SNU Bye-laws G

BYE - LAWS, Section G
October 2008

APPOINTMENTS AND AWARDS OF RECOGNITION

ARRANGEMENT OF PARAGRAPHS

Part I. Preliminary

1.      Nature of Appointments
2.      Nature of Awards
3.      General Conditions of Appointments and Awards

Part II. Procedure and Qualifications for Appointments

6.      Ministership in the United Kingdom
7.      Overseas Ministership
8.      Officiants
9.      Approved Celebrants under the Marriages (Scotland) Act 1977

Part III. Procedure and Qualifications for Awards

10.     The Fellowship
11.     Approved Teachers
12.     Non-Healing Diplomas
13.     Healing Diploma
14.     Non-Healing Certificates of Recognition
15.     Healing Certificate of Recognition
15.     The Award of Merit
16.     The Gold Service Award
17.     The Long Service Award
18.     Study Courses

Part IV. General

19.     Interpretation
20.     Education and Awards Procedures

Schedule 1      Education and Awards Procedures
Schedule 2      Code of Conduct for Holders of SNU Appointments and Awards

PART I. PRELIMINARY

1. Nature of Appointments

The appointments listed below are made by the Union, subject to the provisions of Part III of these Bye-laws:-

(a) Ministership

The Ministership of the Spiritualists' National Union is accorded to those who have been selected as worthy to represent Spiritualism by their bearing and example as Ministers of Religion. Ministers are not appointed to specific districts or affiliated bodies.

(b) Officiant (OSNU)

The appointment of Officiant is granted to those who are considered capable of conducting services such as marriages, funerals and namings.

2. Nature of Awards

The awards listed below are granted by the Union to its members, subject to the provisions of Part IV of these Bye-laws:-

(a) Fellowship (FSNU)

The Fellowship is awarded to those who have shown an especially high standard of knowledge of the religion, philosophy or science of Spiritualism.

(b) Approved Teacher (TSNU)

The award of Approved Teacher is granted to those who have passed both the theoretical and practical elements of the prescribed training course.

The Diploma is awarded in a number of classes to candidates who have satisfied the prescribed respective requirements and have given satisfactory evidence of the practical application of their knowledge.

(d) Certificate of Recognition (CSNU)

The Certificate of Recognition is awarded in a number of classes to candidates who are considered capable of worthily serving the movement in the name of the Union.

(e) Award of Merit

The Award of Merit is granted to those who have given national meritorious service to the Spiritualists' National Union.

(f) Gold Service Award (GSSNU)

The Gold Service Award is granted to those whose activities have been of benefit to the Spiritualists' National Union for over fifty years.

(g) Long Service Award (LSSNU)

The Long Service Award is granted to those whose activities have been of benefit to the Spiritualists' National Union for over twenty-five years.

3. General Conditions of Appointments and Awards

(1) No person shall be eligible to apply or be recommended for any appointment or award 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 eligible to apply for any award unless, at the date of application, he is a Class B member of the Union and has satisfied the prescribed requirements for such application.

(3) All appointments and awards with the exception of the Gold Service Award and the Long Service Award, which are subject to the provisions of paragraphs 2(f) and 2(g) above, may be made or granted to fully paid-up Class B members of the Union only.

(4) Every holder of an appointment or award is expected to conduct himself at all times as a worthy representative of the Spiritualists' National Union. In particular he must abide by the Code of Conduct for Holders of SNU Appointments and Awards set out in Schedule 2 of these Bye-laws.

(5) Any holder of an appointment or award may upon the recommendation of the appropriate committee be designated by the National Executive Committee as 'Retired' on the grounds of age or infirmity.

(6) All appointments and awards with the exception of the Gold Service Award and the Long Service Award shall lapse automatically on the termination of the holder's Class B membership.

(7) Any previous holder of an appointment or award who has been re-accepted into Class B membership within a period of not more than three years from the termination of his previous membership may apply for restoration of any lapsed appointment or award subject to such conditions as the National Executive Committee may from time to time determine.

(8) Any appointment or award may at any time be withdrawn, cancelled or suspended by resolution of the National Executive Committee, which shall not be obliged to state its reasons for such action. Such resolution shall be effective only if supported by three-fourths of the number of members present.

(9) Any complaint preferred against the holder of an appointment or award alleging his unsuitability to hold such appointment or award shall be dealt with in accordance with Bye-laws F. During such investigation the appointment or award may temporarily be suspended by resolution of the National Executive Committee.

PART II. PROCEDURE AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENTS

4. Ministership in the United Kingdom

(1) The appointment of Ministers is by invitation of the National Executive Committee from among candidates who have satisfactorily completed the prescribed training and assessment. Applications from members desirous of appointment will not be entertained.

(2) Candidates for training for the Ministership may be proposed by:-

(a) District Councils;

(b) Branches of the Union;

(d) such other bodies as the National Executive Committee may think appropriate;

and such proposals shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Ministers Administration Committee. In the case of (b) and (c) the proposals shall be reported by the Ministers Administration Committee to the appropriate District Council and its observations sought thereon.

(3) The Ministers Administration Committee must satisfy itself that at the date of proposal each person considered for training for the Ministership:-

(a) has been for the preceding seven years a Class B member;

(b) has been for the preceding seven years a full member of an SNU affiliated body;

(c) has, for a period of not less than two years, which may be aggregated, have been a serving member of a Committee or Council within the SNU;

(d) is a holder of a Certificate of Recognition as a Speaker;

(e) has been for the preceding year an Officiant;

(4) The Ministers Administration Committee shall submit to the National Executive Committee for prior approval the names of all persons recommended for training for the Ministership.

(5) The Ministers Administration Committee must satisfy itself that at the date of recommendation each person considered for appointment as a Minister:-

(a) has been for the preceding ten years a Class B member;

(b) has been for the preceding ten years a full member of an SNU affiliated body;

(c) has, for a period of not less than three years, which may be aggregated, have been a serving member of a Committee or Council within the SNU;

(d) is a holder of a Speaker's Diploma;

(e) has successfully taken:-

(i) the Union Administration Course (G3); and

(ii) the Basic Administration Course (G1) or the Church Administration Course (G2).

(6) Before being invited to become a Minister the candidate will appear before a panel of Ministers appointed by the National Executive Committee. The panel shall submit a recommendation to the Ministers Administration Committee, which shall in turn submit a recommendation to the National Executive Committee.

(7) The panel must satisfy itself that each member proposed for appointment as a Minister:-

(a) has a personality suitable and competent to be able to act sympathetically towards those to whom he may be called upon to minister;

(b) has the ability to conduct a Spiritualist service, including the giving of an address;

(c) is available to conduct, and is capable of conducting with proper decorum, special services such as namings, marriages and funerals;

(d) is able to carry out with dignity and a due sense of proportion and responsibility the duties and powers accorded by law to Ministers of religion.

(8) The Ministership shall not become effective until the member concerned has signified in writing his acceptance of the invitation of the National Executive Committee to such appointment and has been ordained by the President of the Union or a Minister to whom the duty is delegated by the President.

(9) The names and addresses of all Ministers resident in the United Kingdom shall be notified from time to time to the appropriate governmental bodies by the General Secretary of the Union.

5. Overseas Ministership

(1) The appointment of Overseas Ministers is by invitation of the National Executive Committee from among candidates who have satisfactorily completed the prescribed training and assessment. Applications from members desirous of appointment will not be entertained.

(2) Candidates for training for the Overseas Ministership may be proposed by:-

(a) Overseas Regional Councils;

(b) such other bodies as the National Executive Committee may think appropriate.

and such proposals shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Ministers Administration Committee. In the case of (b) the proposals shall be reported by the Ministers Administration Committee to the appropriate Overseas Regional Council and its observations sought thereon.

(3) The Ministers Administration Committee must satisfy itself that at the date of proposal each person considered for training for the Overseas Ministership has been for the preceding five years a Class B member.

(4) The Ministers Administration Committee shall submit to the National Executive Committee for prior approval the names of all persons recommended for training for the Overseas Ministership.

(5) The Ministers Administration Committee must satisfy itself that at the date of recommendation each person considered for appointment as an Overseas Minister:-

(a) has been for the preceding seven years a Class B member;

(b) has been for the preceding year a holder of a Diploma;

either (i) the Basic Administration Course (G1);

or (ii) the Union Administration Course (G3) and the Church Administration Course (G2).

(6) Before being invited to become an Overseas Minister the candidate shall undergo an assessment conducted by or on behalf of the Ministers Administration Committee, which shall submit a recommendation to the National Executive Committee.

(7) The Ministers Administration Committee must satisfy itself that each member proposed for appointment as an Overseas Minister:-

(a) has a personality suitable and competent to be able to act sympathetically towards those to whom he may be called upon to minister;

(b) has the ability to conduct a Spiritualist service, including the giving of an address;

(c) is available to conduct, and is capable of conducting with proper decorum, special services such as namings, marriages and funerals;

(d) is able to carry out with dignity and a due sense of proportion and responsibility the duties and powers accorded by law to Ministers of religion.

(8) The Overseas Ministership shall not become effective until the member concerned has signified in writing his acceptance of the invitation of the National Executive Committee to such appointment and has been ordained by the President of the Union or a Minister to whom the duty is delegated by the President.

(9) An Overseas Minister resident in the United Kingdom who is desirous of being appointed as a Minister in the United Kingdom will be required to fulfil the following requirements:-

(a) have been for the preceding ten years a Class B member;

(b) hold the Speaker's Diploma;

(d) appear before a panel of Ministers appointed by the National Executive Committee, which shall submit a recommendation to the National Executive Committee.

6. Officiants

(1) The appointment of Officiants is by invitation of the National Executive Committee from among candidates who have satisfactorily completed the prescribed training and assessment. Applications from members desirous of appointment will not be entertained.

(2) Candidates for training for the position of Officiant may be proposed by:-

(a) District Councils;

(b) Branches of the Union;

(d) such other bodies as the National Executive Committee may think appropriate;

(3) The Ministers Administration Committee must satisfy itself that at the date of proposal each person considered for training for the position of Officiant:-

(a) has been for the preceding three years a Class B member;

(b) has been for the preceding four years a full member of an SNU affiliated body.

(4) The Ministers Administration Committee shall submit to the National Executive Committee for prior approval the names of all persons recommended for training for the position of Officiant.

(5) The Ministers Administration Committee must satisfy itself that at the date of recommendation to the National Executive Committee each person considered for appointment as an Officiant:-

(a) has been for the preceding five years a Class B member;

(b) has been for the preceding five years a full member of an SNU affiliated body;

(d) prior to attendance at an Area Board has passed at Grade B or higher the Guide to Official Services Course (O1);

(e) prior to attendance at an Area Board has satisfactorily completed practical training;

(f) has been for the preceding year a holder of a Speaker's Certificate.

(6) Before being invited to become an Officiant the member concerned shall appear before an Area Board of the Ministers Administration Committee. The Ministers Administration Committee shall then submit a recommendation thereon to the National Executive Committee.

(7) The Ministers Administration Committee must satisfy itself that each member proposed for appointment as an Officiant is available to conduct, and is capable of conducting with proper decorum, special services such as namings, marriages and funerals.

(8) The position of Officiant shall not become effective until the member concerned has signified in writing his acceptance of the invitation of the National Executive Committee to such appointment and his Service of Acceptance has been conducted by the President of the Union or a Minister to whom the duty is delegated by the President.

7. Approved Celebrants under the Marriages (Scotland) Act 1977

(1) The nomination of Officiants in Scotland as Approved Celebrants is by invitation from the National Executive Committee from among candidates who have satisfactorily completed the prescribed training and assessment. Applications from members desirous of appointment will not be entertained.

(2) Candidates for training for the position of Approved Celebrant may be proposed by:-

(a) the Scottish & Irish District Council;

(b) the Ministers Administration Committee.

In the case of (a) such proposals shall be submitted to the Ministers Administration Committee and in the case of (b) the proposals shall be reported to the Scottish & Irish District Council and its observations sought thereon.

(3) The Ministers Administration Committee shall submit to the National Executive Committee for prior approval the names of all persons recommended for training for the position of Approved Celebrant.

(4) The Ministers Administration Committee must satisfy itself that at the date of recommendation to the National Executive Committee each person considered for nomination as an Approved Celebrant has satisfactorily completed practical training prior to attendance at the Area Board.

(5) Before being invited to accept nomination as an Approved Celebrant the member concerned shall appear before an Area Board of the Ministers Administration Committee. The Ministers Administration Committee shall then submit a recommendation thereon to the National Executive Committee.

(6) The Ministers Administration Committee must satisfy itself that each member proposed for nomination as an Approved Celebrant is available to conduct, and is capable of conducting with proper decorum, special services such as namings, marriages and funerals.

PART III. PROCEDURE AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR AWARDS

8. The Fellowship

(1) The Fellowship is awarded by the National Executive Committee only to holders of a Diploma on the basis of a thesis on some subject connected with Spiritualism.

(2) The thesis should normally be of at least 10,000 words and be suitable for publication. Only a thesis of exceptional standard will be accepted. Only in exceptional circumstances will the Fellowship be awarded retrospectively for work already completed before the date of application for the Fellowship.

(3) Applications for the Fellowship must be made to the Secretary of the Education Committee, accompanied by the prescribed fee and such other information as the Education Committee may from time to time require.

(4) The National Executive Committee require as a condition of the award of the Fellowship that the copyright in the thesis be assigned to the Union on such terms as the National Executive Committee consider fair.

9. Approved Teachers

(1) The award of Approved Teacher is granted by the Training & Awards Committee to holders of a Diploma and a Teaching Certificate of Recognition who have satisfactorily completed the prescribed training and assessment.

(2) Applications for the award must be made on the prescribed form to the Secretary of the Training & Awards Committee, accompanied by the prescribed fee and such other information as the Training & Awards Committee may from time to time require.

10. Non-Healing Diplomas

(1) The Diploma is awarded in various classes by the Training & Awards Committee.

(2) Applications for the Diploma must be made on the prescribed form to the Secretary of the Training & Awards Committee, accompanied by the prescribed fee and such other information as the Training & Awards Committee may from time to time require.

(3) Every applicant for the Diploma shall appear before an Area Board of the Training & Awards Committee, which shall submit a recommendation to the Training & Awards Committee. At least one member of the Area Board shall hold the same class of Diploma as the applicant.

(4) Every applicant for the Diploma as a Speaker or Demonstrator shall have his practical ability assessed on the basis of reports from assessors appointed by the District Council on engagements as a speaker or demonstrator. Such assessors shall hold the same type of Diploma as the applicant, except that in the case of an applicant for the Diploma as a Demonstrator an assessor may be a Minister who holds the Certificate of Recognition as a Demonstrator.

(5) Every applicant for the Administration Diploma must satisfy the Training & Awards Committee that he has had within the last seven years at least three years' practical experience of work on any committee within the Union.

(6) In the case of a candidate who has failed an Area Board:-

(a) no application to resit an Area Board may be made less than six months after the date of such failure;

(b) any such resitting shall take place within three years of the date of the original failure, failing which any further application shall be dealt with as a new application.

(7) In the case of a candidate who has failed for a second time to gain the Diploma the Training & Awards Committee shall have power to fix the minimum interval, not exceeding three years, before he may make a further application for the award.

11. Healing Diploma

(1) The Diploma is awarded in various classes by the Healing Committee.

(2) Applications for the Diploma must be made on the prescribed form to the Secretary of the Healing Committee, accompanied by the prescribed fee and such other information as the Healing Committee may from time to time require.

(3) Every applicant for the Diploma shall appear before an Area Board of the Healing Committee, which shall submit a recommendation to the Healing Committee. All members of the Area Board shall hold the Diploma in Spiritual Healing.

(4) Every applicant for the Diploma must satisfy the Healing Committee that he has the power of healing. For this purpose he must submit records of not less than six cases treated by him, together with signed statements from the patients concerned (or their next of kin or other suitable persons) containing as a minimum the particulars provided for in the Union's Healing Case sheets.

(5) It shall be a condition of acceptance of every application for the Diploma, and a condition of every award of this Diploma, that the applicant or holder will:-

(a) do everything in his power to foster good relations with the medical profession;

(b) ensure that detailed records are maintained of all healing activities undertaken by him, whether or not on the premises of a Church;

(d) make the records available for inspection at all reasonable times by the Union's accredited representatives;

(e) permit the Union's accredited representatives to be present during healing activities.

(6) In the case of a candidate who has failed an Area Board:-

(a) no application to resit an Area Board may be made less than six months after the date of such failure;

(b) any such resitting shall take place within three years of the date of the original failure, failing which any further application shall be dealt with as a new application.

(7) In the case of a candidate who has failed for a second time to gain the Diploma the Healing Committee shall have power to fix the minimum interval, not exceeding three years, before he may make a further application for the award.

12. Non-Healing Certificates of Recognition

(1) The Certificate of Recognition is awarded by the Training & Awards Committee.

(2) Application for the Certificate of Recognition must be made on the prescribed form to the secretary of the Training & Awards Committee, accompanied by the prescribed fee and such other information as the Training & Awards Committee may from time to time require.

(3) Every applicant for the Certificate of Recognition shall appear before an Area Board of the Training & Awards Committee, which shall submit a recommendation to the Training & Awards Committee. At least one member of the Area Board shall hold an award of the same class as the applicant, at an equivalent or higher level.

(4) Every applicant for the Certificate of Recognition as a Speaker or Demonstrator shall have his practical ability assessed on the basis of reports from assessors appointed by the District Council on engagements as a speaker or demonstrator. Such assessors shall either be a Minister of the Union or hold an award of the same type as the applicant, at an equivalent or higher level.

(5) Every applicant for the Certificate of Recognition in Administration must satisfy the Training & Awards Committee that he has had within the last three years at least one year's practical experience of work on any committee within the Union.

(6) In the case of a candidate who has failed an Area Board:-

(a) no application to resit an Area Board may be made less than six months after the date of such failure;

(b) any such resitting shall take place within three years of the date of the original failure, failing which any further application shall be dealt with as a new application.

(7) In the case of a candidate who has failed for a second time to gain the Certificate of Recognition the Training & Awards Committee shall have power to fix the minimum interval, not exceeding three years, before he may make a further application for the award.

13. Healing Certificate of Recognition

(1) The Certificate of Recognition is awarded by the Healing Committee.

(2) Every applicant for the Certificate of Recognition must, at the date of application, have been for the preceding twelve months a Registered Approved Healer.

(3) Application for the Certificate of Recognition must be made on the prescribed form to the secretary of the Healing Committee, accompanied by the prescribed fee and such other information as the Healing Committee may from time to time require.

(4) Every applicant for the Certificate of Recognition shall appear before an Area Board of the Healing Committee, which shall submit a recommendation to the Healing Committee. All members of the Area Board shall hold the Diploma or Certificate of Recognition in Spiritual Healing.

(5) In the case of a candidate who has failed an Area Board:-

(a) no application to resit an Area Board may be made less than six months after the date of such failure;

(b) any such resitting shall take place within three years of the date of the original failure, failing which any further application shall be dealt with as a new application.

(6) In the case of a candidate who has failed for a second time to gain the Certificate of Recognition the Healing Committee shall have power to fix the minimum interval, not exceeding three years, before he may make a further application for the award.

14. The Award of Merit

The Award of Merit is granted by the National Executive Committee to those persons who are deemed to have given specially outstanding and meritorious service to the Union at national level and who are and have been Class B members of the Union for a period of not less than ten years. Applications for the award will not be accepted.

15. The Gold Service Award

(1) The Gold Service Award may be granted by the Training & Awards Committee only to those persons recommended under the following sub-paragraph whose activities shall be deemed by that Committee to have been beneficial to the Union for a period of at least fifty years and who are and have been for that period members of the Union or an affiliated or associated body or a Branch.

(2) Applications by individuals will not be accepted and only recommendations from District Councils and other Branches of the Union to the Training & Awards Committee will be considered.

(3) In exceptional circumstances the award may be granted directly by the National Executive Committee to those persons whose activities are deemed by that committee to have been of longstanding benefit to the Union, whether or not for a period of fifty years, and who are members of the Union or an affiliated or associated body or a Branch.

16. The Long Service Award

(1) The Long Service Award may be granted by the Training & Awards Committee only to those persons recommended under the following sub-paragraph whose activities shall be deemed by that Committee to have been beneficial to the Union for a period of at least twenty-five years and who are and have been for that period members of the Union or an affiliated or associated body or a Branch.

(2) Applications by individuals will not be accepted and only recommendations from District Councils and other Branches of the Union to the Training & Awards Committee will be considered.

(3) In exceptional circumstances the award may be granted directly by the National Executive Committee to those persons whose activities are deemed by that committee to have been of longstanding benefit to the Union, whether or not for a period of twenty-five years, and who are members of the Union or an affiliated or associated body or a Branch.

17. Study Courses

(1) Application for correspondence courses shall be made on the prescribed form to the appropriate course organiser and shall be accompanied by the prescribed enrolment fee.

(2) The Education Committee may, on the recommendation of the Organiser and the tutors of a course, terminate the participation of any student in that course. In such event a proportionate part of the fee paid may, at the discretion of the Education Committee, be refunded to the student.

(3) The decision of the examiners, when approved and published by the Education Committee, shall be final and not open to review.

(4) In the event of failure to pass or to sit for an examination fees paid shall not be returnable but one re-sitting of the same course examination shall be permitted without payment of further fees.

PART IV. GENERAL

18. Interpretation

In these Bye-laws:-

(1) The term 'restricted body' means any religious organisation within the United Kingdom 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 beliefsefs.

(3) 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.

(4) The term "the appropriate committee" means:-

(a) for matters concerning Ministers, Officiants and Approved Celebrants, the Ministers Administration Committee;

(b) for matters concerning Fellows, the Education Committee;

(d) for matters concerning holders of all other awards, the Training & Awards Committee.

19. Education and Awards Procedures

The procedures for education courses and awards shall be in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 1 to these Bye-laws.

SCHEDULE 1

EDUCATION AND AWARDS PROCEDURES

1. Education Courses

(1) Courses Available

The education courses provided by the Education Committee and their field of study shall be as follows:-

An Introduction to Basic Spiritualism (B1)

Basic Spiritualism.

Basic Exponents Course (SD1)

Speaking and demonstrating in Spiritualist churches.

Phenomena of Spiritualism (SD2)

Physical and mental phenomena and development of mediumship.

Teachings of Spiritualism (SD3)

The revelation of Spiritualism, the spiritual nature of man. the spiritual future of man, the history of Spiritualism, the Seven Principles and the Spiritualists' Lyceum Union.

Public Presentation (SD4)

Basic techniques of public speaking

Spiritualism in Religion (S5)

Comparative religions.

The Practice of Mediumship (D5)

The practice of mediumship, including its legal and moral implications, mediumship and the media, services, meetings, etc.

Basic Administration (G1)

Basic Church administration, including the constitutional, social and promotional aspects.

Church Organisation (G2)

The constitution of the Church, publicity meetings and discussion groups, healing clinics, conduct at services, development circles, fund-raising, publicity and other Church activities.

Spiritualists' National Union Organisation (G3)

An introduction to the Spiritualists' National Union, together with its administration as a charity and a limited liability company and how this is achieved within the District Councils and the Spiritualists' Lyceum Union.

Basic Healing Course (H1)

Basic spiritual healing.

Practice of Spiritual Healing (H2)

The healer, development phases, healing techniques, contact and absent healing, grades of control, magnetic healing, organisation of healing meetings, keeping records, legal aspects and ethics, medical co-operation.

Theory of Spiritual Healing (H3)

Health and disease, definitions, causes of disease, human constitution, the purpose of healing.

Basic Anatomy and Physiology (H4)

The respiratory, circulatory, digestive and other systems, the liver, the thoracic cavity, the abdominal and other organs, the skeletal system, joints and movements.

The Lyceum (L1)

Lyceum education and training, both theoretical and practical.

Guide to Official Services (O1)

Official ceremonies such as namings, weddings, funerals etc.

The History of Spiritualism (A1)

Origins and phenomena, Spiritualism in the United States of America and Great Britain, attempts to organise Spiritualism, the Spiritualists' National Union, scientific study of phenomena, mediumship in the 19th and 20th centuries, brief biographies of notable personalities.

World Philosophies (A2)

The ancient philosophers, including Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, more recent philosophers, including Bacon, Spinoza, Kant, Hegel, Spencer, Bergson, Swedenborg, A J Davis, Allan Kardec, Madame Blavatsky, Stainton Moses, Vale Owen, Arthur Findlay.

An Outline of Science for Spiritualists (A3)

An introduction to certain scientific concepts and their relevance to Spiritualism, scientific methods, the nature of matter, energy and energy fields, brain rhythms, the psycho-physical bridge, the aura, the time-space continuum, etc.

Mediumship in Art and Science (A4)

The wider aspects of telepathy, telepathic inspiration and the part it plays in human evolution, including the works of William Blake, Rudyard Kipling and Walter de la Mare examined within the context of mental psychic phenomena.

Psychology and Mediumship (A5)

The work of Sir Oliver Lodge and others examined within the context of psychology.

World Religions (A6)

Study of religion in human experience, primitive religions, religions of India, religions of the Far and Near East, contemporary religious experiences.

(2) Course Assessments

(a) The following courses shall be continuous tutor assessment courses for which there is no final examination:-

B1; SD1; SD4; G1; H1; O1; A1; A2; A3; A4; A5; A6.

(b) The following courses shall be assessed by means of a final examination:-

SD2; SD3; D5; G2; G3; H2; H3; H4; L1.

S5.

(3) Types of Course

(a) The following courses shall be designated as Foundation Courses:-

B1; SD1; G1; H1; O1.

(b) The following courses shall be designated as Progressive Courses:-

SD2; SD3; SD4; S5; G2; G3; H2; H3; H4; L1; D5.

A1; A2; A3; A4; A5; A6.

(4) Order of Courses

(a) No student shall be enrolled on any course listed below unless he has completed the Foundation Course specified in brackets opposite such course:-

SD2 Phenomena of Spiritualism [SD1]

SD3 Teachings of Spiritualism [SD1]

SD4 Public Presentation [SD1]

S5 Spiritualism in Religion [SD1]

G2 Church Administration [G1]

G3 SNU Organisation [G1]

H2 Practice of Spiritual Healing [H1]

H3 Theory of Spiritual Healing [H1]

H4 Basic Anatomy [H1]

D5 The Practice of Mediumship [SD1]

(b) No student shall be enrolled on any course listed below unless he has completed the Progressive Course specified in brackets opposite such course:-

A1 History of Spiritualism [SD3]

A2 World Philosophies [SD3]

A3 Outline of Science for Spiritualists [SD2]

A4 Mediumship in Art and Science [D5]

A5 Psychology of Mediumship [D5]

A6 World Religions [S5]

(5) Methods of Study

Study of an education course shall be by any of the following methods:-

(a) individual postal tuition;

(b) an approved study group;

(6) Enrolment

(a) Applications for enrolment must be made on the prescribed form to the Student Registration Officer, accompanied by the prescribed fee and such other information as the Education Committee may from time to time require.

(b) Enrolment of a student on a course shall cease if he fails to commence such course within twelve months of the date of enrolment. An extension of the enrolment for a further term not exceeding six months may be granted by the Education Committee upon the written submission of extenuating circumstances within the initial period of enrolment.

(c) Participation of a student on a course shall cease if he fails to complete such course within two years (or in the case of an Advanced Course three years) of the date of receipt of the notes for that course. An extension of the time allowed for completion may be granted by the Education Committee upon the written submission of extenuating circumstances before the expiry of such period.

(d) The Education Committee may, on the recommendation of the Organiser and the tutors of a course, terminate the participation of any student in that course.

(e) Course fees are not refundable in the event of the failure of a student to commence or complete a course. In the event of termination of a student's participation in a course a proportionate part of the course fees may, at the discretion of the Education Committee, be refunded to the student.

(7) Assessment

(a) Assessment shall be by:-

(1) examination;

(2) continuous tutor assessment;

(3) final essay

in accordance with sub-paragraph (2) above.

(b) Examinations shall be held quarterly on the third Saturday of February, May, August and November in each year at venues determined by the Education Committee.

(c) Applications for examinations must be made on the prescribed form to the appropriate Course Organiser, accompanied by the prescribed fee and such other information as the Education Committee may from time to time require.

(d) Examinations shall be of three hours' duration and answers shall be handwritten by the candidate or, where authorised by the Education Committee, either handwritten by a scribe on his behalf or given orally by means of audio tape.

(e) Continuous tutor assessment shall be based on written answers to test questions set at each stage of the course.

(f) A final essay shall be on a subject arranged between the student and his Course Organiser and be of not less than 2,500 words and not more than 4,000 words. The essay shall be commenced within three months of completion of the course and shall be submitted to the appropriate Course Organiser within ten days of the date of commencement.

(g) The final essay may be handwritten by the candidate or otherwise textually produced by him or, where authorised by the Education Committee, either handwritten by a scribe or otherwise textually produced by him on the candidate's behalf.

(h) All examinations, test questions and final essays shall be marked on a percentage basis. The candidate's final percentage shall be the average of all marks awarded by his tutors and/or examiners as the case may be and shall be converted into an overall grade in accordance with the following table:-

A Grade marks between 85 and 100

B Grade marks between 70 and 84.9

Fail marks below 70

2. Awards of the Union

(1) Fellowship

(a) A thesis for the Fellowship shall be assessed by Fellowship Readers appointed by the Education Committee, which shall submit a recommendation thereon to the National Executive Committee.

(b) Applications for the Fellowship shall be accompanied by a statement of the proposed subject-matter for the thesis. The Education Committee may request further information in connection therewith before making a decision as to whether the proposed thesis is acceptable and, if so, in what form.

(2)&nb