1.Name

The International Council on Pastoral Care and Counselling.

2. Aim

To further the development of pastoral Care and Counselling, internationally, through the organisation of conferences, the dissemination of information and in other appropriate ways.

3. Membership
 

(a) Eligibility

Organisations or individuals who have an active involvement in the practice and/or teaching of pastoral care and counselling within the Jewish and Christian traditions.

(b) Representation

1. All national organisations qualifying under 3.(a) have the right to appoint one representative on the Council ( plus one substitute )
2. A number of the places on the Council should be allocated to individuals from countries and continents in which relevant organisations do not exist. These members are to be selected on the basis of criteria agreed by the Council. The individuals selected would have the responsibility of establishing formal and informal groups within their own countries to determine how far they are appropriately representing their national situation in the field of pastoral care and counselling.
3. Other individuals may be co-opted to the Council to represent particular interests provided that the number of members of Council under 1. and 2. together is less than the number of members representing national organisations i.e., category 1..

(c) Term of Office 

All members of Council should serve for a fixed term (normally four years ) but may be appointed for one further term to ensure continuity. The retiring officebearers of the retiring Council may act as ordinary members of the subsequent Council.

(d) Diversity of membership

It should be the responsibility of the Council to maintain a diversity of membership in terms of cultural background, religious affiliation and sex. (This point should also be considered by national organisations when appointing a new representative ).

(e) Office- bearers

The council shall appoint a President, Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer. The address of the Council shall be that of the Secretary currently in office.

(f) Frequency of Meeting

The Council shall normally meet every four years in conjunction with an International Congress.

A Co-ordinating Committee of 12 members shall be set up by the Council consisting of the President, Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer ( who shall also be the Office- bearers of the Co-ordinating Committee ) and nine other members appointed by the Council from within its own membership. The Co-ordinating Committee should be as representative as possible of the diversity of the Council. An attempt should be made to ensure both continuity and change within the Co-ordinating Committee. It is envisaged that the Co-ordinating Committee will meet approximately every two years.

5. Task forces

The Council or Co-ordinating committee may appoint Task Forces to implement the policies of the Council e.g. conferences and congresses, development, communications and publications, membership. Such Task Forces shall consist of members of the Council but others from without the membership of the Council may be co-opted. The President of the council shall be an ex-officio member of all Task Forces.

6. Supra- national bodies 

Where supra-national bodies exist or are established to further the development of pastoral care and counselling in various regions of the world (e.g. in Europe, Africa and Asia ) such bodies may apply to the Council for recognition, and may be invited to appoint one or two representatives to the Council. These bodies will however be autonomous in terms of structure and policy, always within the constitution of the Council.

7. Finance

No affiliation fees shall be levied but member organisations shall be responsible for the costs of their representatives at all Council meetings. Co-opted members may apply to the Council for funding if they are unable to find other sources.

8. Procedure

Minutes and/or Records shall be kept of all meetings of the Council, Co-ordinating Committee and Task Forces, and together with the accounts shall be circulated to all members of the Council.