SEC/2016/2/0176
LANCASTER UNIVERSITY CHAPLAINCY CENTRE
CHARITY CONSTITUTION
REGISTERED CHARITY No 500891
- NAME
Lancaster University Chaplaincy Centre
- OBJECTS
The objects of the Lancaster University Chaplaincy Centre will be the advancement of religion and other purposes which are charitable according to the Law of England and Wales.
- FOUNDING FAITH COMMUNITIES
The Founding Faith Communities were defined in the Deed of Covenant of December 1967:
The Roman Catholic Church (i.e. the Diocese of Lancaster)
The Church of England (i.e. the Diocese of Blackburn)
The Methodist Church (i.e. the Lancashire District)
The Congregational Church and the Presbyterian Church (now the North Western Synod of the United Reformed Church)
The Baptist Church (i.e. the North Western Association)
The Jewish Community
- AIMS
(a)To ensure Lancaster University Chaplaincy Centre fulfils its charitable obligations and the requirements of the University to be an ecumenical and multi-faith facility on campus by providing:
(i)use of a Chapel and sacristy for worship by Anglican and Free Churches for the practice and advancement of the faith of members;
(ii)use of a Chapel and sacristy for the practice and advancement of the Roman Catholic faith;
(iii)use of space for the practice and advancement of the Jewish faith;
(iv)use of the Islamic Prayer Room for the practice and advancement of the Islamic faith;
(v)rooms to be used for such other purposes as the University may approve in accordance with the Trust Deed.
(b)To ensure the financial sustainability of the Chaplaincy Centre.
(c)To report to the Charity Commission.
(d)To set the strategic aims and objectives for the Chaplaincy Centre on an annual basis and to monitor progress.
- TRUSTEES
(a)The Trustee body of the Lancaster University Chaplaincy Centre shall consist of the following:
Ex officio members
(i)The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Blackburn or his/her nominee.
(ii)The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lancaster or his nominee.
(iii)The Chair of the Lancashire District of the Methodist Church or his/her nominee.[1]
(iv)The Chair of the Chaplaincy Centre Management Committee, appointed by the University after consultation with the Trustees.[2]
Appointed members
(v)A Senior Officer of the University (Chair) appointed by the University.[3]
(vi)A Muslim representative.
(vii)A Jewish representative, appointed by the Chief Rabbi.
(viii)A representative of the Christian Churches in Lancashire appointed by Churches Together in Lancashire.
(ix)The Board of Trustees may co-opt up to two members with full voting rights to ensure that there is an appropriate balance of skills, backgrounds etc. on the Board.
(b)Appointed members will be appointed for a non-renewable term of five years.
(c)A Treasurer appointed by the University after consultation with the Trusteesshall attend meetings but will not be a Trustee.
(d)The Trustees may wish to appoint a Secretary who will not be a Trustee.
(e)No serving Chaplain may be a Trustee.
(f)Trustees will meet at least once a year.
(g)The quorum for any meeting of the Trustees is six, to include at least one of the ex officio members andoneappointee of Lancaster University.
- FINANCE
The Trustees shall have the right to seek private donations towards the furtherance of the work of Lancaster University Chaplaincy Centre.
- AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
(a)The Trustees shall vote on any amendments to the Constitution. It is the responsibility of members to discuss Constitutional amendments with their constituencies. Proposals to amend the Constitution must be circulated to members at least three months before they can be considered. Chaplains and users of the Chaplaincy Centre should also be consulted. Proposals must be discussed at a Trustee meeting and approved by at least 75% of the Trustees.
(b)No amendments can be made to the Constitution that would cease to make the Lancaster University Chaplaincy Centre a Charity in law.
- DISSOLUTION OF THE CHARITY
(a)A motion to dissolve the Lancaster University Chaplaincy Centre charity must be circulated to Trustees, Chaplains and users at least three months before it can be considered by a special meeting of Trustees. The support of at least 75% of Trustees is required for the motion to be successful. It will be the responsibility of Trustees to discuss the proposal for dissolution with their constituencies.
(b)Any residual funds should be allocated to one or more charitable organisations with an interest in promoting spiritual and pastoral care of staff and students at Lancaster University, as determined by the Trustees.
Draft 15 January 2016
[1] The Chair of the Methodist District is a Trustee in acknowledgement of the substantial financial investment made at the inception of the Chaplaincy Centre. S/he also represents Baptist and URC interests.
[2] The Chair of the Chaplaincy Centre Management Committee should not be the Senior Officer of the University who chairs the Trustees.
[3] The Senior Officer of the University should not also be the Chair of the Chaplaincy Centre Management Committee.