Bye-laws B

BYE - LAWS, Section B
October 2008

CONSTITUTION OF DISTRICT COUNCILS

ARRANGEMENT OF PARAGRAPHS

Part I. Composition and Membership of District Councils

1. Composition of District Councils

2. Objects and Duties of District Councils

3. Changes of Areas of District Councils

4. Class B and D Members

5. Application for Affiliation

6. Application for Association

7. Application for Class B Membership

8. Delegates

9. Credential Cards

10. General Meetings

11. Honorary Vice-Presidents

Part II. The Executive Committee

12. Officers and Executive Committee

13. Duties and Obligations of Members of the Executive Committee

14. Sub-Committees

15. District Council Education and Exponents Committee

16. District Council Healing Committee

17. Qualifications for Office

18. Nominations

19. Elective Auditors

20. Elections

21. Conflict of Interest

Part III. Finance

22. Income

23. Expenditure

24. Accounts

25. Banking and Investment of Funds

26. Audit

Part IV. General

27. Representatives

28. Records

29. Information for the Union

30. District Council Rules

31. Misconduct of Affairs

32. Interpretation

Part V. Standing Orders for General Meetings

33. General

34. The Chair

35. Rules of Debate

36. Motions

37. Amendments

38. Voting

SCHEDULE: Class B Applications - Guidelines for Application Procedures

PART I. COMPOSITION AND MEMBERSHIP OF DISTRICT COUNCILS

1. Composition of District Councils

Each District Council shall be composed of:-

(a) not less than fifteen affiliated Churches situated within the same electoral area as grouped by the National Executive Committee, and

(b) Kindred Bodies and Associated Bodies allocated to it by the National Executive Committee, and

(c) Class B (subscribing) members (hereinafter called Class B members) allocated to it by the National Executive Committee, and

(d) Class D (affiliate) members (hereinafter called Class D members) allocated to it.

2. Objects and Duties of District Councils

(1) The Objects of each District Council shall be to further the objects of the Union within its area and in particular to promote the advancement and diffusion within its area of a knowledge of the religion and religious philosophy of Spiritualism on the basis of the following Seven Principles:-

1. The Fatherhood of God.

2. The Brotherhood of Man.

3. The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels.

4. The continuous existence of the human soul.

5. Personal responsibility.

6. Compensation and retribution hereafter for all the good and evil deeds done on earth.

7. Eternal progress open to every human soul.

(2) Each District Council and its Executive Committee shall be the local administrative branch of the Union and shall perform such duties as may from time to time be delegated by the National Executive Committee.

(3) It shall be the duty of the District Council to visit all Churches and Kindred Bodies in its area not less than once a year and to submit a report thereon to the Union.

(4) It shall be the duty of the District Council to report forthwith to the Union any matter coming to their knowledge which appears to them 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 District Council or the Union generally.

(5) A District Council shall not take any action whatsoever which interferes with or limits the constitutional rights of Churches, of Church members, or of Class B members of the Union.

(6) A District Council shall not, without the written consent of the National Executive Committee or Officers of the Union:-

(a) pledge the credit of the Union; or

(b) enter into any commitment involving payments in excess of the surplus of its current assets over its current liabilities as at the date of the commitment; or

(d) take any action in respect of which it may reasonably be anticipated that legal proceedings may be taken against the Union or the District Council or any member or members thereof in that capacity.

3. Changes of Areas of District Councils

(1) The National Executive Committee may, after consultation with the Executive Committee of any District Council affected, transfer Churches, Kindred Bodies, Associated Bodies and Class B members between District Councils.

(2) When a new District Council is formed substantially from Churches transferred from a single existing District Council, the existing District Council may, with the approval of the National Executive Committee, make arrangements for the holding of the Inaugural General Meeting of the new District Council, and the Rules of the existing District Council, if any, shall apply to the new District Council subject to such modifications as may be made by the National Executive Committee.

(3) When a new District Council is formed from Churches transferred from more than one existing District Council the General Secretary of the Union, in consultation with the officers of any existing District Council concerned, shall make arrangements for the holding of the Inaugural General Meeting, including arrangements for the issue of nomination forms for the election at that meeting of the first Officers and Committee. The representative of the National Executive Committee shall preside at the Inaugural General Meeting, or in his absence the meeting shall elect a chairman.

(4) When a District Council is dissolved or a new District Council is formed the National Executive Committee may direct such transfers of the assets and liabilities of the District Councils affected as it considers appropriate.

4. Class B and D Members

(1) A District Council shall grant the rights and privileges accorded by these Bye-laws to Class B and D members allocated to it.

(2) No Class B or D member shall be allocated to more than one District Council.

5. 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, who will forward one copy to the Secretary of the appropriate District Council, together with copies of all relevant documents.

(2) The Executive Committee shall:-

(a) make proper investigation of the application;

(b) send a copy of the application form to all affiliated bodies within a distance of three miles of the applicant body and request their written representations thereon; and

(c) submit to the National Executive Committee within six months after receipt of the application a written report giving its recommendation and reasons for it.

6. Application for Association

(1) An application by a body for association with the Union shall be made on the prescribed form in duplicate to the General Secretary of the Union, who will forward one copy to the Secretary of the appropriate District Council, together with copies of all relevant documents.

(2) The Executive Committee shall:-

(a) make proper investigation of the application;

(b) send a copy of the application form to all affiliated bodies within a distance of three miles of the applicant body and request their written representations thereon; and

(c) submit to the National Executive Committee within six months after receipt of the application a written report giving its recommendation and reasons for it.

7. Application for Class B Membership

(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, who will forward it to the Secretary of the appropriate District Council.

(2) The Executive Committee shall:-

(a) make proper investigation of the application in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Schedule to these Bye-laws; and

(b) submit to the National Executive Committee within twelve months after receipt of the application a written report giving its recommendation and reasons for it.

8. Delegates

(1) The Class A member or members elected by a Church as its delegate or delegates to general meetings of the Union shall also be its delegate or delegates at general meetings of the District Council.

(2) A Kindred Body may elect as delegates to general meetings of the District Council such number of its members as may from time to time be determined by the National Executive Committee.

(3) An Associated Body may appoint a fraternal delegate but he shall not have any voting rights.

(4) If any delegate is unable to represent his affiliated body at a general meeting of the District Council, he may appoint a full member of his body as a proxy after consultation with the Committee (if possible) as to suitable persons. The authorisation shall be in the following form and signed by the delegate and shall be handed to the Secretary or his deputy immediately upon attendance:-

"I, ........................., being a delegate of the ..................... (Church), hereby appoint ....…....... of ................, a full member of that (Church), as my proxy to attend and use my credential card at the meeting of the ......................... District Council to be held at ................................. on the .............. 20... and at any adjournment thereof.

Date....................... (Signed)......................................................."

(5) No person may at the same time act as:-

(a) a delegate or proxy on behalf of more than one affiliated body; or

(b) a delegate and a proxy for another delegate.

(6) In these Bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires, the term "delegate" includes a proxy for a delegate.

9. Credential Cards

The General Secretary of the Union shall from time to time notify the Secretary of the appropriate District Council as to credential cards issued by him.

10. General Meetings

(1) Each District Council shall not later than 31st March in each year hold its Annual General Meeting, at which reports of its activities and audited accounts for the year ended the previous 31st December shall be presented.

(2) The Executive Committee may summon general meetings or conferences at such other times as it sees fit.

(3) An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be summoned by the Executive Committee to meet on a date not more than sixty days after the receipt by the Secretary of a requisition signed by members of the Union allocated to the District Council representing not less than one-third of all the members having at the date of the requisition a right to vote at general meetings of the District Council. Such requisition shall state the purpose for which the Extraordinary General Meeting is to be called, and shall be accompanied by a copy of any motion to be submitted. An Extraordinary General Meeting shall deal only with business placed on the agenda as circulated, which may include business placed thereon by the Executive Committee other than that mentioned in the requisition.

(4) Notice of any general meeting, together with the agenda, the minutes of the previous general meeting and, in the case of the Annual General Meeting, copies of the Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Account duly audited, shall be sent to the Secretary of each Church, Kindred Body and Associated Body, to the Class D members and to each Class B member and provisional Class B member and, in the case of the Annual General Meeting or of an Extraordinary General Meeting, to the General Secretary of the Union, not less than twenty-one days before the meeting.

(5) Any postponement of a general meeting to another date shall require the same notice as for the original meeting.

(6) Any notice of motion proposed for inclusion in the agenda of a general meeting, other than a motion proposed by the Executive Committee, shall be submitted to the Secretary in writing so as to be received by him not less than six weeks before the meeting. Such motions may be submitted by the Committee of a Church or Kindred Body or by a Class B member and must bear the name of a seconder. The Secretary shall place on the agenda a copy of all motions received by him as prescribed, subject to non-inclusion of matter considered to be defamatory or offensive.

(7) 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.

(8) Any resolution which would have the effect either of increasing the expenditure of or reducing the income of the District Council shall not become operative unless the Executive Committee consents thereto.

11. Honorary Vice-Presidents

(1) A District Council in general meeting may, at the instance of the Executive Committee, elect as honorary vice-presidents of the District Council persons who have rendered long or distinguished service to the District Council.

(2) Honorary vice-presidents who do not hold a credential card shall have the same rights and privileges within the District Council as Class B members allocated to the District Council other than the right to vote.

(3) Honorary vice-presidents shall not automatically have a seat on the Executive Committee by virtue of such vice-presidency.

(4) A District Council by resolution in general meeting may, at the instance of the Executive Committee, terminate the office of an honorary vice-president of the District Council.

Provided that such resolution shall be effective only if the person concerned has been informed in advance of the intention to propose such resolution and of the grounds therefor and has been given reasonable opportunity of making written and oral representations thereon.

PART II. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

12. Officers and Executive Committee

(1) Each District Council shall be administered by an Executive Committee elected by members in general meeting to carry out the duties and functions assigned to it, subject to any directions given from time to time by the National Executive Committee.

(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (3) below, each District Council shall determine the number of its Executive Committee by ordinary resolution of a general meeting, notice of motion having been included in the circulated agenda.

(3) The Executive Committee shall consist of:-

(a) the Officers, namely, the President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary;

(b) a District Council National Councillor;

(c) a Class B Members' Representative, who shall be elected by and from the Class B members allocated to the District Council.

(d) a Healing Representative, who shall be elected by Class A members and Class B members allocated to the District Council; he shall be elected from the Class B members allocated to the District Council who are Registered Approved Healers. He shall be the Chairman of the District Council Healing Committee.

(e) such member as provided for in sub-paragraph (4) below;

(f) such member or members as provided for in sub-paragraph (5) below;

(g) such other member or members as provided for in paragraph (2) above.

(4) The Central Committee of the Spiritualists' Lyceum Union shall be entitled to appoint a representative to each District Council Executive Committee. Any person so appointed shall be required, as a condition of, and prior to, taking up office, to sign a form of acceptance in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 17(2) of these Bye-laws.

(5) The Executive Committee may at any time appoint not more than three Ordinary Members for the purpose of carrying out such specific duties and functions as are assigned to them by the Executive Committee. Any such appointment shall terminate at the following Annual General Meeting. Any person appointed shall be required, as a condition of, and prior to, taking up office, to sign a form of acceptance in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 17(2) of these Bye-laws.

(6) No person shall hold more than one of the offices referred to in sub-paragraphs (3)(a), (3)(c), (3)(d) and (3)(f), except that the offices of Treasurer and Secretary may be held by the same person if no other candidate has been nominated for one of these vacancies.

(7) A District Council may, by ordinary resolution of a general meeting, notice of motion having been included in the circulated agenda, determine that the Officers and other members of the Executive Committee, or any of them, shall serve for a period of not more than two years, retiring in rotation; but unless it be so determined, all the members of the Executive Committee shall retire annually, with the exception of the District Council National Councillor, who shall serve for a period of two years, and shall be eligible for re-election.

(8) A District Council may, by ordinary resolution of a general meeting, notice of motion having been included in the circulated agenda, determine

(a) that certain members of the Executive Committee shall be elected by Churches and Class B members separately.

(b) that the Churches and Class B members shall be divided into groups, not for administrative but for social and publicity purposes and for the purpose of electing a representative of each group to the Executive Committee. For each group nominations shall be made by and from the Churches and Class B members allocated to that group but only one from each group shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting by the Class A, B and C members together.

(9) Except as otherwise provided in the Bye-laws, members of the Executive Committee shall retire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting at which their successors are elected.

(10) (a) Resignation of an individual Officer or member of the Executive Committee shall be in writing delivered to the President. Resignation of the President shall be in writing delivered to the Vice-President. Resignation shall become effective upon delivery.

(b) In the event of a resignation of an individual Officer or member of the Executive Committee tendered otherwise than in compliance with sub-paragraph (a) above the following shall apply:-

(i) Where a verbal resignation is tendered during a meeting of the Executive Committee it shall be recorded in the minutes. The Secretary shall, within ten working days of such meeting, inform the person concerned in writing that:-

(a) his resignation has been recorded in the minutes; and

(b) it will become effective upon the adoption of such minutes or at the expiration of twenty working days from such meeting, whichever is the later, unless denied by him in writing within that period.

(ii) Where a verbal resignation is tendered otherwise than during a meeting of the Executive Committee it shall be reported at the next following meeting of the Executive Committee and recorded in the minutes. The Secretary shall, within ten working days of such meeting, inform the person concerned in writing that:-

(a) his resignation has been recorded in the minutes; and

(11) The quorum for a meeting of the District Council Executive Committee shall be the smallest number constituting a majority of its members, including at least two Officers.

(12) Any casual vacancies may be filled, by resolution of the remaining members of the Executive Committee, by cooption from among persons qualified under paragraph 17 of these Bye-laws. Any person co-opted shall be required, as a condition of, and prior to, taking up office, to sign a form of acceptance in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 17(2) of these Bye-laws.

(13) The Executive Committee may delegate any of its functions to sub-committees, which may include fully paid-up Class B members and Class D members who are not members of the Executive Committee.

(14) The Executive Committee shall meet at least four times in each year. Unless otherwise determined in advance by the committee, 14 days' written notice shall be given of the date, time and place of each meeting.

(15) The position of a member of the Executive Committee shall be terminated by resolution of the Executive Committee on one or more of the following grounds:-

(i) that in the opinion of the Executive Committee he has persistently neglected his duties;

(ii) that he has absented himself from two or more consecutive Committee meetings in any one electoral year without leave having been given by the Executive Committee.

Provided that:-

(1) Such resolution shall be effective only if supported by three-fourths of the number of members present and the person concerned has been given:-

(a) not less than fifteen working days' notice of the meeting of the Executive Committee at which the resolution is to be put and of the grounds therefor, together with reasons and supporting evidence;

(b) the opportunity to make written representations thereon within that period; and

(2) Such resolution shall be open to appeal to the Union on one or more of the following grounds:-

(a) that there was a significant failure to follow the proper procedure;

(b) that the findings of fact cannot be supported having regard to the evidence;

(d) that on any grounds there was a miscarriage of justice.

Such resolution shall not become operative until fifteen working days after written notification to the person concerned of the passing of the resolution. If during that period an appeal against the resolution is received by the General Secretary the resolution shall be suspended pending the outcome of the appeal.

13. Duties and Obligations of Members of the Executive Committee

The duties and obligations of the members of the Executive Committee shall include the following:-

(1) Obligations to the Union

All members of the Executive Committee, both collectively and individually, shall show loyalty and allegiance to the Union and the Seven Principles, uphold its constitution and fulfil the District Council's and their constitutional and financial obligations to the Union.

(2) Obligations to the District Council

All members of the Executive Committee shall show loyalty and allegiance to the District Council, attend regular meetings of the Executive Committee, maintain the confidentiality of its business, take a due share in its work and at all times conduct themselves as representatives of the District Council.

(3) Acceptance of Obligations

Every member of the Executive Committee shall be deemed to have accepted the obligations in (1) and (2) above as a condition of eligibility for office.

(4) President and Vice-President

The President, with the assistance of the Vice-President, is responsible to the Executive Committee for the supervision of the work of the District Council and for the despatch of business between meetings of the Executive Committee, and shall make such decisions in an emergency in co-operation with the Officers as he deems necessary, subject to report at the following meeting. He shall preside at all general meetings and Executive Committee meetings (subject to the Standing Orders of these Bye-laws) and, subject to the direction of the Executive Committee, shall supervise the conduct of all the activities of the District Council. He shall be responsible for taking all possible action to ensure that the obligations in (1) and (2) above are met. The Vice-President shall deputise for the President.

(5) Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible to the Executive Committee for superintending the financial affairs of the District Council and for such other duties as the Executive Committee may assign to him. The Treasurer shall receive all monies and give receipts for them. He shall pay all accounts passed by the Executive Committee, receiving receipts for such payments. He shall file all receipts and counterfoils for examination by the auditor or his agent. He shall keep a complete set of account books, in which shall be entered all details of monies received and paid. He shall prepare a Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Account for each financial year and, after examination by the auditor or his agent and approval by the Executive Committee, shall present them at the Annual General Meeting. He shall also prepare a statement of accounts for presentation at each Executive Committee meeting.

(6) Secretary

(a) The Secretary shall keep minutes of all business of the Executive Committee and of general meetings, which shall be prepared as soon as possible after each meeting and signed by the Chairman on the confirmation of the minutes at the next meeting. He shall be responsible for the maintenance of the records of the District Council, except those for which the Treasurer is responsible.

(b) The Secretary shall conduct all correspondence except on such matters as are appropriate to another member of the Executive Committee or as may be assigned to another Officer.

(c) The Secretary shall prepare such reports as may be required by the Union and send to the General Secretary the audited statement of accounts for the preceding year.

(d) The Secretary shall, immediately upon the retirement or resignation of a National Councillor, require him in writing to hand over to his successor within six weeks' therefrom all documents relating to the business of the Council for the two years immediately prior to his retirement or resignation.

(e) The Secretary shall supply an incoming National Councillor with a copy of his predecessor's last report to the District Council.

(7) District Council National Councillor

The District Council National Councillor shall represent the District Council on the Council and shall liaise between the two bodies. He shall make such written and verbal reports to the Executive Committee and general meetings on Council business as may be appropriate.

(8) Class B Members Representative

The Class B Members Representative shall be responsible for:-

(i) enrolment of and liaison with Class B members;

(ii) co-operation in the maintenance of accurate and complete records of Class B members in conjunction with the District Council Secretary and the General Office;

(9) Healing Representative

The Healing Representative shall liaise with the Healing Committee and the District Council Executive Committee on all matters concerning spiritual healing and healers within the District Council and shall be responsible to the Executive Committee for the supervision of the work of the District Council Healing Committee.

(10) Lyceum Representative

The Lyceum Representative shall liaise with the Lyceum Union and the District Council Executive Committee on all matters concerning the Lyceum Union and the Lyceums within the District Council.

(11) Other Members

Other members of the Executive Committee shall have such duties and responsibilities as may from time to time be prescribed by the Executive Committee.

14. Sub-Committees

(1) The Executive Committee may delegate any of its duties and functions to sub-committees, which shall consist of:-

(a) except as provided under paragraph 12(3)(d) above, a Chairman appointed annually by and from the District Council Executive Committee;

(b) a Secretary appointed annually by the District Council Executive Committee after consultation with the Chairman;

Every member of a district council sub-committee shall be a Class B member or a full member of a Church allocated to the district council. No person shall be appointed to any position on the sub-committee if he is a member of any restricted body or holds any position in, or any award or appointment of, such body.

(2) (a) A sub-committee shall meet not less than twice in each year on such dates as may be decided by the Chairman. Not less than fourteen days' written notice shall be given of the time, date and place of each meeting.

(b) The Chairman and the Secretary of a sub-committee may at any time summon a meeting of the sub-committee.

(3) (a) The Chairman shall be responsible to the District Council Executive Committee for the supervision of the work of the sub-committee and for the despatch of business between meetings of the sub-committee and shall make such decisions in an emergency in co-operation with the Officers of the District Council as he deems necessary subject to report at the following meeting.

(b) The sub-committee may exercise its functions either by majority decisions of meetings of which all members have been notified and at which a quorum is present, or by agreement in correspondence of all the members of the sub-committee. For this purpose any proposal may be submitted to the sub-committee in correspondence by the Secretary and if no reply is received within fourteen days from any member dissenting from the proposal it may be assumed that that member has assented.

(d) The sub-committee may act notwithstanding any vacancy or vacancies in its membership, provided that a quorum is obtainable.

(e) The Secretary shall cause minutes of the proceedings of the sub-committee, whether transacted at meetings or intermediately, to be produced and a copy submitted to the Secretary of the District Council for consideration by the District Council Executive Committee. The Secretary shall conduct correspondence on behalf of the sub-committee, cause registers to be kept in regard to the work of the sub-committee and undertake such other duties as may be allocated to him.

(4) In the conduct of his office it is the duty of each member of the sub-committee to consider the interests of the Union as a whole and not the special interests of any other body of which he may also be a member.

(5) The position of a member of the sub-committee shall be vacated:-

(a) if for any reason he loses the qualification which entitled him to be appointed; or

(b) if by notice in writing to the sub-committee he resigns; or

(d) if the position is declared vacant in pursuance of Bye-laws F; or

(e) by resolution of the District Council Executive Committee.

15. District Council Education and Exponents Committee

(1) Each District Council shall have a sub-committee, known as the Education and Exponents Committee, appointed annually by the District Council Executive Committee to carry out the duties assigned to it by or under these Bye-laws, subject to any directions given from time to time by the District Council Executive Committee.

(2) (a) The District Council Education and Exponents Committee shall have the duty of considering applications for the Certificate of Recognition from persons resident within the area of the District Council, or serving principally Churches allocated to the District Council. Before coming to its conclusion on any application, the Committee shall satisfy itself as to the qualifications of the applicant and shall obtain from at least three competent and reliable persons reports on his practical ability as a speaker and/or demonstrator as the case may be.

(b) The recommendations of the District Council Education and Exponents Committee (whether favourable or adverse) shall be submitted to the District Council Executive Committee, which shall submit to the Training and Awards Committee its recommendations together with copies of the three reports of the practical work of the applicant.

(i) each year conduct a review of all holders of the Diploma and Certificate of Recognition in its area;

(ii) conduct such investigations into and assessments of holders of or applicants for the Diploma and Certificate of Recognition as may from time to time be requested by the Training & Awards Committee;

and shall submit its report thereon to the District Council Executive Committee, which shall submit the report with its recommendations thereon to the Training & Awards Committee.

(d) The District Council Education and Exponents Committee shall also have the duty of:-

(i) formulating and revising from time to time a programme to provide practical training for students in all aspects of Spiritualism;

(ii) arranging for training and study groups throughout the district and prescribing fees for such;

(iii) appointing, revoking the appointment of, and delegating appropriate authority to, training officers.

16. District Council Healing Committee

(1) Each District Council shall have a sub-committee, known as the District Council Healing Committee, appointed annually by the District Council Executive Committee to carry out the duties assigned to it by or under these Bye-laws, subject to any directions given from time to time by the District Council Executive Committee. The District Council Healing Representative shall be the Chairman of the District Council Healing Committee. All members of the District Council Healing Committee must be SNU Registered Approved Healers and must have been such for not less than three years immediately prior to appointment.

(2) The duties and functions of the District Council Healing Committee shall be:-

(a) to promote and encourage the practice, study and investigation of the art and science of Spiritual Healing;

(b) to encourage and support affiliated bodies in their district to commence and maintain Spiritual Healing Groups;

(d) to organise seminars and workshops for the promotion of Spiritual Healing;

(e) to arrange and carry out practical healing assessments on behalf and at the request of the Healing Committee;

(f) to carry out such investigations as may be authorised by the National Executive Committee or the Healing Committee from time to time;

(g) to report forthwith to the District Council Executive Committee any matter coming to its knowledge which may involve the Union in financial liability or bring discredit on the Union or the Spiritualist movement, or any legal dispute which may affect the Union generally.

(3) (1) The District Council Healing Committee shall from time to time appoint Assessment Boards from among Registered Approved Healers in the area to carry out practical assessments. The Assessment Board shall consist of not less than three assessors, one of whom shall act as Chairman.

(2) The Board shall be responsible for the practical assessment, the oral assessment and the completion of all necessary forms. All forms upon completion shall be delivered to the District Council Healing Representative for his signature and return to the Secretary of the Healing Committee.

(3) Members of the Board shall be entitled to claim reimbursement of expenses incurred.

(4) (1) Upon written request from the Secretary of the Healing Committee the District Council Healing Committee shall arrange a time, date and venue for practical assessments to be carried out, together with the necessary supply of recipients of healing. Applicants shall be given not less than fourteen days' written notice of the time, date and venue of their assessment.

(2) The assessment shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures laid down by the Healing Committee.

(3) An Officer or the Healing Leader of the applicant's affiliated body may be present at the assessment as an observer. He shall not take any part in the assessment procedure.

(4) The Chairman of the Assessment Board shall inform each applicant as to whether he is to be recommended or not. A recommendation shall not be made unless the applicant has passed all the required elements of the assessment. If the applicant does not reach the required standard in all elements, then guidance and practical advice shall be given by the Board.

17. Qualifications for Office

(1) No person shall be eligible for any position on the Executive Committee or as an 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) No person shall be or become a member of the Executive Committee unless he has signed and returned to the Secretary a form of acceptance for office by the appropriate time. The form shall require the nominee, appointee or co-optee to declare his willingness to carry out the duties of office, his agreement to resign if his loyalties to another organisation conflict with his duties and loyalties to the District Council, and his acceptance of the obligations to the Union and the District Council as contained in paragraph 13(1) and (2) of these Bye-laws.

(3) Any candidate for election, appointment or co-option to the Executive Committee or as an elective auditor must be a fully paid-up Class B member of at least one year's membership and allocated to the District Council.

(4) A candidate for the office of President, Vice-President or District Council National Councillor must in addition be and have been for at least two years immediately prior to nomination, appointment or co-option (as the case may be) a full member of a Church or Kindred Body affiliated to the Union and within the seven years immediately prior to nomination have served on either the District Council Executive Committee or the National Executive Committee for a period or periods totalling two years.

For the purpose of this sub-paragraph a year may be reckoned as any period from the date of one Annual General Meeting of the Union or District Council, as the case may be, to that of the next, and including, in the case of a serving member of the Executive Committee, the period that will elapse between the date of nomination and the date of the Annual General Meeting.

Provided that this rule shall not apply in the case of a District Council which has been in existence for less than three years.

18. Nominations

(1) Not less than nine clear weeks before the date of the Annual General Meeting of the District Council the Secretary shall issue nomination forms stating the vacancies for which nominations are required and shall prescribe extracts from the Bye-laws governing nominations and qualifications for office and prescribing a closing date for nominations, which shall be six weeks before the date fixed for the Annual General Meeting. A form shall be issued to every Class B member holding a valid credential card at the date of issue of nominations, and to the Secretary of each Church and Kindred Body allocated to the District Council.

(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 continuing elective auditor.

(3) A member may make one nomination for each vacant position for which he (or, in the case of a Church or Kindred Body, its delegate or delegates) is or are entitled to vote.

(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 continuing elective auditor so as to reach him not later than the prescribed closing date for nominations. Until the count the sealed envelopes shall remain unopened in the custody of the continuing elective auditor, who may in preparation for the count sort them into categories.

(5) The nominations shall be counted by the elective auditors in the presence of the Secretary. The elective auditors, with the assistance of the Secretary, 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 in writing a list of those validly nominated, issue a copy to the Secretary, confirm such list to members at the Annual General Meeting, seal all the nomination forms in an envelope, sign it across the seal or seals and deliver it to the Secretary.

(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 by the Secretary for two years after the declaration of the result.

(8) A person nominated for the office of President shall be deemed to have been nominated also for the office of Vice-President and a person nominated for the office of any of the Officers or the position of District Council National Councillor shall be deemed to have been nominated also for election to any position on the Executive Committee (other than as an Officer, District Council National Councillor or Class B Representative) for which he may be qualified and for which the member nominating him is entitled to make a nomination.

(9) In the case of a candidate for election as an Officer or District Council National Councillor not less than four valid nominations shall be required, and for all other members of the Executive Committee or as an elective auditor not less than three valid nominations shall be required.

(10) Not more than seven days after the closing date for nominations the Secretary shall advise each nominee of the positions for which he is validly nominated and send him the appropriate form of acceptance. The form shall require the nominee to declare his willingness to carry out the duties of office if elected, his agreement to resign if his loyalties to another organisation conflict with his duties and loyalties to the District Council, and his acceptance of the obligations to the Union and the District Council as contained in paragraph 13(1) and (2) of these Bye-laws. He shall be eligible for office only if the form is signed and returned to the Secretary not later than three weeks before the date fixed for the Annual General Meeting.

(11) A nominee shall only be eligible for office on the Executive Committee if on or before the 14th day after the close of nominations he is a fully paid-up Class B member.

(12) A list of validly nominated persons eligible and willing to serve if elected shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. If at the time of issue there are insufficient nominations for any vacancies to be filled, further nominations for such vacancies shall not be invited.

19. Elective Auditors

(1) There shall be two elective auditors, each elected at the Annual General Meeting, one in each year, who shall hold office for two years. An elective auditor shall not hold any position on the Executive Committee of the District Council or on any sub-committee of such Executive Committee.

(2) Any casual vacancy may be filled by resolution of the Executive Committee from among persons qualified under paragraph 17 of these Bye-laws.

(3) Their duties shall be:-

(a) to give such assistance to the auditor or his agent as he may require;

(b) to verify the amounts and value of stock and other assets shown in the Balance Sheet;

(c) to submit to the Annual General Meeting such reports in writing as they consider appropriate, including any comments on the propriety or otherwise of items of expenditure;

(d) to act as credential officers at the Annual General Meeting and any other general meeting;

(e) to process nominations.

20. Elections

(1) Elections shall be by ballot at the Annual General Meeting. A separate election shall be held for each office, in the order President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, followed by the election of other members of the Executive Committee.

(2) In an election each qualified voter shall have as many votes as there are vacancies to be filled and the required number of persons receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.

(3) The votes shall be counted by scrutineers appointed by those present and qualified to vote at the Annual General Meeting. A candidate for election shall not be appointed as scrutineer.

(4) If at the time of any election there are insufficient candidates duly nominated and qualified and willing to serve, additional nominations shall not be accepted, but it shall be left to the committee then elected to fill the vacancies by cooption or appointment as the case may be from among persons qualified for nomination. All those co-opted or appointed shall be required, as a condition of, and prior to, taking up office, to sign a form of acceptance in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 17(2) of these Bye-laws.

21. Conflict of Interest

(1) A member of the Executive Committee who is also a Class A or Class C member shall not act as such at general meetings of the District Council but may appoint a full member of his body as a proxy thereat. A member of the Executive Committee may not be a proxy at general meetings of the District Council.

(2) No member of the Executive Committee shall be a Class A or Class C member or a proxy for such at general meetings of the Union if he is at the same time a District Council National Councillor, an Accredited Representative or a Class A or Class C member, or a proxy for such, for another body.

PART III. FINANCE

22. Income

(1) A District Council may raise funds by donations, collections, subscriptions from Class B members and such other methods as its Executive Committee deem appropriate, which shall not be inconsistent with the powers which may be lawfully exercised by the Union.

(2) The Union shall from time to time pay to each District Council such sums as may be determined by the National Executive Committee of the annual subscription received by the Union from the churches comprising the District Council, and from Kindred Bodies and Associated Bodies and Class B members allocated to the District Council.

23. Expenditure

(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs 2(4) and 10(8) of these Bye-laws and of sub-paragraph (3) of this paragraph, the expenditure of the District Council shall be under the control of the Executive Committee.

(2) Members of the Executive Committee shall be entitled to have refunded to them all reasonable expenses incurred by them in carrying out their duties on behalf of the District Council.

(3) No remuneration, whether by way of salary, fees, honorarium or otherwise, shall be paid to any Officer or other member of the Executive Committee except by authority of a resolution of a general meeting of the District Council, or by authority of the National Executive Committee. The aggregate amount of any such remuneration or other emoluments (within the meaning of Section 196 of the Companies Act 1948) shall be shown in the circulated accounts or in a statement annexed thereto.

24. Accounts

Each District Council shall cause accounting records to be kept in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act or Acts in force from time to time. Such accounts shall be kept and presented in a form approved by the National Executive Committee.

25. Banking and Investment of Funds

(1) Each District Council shall have a banking account in the name of the District Council in which sha