Colleague Groups
Colleague Groups are small, informal gatherings of APC members and others for the purpose of mutual support and discussion of case studies in ministry and other current concerns. Dues and other organizational matters are determined by each group individually. For more details, please contact Rev. Lolly Dominski, l.dominski@comcast.net, or 847-441-6710.
Guidelines for
Establishing a Chapter
1. INITIAL MEMBERSHIP Any six (6) members of the Academy in good standing may form a Chapter.
2. GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES The founder members may determine the boundaries of their Chapter, which may be as large as one or more states or as small as a city or town. Should another Chapter or Chapters exist within the boundaries of the state, the boundaries of the new Chapter should be determined by negotiation between the Chapters concerned so as not to overlap.
3. BY-LAWS Each new Chapter shall organize itself and should prepare its own set of By-Laws by which to regulate its proceedings: such By-Laws must conform to the By-Laws of the Academy. A model set of Chapter By-laws is attached as Annex "A". Each Chapter shall determine its own schedule of Chapter Executive Committee meetings, regular and annual meetings.
4. MEMBERSHIP Chapter membership may be drawn only from members of the Academy in good standing. Such members may be Full Members or Fellows of the Academy. Seminarians may be also admitted with a standing commensurate with that of Seminarian Members in the International APC. All members of the Academy within the boundaries of a Chapter shall automatically be members of the Chapter.
5. CHAPTER DUES Chapters will receive part of their full member’s dues to the International APC, to assist in the funding of the Chapter. Each Chapter may, in addition, levy such dues upon its members as it deems necessary.
6. COLLECTION OF DUES The International Office of the Academy of Parish Clergy, Inc. will collect the annual dues of all Academy members, and will refund part of such dues to the Chapter in respect of its members on an annual basis.
7. CHARTERING OF CHAPTERS Having decided to form a Chapter, the members concerned should apply to the Academy for a Charter. Each application must include:
a. The names, addresses and congregation of the founding members.
b. The geographical boundaries of the Chapter.
c. The By-laws of the Chapter.
The Board of Directors of the Academy will consider the application and approve the issuance of a Charter. Charters will be officially conferred by an appropriate recognition to be made at the Banquet Meeting of the Annual Convocation following approval of the Charter by the Academy Board of Directors.
8. CHAPTER REVIEW All Chapters are subject to periodic review by the Board of Directors of the Academy. To this end, Chapters are required to render an annual report to the Board of Directors regarding the Chapters activities during the preceding year, including details of membership, special projects and activities, and progress. In addition, Chapters must supply the Board with minutes of Chapter Executive Committee meetings and annual meetings.
9. CHARTER RENEWAL In accordance with the By-laws of the Academy, each Chapter shall apply to the Board of Directors for renewal of their Charter after each triennium. The application shall include a report of the activities of the Chapter during the previous three years.
A SAMPLE CODE OF BY-LAWS
THE (NAME) CHAPTER
BY-LAWS
ADOPTED (DATE)
ARTICLE I - Conformity
Section 1 The Code of By-laws of the Academy of Parish Clergy, Inc. shall be the basis of the By-laws of the Chapter, and the By-laws of the Chapter shall conform to, and in no way be contradictory of, the Code of By-laws of the Academy of Parish Clergy, Inc.
ARTICLE 11 - Purpose
Section 1 The purpose of the Chapter shall be to implement the
primary purpose of the Academy of Parish Clergy, Inc. at the Chapter level; i.e. "to increase the effectiveness of practicing clergy as professionals through:
a. A commitment to the Standards of Competence.
b. A commitment to the Code of Ethics.
c. A commitment to continuous study and personal growth.
ARTICLE III - Membership
Section 1 Any member of the clergy who resides within the geographical boundaries of the Chapter and who is a bona fide member of the Academy of Parish Clergy, Inc. is considered a member of the Chapter.
ARTICLE IV - Geographical Boundaries
Section 1 The geographical boundaries of the Chapter shall be those of the State of (or)
ARTICLE V - Officers
Section 1 The officers of the Chapter shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. Officers shall be elected from the active membership at the Chapter's annual meeting, and shall take office at the close of the annual meeting, for the ensuing year.
Section 2 The President shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and at the annual meeting.
Section 3 The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of, or at the request of, the President.
Section 4 The Secretary shall keep records of the meetings of the Chapter, and shall be the custodian of the Chapter's records.
Section 5 The Treasurer shall receive and disburse funds of the Chapter and shall keep accurate records of the Chapter’s financial affairs. Records shall be subject to audit.
Section 6 The Executive Committee of the Chapter shall appoint annually a Membership Secretary who shall be responsible for membership recruitment and cultivation within the boundaries of the Chapter.
ARTICLE VI - Executive Committee
Section 1 There shall be elected, at the first annual meeting of the Chapter, three Members-at-large who, together with the officers, shall constitute the Executive Committee.
Section 2 The Executive Committee may co-opt other members to serve on an ad hoc basis, the term and function to be at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
Section 3 When a member of the Executive Committee has been absent for three consecutive meetings, or is otherwise unable to serve, the vacancy shall be filled at the next annual meeting.
ARTICLE VII - Terms of Office
Section 1 Officers shall be elected for one year, and may be reelected. In no case may officers serve more than three consecutive years in the same off ice.
Section 2 At the first meeting of the Executive Committee after the first annual meeting, the three Members-at-large shall determine one of their number to serve a three-year term; one to serve a two-year term; and one to serve a one-year term. The active membership at subsequent annual meetings shall elect persons to fill vacancies. Members-at-large of the Executive Committee shall become ineligible to succeed themselves for one year after having served one three-year term.
ARTICLE VIII - Meetings
Section 1 The annual meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the Executive Committee. Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the members present at the annual meeting.
ARTICLE IX - Committees
Section 1 There shall be a least one standing committee, the Nominating Committee, which shall be appointed annually by the Executive Committee and shall consist of the outgoing officers of the Executive Committee and at least an equal number of members of the Chapter.
ARTICLE X - Dues
Section 1 The Executive Committee shall determine the dues to be paid by members of the Chapter to cover the running of the Chapter, and may change dues as may become necessary for the well-being of the Chapter.
ARTICLE XI - Chapter Review
Section 1 The Executive Committee shall ensure that copies of the minutes of the Chapter Executive Committee meetings and annual meetings are sent to the Board of Directors of the Academy.
Section 2 The Executive Committee shall render an annual report to the Board of Directors of the Academy covering the activities of the Chapter for the preceding year. The annual report shall include details of membership, special projects, activities and programs.
ARTICLE XII - Charter Renewal
Section 1 The Executive Committee shall apply to the Board of Directors of the Academy for the renewal of the Chapter Charter after each three years of operation. The application shall include a report of the activities of the Chapter during the previous triennium.