ROLE OF CONVENOR FOR THE NORTHERN PRESBYTERY COUNCIL
Introduction
The Presbytery has established a Council which, in partnership with the Executive Officer, will formulate the strategic direction of the Presbytery and hold an overview of mission and ministry taking place within it. The Council has the full powers of the Presbytery, as set out in the Northern Presbytery Structure and Standing Orders 2017. The focus of the Council is about governance, vision, policy and strategy, not management. Membership consists of:
-Voting members: two representatives from each of the five regions and the Moderator
-Non-voting members: immediate past moderator, or moderator-designate; EO, convenors of workgroups; treasurer; other Presbytery and national PCANZ staff as appropriate; other associated members such as PI congregations in the Presbytery, Asian congregations, Te Aka Puaho. Note that the Council has the right to co-opt other members with specific skills.
From the Standing Orders (2017), the Convenor: is elected by the Council; shall be one of the ten members elected by the Regions; has a two year term of office and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms; chairs the meetings of the Presbytery Council. Following the Council agreeing at its February 2018 meeting to seek and appoint an independent Convenor, the Full Presbytery meeting on 24 February (2018) resolved thata member of the Northern Presbytery be selected and appointed, by the Presbytery Council, to the role of Independent Convenor of the Presbytery Council for a period of two year.
Role of Convenor
i)Purpose
The purpose of the role is to manage and provide leadership to the Presbytery Council and, on the Council’s behalf, to oversee and support the Executive Officer. The Convenor is accountable to the Presbytery Council. An important part of the role, which is new, reflects the revised Presbytery Structure where the Council is expected to be similar to a Board, and the Executive Officer to be similar to a Chief Executive. Therefore, the Executive Officer is accountable to the Council, via the Convenor. This would require the Convenor to oversee and support the Executive Officer, and to be sufficiently familiar with the operations of the Presbytery Office to be confident performance is of a high standard.
ii)Responsibilities
Responsibilities include:
- establish an agenda for the Council meetings, in conjunction with the EO
- act as chair of the Council meetings, ensuring good practice in meeting management
- to call special meetings of the Council where required
- review draft meeting minutes and sign the minutes once agreed by Council
- enable a healthy, effective Council, where there is trust and transparency of decision making
- keep abreast generally of the activities of the Presbytery, including the Presbytery Office
- have oversight of Council meeting minutes & action points, ensuring follow up of all required matters
- meet regularly with the EO (fortnightly or as agreed with the EO)
- assist the EO in discerning appropriate action, when required
iii)Estimated time
-In addition to attending Council meetings, about half a day preparation / meeting
-2 hours / fortnight re meetings with EO / assistance
iv)Required experience, skills, competencies
Overall, the Council Convenor is to be a ‘servant leader’, to lead and manage the Council. More specifically, requirements include:
- Be familiar with Northern Presbytery’s structure and how it operates
- Be familiar with PCANZ structure and policies
- Have an understanding of Presbyterian ministry and mission
- Be an excellent chair of meetings
- Be able to foster a Council environment where there is trust, transparency and participation
- Know how to deal with conflicting views and perspectives when these arise
- Have experience in governance roles, including overseeing senior executives
- Be an effective communicator
- Be able to establish and manage an effective relationship with the Executive Officer
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