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Review of Structure, Objectives and Terms of Reference of Church and Society Commission (CASC)

September 2016

Review of Structure, Objectives and Terms of Reference of the Church and Society Commission (CASC)
September 2016

In 2016, the Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod commenced a review of the Objectives and Terms of Reference of the Commission, most of the members of which had served 2 three year terms. The review has sought input from Commission members and other interested parties. In addition, the chair of the Northern Ireland Community Relations Working Group has had input in the light of his suggestion that the work of the Working Group be incorporated into that of CASC.

The Honorary Secretaries gave consideration to the extent to which the Commission has been able to meet its objectives and has made some recommendations to facilitate the future working of the Commission.

The Honorary Secretaries thank the dedicated and hard–working members of the Commission, and in particular its chair, Rev Adrian Dorrian, for their commitment to the work of the Commission and for their inputs to these proposals on the future of the Commission.

The proposals include recommendations on appointing Commission membership, on working structures for the Commission, and the incorporation of the work of the Northern Ireland Community Relations Working Group. The remit of the Commission is slightly narrowed to focus on policy and consultation more than on parish engagement, which had proved difficult to deliver effectively. There is a recommendation on future resourcing to support more consistent output from the Commission, which has an extensive remit, covering many issues of importance to society across two jurisdictions.

Future Priorities identified by the Commission

The Commission has indicated that future priorities, in descending order, should be:

  • social policy, e.g. preparing position papers,
  • responding to government consultations and topical issues and
  • encouraging good practice.

The Honorary Secretaries concur with this view.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Proposal on name of Commission
The Church and Society Commission was established by a Resolution of the General Synod in 2013. It is recommended that the name is retained.

Structure
The membership of the Commission will draw on members of the Church of Ireland with expertise in and experience of a wide range of social issues and areas of special interest.

Stage 1
Seek expressions of interest among members of General Synod and by advertisement in materials likely to be seen by members of the Church. The object of this process is:

  1. to find people with expertise and interest in particular areas who might contribute by way of panel membership on particular subjects, or to form reference groups;
  2. to identify people with the capacity to serve on the Commission and to act as Chair of particular panels when an area of work is to be developed.

Stage 2
Standing Committee to appoint members to the Commission to serve for a triennium, beginning in September 2017.

Standing Committee to fill any casual vacancies that arise or to approve co–options up to 2 members to the Commission at any time. Co–opted members may serve until the end of the triennium before their membership expires or is renewed by the Commission.

Membership comprises of:

  • 8 ordinary members (clergy and lay);
  • Up to 2 co–opted members;
  • An Honorary Secretary of the General Synod;
  • Up to 2 bishops.

In attendance: Mr Peter Cheney, Ms Caoimhe Leppard or other staff as directed by the Honorary Secretaries.

The Commission elects from within its membership, on an annual basis, a Chairperson, Vice–Chair and also an Honorary Secretary.

Sub–Groups (panels)
Sub–groups may be formed by the Commission on an ad hoc basis to undertake specific areas of responsibility. These groups may also undertake specific projects or may make public responses on behalf of the Commission and with the agreement of the Commission. The Chair of a sub–group may make public statements with the agreement of the Chair of the Commission. If a member wishes to set up a sub–group, he or she should do so only after gaining agreement from the Chair. All sub–groups must be proposed to and appointed by the next meeting of the Commission following the establishment of the group, or preferably and if time permits, before the sub–group is established.

Reporting
The Church and Society Commission will report to the Standing Committee.

Terms of Reference

Mission
The mission of the Church and Society Commission is to provide oversight and direction of the Church’s work in respect of social theology in action.

As such, it seeks to undertake the following functions:

  • To be proactive in seeking to identify, contribute to, challenge, encourage and develop areas of living today where the mission of the Church can be active and the love of God shared. To do this through:
  • The publication of reports;
  • The development of appropriate resource materials;
  • The identification and communication of Good Practice;
  • The identification and encouragement of projects that apply theological perspectives to Christian living and the recommendation of such projects to the Church as a whole.
  • To seek to be reactive in order to provide a relevant response to:
  • Consultation documents;
  • Public statements;
  • Policy debates;
  • Research and reports;
  • Social issues in every–day living.

In order to further these two functions the Commission will also seek relationships with other groups within and beyond the Church of Ireland. It may also be appropriate from time to time for the Commission to refer matters to other bodies in the Church of Ireland or to consult with parallel bodies in other churches.

1) The Commission’s area of interest may include (but not be limited to):

  •  Health and Social Care;
  • Medical Ethics;
  • Public Policy;
  • Political issues.
  • Poverty;
  • Family support;
  • Environment.
  • Work previously undertaken by the NI Community Relations Working Group

2) The Commission will consider matters in the context of the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland & the UK and the European Union.

Triennial Review
The Honorary Secretaries with the Church and Society Commission will review its objectives and terms of reference at the end of each triennium, beginning in 2019.

Statements and consultations
The Commission may release statements in its own name but, for the statements to be recognised as coming from the Church of Ireland, they must first be submitted to the Standing Committee for approval.

Any responses or statements prepared by a sub–committee must be circulated to members for their views. After an opportune amount of time has elapsed for this consultation the Chair may be presumed to act on comments received.

Any public response will be issued on behalf of the Commission by the Chairman or an appropriate spokesperson, as long as they are appointed with reference to the Chair and the Church of Ireland Press Office.

Under exceptional circumstances* it will be permissible for the Chair of the Commission to release public statements on behalf of the Commission, provided that the advice of the Press Office and the Synod Department is sought and that statements are consonant with agreed Church of Ireland positions. The Chair will inform Commission members of the content of statements as soon as possible afterwards.

(*An exceptional circumstance may be a media request or public consultation with a very short timescale for response.)

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