CONSTITUTION

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THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ST. MARY'S KNANAYA CHURCH UNITED KINGDOM

A Parish of The Malankara Syrian Knanaya Church

PREAMBLE

St. Mary's Knanaya Church, United Kingdom, is the first parish church of the Malankara Syrian Knanaya Community in the United Kingdom. It is felt necessary to codify a Constitution of this parish for the blessed, fruitful, and smooth functioning of the services and administration of the parish. This Constitution has been unanimously passed by the General Body of this parish held 23rd November, 2003.

This Constitution was adopted on the 23rd day of November 2003

Declarations

This Parish shall ever continue in the name and patronage of St. Mary and in the faith and traditions of the Syrian Knanaya Samudayam (Community).

The spiritual, ecclesiastical, temporal and disciplinary administrative powers of this Parish shall be vested in the Metropolitan of the Malankara Syrian Knanaya Samudayam at Mor Ephraim Seminary, Chingavanam P. O., Kottayam District, Kerala - 686531, India.

If any contradiction arises in any of the clauses or in their interpretations in this Constitution, the interpretation of the Metropolitan shall be final.

This Parish will be governed by the law of England and Wales.

Definitions

‘Patriarch' is the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and the Supreme head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch.

‘Metropolitan' is the Metropolitan of the Malankara Syrian Knanaya Community.

‘Charity' or ‘Parish' is St. Mary's Knanaya Church, United Kingdom.

‘Vicar' is a priest from the Malankara Syrian Knanaya Community (Samudayam), duly appointed by the Knanaya Metropolitan through a Kalpana (Bull), to serve and administer the Parish.

‘Eligible Members' are those members of the Parish who qualify to participate in the General body, as referred in Clause P of section 14 - 16.

‘General Body' are all the eligible members of the Charity/Parish.

Church or Community or Samudayam is the Malankara Syrian Knanaya Community.

Clause A

Name

The name of the Parish is St. Mary's Knanaya Church, United Kingdom ("The Charity")

Clause B

Administration

All administrative powers of this Parish/Charity other than those mentioned in Declarations Number Two above shall be vested in the General Body.

The General Body has the right to recommend for disciplinary actions to the Knanaya Metropolitan, as mentioned in the Declarations Number two above.

Subject to the matters set out below the Charity and its property shall be administered and managed in accordance with this Constitution by the members of the Executive Committee, constituted by clause G of this constitution ("The Executive Committee).

Clause C
Objects

The Charity's objects are:

To advance the Christian religion; provide its members with regular Christian Worship services in according to the faith and rites of the Malankara Syrian Knanaya Community.

To relieve the aged, the poor, the sick and those in conditions of need, hardship and distress by providing pastoral care.

Clause D

Powers

In furtherance of the objects but not otherwise the Executive Committee may exercise the following powers.

Power to raise funds and to invite and receive contributions provided that in raising funds the Executive Committee shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any relevant requirements of the law;

Powers to buy, take on lease or in exchange any property necessary for the achievement of the objects and to maintain and equip it for use;

Power subject to any consents required by law to sell, lease or dispose of all or any part of the property of the Charity;

Power subject to any consents required by law to borrow money and to charge all or any part of the property of the Charity with repayment of the money so borrowed;

Power to employ such staff (who shall not be members of the Executive Committee) as are necessary for the proper pursuit of the objects and too make all reasonable and necessary provision for the payment of pensions and superannuation for staff and their dependants;

Power to co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities operating in furtherance of the objects or of similar charitable purposes and to exchange information and advice with them;

Power to establish or support any charitable trusts, associations or institutions formed for all or any of the objects;

Power to appoint and constitute such advisory committees as the Executive Committee may think fit;

Power to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the objects.

Clause E

Membership

The membership of this Charity shall be opened to all those:

Who are the descendants of the men and women of the Knanaya race and married from the Knanaya Community, AND

Who are fully dedicated and believers in faith, doctrines and traditions of the Malankara Syrian Knanaya Samudayam and owes their allegiance to the Throne of Antioch and accept the prelate authority of the Patriarch of Antioch and to the Metropolitan of the Knanaya Samudayam, AND Who practices the Church canons and rules.

All Knananites in the United Kingdom shall have the privilege to become members of this Charity/parish.

Those Knananites who desires to be a member in this Charity/parish who are eligible under sub-clause 1 aforesaid and who has attained the age of 18, irrespective of their sex, shall apply in the specified form.

Applications thus received shall be presented in the next Charity Executive Committee meeting and the applications favourably considered by the Executive Committee shall be presented to the Vicar for acceptance and the decision shall be informed to the applicant.

If any member of this Charity/Parish at any time, found to be in contradiction to clause E of sub-clause 1, he/she will ceased to be a member of this Charity/Parish, with immediate effect.

It shall be the responsibility of all the members of the Charity/Parish to pay the subscription without arrears and to participate in the spiritual and social activities of the Parish.

Family members of the applicant (Husband/wife, unmarried children) shall be associate members of the Charity/parish.

Individuals or families seeking membership have to submit their details in the ‘membership application form'.

Members have to pay a monthly subscription for the monthly Charity/parish expenses.

The Membership Register has to be renewed once every three years and the list of members will be published every year.

Names of the disqualified or cancelled membership will be announced for the knowledge of the public.

Every eligible member shall have one vote.

The Executive Committee may by unanimous vote and for good reason terminate the membership of any individual; provided that the individual concerned shall have the right to be heard by the Executive Committee, accompanied by a friend, before a final decision is made.

Clause F

Honorary Officers

The Vicar of St. Mary's Knanaya Church, United Kingdom, shall be always the President of the Charity. The affairs of the Charity/Parish shall be managed by a maximum of 15 (fifteen) members' Executive Committee, which includes President, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and the Hon. Secretary and the Hon. Treasurer of the previous year. At the Annual General Meeting of the Charity the members shall elect from amongst themselves a Secretary, a Treasurer and other Executive Committee members and they shall hold office from the conclusion of that meeting.

Clause G

The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of not less than 10 members nor more than 15 members.

The Executive Committee shall be elected in the Annual General Body Meeting of the Charity/Parish.

The tenure of the Executive Committee shall be one year from the date of their election, but shall remain in office until the new Executive Committee is formed.

Only members, who have been a member of the Charity/parish for a minimum period six months, will be eligible to become a member of the Executive Committee.

The newly elected Executive Committee shall obtain the approval of their office from the Metropolitan of the Knanaya Samudayam.

On demand of either the Vicar or Hon. Treasurer or any seven members of the Executive Committee, or when the Metropolitan may require, the Secretary shall convene the meetings of the Executive Committee. If the Secretary fails to convene the Executive Committee meeting with in a week after the demand, the Vicar/president can convene the meeting of the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee has the right to appoint a member for the period till the next General body meeting to fill up any vacancy arising due to the cancellation of the U. K. residential visa, resignation, illness or death of any of the existing Executive Committee member(s). Such appointment shall be presented to the next General Body, for its approval.

In case the Treasurer or the Secretary intends to vacate their office before the expiry of their term, they shall give a thirty days' notice to the President; in case of emergency situations they shall hand over the cash, records, files and articles of the Charity/parish to the Vicar who shall immediately convene a meeting of the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee shall meet at least twice in a year to evaluate the financial position and to discuss the day-to-day affairs of the Charity/parish and shall take decisions on all matters for the proper and efficient working of the Charity/parish.

The rights, responsibilities and duties of the Executive Committee shall be:
To execute the directives of the Episcopal Authorities and the decisions of the General Body and to make progressive schemes for the Charity/ parish.

To collect the monthly subscription and other dues from the members.

To incur expenses of the Charity/parish according to the budget provisions. Excess of an expenditure above 20% of the budget shall be with the approval of the Executive Committee and General Body.

To record and maintain minutes of the proceedings of their meetings.

To convene the General Body meetings of the Charity/parish.

To assist, discuss and finalise the budget proposal prepared by the Treasurer.

To assist the Vicar for the performance of the Holy Service.

To deposit the funds of the Charity/parish in reliable Bank(s).

Annual Reports and Annual Accounts prepared by the Secretary and Treasurer shall be presented to the Annual General Body for its approval.

Executive Committee shall prepare the agenda for the General body.

The rights, responsibilities and duties of the President/Vicar of the Executive Committee shall be:

President/Vicar of the Charity

The Vicar of this Charity/parish shall be a Priest from the Malankara Syrian Knanaya Samudayam.

The appointment of the Vicar and his tenure shall be the exclusive discretion of the Metropolitan of the Knanaya Samudayam. In absence of the Knanaya Metropolitan, the Patriarch can appoint a Priest from Malankara Syrian Knanaya Samudayam as the Vicar of this Parish and decide his tenure.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Vicar: -

The Vicar shall conduct the Holy Sacraments according to the rites of the Church.

The Vicar shall deliver sermons on religious topics in the Parish and other convenient places and be in charge of the Scriptural propagation and congregations such as Sunday School, Prayer Meetings, Youth Associations, Women's Associations etc.

The Vicar shall advice and warn those who violate the rules, faith and traditions of the Samudayam and report the matter to the Vicars of their respective home parishes and the Metropolitan in consultation with the Executive Committee.

The Vicar shall preside over the meetings of the Executive Committee and General Body in the capacity of the President of the Executive Committee.

The Vicar shall be responsible to announce the date, place and time of General Body meetings and other important maters in the Parish.

The Vicar shall be the custodian of the Parish Register, Parish seal, the Marriage, Baptism, Death, Birthday and Wedding Anniversary registers of the Parish. The Parish seal shall be affixed on all correspondences issued from the Charity/Parish.

The Vicar shall be responsible to issue certificates such as marriage, membership, and baptism, if necessary, in consultation with the Secretary or Treasurer of the Charity/parish as per the registers maintained in the Parish. A copy of such certificates shall be kept in the record file of the parish.

The Vicar has the right to convene a special General Body meeting if the Executive Committee is found violating its duties and responsibilities and are not in a position to change their attitude in order to find an amicable solution. The decisions of such General Body meetings shall be submitted to the Metropolitan for final approval.

The benefits and other facilities for the Vicar shall be decided by the Executive Committee and should be presented and approved in the General Body meeting.

The rights, responsibilities and duties of the Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer of the Executive Committee shall be:

Hon. Secretary

There shall be a Secretary for the Charity/parish who shall be elected from the members of the Charity/parish at the Annual General Body meeting.

The Secretary of the Parish shall be the Secretary of the General Body and the Executive Committee.

The Secretary's term of office shall be one year but shall remain in his office until the new Secretary takes over the charge.

The Secretary shall convene the Executive Committee meetings with a minimum of two days notice, informing the date, place, time and the agenda of the meetings.

The Secretary shall keep proper minutes of the General Body and Executive Committee meetings.

The Secretary shall be responsible for all charity records and shall maintain all incoming and outgoing correspondences.

The Secretary shall prepare and present half- yearly and annual reports to the Executive Committee for approval and shall present it before the General Body meeting for their approval.

The Secretary shall prepare the agenda for the Executive Committee meetings in consultation with the Vicar and Treasurer and for the General Body meetings in consultation with the Executive Committee.

The Secretary shall prepare a list of all registers, documents, files, etc. being maintained by him during his period at the time of handing over to the newly elected Secretary in the first meeting of the Executive Committee.

The Secretary shall be responsible to execute the decisions of the Executive Committee and the General Body in consultation with the Vicar.

Hon. Treasurer

There shall be a Treasurer elected from the members of the Charity/Parish at the Annual General Body meeting.

The Treasurer shall be responsible for all income collected for the Charity/parish by way of subscription, donation, offertory, and auction, charges for the sacramental and special services as fixed by the General Body meeting and from any other sources.

The Treasurer shall maintain proper accounts of the Charity/parish and also be responsible for the issue of receipts and keep vouchers for the income and expenditure respectively.

The Treasurer shall be responsible to present the budget proposal for the current year in the Executive Committee and then to the General Body for their approval.

He shall keep with him an amount of £ 250/- (Pounds Two Hundred and Fifty) in cash for the day-to-day expenses of the Parish and any amount exceeding £ 250/- shall be deposited in the bank account of the charity/parish.

He shall submit the annual accounts, duly audited and approved by the Executive Committee in the Annual General Body meeting.

He shall properly maintain the Cashbook, Ledger, Asset Register, Receipts Books, Subscription Register and vouchers, etc. and which shall be made available, if demanded by the Executive Committee or the General Body.

The Treasurer shall prepare a list of all registers, documents, files etc being maintained by him during his period at the time of the handing over to the newly elected Treasurer in the meeting of the Executive Committee.

In case of emergency, the Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Executive Committee with a prior notice of at least eight hours before the meeting, and such emergency shall be recorded in the minute's book.

Clause H

Determination of Membership of the Executive Committee

A member of the Executive Committee shall cease to hold office if he:

is disqualified from acting as a member of the Executive Committee by virtue of Section 72 of the Charities Act 1993 (or any statutory re-enactment or modification of that provision);

Becomes incapable by reason of mental disorder, illness or injury of managing and administering his own affairs;

If any member/s of the Executive Committee does not attend the Executive meetings held within a period of six months without informing proper reasons to the President or Secretary, the Executive Committee shall resolve that his office be vacated; or

Notifies the Executive Committee a wish to resign (but only if at least five members of the Executive Committee will remain in office when the notice of resignation is to take effect).

Clause I

Executive Committee Members not to be Personally interested

Subject to the provisions of sub-clause 2 of this clause, no member of the Executive Committee shall acquire any interest in property belonging to the Charity (otherwise than as a trustee for the Charity) or be interested (otherwise than a member of the Executive Committee) in any contract entered into by the Executive Committee.

A member of the Executive Committee for the time being hereof being an individual may be remunerated out of the Charity's fund or receive other benefits for services rendered to the Charity; Provided that: -

Such member shall not be present during the formal deliberations and decision making by the other Executive Committee members relating to any such proposed remuneration or the conferring of other benefits;

Any decision or resolution to remunerate or confer other benefits on such a member shall be taken or made unanimously by all the remaining Executive Committee members;

The Executive Committee members are satisfied that the level of the remuneration or the nature and scale of the benefits conferred upon the members is reasonable and proper having regard to all the circumstances of the work carried out by such member for the Charity;

The Executive Committee members are satisfied that the services to be rendered to the Charity by such a member and his ability to provide those services in fulfilment of the objects of the Charity have special value to the Charity and that having regard to the members ability, experience, spiritual vision or spiritual authority; it is also necessary for him to be a member of the Executive Committee.

If any member is remunerated for services rendered to the Charity, the number of such member of the Executive Committee receiving remuneration shall never be a majority of the members of the Executive Committee.

Clause J

Meetings and Proceedings of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall hold at least two ordinary meetings each year. A special meeting may be called at any time by the President or by any seven members of the Executive Committee upon not less than 4 days notice being given to the other members of the Executive Committee of the matters to be discussed, but if the matters include an appointment of a co-opted member then not less than 21 days notice must be given.

The President/Vicar, and in his absence any member of the Executive Committee, shall act as chairperson at meetings of the Executive Committee. In the absence of the President from any meeting, the members of the Executive Committee present shall choose one of their numbers to be chairperson of the meeting before any other business is transacted.

There shall be a quorum when at least one third (1/3) of the number of members of the Executive Committee for the time being or five members of the Executive Committee, whichever is the greater, are present at a meeting.

Every matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members of the Executive Committee present and voting on the question, but in the case of equality of votes the chairperson of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

The Executive Committee shall keep minutes, in books kept for the purpose, of the proceedings at meetings of the Executive Committee and any sub-committee.

The Executive Committee may from time to time make and alter rules for the conduct of their business, the summoning and conduct of their meetings and the custody of documents. No rule may be made which is inconsistent with this Constitution.

The Executive Committee may appoint one or more sub-committee consisting of their or more members of the Executive Committee for the propose of making any inquiry or supervising or performing any function or duty which in the opinion of the Executive Committee would be more conveniently undertaken or carried out by a sub-committee; provided that all acts and proceedings of any such sub-committees shall be fully and promptly reported to the Executive Committee.

Clause K

Receipts and Expenditure

The funds of the Charity, including all donations, contributions, offertory, subscription, auction and bequests etc., shall be paid into a bank account operated by the Executive Committee in the name of the Charity/parish. All cheques drawn on the account must be signed by at least two members of the Executive Committee.

The funds belonging to the Charity shall be applied only in furthering the objects.

Clause L

Property

Subject to the provisions of sub-clause 2 of this clause, the Executive Committee shall cause the title to:

all land held by or in trust for the Charity which is not vested in the Official Custodian for Charities; and

all investments held by or on behalf of the Charity;

to be vested either in a corporation entitled to act as custodian Trustee or in not less than three individuals appointed by them as holding trustees. Holding trustees may be removed by the Executive Committee at their pleasure and shall act in accordance with the lawful directions of the Executive Committee; the holding trustees shall not be liable for the acts and defaults of its members.

If a corporation entitled to act as custodian trustee has not been appointed to hold the property of the charity, the Executive Committee may permit any investments held by or in trust corporation or any stock broking company which is a member of the International Stock Exchange (or any subsidiary of any such stock broking company) as nominee for the Executive Committee, and may pay such a nominee reasonable and proper remuneration for acting as such.

Clause M

Accounts

The Executive Committee shall comply with their obligations under the Charities Act 1993 (or any statutory re-enactment or modification of that Act) with regards to:

the keeping of accounting records for the Charity;

the preparation of annual statements of accounts for the Charity;

the auditing or independent examination of the statements of accounts of the Charity; and

the transmission of the statements of accounts of the Charity to the Commissioners.

The Charity shall maintain proper books of accounts viz, cash book, ledgers, asset ledgers, receipt books, Subscription register and vouchers.

The Financial Year is from 1st April to 31st March.

The Hon. Secretary and the Hon. Treasurer shall jointly operate the bank account of the Charity.

The Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer shall prepare annual report and accounts and those shall be submitted to the Executive Committee, before presenting for its approval, in the General Body.

Audit

The General Body meeting has to appoint one or two person unanimously, if possible, to check the accounts properly. The Auditor(s) should properly verify the annual accounts, and approve and sign before it is presented in the General Body meeting. The Auditor(s) should present his report in the General Body through the Executive Committee. The Auditor(s) should not be a member of the Executive Committee.

He shall be responsible to check all accounts, transactions of the Charity and submit the audit report within ten days from the receipt of the accounting records from the Hon. Treasurer with comments and suggestions, if any, to the Executive Committee before submitting to the Annual General Body.

The Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Secretary shall provide all necessary documents and clarifications as required by the Auditor(s).

Clause N

Annual Report

The Executive Committee shall comply with their obligations under the Charities Act 1993 (or any statutory re-enactment or modification of that Act) with regard to the preparation of an annual report and its transmission to the Commission.

Clause O

Annual Return

The Executive Committee shall comply with their obligations under the Charities Act 1993 (or any statutory re-enactment or modification of that Act) with regard to the preparation of an annual return and its transmission to the Commission.

Clause P

General Body Meetings

There shall be at least two General Body meetings of the Parish in a year:

Annual General Body meeting which shall be held in the month of April in each year or as soon as practicable thereafter.

The Annual General Body shall:

Hear and approve the minutes of the previous general body/general bodies.
Hear and accept the Annual Report.
Hear and approve the presented annual accounts and auditor's report.
Elect new office bearers.
Discuss and take decisions on other items on the agenda.

2. Budget General Body meeting which shall be convened every year.

The Budget General Body meeting shall:

Hear and approve the minutes of the previous general body/general bodies.
Hear and approve the budget of the parish.
Discuss and take decisions on other items on the agenda.

Every Annual General Body meeting shall be called by the Executive Committee. The Hon. Secretary shall give at least 21 days' notice of the Annual General Body meeting to all the eligible members of the Charity. All the eligible members of the Charity shall be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting. The Executive Committee should fix the date, time, place and agenda of the General Body.

The President of the General Body meetings shall be the Vicar. In the absence of the Vicar, or if authorised by the Vicar, any member of the Executive Committee shall preside over the General Body meetings. If the Vicar has not authorised anyone, the present General Body can nominate a member from the Executive Committee to preside over such meeting.

The Executive Committee shall present to each annual general meeting the report and accounts of the Charity for the preceding year.

Annual Report, Annual Accounts duly audited and approved by the Executive Committee, election of the new Executive Committee, election of the auditor(s) and any other important matter permitted by the President shall be presented and passed at the Annual General Body Meetings.

Annual budget prepared by the Hon. Treasurer, after approval by the Executive Committee, shall be presented to the Budget General Body meeting for its approval. Any expenses exceeding the budget provisions or any unforeseen expenses shall be incurred by the Treasurer, but due sanctions or approval shall be taken from the Executive Committee as well as from the General Body.

The date, time, place and agenda of the General Body meetings shall be announced after the Holy Qurbana (Eucharist).

If the Executive Committee did not convene the General Body meeting mentioned in sub-clauses 1, and 1/3 of the eligible members of the Charity jointly may forward an appeal to the President in writing to hold the General Body meetings.

The quorum for a General Body meeting shall be 10% of the eligible members present. If the quorum is not met to convene the meeting, the meeting shall be adjourned to the next Sunday or any other convenient date and time and for such meetings that no quorum need to be complied.

In case of diversified opinion, poll shall be taken and the decision shall be taken, on a simple majority. The method of taking the poll shall be decided by the President.

The decision to make changes in the amount for monthly subscription can be made anytime only by a majority vote of the General Body.

If any one of the members violate the clauses of this constitution or the decisions of any General Body meeting and if 2/3 majority of the duly held General Body decides, the said member cannot hold any office in this Charity/parish for 2 years.

Eligibility for Membership in General Body Meetings

All male members of this Charity/parish who have attained the age of 18 shall have the right to attend the General Body and shall have one vote.

Any one who has been banned by the Knanaya Metropolitan shall not have the right to attend the General Body, and when the ban is lifted they can attend the General Body.

Once the membership is cancelled or disqualified for any reason, the membership can be re-issued only by the approval of the majority vote of the General Body.

Clause Q
Special General Body Meetings

The Executive Committee may call a special General Body meeting of the Charity at any time. If at least twenty present of the members request such a meeting; in writing, stating the business to be considered, the Hon. Secretary shall call such a meeting. At least 14 days' notice must be given. The notice must state the business to be discussed.

When the Vicar deem necessary to summon the General Body, he can call the General body with the permission of the Knanaya Metropolitan or the Executive Committee shall have the right to convene emergency General Body meeting on Sundays after announcing in the parish on the same day. The agenda of these General Bodies should be announced in the Parish. If the General Body agrees to the emergency needs of the agenda items, the General Body can take decisions and these decisions should be announced in the Parish on the following Sunday. The reason(s) for such meeting shall also be announced and recorded in the minute's book. No quorum is needed for such General Body meeting.

Clause R

Procedures and Rules of the General Body Meetings

The Vicar shall preside over the meetings and he has the right to rule out any discussions. Items related to the Vicar shall not be discussed while he presides. Anyone of the General Body members can be delegated by the Vicar to preside on such occasions.

The Chairperson of the General Body can appoint one or two member(s) to assist the Hon. Secretary to record the proceedings of the meeting. The decisions of the General Body meeting on each item of the agenda should be recorded in the book and it shall be read, and the chairperson shall attest the decision before entering into the discussion on the next item on the agenda.

The minutes of the General Bodies should be recorded by the Hon. Secretary in the minute's book and shall be presented in the Executive Committee and should be presented and approved in the next General Body meeting.

Any decision of the General Body can only be amended by a General Body meeting with the clearly mentioned item on the agenda and only with a 2/3 majority.

The decisions of the General Body shall have to be unanimous to the extent possible, and if not possible, the decisions shall be on the majority support. If ¼ members present demand for voting, voting shall be conducted by a secret ballot. If the votes counted are found to be equal, the Chairperson shall have the right for a casting vote to take a decision.

Even when one General Body meeting, at any stage, had to be stopped or dispersed for any reason all the decisions taken up to that time will be valid.

All final decisions with regard to the Parish, including those that are not mentioned in this constitution, shall be vested in the Metropolitan of the Knanaya Samudayam.

If the General Body meeting cannot be held for any reason for a period of time, all the rights of the General Body shall be vested in the Knanaya Metropolitan, and the parish shall function as per the directions of the Metropolitan.

Election

The General Body shall elect the Hon. Treasurer, the Hon. Secretary and other Executive Committee members.

Those who are elected to the Executive Committee should be the eligible members of the Charity.

One member can propose only one member to a post and support another member to a post.

Candidates should file the duly filled and signed nominations from before the Vicar. The Vicar shall be the Returning Officer and shall appoint two members to assist him, if necessary. One of them should be a member of the Executive Committee.

Nominations for election to the Executive Committee must be made by members of the Charity present at the Annual General Body meeting. If there is no nomination filed for any post of the Executive Committee, the General Body shall conduct elections in the meeting.

The candidates, those who filed nominations, and the members, those who proposed and supported, should be present in the General Body meeting during the election or otherwise the candidature will defunct.

The General Body shall also elect and appoint one or two member(s) as Auditors.

Clause S

Notices

Any notice required to be served on any member of the Charity shall be in writing and shall be served by the Hon. Secretary or the Executive Committee on any member either personally or by sending it through the post addressed to such member at his/her last known address in the United Kingdom, and any letter so sent shall be deemed to have been received within 10 days of posting.

Clause T

Alterations to the Constitution

Subject to the following provisions of this clause, the Constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the members present and voting at a General Body meeting. The notice of the General Body meeting must include notice of the resolution, setting out the terms of the alteration proposed.

No amendment may be made to Clause A (the name of the Charity clause), Clause C (The objects clause), Clause I (Executive Committee members not to be personally interested clause), Clause U (the Dissolution Clause) or this clause without the prior consent in writing of the Commissioners.

No amendment may be made which would have the effect of making the charity cease to be a Charity Law.

The Executive Committee should promptly send to the Commissioners a copy of any amendment(s) made under this constitution.

An amendment, alteration, deletion or modification to any clauses of this Constitution shall be valid only if such matters are approved by the General Body of the parish by a 2/3 majority through a secret referendum of eligible members.

Clause U

Dissolution

If the Executive Committee decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Charity, it shall call a meeting of all members of the Charity, of which not less than 21 days' notice (stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed) shall be given. If the proposal is confirmed by a 2/3 majority of those present and voting the Executive Committee shall have power to realise any assets held by or on behalf of the Charity. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Charity as the members of the Charity may determine or failing that shall be applied for some other charitable purpose. A copy of the statement of accounts, or account and statement, for the final accounting period of the Charity must be sent to the Commission.

Clause V

Income of the Charity/Parish

The main sources of income of this Charity/parish shall be:

OFFERTORY - All faithful people who participate in the Holy Qurbana (Eucharist), prayer meetings, Good Friday Service, and other spiritual and sacramental services shall give their offertory on his own volition.

MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION - Each member shall pay the monthly subscription, agreed on his membership application forms at the time of his admission to the Charity.

BIRTHDAY OFFERINGS - all members of the parish shall, in regard to their birthday, make a voluntary offering as birthday offering.

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY - All married members of the parish shall in regard to their wedding anniversary, make a voluntary offering as their wedding anniversary offering.

DONATIONS - Any member shall be pleased to make donations towards the Charity/parish, either in cash or cheque as a part of their thanksgiving.

BAPTIAM & MARRIAGE - If the Sacraments of baptism and marriage are to be solemnised in the Parish, the concerned persons can give a voluntary contribution as part of their thanksgiving.

AUCTION - If it deems necessary, auctions of articles offered by the members of the Charity/parish shall be done on any day as the Executive Committee decides, and the income shall be utilised for the parish or for any other purposes decided by the Executive Committee.

OTHER COLLECTIONS - Emergency collections, if necessary, shall be arranged by the Executive Committee for specific purposes relating to the Charity/parish and Knanaya Samudayam.

This Constitution was adopted on the date mentioned above by the members of the St. Mary's Knanaya Church, United Kingdom.

Clause W

Arrangement until first Annual General Meeting

Until the first Annual General meeting takes place this constitution shall take effect as if references in it to the Executive Committee were references to the persons whose signatures appear at the bottom of this document.