Constitution Vision
A shared voice engaging parents in Catholic schools across the Archdiocese in the provision of quality education through leadership, advocacy and support.
Guiding Principles
(a) Jesus is central to our vision;
(b) Parents have the natural and primary responsibility for their children’s education;
(c) Engaged parents result in better educational outcomes for children;
(d) Strong partnerships with the CEC, CEO, families and other key stakeholders are vital to achieving our vision; and
(e) Catholic education is inclusive.
Objects
(a) Representation: to represent at key consultation and decision making bodies.
(b) Engagement: to promote engagement of parents with education.
(c) Advocacy: to consult with, and advocate for, local Catholic school boards and councils.
(d) Leadership: to develop and build connectedness with all stakeholders.
(e) Support: to support Catholic school parents and families.
Limitations
(a) CSPACG shall have no control over, nor shall it interfere in, the conduct of any Catholic School; and
(b) CSPACG shall not affiliate with any political party.
Statutes
1. Name and Status
1.1 The name of the organisation will be 'Catholic School Parents Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn (CSPACG)’.
1.2 CSPACG has status under Canon Law as a Private Association of the Faithful within the Church (CIC canons 299:1, 2).
1.3 The Statutes have been reviewed and approved in writing by the competent ecclesiastical authority, namelythe Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn. [Can. 299§3; Can. 304; Can. 322 §2]
2. Definitions and Interpretations
2.1 In this document:
Appointed Member is a member appointed by Council, based on their particular expertise relevant to the needs of CSPACG.
Archbishop means the person holding appointment as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn under the Code of Canon Law.
Canon Law refers to the Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church 1983.
Catholic School Parents Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn means the body representing the interests of all the Recognised Parent Organisations in the Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn.
Council is the term used to refer to the body representing CSPACG.
Executive Officer means the senior staff member of CSPACG appointed by the CEC from time to time to undertake the day to day management, control and operation of CSPACG performing the functions as directed by CSPACG. The Executive Officer also assists the Chairperson in carrying out their functions.
Ex-officio Members are members of CSPACG by virtue of the office they hold. They do not have voting rights.
Financial Year means the calendar year commencing on and including the first day of January and ending on and including the thirty-first day of December in that year.
Friends are school teachers, staff, and other members of the parish/school community interested in pursuing the objectives of the Catholic School Parents and Friends Association.
Meeting can be by physical convocation of the members of the group or by use of appropriate communication technology, including electronic and signed written resolution or otherwise as determined by the Chairperson.
Member is a parent nominated by the Catholic School Boards/Councils of a region.
Parent includes the natural parents, legal custodians or people who are loco parentis.
Recognised Parent Organisation means the School Council/Board/Parents and Friends Association which is recognised by the School as the main forum for Parents and Carers in that School.
Region is the area within the Archdiocese that has been determined to be a region of schools by the Catholic Education Commission.
Representative is a person appointed to represent CSPACG as required.
Catholic School means any institution which conducts a pre-school, primary or secondary education program conducted in accordance with Canon 803 in the Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church.
3. Relationship with the Catholic Education Commision (CEC)
3.1 CSPACG operates under the auspices of the Archbishop and the CEC which:
(a) on behalf of the Archbishop reviews these Statutes and any subsequent amendments;
(b) provides a nominee on CSPACG; and,
(c) provides funding to CSPACG for its purposes.
4. Membership
The membership of CSPACG will consist of the following:
(a) Chairperson
i. is appointed by the Catholic Education Commission for a period of three (3) years, and may be reappointed for a subsequent term (maximum of six (6) years served consecutively) but may not be reappointed again until one (1) year after the completion of the last term; and
ii. may resign the position, upon written notification to the CEC through the Executive Officer.
(b) Member
i. is nominated by the Catholic School/College Boards/Councils of a region;
ii. shall be a parent of a child attending a Catholic School within the region;
iii. nominations will be forwarded to the Executive Officer thirty (30) days prior to an Annual General Meeting for presentation to the Archbishop for appointment;
iv. is appointed for a period of two (2) years and may be reappointed for two (2) subsequent terms (maximum of six (6) years served consecutively) but may not be reappointed again until one (1) year after the completion of their last term.
v. will provide regular reports/updates to their regional community
vii. may resign the position upon written notification to the Executive Officer; and
viii. will have voting rights at all CSPACG meetings.
(c) Catholic Education Commission (CEC) Member
i. The CEC (at their discretion) may appoint a member of the Commission as its representative on the Council.
ii. The CEC Nominee may resign their position, upon written notification to the Executive Officer.
iii. The CEC Nominee will have voting rights at all Council meetings.
(d) Appointed Member
i. CSPACG may appoint a member/s based on their expertise in a particular area relevant to the needs of CSPACG;
ii. shall be appointed for a period of two (2) years and may be reappointed for two (2) subsequent terms (maximum of six (6) years served consecutively) but may not be reappointed again until one (1) year after the completion of their last term; and
iii. may resign the position upon written notification to the Executive Officer.
(e) General Members
- are parents and friends of a Catholic School; and.
- membership is automatic upon enrolling their child(ren) in a Catholic school; and
- do not have voting rights.
5. CSPACG
(a) Executive
i. The Executive shall consist of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and Executive Officer and one Member;
ii. The Executive shall manage the day to day affairs of CSPACG.
(b) Position Duties
- Chairperson
i. will chair all meetings;
ii. shall have a casting vote at all meetings;
iii. along with the Executive Officer will be the public face of CSPACG; and
iv. in the event of a casual vacancy for the position of Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson will assume the role of Acting Chairperson, until a direct appointment is made by the CEC.
2. Deputy Chairperson
i. will be elected at the Annual General Meeting from the Members;
ii will chair meetings in the absence of the Chairperson and perform other duties normally performed by the Chairperson;
iii. has voting rights at all meetings;
iv. can undertake any other duties as determined by Council and
v. in the event of a casual vacancy the Chair will appoint a Member to the position until the next AGM.
3. Executive Officer
i. is appointed by the CEC to manage the administration of CSPACG and to support the Chairperson with representation, advocacy and public relations;
ii. will report to the Chairperson;
iii. will attend and report on all meetings;
iv. will act as Secretary;
v. will manage the day to day business;
vi. has no voting rights at meetings;
vii. along with the Chairperson will be the public face of CSPACG; and
viii. shall undertake any other duties as may from time to time be mutually agreed with CSPACG.
(c) Meetings
i. Council Meetings
(a) will be held four times a year, with at least two being face to face with one to include the Annual General Meeting; and
(b) additional meetings may be convened by the Chairperson.
ii. Annual General Meeting
(a) The CSPACG will hold its Annual General Meeting at the final ordinary meeting each year;
(b) The business of the Annual General Meeting shall include:
i. Annual Report of CSPACG;
ii. The election of Deputy Chairperson
iii. Executive Meetings
(a) The Executive will hold meetings at least 14 days prior to a CSPACG meeting, but the Executive may decide to hold additional meetings as required.
(d) Voting
The preferred method of decision making for CSPACG is by consensus. In the event that consensus cannot be reached after two attempts the Chairperson may call for a vote.
i. Council
(a) The Chairperson, Members, CEC Member and Appointed Member present are entitled to vote;
(b) All voting members are entitled to one (1) vote.
(c) There will be no voting by proxy.
(d) All voting will be by a simple majority of those voting members present.
(e) In the event of a tied vote, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote.
ii. Annual General Meeting
(a) The Chairperson, Members, CEC Member and Appointed Member present are entitled to vote;
(b) All voting members are entitled to one (1) vote.
(c) There will be no voting by proxy.
(d) All voting will be by a simple majority of those voting members present.
(e) In the event of a tied vote, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote.
(e) Quorum
i. Council
No business shall be transacted at any meeting unless a quorum is present which must consist of the Chair and four (4) voting members.
ii. Annual General Meeting
No business shall be transacted at any meeting unless a quorum is present which must consist of the Chair and four (4) voting members.
6. Financial Management
(a) The CEC provides funding to CSPACG for its purposes;
(b) CSPACG operates its finances on a calendar year basis;
(c) CSPACG finances will be managed and accounted for by the Catholic Education Office.
7. Dispute Resolution
In any matter of dispute concerning meeting procedure, the ruling of the Chairperson (or in his absence, the meeting Chair) shall be final and binding unless a motion of dissent from the ruling is carried by a majority of the meeting.
8. Notices
Any notice shall be deemed to have been duly given if sent electronically by fax, e-mail or similar services, provided the destination is one that has or would be one of the normal destinations for electronic communications.
If any party should not receive a notice due to accidental error or omission this shall not cause this clause to be deemed as not having been complied with in full.
9. Alternations to the Statutes
(a) Notice of any proposed amendments to these Statutes shall be given in writing to the Executive Officer by the Archbishop or a voting member of CSPACG and shall be seconded in writing by one (1) other voting member.
(b) Within one (1) month the Executive Officer will give notice in writing of such proposal to all voting members;
(c) After the expiration of two (2) calendar months from the date of the Executive Officers notice, any general meeting of CSPACG may propose an amendment for consideration by the CEC.
10. Winding Up
In the event of the winding up of CSPACG and the finalisation of all accounts the remaining assets of the CSPACG shall not be distributed among any individual members of CSPACG, but shall be disbursed upon the recommendation of the CEC.
11. Date of Constitution
This Constitution and Statutes is in effect from the day of in the year and remains so unless altered as per Item (9) of said Constitution.
Approved by:………………………………………….
+Christopher Prowse
Archbishop of Canberra & Goulburn