CONSTITUTION OF THE BELONGING-TOGETHER MINISTERS’ GROUP

ARTICLE ONE: The name of the Organisation will be the BELONGING-

TOGETHER MINISTERS’ GROUP (hereinafter referred to as the BMG.)

ARTICLE TWO: The Organisation will exist for the benefit of Methodist

presbyters and deacons serving permanently or temporarily under the British Conference who are from African, Asian, Pacific, Caribbean and Latin American countries or descent who wish to identify with the group. Members of the Group will be invited to subscribe to the purposes set out below and to accept the terms of membership which are agreed by the Group from time to time. Membership is also open to those in training as presbyters and deacons.

The group shall be regarded as a recognised network within the MethodistChurch in Britain.

ARTICLE THREE: (i) The group came into being in 1985 in order to provide

support and fellowship for the small number of black presbyters in the British Conference by creating opportunities for sharing experiences, discussion and engaging in social interaction. At the same time, it was intended that because of their background and experience they should offer to the MethodistChurch such assistance as would be helpful in its mission to a multi-ethnic society. It is therefore intended that these will continue to be among the aims of the organisation.

(ii) The group shall exist as a resource for education, theology, dialogue and cultural interaction with special reference to African, Asian, Pacific, Caribbean and Latin American cultural and theological education.

(iii)The group will encourage and promote the development of effective multicultural leadership and the modelling of good practice for mutual benefit of the church and the community.

(iv) The group will help to keep before the church those issues facing people who share their heritage as they seek a truer and fuller development in British society, and as Christian disciples.

(v) The group will aim to share fully with others in the church in the work of establishing equality and diversity.

ARTICLE FOUR: The Executive of the BMG shall consist of the Chair, Vice-

Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. The Executive may make decisions for the Group between meetings of the Group.

The Chair and Vice-Chair and Secretary will serve for a period of three years. Elections to these offices will be at the annual general meeting of the BMG and nominations for the appropriate office should be made fourteen days prior to the date of the meeting for the elections.

ARTICLE FIVE: The Chair will preside over all meetings of the BMG and its

Executive and shall ensure that the constitution is observed by all members of the group. He/she will be entitled to call, in conjunction with the secretary, meetings of the Executive when necessary.

The Vice-chair shall assist the Chair in all his/her duties as required, and will preside over any meeting of the BMG in the absence of the Chair.

The Secretary will be responsible for convening meetings of the BMG, preparation of agenda and recording of minutes of meetings and other records relating to the group; keeping lists of all members and officers of the BMG, recording those attending meetings and handling all correspondence on behalf of the group.

The Treasurer will have responsibility for the BMG’s finances, maintain up-to-date accounts, bank all funds for the group, meet all outgoing transactions and present financial statements to the meetings of the BMG. The Treasurer will be accountable to the group.

ARTICLE SIX: There shall be at least three meetings of the group annually.

Additional meetings may be called by the Executive of the Group, notice of such meetings being given at least three weeks before the proposed date. The meeting will then transact only the business for which it is called.

ARTICLE SEVEN: At the end of the term of office in each case indicated in

Article Four above, there can be election of any one officer to a further term of up to three years providing there is a majority in each case of two-thirds of those present at the meeting voting in favour of the re-election. Only two consecutive terms for any one member in the same office is permissible.

ARTICLE EIGHT:Each member of the BMG will be invited to contribute an

amount determined by the group each year to help towards the BMG’s financial cost. This amount will be payable by Januaryeach year. There will be concession for student ministers.

ARTICLE NINE: Any part of the constitution may be amended by a meeting of

the members of the BMG at which not less than two-thirds of the registered membership have voted in person, post or by e-mail. Notice of the proposal to amend the constitution, setting out the details of the proposed amendment, must be given with reference to a particular meeting of the BMG as shown in Article Six above. Any notice of such amendment coming from a member of the group,duly seconded by at least one registered member,must be sent to the Secretary and Chair of the BMG at least thirty days before the meeting at which the amendment will be presented. Members of the BMG must be given at least fifteen days’ notice of the proposed amendment.

ARTICLE TEN: The fiscal year for the BMG will be the Connexional year (i.e.,

September to August.) The group will each year decide which of its meetings will be regarded as the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the presentation of audited accounts and election of officers.