present at the meeting
shall have one vote.
(3) All matters shall be decided on a show
of hands by simple majority unless a ballot is called for by the
Chairman or by any six Councillors present.