CONSTITUTION OF THE SOCIETY OF ORDAINED SCIENTISTS
AIMS
To offer to God in our ordained role the work of science and technology in the exploration and stewardship of creation. To express both the commitment of the Church to the scientific and technological enterprise and our concern for its impact on the world. To develop a fellowship of prayer for ordained scientists by the following of a common Rule. To support each other in our vocation. To serve the Church in its relation to science and technology.
THE RULE
To pray daily for the aims of the Society and for its members.To endeavour to remember the Society and its members regularly at public worship.To endeavour to attend the Annual Gathering and Retreat of the Society.
VISITOR
The Visitor, shall be a Bishop in the Anglican Communion, whose responsibility is to agree to the AIMS, RULE and Constitution, and any changes in them. The Visitor shall adjudicate and have the final decision in any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the articles of the Society as set out in this Constitution. The Visitor shall admit full members of the Society at the Annual Gathering. If the Visitor cannot be present, this responsibility may be delegated to another bishop or to the Warden.
MEMBERSHIP
The Society originated as a community of scientists within the ordained ministry (men and women) of the Anglican Communion. Membership is open, at the invitation of the Warden, to ordained members of this and any other church following a Trinitarian confession. Members must be willing to further the AIMS of the Society and to obey its RULE and Constitution. Full members are admitted to the Society at the Eucharist during the Annual Gathering. There shall be annual subscriptions for full memebers and associates to be determined from time to time at the Annual Gathering.
NOTE: For the purposes of defining membership (both full and associate) the designation "scientists" refers to those having a qualification and/or experience at a professional level of science or technology.
COMMITMENT
On first joining, members will commit themselves in the form of an avowal to pursue the AIMS of the Society and to obey its RULE and Constitution for one year, in the presence, if possible, the Visitor in the context of the Eucharist at which the Visitor presides at the Annual Gathering of the Society.
At the end of that first year, they may renew their commitment for a further three years. At the end of this first three_year period, they may renew their commitment either for life or for a further period of three years. This option, of renewal of commitment for a further three years or for life, shall also apply at the end of any subsequent three_year period.If absence on the part of a member is unavoidable for any commitment after the initial one, a written declaration of his or her commitment should be sent to the Secretary of the Society before the Annual Gathering, when it should be read out at the Admission Eucharist.
ASSOCIATES
The Society shall have a category of associate membership open, at the discretion of the Warden, to lay and ordained members of any Christian Church, in accordance with the definition above. Associates will be asked to pray regularly for the work of the Society. They shall be eligible to attend regional chapter meetings, but not the annual gathering, and to receive issues of the Bulletin.
HONORARY FELLOWS
At the recommendation of the Committee, the Society, at its Annual Meeting, may invite individuals who have given special service to the Society to become Honorary Fellows. Such persons shall have the benefits of full membership without subscription.
ANNUAL GATHERING
Each year, the Society shall organise a residential meeting called the Annual Gathering for full members which they shall endeavour to attend. As well as the Admission Eucharist and Annual General Meeting, it will include a retreat with led meditations and times for discussion.
REGIONAL CHAPTERS
To facilitate the work of the Society, Regional Chapters shall be established, comprising members in a number of geographical regions, the number and regions to be decided from time to time at an Annual Gathering. The Annual Gathering shall appoint a Convenor for each Chapter, who shall organise the work of the Chapter and report thereon to each Annual Gathering.
OFFICERS
WARDEN
The Society shall elect at an Annual Gathering a Warden who shall hold office for three years from the date of election and be eligible for re_election for a further three years only. The Warden's duties will be to exercise pastoral oversight over the members; to convene and chair meetings; to consult with members; to initiate action with members' consent; to act on behalf of the whole Society, and, when need arises, to admit new members, if this duty is delegated to him or her by the Visitor.
SECRETARY
The Society shall elect at an Annual Gathering a Secretary to hold office for three years. At the end of this period the Secretary shall be eligible for re_election. The Secretary's duties are to keep records of membership of the Society; to handle correspondence; to facilitate communication between members; to organise the Annual Gathering and to undertake such other necessary administration for the Society as need arises.
SECRETARY FOR ASSOCIATES
The Society shall elect at an Annual Gathering a Secretary for Associates, who must be a full member of the Society, to serve for a period of two years. At the end of this period, the Secretary for Associates shall be eligible for re_election. The duties of the Secretary for Associates shall be as determined from time to time by agreement with the Officers of the Society, subject to ratification at the Annual Gathering.
TREASURER
The Society shall elect at an Annual Gathering a Treasurer to serve for a period of three years. At the end of this period, the Treasurer shall be eligible for re-election. The Treasurer shall be responsible for administering the finances of the Society; in particular he/she shall present a set of audited accounts for the preceding financial year to the Annual Gathering. Either the Warden or Treasurer shall be a signatory of the bank accounts of the Society.
EDITOR
The Society shall elect at an Annual Gathering an Editor to serve for a period of three years. The Editor shall be eligible for re_election. The Editor shall endeavour to prepare three times each year Bulletins or News Letters for distribution to all members of the Society. If necessary, the Editor may have an assistant in another country to help with the preparation.
COMMITTEE
There shall be a Committee consisting of the Officers of the Society listed above and the Convenors of the Regional Chapters. The Committee shall meet at least once a year between Annual Gatherings
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