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“...' (---a partnership
ECT7IB ot churches
—x, F in mission
Confidential
Minutes of the
Extraordinary Officers’ Group
Meeting
13-14 February 2011
London UK
“Live the Good News”
Council for World Mission
Ipalo House, 32-34 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2DB, UK
Tel: +44 20 7222 4214, Fax: +44 20 7233 1747
E-mail: council@cwmission.org
www.cwmission.org
Registered Charity No 1097842 Company No 4758640
Registered in England and Wales...”
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“...applications for
permission to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship on behalf of the General Secretary, it was very unlikely that the
fourth application awaiting approval would be successful. Given that the current situation of the General Secretary
leading from Jamaica is untenable, he suggested that the location of the Secretariat in the UK should be
reconsidered.
Dr van der Water commented on some of the reasons that the question of relocation should be revisited in his paper,
Work in Progress, or Mission Accomplished, namely:
■ Ideological reasons (colonial history)
■ Regulatory environment
* Visa Issues.
3...”
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“...context, inclusive of compensation for
staff unable to make the move and retaining a small office operation in London; and prepare a
budget for that purpose
The Moderator then invited discussion which included:
■ The Officers would join forces with its ecumenical partners to approach the British Prime Minister. It was
noted that the World Council of Churches (WCC), the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC),
The Evangelical Community of Apostolic Action (CEVAA) and the United Evangelical Mission (UEM) each
represent very large constituencies
* Clarification that CWM should make a decision to move short of a radical reversal of immigration policy
* CWM would leave London in protest. Leaving the UK would itself be a prophetic witness
* Recommending one city would make it easier for Trustees to agree or disagree. The Officers would not be
exercising due diligence if they did not make a recommendation
■ Trustees should be informed ahead of time rather than wait for the June TBM
■ Comparison...”
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“...freedom to speak boldly as a faith based
organisation on political, religious or other issues of justice will compromise CWM’s ethos, identity and
strategic goal for prophetic witness and speaking out against injustice. The OGM acknowledges the security
concerns of crime and violence in South Africa, but gives due consideration that two of CWM’s member
churches continue to engage in ministry and mission undaunted in this mission context. The OG recognised
that Johannesburg would provide the CWM Secretariat and its Member churches with invaluable opportunities
and models for engaging in mission to develop the new strategy.
It is recommended and resolved that:
a. The OGM resolves to recommend that the Trustees at the June, 2011 TBM relocate the Secretariat to
Johannesburg, South Africa on a phased basis first, with the relocation of the General Secretary and a
small support staff by September, 2011.
b. The OGM resolves to expeditiously communicate and engage with Trustees, Regions and the...”
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“...a partnership
of churches
in mission
EXTRAORDINARY OFFICERS’ GROUP MEETING
AGENDA
13-14 February 2011
London, UK
“Live the Good News”
Council for World Mission
Ipalo House, 32-34 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2DB, UK
Tel: 020 7222 4214, Fax: 020 7233 1747/020 7222 3510
E-mail: council@cwmission.org
www.cwmission.org
Registered Charity No 1097842, Company No 4758640
Registered in England and Wales...”
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“...Officers present
partnership
of churches
in mission
Rev Dr Prince Dibeela
Miss Teresa Ngai
Rev Evert Overeem
Moderator
Deputy Moderator
Deputy Moderator
(Africa)
(Pacific)
(Europe)
Officers part-time via conference call
Miss Ayana McCalman
Rev Dr Enos Das Pradhan
Apologies
Rev Eric So
Staff members present
Rev Dr Collin Cowan
Ms Marisa Dallamora
Deputy Moderator Deputy Moderator (Caribbean) (South Asia)
Treasurer (East Asia)
General Secretary
Director of Operations
2...”
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“...k a partnership
F of churches
in mission
Confidential
Minutes of the
Officers’ Group Meeting
FINAL DRAFT
26 October 2010
Grand Cayman Cayman Islands
“Live the Good News”
Council for World Mission
Ipalo House, 32-34 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2DB, UK
Tel: +44 20 7222 4214, Fax: +44 20 7233 1747
E-mail: council@cwmission.org
www.cwmission.org
Registered Charity No 1097842 Company No 4758640
Registered in England and Wales...”
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“...(S
11 OG 5.1
COUNCIL FOR WORLD MISSION
UK Sponsorship Licence & Certificates of Sponsorship application processes
DATE PROCESS
April 2008 The United Kingdom Government (Labour Party ruled) introduces the new Points Based System (PBS) to increase controls and regulation in regard to both general immigration and the influx of migrant workers to the UK. The PBS replaces the Work Permit and Residence Visa System. The CWM Secretariat seeks consultation with UK-based ecumenical agencies, eg. Christian Aid, re: new rules and regulations, and how best to respond to these. The Secretariat arranges a meeting with personnel from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to acquire information and data on the pending new rules and regulations. We are assured that if we act in compliance with UK employment legislation and we follow due process we should experience no significant difficulties in securing a Sponsorship Licence (SL) and a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
June 2008 The UKBA launches the PBS, which is...”
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“...11 OG 5.1
COUNCIL FOR WORLD MISSION
UK Sponsorship Licence & Certificates of Sponsorship application processes
The Secretariat submits a second (fresh) application (now inside 90 days as per rule) for initial allocation to issue a CoS to Rev Dr Collin Cowan to allow him to apply for necessary residence and working visa.
November 2010 UKBA deny this application for a second time, stating that the rules had been revised to a 60 day ‘window’. Again, the changing of the rule had been done without informing us about it. This change now meant that CWM could now only apply for a CoS in November. Due to above-stated difficulties experienced, the Secretariat consulted with our lawyers, namely Bates, Wells and Braithwaite (BWB). BWB advised that CWM should take the route of an Intra Company Transfer (ICT) for two reasons: • The Recruitment Agency who handled the recruitment of the General Secretary’s post did not include advertising it on the UK Job Centre Plus website - a recent requirement for...”
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“...11 OG 5.1
COUNCIL FOR WORLD MISSION
UK Sponsorship Licence & Certificates of Sponsorship application processes
panel by the deputy director for sponsorship ” and “email limits@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk to notify us that you are making an urgent request” CWM resubmits for the third time a CoS(AR) form to the UKBA marked urgent and also send an email to the above address with notification of this.
27 January 2011 The General Secretary, Dr Collin Cowan, accompanied by Des van der Water, pays a visit to the Jamaica High Commissioner in the UK, His Excellency, Mr Anthony S Johnson. Dr Cowan informs the High Commissioner of the situation in regard to his visa and work permit. Mr Johnston refers us to a certain Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkens, who is the Chaplain to the House of Parliament with the hope that she would be able to advance CWM’s case.
31 January 2011 Des van der Water wrote to the Officers’ Group and sent a copy of the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with UCJCI, prepared by BWB, and asked for...”
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“...IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION UNDER THE POINTS BASED SYSTEM
AND IN THE MATTER OF STRUCTURE OF THIS AND OTHER ASSOCIATED
OFFICES
JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT BETWEEN COUNCIL FOR WORLD MISSION
AND UNITED CHURCH IN JAMAICA AND THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
1. I, [NAME], [JOB TITLE] of Council for World Mission (CWM), registered at
[ADDRESS], am duly authorised to make this Joint Venture Agreement on Council
for World Mission’s behalf.
2. I, [NAME], [JOB TITLE] of United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands,
registered at [ADDRESS], am duly authorised to make this Joint Venture Agreement
on United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands behalf.
3. Council for World Mission is an independent UK registered charity (registered charity
number [ ]) and is the over arching body for 31 member churches which
are organised in six geographic regions. The objects of CWM, as set out in the
Memorandum of Association, is “to spread the knowledge of Christ throughout the
world”.
4. This Joint Venture Agreement is...”
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“...charitable objects wholly or in part
similar to those of CWM;
4.25 acquire or undertake all or any of the property, liabilities and engagements of charities
with which CWM may co-operate or federate;
4.26 pay out of the funds of CWM the costs of forming and registering CWM;
4.27 do all such other lawful things as shall further CWM’s objects.
5. I make this Joint Venture Agreement believing its contents to be true and accurate.
Sworn by...........................
ON BEHALF OF COUNCIL FOR WORLD MISSION
On this............day of................2010
Before me..........................
019784/0008/000855316/Ver.01
3...”
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“...11 OG 5.3
a partnership
of churches
in mission
United Kingdom Immigration Legislation: Implications for CWM Secretariat
The CWM Secretariat location question is back on the table because of the recent
developments relating to UK immigration legislations and regulations. Ever since the
appointment of the New General Secretary we have been attempting to secure a visa/work
permit for him to relocate to London without any success at all. Attached is the document
outlining steps taken and responses received to date.
New immigration legislations have been introduced by the Coalition Government of the
United Kingdom (UK), aimed at reducing the number of migrant workers to the UK from
countries outside of the European Union. Included in these new regulations is the exclusion of
certain categories of persons formally deemed to be dependents of work permit-holders. For
example persons with disability and aged parents are not regarded as dependents anymore.
Furthermore, there is a sealing placed on...”
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“...11 OG 5.3
partnership
ItSHSli of churches
F in mission
European region, to meet with the political leadership of the UK in order to state our
case and seek understanding, support and commitment for our work in keeping with
our ethos. This move is to demonstrate that we have exhausted every option available
to us in ensuring that we honour the decision of the Cayman TBM. It is to be noted
that this would not be the first attempt at this particular initiative as we have already
written to the Home Secretary, who has declined to meet with us.
2. Decide on which of the other two options (Singapore and Johannesburg) presented by
the Location Review Group (LRG) best enable CWM Secretariat to exercise its ministry.
This decision must be taken by the OGM in order to make an informed
recommendation to the TBM at its sitting in June of this year.
3. Determine how we will function in the interim, given that there are important things
to do in keeping with our strategy and our ongoing work.
Meeting...”
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“...itself
in challenging mission alongside and in partnership with its two member churches in
this region.
• There is a clear enthusiasm among the member churches in South Africa to host the
CWM secretariat and begin forging a strong working relationship. These partnerships
could generate ideas and provide invaluable models of mission practices to feed into
the new strategy and inform the mission programmes of CWM's member churches
across the globe.
• As host to the 2010 Football World Cup, South Africa's status has risen on a global
level and there is a sense that the country has "proved itself" internationally, showing
that its communications, transport and immigration systems are capable of receiving
many thousands of visitors and ensuring their smooth transit and safety throughout
the country.
• An African location would have symbolic meaning for the entire CWM family - a
visible shift from CWM's colonial roots in the north to the global south.
• The depth of the mission context within Jo...”
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“...11 OG 5.3
rA ra partnership
\JEE!I of churches
F in mission
challenging mission context could inform CWM's mission work globally; it could also
absorb a degree of attention that is detrimental to mission concerns elsewhere.
• In a city where crime levels are rated high and personal safety is a major concern
across large areas, there are questions over Johannesburg's suitability for CWM's
secretariat staff.
Singapore remains the most central location to the majority of CWM member churches
and a central travelling hub, which suggests that travel to the Office would be relatively
convenient for most people and cost-effective for CWM. However, we can hardly be
blinded to the challenges that such a conservative and exclusive context could pose to
CWM and its strategic priority to take seriously the question of solidarity and prophetic
witness. We should also be mindful of how exposed the local church could become by
virtue of CWM's profile and passion for justice. The limitation is primarily...”
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“...71
11 OG 5.3
a partnership
of churches
in mission
a. meet with the South African political directorate to state our case and seek support
for our work in the context
b. identify possible office space and housing for the General Secretary and other staff as
appropriate
c. establish a time line for the gradual and timely move of the full Secretariat to its new
home
d. engage the staff in order to determine those who are able to relocate and the cost
implication of such a move
e. examine the financial implications for relocating to that context, inclusive of
compensation for staff unable to make the move and retaining a small office
operation in London; and prepare a budget for that purpose
Interim Arrangement
The following recommendations are to be considered by the OGM, now in session, as
necessary for the effectiveness of our work in the interim.
a. That the General Secretary be asked to work from Jamaica and that an Administrative
Assistant (AA) be appointed to support him. The AA would...”
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“...f " partnership
tffHiT of churches
Ahm F in mission
For Consultation with Trustees and Members
Proposed New Governance Structure Outline
Following on from the Strategy Review process and discussions in the 2010 July and October Trustee Body
meetings we are proposing the following new governance structure outline.
In broad terms it is similar to the present structure. The principal changes are as follows:
1. The Assembly will meet every four years (instead of 3 years at present).
2. The Officers Group will be replaced by an Executive comprising 10 people as follows:
• Moderator and Treasurer (from different Regions)
• 6 Deputy Moderators who will also act as Regional Chairpersons (elected by the Regions
during the Assembly from amongst their Council members)
• 2 young Trustees (one female & one male from Regions other than where the Moderator &
Treasurer come from)
3. The Trustee Body will be called the Council (and will still comprise 31 members - one from each
member body).
4. The new...”
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“...cwm
LA
s partnership
--------of churches
in mission
■"F
• CWM's strategy
• Principal programmes and regional reports
• Constitution (only when required)
• Budget
• Risks (in the context of strategy and organisational values and purpose)
• Appoint General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary
• Recommend to the Assembly the recognition or withdrawal of recognition of members
Members (Trustees) meeting in their regional groupings (and not just in the global meeting) as Regional
Mission Councils will also be similarly responsible for the life of their Region (with additional members as
determined by the Region)
31 Trustees (member representatives)
If a member (Trustee) is unable to attend a meeting of the Council, his/her member body may send an
Observer in his/her place.
If a member of the Council resigns, they must be replaced by someone in the same category e.g. youth,
gender, ordained or lay. They cannot be replaced by someone in another category.
Plus as non-voting members the General...”
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“...IS
r <— > partnership
of churches
AMb p in mission
As such we are proposing:
• Regional Mission Councils comprising the global trustees (Council members) from that region (with
additional members as determined by the Region)
• Regional Chairpersons (Deputy Moderators), elected at the Assembly to oversee with the other
Council members from their Region the regional outworking and implementation of CWM's strategy
• The creation of Regional offices in each Region comprising at least a Regional Executive Secretary and
Programme Assistant, who will have globally agreed job descriptions and terms of service, and who
will work under the supervision of the CWM General Secretary/Deputy General Secretary in
collaboration with the Regional Chairperson (Deputy Moderator)
• The creation of budget lines for each Region in line with the needs of the Region
• An annual Roundtable meeting in each Region where the Regional Mission Council will meet with key
stakeholders from each member church to review...”
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