THE CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
We Christians of African and Caribbean origin resident in Scotland, do agree to unite and form a fellowship, in furtherance of which, we hereby proclaim, adopt and give to ourselves this constitution.
PART I
NAME
Article 1
The name of the fellowship shall be the African and Caribbean Christian
Fellowship Scotland (herein referred to as "the Fellowship" simpliciter).
PART II
OBJECTIVES
Article 2
To advance the Christian Religion and in furtherance of.
Article 3
To facilitate mutual support and to provide a forum for encouragement and
spiritual development of Christians.
Article 4
To proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Article 5
To encourage members to participate actively in their local churches and
fellowships.
Article 6
To provide support for churches and charities.
PART III
STATEMENT OF FAITH
Article 7
The Fellowship believes in the whole Bible as the inspired word of God; and the doctrines of the Fellowship shall be based on the fundamental truths of the Christian faith as revealed in the Bible, including:
i) The Unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the Godhead. (II Cor.13: 14; Matt. 28:19; John 14:11)
ii) The sovereignty of God in creation, revelation, redemption and final judgement.
iii) The infallibility of the Holy Bible as originally given, and its supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (II Tim. 3: 16 & 17)
iv) The universal sinfulness and guilt of human nature since the fall, rendering man subject to God's wrath and condemnation. (Rom. 3:23; 6:23)
v) Redemption from guilt, penalty and the power of sin, only through the sacrificial death (as our representative and substitute) of Jesus Christ the incarnate Son of God. (I Pet.2: 24).
vi) The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (I Cor. 15:3 & 4)
vii) The necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit to make the death of Christ effective to the individual sinner, granting him repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ. (John 3:5 & 6; 16:8-11)
viii) The indwelling and work of the Holy Spirit in the believer and the relevance of all spiritual gifts for today. (John 14:7; I Cor. 6:19; 12:1-31)
ix) The one holy, universal, Church which is the Body of Christ, and to which all true believers belong. (Eph. 1:3-6; I Cor.12: 12-14)
x) The expectation of the personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 1: 11; John 14:3)
To this end members shall be equipped to be law abiding and productive citizens,
residents or otherwise, of Scotland.
PART IV
POWERS
Article 8
Establish local branches when and where necessary with such powers as may be considered by the Fellowship to be appropriate.
Article 9
Bring together in conference and work in liaison with representatives of voluntary organisations, government departments, local and other statutory authorities and individuals.
Article 10
Arrange and provide for or join in arranging and providing for the holding of
exhibitions, meetings, lectures, classes, seminars, and training courses.
Article 11
Collect and disseminate information on all matters affecting the objects and
exchange such information with other bodies having similar objects whether in this country or overseas.
Article 12
Raise money for the objects and accept gifts on such terms and on such security as shall be deemed to be appropriate.
Article 13
Raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any person or persons by way of subscription or otherwise.
Article 14
Invest the funds of the Fellowship not immediately required for the objects in or upon such investments, securities or property as may be imposed or required by law.
Article 15
Purchase, take on lease or exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any property and any rights and privileges considered appropriate for the promotion of the objects and construct, maintain and alter any buildings considered appropriate for the work of the Fellowship.
PART V
BRANCHES
Article 16
There shall be branches in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. More branches
may be inaugurated where the need arises and the requirements for forming a
branch are met.
Article 17
A minimum of 11 members in any given location in Scotland shall be required in order to form a branch of the Fellowship. Where a group is unable to meet this requirement its members shall be affiliated to the nearest Branch.
Article 18
Each Branch shall:
a) Organise activities in furtherance of the objectives of the Fellowship.
b) Make its own regulations for its effective operation, provided that:
Where any regulation is in conflict with the provisions of this Constitution it
shall be void to the extent of that inconsistency.
PART VI
MEMBERSHIP
Article 19
Membership shall be open to all Christians 18 years and over of African and
Caribbean origin and all other Christians who identify with the objectives of the Fellowship and its statement of faith irrespective of denominational affiliation. Members may join the Fellowship through any of its branches.
Article 20
Junior membership shall be open to those under the age of 18 years who are
interested in furthering the work of the Fellowship. Junior members shall not be entitled to vote.
PART VII
ORGANS OF THE FELLOWSHIP
Article 21
The Fellowship shall be run by a National Executive Committee, which shall
consist of the Presidents, General Secretaries, and Financial
Secretaries/Treasurers of the Branches-
Article 22
The branches on a rotational basis, the Convener being the President of the branch hosting the Easter Retreat, shall chair the National Executive committee.
Article 23
The National Executive Committee shall:
a) Oversee the running of the Branches to ensure compliance with the
Constitution.
b) Co-ordinate Joint Executive Committee and National Fellowship meetings.
c) Co-ordinate Annual General Meeting (AGM).
d) Inaugurate local branches.
e) Ensure that annual general meetings are organised by the local branches.
t) Perform any other function that shall be in the interest of the Fellowship or in pursuance of its objectives.
Article 24
Each Branch shall be run by an Executive Committee which shall consist of at
least a:
a) President;
b) General Secretary
c) Treasurer
d) And any other officers it may require to effectively co-ordinate its activities.
PART VIII
MEETINGS
Article 25
The National Executive Committee shall meet as often as is required to
effectively carry out its functions so long as it shall meet at least once a year .
Article 26
Any 2 members from each branch shall form a quorum at a National Executive Committee meeting.
Article 27
There shall be at least two Meetings of all the branches of the Fellowship (Joint Fellowship Meetings) per year, one of which shall be held during the Easter weekend. These meetings shall be organised by the branches on a rotational basis.
Article 28
The Annual General meeting of the Fellowship shall be held during the Easter
Joint Meeting.
Article 29
The convener of the executive committee may at any time at his/her discretion
call a special general meeting of the Fellowship. The secretary shall call a special general meeting of the Fellowship within 21 days of receiving written request so to do signed by not less than 2/3 of full members whether individual or representative and giving reasons for the request.
PART IX
FINANCES
Article 30 Source of funds:
1. Members ' free will offerings.
2. Invite and receive contributions from any person or persons by way of
subscription or otherwise.
3. Raise money for the objects and accept gifts on such terms and on such
security as shall be deemed to be appropriate.
Article 31
All funds raised by or on behalf of the fellowship shall be applied to further the objects of the Fellowship and for no other purpose.
Article 32
The president, general secretary and the treasurer shall be the signatories of the Fellowship's account, and any two of these shall constitute a legal mandate.
Article 33
The treasurer shall keep proper accounting records and shall prepare proper
accounts annually and at such intervals as the Executive Committee may direct.
Article 34
Two auditors shall be appointed at the AGM, and they shall audit the accounts at least once a year.
Article 35
The Executive Committee to the annual general meeting shall submit an audited statement of accounts for the last financial year.
Article 36
The national Executive Committee shall ensure that the branch accounts are
audited at least once a year.
PART X
ALTERATIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION
Article 37
A resolution to alter this constitution shall not be valid unless:
1. Two thirds of the votes cast in relation to the resolution at a general
meeting of the Fellowship (whether annual or special) are in favour
and
2. Notice (setting out the terms of the proposed alteration) shall have
been given to the members not less than 21 clear days before the
meeting at which the alteration was proposed.
Article 38
No resolution shall be made which would have the effect of causing the
Fellowship to cease to be recognised by the Financial Intermediaries and Claims Office (FICO) of the Inland Revenue, as a charity .
PART XI
DISSOLUTION OF THE FELLOWSHIP
Article 39 1
In an event of the dissolution of the Fellowship, any assets remaining after the
satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Fellowship, but shall be given or transferred to a recognised charitable organisation(s) having objects similar to those of the Fellowship.