122 Joint Regional Committees

122.1 Preamble

a)  Joint Regional Committees  (JRC) are the expression of the Forum of Cooperative Ventures at regional level and are established in conjunction with the work of the Forum. They have delegated responsibility from the Standing Committee for the pastoral oversight of Cooperative Ventures in their region. Each JRC will work closely with each regional court of the Partners, meeting to make common recommendations to the Standing Committee of the Forum.

b)  The regional courts may retain the right to deal directly with parishes, but wherever possible and particularly where consultation with other church courts is required, will normally work through the JRC.

c)  Union District Councils may develop their own structures for dealing with Methodist-­Presbyterian Cooperative Ventures and will follow the standard procedures. Provision must be made for conversations with the other three Partners.

122.2 Area

The area for which the Committee is responsible is decided by the Forum after consultation with regional Partners

122.3 Functions

a)  To foster a spirit of unity, understanding and cooperation among the Partners.

b) To assist the Partners to plan co-operatively by monitoring population trends and suggesting appropriate ministry and mission strategies.

c) To receive from the Partners in the area, advice of proposed site or building developments, to offer comment as requested and to inform the other Partners.

d) To assist in the establishment of Cooperative Ventures and the preparation and approval of agreements.

e) To undertake the oversight of Cooperative Ventures and to make any necessary recommendations to the Partners and the Forum relating to the convening of all consultations required by constitutional agreements (See 122.1c) including visitations, extensions of ministry and new appointments of ministry. (lay, stipendiary and non­-stipendiary)

f)   To arrange for new appointees to receive appropriate and sufficient orientation in the life and practice of Partners (See 423.6 and 625.2(a)).

g)  To keep regional Partners fully informed of the work of the JRC with clearly identified recommendations as well as through its appointed members and through the minutes of the JRC.

h)  Such other matters as the Partners themselves or the Forum shall request.

122.4 Membership

The Joint Regional Committee shall consist of the following:

a) Representatives of the regional courts of the Partners. These should include people with experience in dealing with the procedures of their church and/or cooperative ventures able to assist the JRC reach recommendations that will commend themselves to the Partners.

b) Representatives of other Partners having local interest in one or more Cooperative Ventures.

c) Representatives from not less than one third of the Cooperative Ventures in the region retiring in rotation after a maximum three year term. JRCs may adjust this in the light of representation already provided by the member Partners.

122.5 Representation

a) The basis of representation shall be as for the Cooperative Ventures section of the Forum scaled to meet local needs. This includes representation of all sections of the church.

b) Each Partner may appoint proxy members to attend in the absence of an appointed member.

122.6 Officers

a) The JRC shall elect a chairperson and secretary/treasurer. The chairperson should not be chair or moderator of a UDC.

b) The term of office for any person so elected shall not normally exceed three years.

122.7 Finance

a) The regional courts of the Partners will contribute to the financial requirements of the JRC as may be determined from time to time.

b) A financial statement shall be submitted at least annually and be subject to audit.

122.8 Annual report

An annual report on the work of the JRC together with the financial report shall be submitted to the Forum of Cooperative Ventures and to the courts of the member Partners

122.9 Meetings

a) The JRC shall meet regularly as required, (at least four times a year.)

b) The frequency of meetings may be varied according to local needs and shall be determined by the JRC.

c) Care should be taken in the timing of the meetings so that the JRC can expeditiously forward recommendations to the regular meetings of the regional Partners.