Business Committee
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Business Committee for the Ninth Assembly was appointed by the Standing Committee.
The members have been: Jan Trengove (Chairperson), Geoff Collins, James Haire (President-elect), Marelle Harisun, Gregor Henderson (General Secretary), Taek Lee, Karan Hudson, John Mavor (President), Jan Oliver, Brian Robins (Convener Facilitation Group), Ian Tozer.
1.2 The Committee has been based in Adelaide. A recommendation will be brought to the first session of the Assembly to appoint additional members from other Synods.
2. RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1 The role of the Business Committee is to:
2.2 The Assembly is ultimately in charge of its own business and recommendations from the Business Committee are open to debate, amendment and rejection, by the Assembly.
3. ACTIVITIES
3.1 The committee has met regularly since May 1999. A list of possible major business items has been developed in consultation with Assembly Commissions and Agencies. The most important policy decisions will be given appropriate time on the agenda.
3.2 The two issues which have been allocated the most time to date for consideration at Assembly, including consideration in the working groups, are:
Provision has been made for a third issue to be referred to working groups. A decision will be made in June as to which business item this should be.
3.3 There are many other agenda items listed, from Assembly agencies, presbyteries, synods and Assembly members. All items are significant to the life of our church. They will provide a full and lively agenda to be managed carefully.
3.4 The committee has worked closely with other important planning committees for the Ninth Assembly viz: Local Arrangements Committee. Worship Committee, Visitors Program Committee, KUCA-A (Kids of the Uniting Church in Australia at Assembly 2000), Youth at Assembly.
4. BUSINESS PROCEDURES
4.1 All business sessions of the Assembly will be conducted in Accordance with A Manual for Meetings in the Uniting Church. A copy of the recently revised Manual is in section J of these Assembly working papers. The Standing Committee is proposing that the Assembly approve the revised Manual, with immediate effect. See proposal 6.
4.2 The Ninth Assembly will again feature Working Groups to address three key issues. All members of Assembly will be allocated to a Working Group. The agenda will show in detail the times allocated to Working Groups.
4.3 Business items other than the three key issues will be dealt with during plenary sessions.
5. CLOSING DATES AND TIMES
5.1 Proposals
5.1.1 Proposals to the Assembly were invited from presbyteries, synods and Assembly agencies with a closing date of 29 February 2000. Permission has been given to some Assembly agencies to bring additional or amended proposals by 26 May, in time for the second mailing of working papers to all members in late June.
5.1.2 Presbyteries and synods may submit proposals on any matter arising out of the reports and working papers of the Ninth Assembly by no later than 9 June. Assembly agencies may also bring emergent business to the Assembly by 9 June.
5.1.3 Proposals to the Assembly may be submitted by Assembly members by no later than 5.30pm on Monday 17 July, or 24 hours prior to the time at which the relevant business is listed for presentation to the Assembly, whichever time is earlier. This deadline applies to proposals which stand alone or proposals which seek to amend other proposals. To ensure adequate discussion by Working Groups and plenary sessions, members are required to submit proposals within this time frame.
5.1.4 Members are strongly encouraged to submit proposals in advance in preference to on arrival in Adelaide. Any proposals which flag a change of direction to those in the working papers should be communicated as early as possible. Such items should be faxed, emailed or mailed, and addressed to the General Secretary.
5.2 Nominations
5.2.1 President Elect
(a) Closing date for nominations for President elect from presbyteries and synods was 29 February 2000.
(b) Assembly members may submit nominations until 5.30pm Monday 17 July.
5.2.2 Other positions
See report E1, Ballots and Nominating Procedures, for full details. Assembly members may submit nominations until 5.30pm on Monday 17 July.
6. GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSALS
6.1 Proposals should refer to policy matters, be precise and unambiguous.
6.2 Proposals should begin "That the Assembly…"
6.3 Proposals seeking amendment to the Regulations should begin, "That the Assembly request the Standing Committee, on the advice of the Legal Reference Committee, to amend Regulation…. to the effect that/to read….."
6.4 Proposals must be submitted in writing (one copy is sufficient) and signed by two members of the Assembly or by the appropriate officer of the presbytery or synod.
6.5 Proposals should be accompanied by a written rationale of no more than 250 words which will be circulated to all members of the Assembly with the proposal.
7. VISITORS PROGRAM
7.1 The official Visitors Program will include times of sitting in during business sessions of Assembly and many other optional activities. Brochures and registration information are available from the Assembly Office at the South Australian Synod Office, GPO Box 1245, Adelaide, SA, 5001
8. KUCA-A and Youth At Assembly
8.1 Children and young people will participate in worship, decision making and other programs during Assembly encouraging their growth in, and understanding of, the processes and procedures of the church. They will be supplied with selected Assembly reports and papers program demonstrates that the church considers young people are people of worth and recognises that God is already active in their lives.
8.2 KUCA-A
Up to 25 primary school age children will attend Assembly as part of KUCA-A. Each day KUCA-A will lead Assembly members at DEAP (Drop Everything And Pray). They will also participate in small groups, with both adult members and other children and young people, giving voice to ideas and opinions of children of the Uniting Church.
8.3 Youth at Assembly is a new initiative. It is specifically aimed at young people in the high school age group. Up to 28 young people will participate in small groups with both adult members and other children and young people, giving voice to ideas and opinions of the youth of the Uniting Church.
9. ASSEMBLY GUESTS
9.1 Australian Christian Churches – representa-tives of seven other churches in Australia have been invited to attend the whole of Assembly. Representatives of 13 other churches in Australia have been invited to attend the Opening Service and Installation of the President.
9.2 Overseas Guests - 35 overseas churches and ecumenical bodies have been invited to send representatives to the Ninth Assembly. A special focus of Assembly will be the Indonesian guests. As well as greetings to the Assembly from various guests, opportunity will be given late in the week for our guests to make a brief presentation to the Assembly, on anything they may wish to say to us.
9.3 Other Faiths - representatives of the Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim faiths have been invited to the Opening Service and for the business of Relations with Other Faiths. They will be given opportunity to greet the Assembly.
9.4 Bible Study - four studies will be led by the Rev Dr Geof Lilburne (National Director, Theology and Discipleship) and the Rev Toska Miriam (minister of the Word at St John’s Church, Mount Waverley, Vic). At time of writing of this report, the Assembly has received news that Toska is now seriously ill. While at this stage she is still preparing for the Bible studies, it remains to be seen if she will join us in Adelaide.
10. AVAILABILITY
10.1 The Chairperson and committee members are available to any members of Assembly who might seek guidance on business procedures or who may wish to raise a concern or make a suggestion.
10.2 The Chairperson of the Business Committee may be contacted prior to Assembly.
Phone 08 88452002
Fax 08 88452116
Post Box 20, Spalding, SA 5454
Jan Trengove
Chairperson