Chaplaincy Australia Incorporated Articles of Constitution

1 AUTHORITY

Pursuant to the provisions of the United Constitution of the Assemblies of God in Australia (Article 16), Chaplaincy Australia Inc shall be responsible to the NSW Assemblies of God State Conference for the Chaplaincy program of the State Fellowship and to this end shall set up as a State Department.

2 NAME

The name shall be Chaplaincy Australia Incorporated. 3 VISION

We envisage a dynamic, Christ-honouring, network of Chaplains in Australia with an unshakeable commitment to both the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NKJV

We believe that the Lord Jesus left His Church with two foundational commands. One, we have come to know as… The Great Commission… the other, we refer to as The Great Commandment.

The Great Commission

This is our call to impact our generation. Beginning in …

* Jerusalem ... locally... * Judea ... nationally... * Samaria ... cross – culturally...

* The ends of the Earth ... internationally...

The Great Commandment Jesus declared that there was no greater commandment than to... “Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind... and to love your neighbour as yourself.”

Therefore, we seek to impact our cities and beyond by actively demonstrating the love of Christ (Great Commandment) through contemporary and relevant chaplaincy ministries designed to reach and influence (Great Commission) all levels of society with the life-changing gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 PURPOSE Chaplaincy Australia Inc. is a servant body to the churches, pastors and communities of NSW. We are closely integrated into the local church and its relevent policies / programs and not an independent body. The Chaplaincy Network operates on local, district and State, National and International projects.

5 AIM It is the aim of Chaplaincy Australia Inc. to be used of God to facilitate the release of chaplains into their destiny in order to make an impact for God upon our churches and the communities across NSW and across Australia. Our aims are fourfold.

5.1 Ministering to our Community 5.2 Training and Accreditation 5.3 Lifting the Profile of Chaplaincy 5.4 Connecting Chaplains in a powerful network

6 STRATEGIES

6.1 Ministering to our Community with trained Chaplains in already

established areas of Chaplaincy such as:

6.1.1 Hospitals / Nursing Homes

6.1.2 Correctional Services

6.1.3 Emergency Services 6.1.4 Sports 6.1.5 Rural Chaplaincy 6.1.6 Educational Organisations 6.1.7 Industry

6.1.8 To establish Chaplaincies in newer areas e.g.

6.1.8.1 The Arts

6.1.8.2 Politics

6.1.8.3 Community

6.1.8.4 Certain sectors of Industry

6.1.9 Defence 6.2 Training our Chaplains utilizing…

6.2.1 Certificate IV in Christian Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care and

Cert IV in Pastoral Care (Chaplaincy) 6.2.2 Chaplaincy Essentials

6.2.3 CPE Courses at local hospitals

6.2.4 Chaplaincy Essentials

6.2.5 A State Chaplaincy Conference

6.2.6 National Conferences

6.2.7 Regional Training Days

6.2.8 Church Conferences / Seminars 6.2.9 Community Training (eg Suicide Awareness, Grief & loss,conflict Resolution, Parenting/Relationships

6.2.10 Other Resources

6.3 Lifting the Profile of Chaplaincy by…

6.3.1 Contemporary advertising

6.3.2 Church Deputations

6.3.3 Missions Outreaches

6.3.4 Website

6.3.5 Newsletter

6.3.6 Posters / CD’s

6.3.7 Director’s role

6.3.8 Seminars

6.4 Connecting our Chaplains by…

6.4.1 Appointed Regional Chaplains (responsible for Chaplains and

Chaplaincy Team members in their local area) - who are in close connection with their State Director.

6.4.2 Annual Summit

6.4.3 Website/s

6.4.4 Emails

6.4.5 Newsletters

OTHER STRATEGIES MAY INCLUDE: 6.5 Work closely with Teen Challenge - NSW in ministering to the hurting

of our Nation. 6.6 Liaise with the other State Directors for mutual benefit, fellowship,

and sharing of ideas as well as resources. 6.7 Liaise, support and work with other similar Ministry Groups from

other denominations eg Mission Australia 6.8 Facilitate and encourage the release of chaplains into ministry.

7 SECONDARY OBJECTS

For the purpose of carrying out the Principal Objects in their spiritual and secular context, Chaplaincy Australia Inc. shall have the further objects and powers as follows:

a) To collect and raise moneys for the purpose of purchasing or otherwise acquiring land and buildings.

b) To purchase, take on, lease, hire, exchange or acquire by gift or otherwise and to manage, sell, transfer, lease, hire, mortgage or otherwise dispose of, invest or deal with any real or personal property or any estate or interest therein.

c) To borrow or raise or secure the payment of money for the purposes of the Ministry whether the same shall have been borrowed or is intended to be borrowed on overdrawn account or otherwise in such manner and upon such terms and whether with or without security as may seem expedient.

d) The buying, selling, and/or supplying of, and dealing in, goods of all kinds.

e) The construction, maintenance, and alteration of buildings or works necessary or convenient for any of the objects or purposes of the Ministry.

f) To guarantee, indemnify, or receive payment, or act as Trustee on behalf of another body, association, company or person, as the Board deems appropriate.

g) To engage, conduct, enter into joint venture, partnership or contract with another body, association, company or person for such purpose as the Board deems appropriate.

h) To act as Trustee in respect of any trust, as the Board in general meeting may deem expedient.

i) The accepting of any gift whether subject to a special trust or not, for any one or more of the objects or purposes of the Ministry.

j) The taking of such steps from time to time as the Board deem expedient for the purposes of procuring contribution to the funds of the way of donation, subscriptions or otherwise.

8 CHAPLAINCY CANDIDATES

8.1 CHAPLAIN - Definition

8.1.1 A Chaplain is defined as being one who has demonstrated clear signs of a Divine Call and God given ability for this specific ministry. Having experience and qualifications as required by the selection criteria shown in 7.1.3

8.1.2 Authorisation is in the form of an Assemblies of God Chaplains

Credential issued biennially.

8.1.3 Chaplaincy Australia Inc shall be governed in its selection and appointment of chaplains by the following requirements.

8.1.3.1 Holder of Ordained, Provisional or Specialised Ministerial Certificate, or equivalent.

8.1.3.2 Evidence of a calling to the ministry of

Chaplaincy

8.1.3.3 Completion of or undertaking, accredited courses as deemed necessary for this ministry, such as:

8.1.3.3.1 Certificate IV in Christian

Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care

8.1.3.3.2 Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

8.1.3.3.3 Basic counselling techniques

8.1.3.3.4 Understanding of grief/loss, CISD, etc.

8.1.3.3.5 Must be committed and

accountable to own local Church and leadership

8.1.3.3.6 Mandatory Police check required

8.2 CHAPLAINCY TEAM MEMBERS – Definition

8.2.1 An Accredited Chaplaincy Team Member is defined as being one who has demonstrated clear signs of a Divine Call and God given ability for this specific ministry, having experience and qualifications as required by the selection criteria shown in 8.2.3

8.2.2 Authorisation is in the form of an Assemblies of God Chaplaincy Team Member Credential issued biennially.

8.2.3 Chaplaincy Australia Inc. shall be governed in its selection and appointment of chaplaincy team members by the following requirements.

8.2.3.1 May be the holder of Ordained, Provisional or

Specialised Ministerial Certificate, or equivalent.

8.2.3.2 Evidence of a calling to the ministry of Chaplaincy

8.2.3.3 Completion of or undertaking, accredited

courses as deemed necessary for this ministry, such as:

8.2.3.3.1 Chaplaincy Essentials

8.2.3.3.2 Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

8.2.3.3.3 Basic counselling techniques

8.2.3.3.4 Understanding of grief/loss, CISD, etc.

8.2.3.3.5 Must be committed and accountable to own local Church and leadership

8.2.3.3.6 Mandatory Police check required.

9 ACCOUNTABILITY

9.1 Chaplaincy Australia Inc. works with and reports to the NSW State Executive of the Assemblies of God in Australia and abides by their policies.

9.2 The United Constitution, National By-Laws, State By-Laws, and District Charter of the Assemblies of God in Australia are endorsed and accepted together with all National, State, and District Conference decisions.

9.3 To fulfill and follow the purposes, objects and articles of faith of the United Constitution of the National Conference of Assemblies of God in Australia.

9.4 This constitution may only be altered by Chaplaincy Australia Inc. by a majority and must be ratified by The NSW State Executive of the Assemblies of God in Australia.

10 STATE DIRECTOR

10.1 The State Director, Chaplaincy Australia NSW/ACT shall be appointed by the NSW State Executive of the Assemblies of God in Australia.

10.2 To be eligible for such office a person must: 10.2.1 Be actively involved in Chaplaincy work in NSW/ACT 10.2.2 Be an Ordained Minister of the Assemblies of God

in Australia 10.2.3 Evidence a call for Chaplaincy 10.2.4 Be recognized and have demonstrated leadership

qualities 10.2.5 Meet all the requirements of the selection criteria in 8.1.3 10.2.6 The State Director shall be responsible for facilitating

fellowship between the State Leadership Team members, chairing meetings of the State Leadership team and developing areas of vision in conjunction with the team.

11 STATE LEADERSHIP TEAM

11.1 The State Leadership team of Chaplaincy Australia Inc. shall be made up of the State Vision Team and/or honorary appointees.

11.2 Office bearers including Chairperson (who shall be the State Director or their appointed delegate); Secretary, and Treasurer may be appointed from among the State Leadership Team or if necessary may be filled by honorary appointees and forwarded to the State Executive for ratification. If the Secretary, and/or Treasurer, are not State Leadership Team members they shall be ex-officio members of the National Chaplaincy Network – NSW without voting rights.

11.3 The State Leadership team shall be a fellowship of State Vision Team members (not withstanding 10.2 above) meeting for the purposes of:

11.3.1 Mutual encouragement

11.3.2 Prayer

11.3.3 Facilitating conferences

11.3.4 Working towards reflecting the strategies set down

in this document.

11.3.5 Communication and reporting of State progress.

11.4 The State Leadership team shall meet on at least a quarterly basis and be in regular communication between these meetings.

11.5 Any Director shall disclose any matter that may be considered a conflict of interest at the time of nomination or at attendance at a board meeting.

12 GENERAL FUNDS

12.1 The State account of Chaplaincy Australia Inc shall be known as the Chaplaincy Australia Inc account.

12.2 The financial year will commence on the 1st of January and end on the 31st of December that same year.

12.3 Other accounts may be set up for specific purposes from time to time (e.g. State Conference account)

12.4 The appointed treasurer shall have control of funds as directed by the State Leadership Team.

12.5 Financial Accounts shall be audited externally annually.

13 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

13.1 The Annual General Meeting will be held by the State Leadership Team annually.

13.2 Notification in writing or by electronic mail (E-mail) of the Annual General Meeting shall be given 1 months before the actual date.

13.3 The procedure for the Annual General Meeting would include: business arising from the previous Annual General Meeting, Chairman’s Report, Treasurers report, and future planning and preparation. Accurate minutes are taken and a copy distributed to the AOG State Executive.

14 INCOME AND PROPERTY

14.1 The income and property of the association however derived shall be applied solely toward promotion of the objects and purposes of the Association. Nothing in the foregoing provision of this rule prevents payment in good faith to an officer, member of the board, employee, member of the association of the following

14.1.1 Reimbursement of out of pocket expenses

14.1.2 Interest at a rate not exceeding interest at the rate for the time being which is or would be charged by the association bankers for the money lent to the association.

14.1.3 Reasonable and proper rent for premises let to the association;

14.1.4 Remuneration in return for services rendered to the association by the person for goods or services supplied to the association by the person in the ordinary course of activities

14.1.5 The State Leadership Team are able to establish and maintain employment of a Board Member in a bona-fide’ capacity and pay a salary or wages for work performed in the capacity of author, pastor, administrator, chaplain, chaplaincy team member or associated activity that promotes the objects of this

association.

15 SURPLUS AND PROPERTY

15.1 If on winding up or dissolution of the association there remains, after satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever the same shall not be paid to or distributed among members of the Association but shall be given or transferred to some other association or associations having objects similar to the objects of the Association as the association shall in an ordinary or special general meeting determine, and whose constitution shall prohibit the distribution of its or their income and property among its members and such association or associations to be determined by the members of the association at or before the time of dissolution and in default thereof by application to the Supreme Court for determination.

15.2 The incorporated association or associations so nominated shall fulfil the requirements specified in section 53 (2) (a)-(c) of the Act

16 DEDUCTIBLE GIFT FUND

16.1 Association must maintain a fund (“Gift Fund”): (i) to which gifts of money or property for the purposes of the objects

of the Association are to be made (ii) to which any money received by the Association because of those

gifts is to be credited: and

(iii) that does not receive any other money or property.

16.2 The Association must maintain a separate bank account for the Fund. 16.3 Receipts issued for the gift to the Gift Fund must state

(i) the name of the Association (ii) The ABN of the Association, and (iii) The fact that the receipt is for a gift.

17 REVOCATION OF ENDORSEMENT

17.1 Where the Association has established and maintained a gift fund such as a building fund or library fund and has been endorsed under Subdivision 30-BA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 as a deductible gift recipient in relation to that or any other fund then

where:

(i) the Association is wound up; or (ii) the gift fund is wound up; or (iii) the endorsement under Subdivision 30-BA of the Income Tax

Assessment Act 1997 is revoked

Then any surplus assets in the gift fund, or funds where the Association is wound up remaining after the payments of liabilities attributable to it shall be transferred to a fund, authority or institution to which income tax deductible gifts can be made

17.2 Where the Association operates more than one gift fund for which it is a deductible gift recipient and its endorsement under Subdivision 30-BA of the Income Tax Assessment Act is revoked only in relation to one of those gift funds then it may transfer the funds to any other gift fund for which it is endorsed as a deductible gift recipient.