Constitution
of the Society 		 

 

 

  
1.

The Society of Saint Willibrord (hereinafter called “The Society”) is an unincorporated body founded in 1908 for the purposes of the Church of England in connection with ecumenical relations between the Church of England and the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht and registered as a Charity under number 272 832

 
2. The objects of the Society shall be the advancement of the religious and other charitable work of the Church of England by educating members of the Church of England and others in the history, theology and doctrine of the Old Catholic Churches and of the Churches of the Anglican Communion.

  
3. In furtherance of such objects but not further or otherwise the Society shall have the following powers:

  
 
3.1 to provide advice and aid concerning the Old Catholic Churches to Anglican clergy ministering in Old Catholic centres;
3.2 to promote international exchanges of young people for the purpose of education in ecumenical matters;
3.3 to provide bursaries and educational grants to persons engaged in ecumenical matters;
3.4 to undertake and execute any charitable trust which may lawfully be undertaken by the Society;
3.5 to invest the moneys of the Society not immediately required for its purposes in such investments as the appointed trustees shall from time to time think fit;
3.6 to do all such other things as shall further the attainment of the above objects or any of them.
 
4. There shall be the following categories of membership of the Society: [In each of the following categories “Anglican” always means “Anglican in communion with the See of Canterbury” and “Old Catholic” always means “Old Catholic of the Union of Utrecht”

  
 
4.1 Personal Membership – open to Anglicans and Old Catholics – voting rights – free newsletter. Annual membership fee as determined by the A.G.M.
4.2 Associate Membership – open to other denominations – no voting rights – free newsletter. Fee as 4.1.
4.3 Honorary Membership – for members of continental branches of SSW – no voting rights – newsletter on subscription – annual return expected.
No fee in UK (must be a paid up member of another branch).
4.4 Honorary Membership (ex officio) – for office holders in organisations involved in ecumenical and/or European church affairs and for chairs and secretaries of continental branches of SSW – annual return expected from individual or organisation – free newsletter – no voting rights. No fee.
4.5 Corporate Membership – for Anglican or Old Catholic parishes or for Anglican or OC church organisations – 2 votes per organisation – free newsletter. Fee as (4.1) personal x 2.
4.6 Honorary Corporate Membership – awarded in response to similar recognition from another (national or diocesan) Anglican or Old Catholic church organisation, association or group – no voting rights – free newsletter. No fee.
4.7 Honorary Life Membership – awarded by the Executive Committee to persons who have performed outstanding service to the Anglican or OC Church; also to any Anglican bishop associated with the work of SSW and to all OC bishops – no voting rights – free newsletter. No fee. (Does not exclude the holder from personal or life membership with voting rights).
4.8 Honorary Associate Life Membership – awarded by the Executive Committee to persons who have performed outstanding service to the worldwide Church, but who are not Anglican or Old Catholics – no voting rights – free newsletter. No fee.
 
5. The following categories of membership are no longer open to new members.

  
 
5.1 Life Membership – restricted to previous Anglican and Old Catholic members who became life members before life membership was abolished; voting rights – free newsletter.
5.2 Associate Life Membership – restricted to individuals who became life members before life membership was abolished but are no longer Anglican or Old Catholic – no voting rights – free newsletter.
 
6. All members are expected to complete an annual return of membership, even if no fee is involved, so that the Society’s records may be accurately maintained.

  
7. The Society will immediately adjust the membership category for any members leaving the Old Catholic or Anglican Church for another denomination; or for those ceasing to hold qualifying office under category 4.5.

 
8. The Society shall have two Patrons: The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of Utrecht.

  
9. The Society shall also have a President. The Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe shall normally be invited by the Chairman to be the President on his appointment to the see. If he declines the Annual General Meeting may propose another President.

  
10. The Officers of the Society shall consist of the President, the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Representative (who may or may not be a member of the Society) and the Registrar.

  
11. The Society shall meet at least once a year and at its first meeting each year shall elect the Officers referred to in paragraph 7 of this Constitution (other than the Archbishop’s representative) and such other officers as may from time to time be considered necessary. This meeting shall be known as the Annual General Meeting.

  
12. The management and administration of the Society when not in session shall be under the control of an Executive Committee which shall consist of the Officers of the Society and not less than 5 or more than 10 other persons elected by and from the membership of the Society. The Executive Committee may also co-opt onto its membership up to five other persons to give advice in particular areas of expertise. Co-opted members who are not members of the Society shall not be eligible to vote at meetings. For any business to be conducted there should be a quorum consisting of not less than half of the current total of Officers and Committee Members.

 
13. All assets of the Society both real and personal shall be vested in the Central Board of Finance of the Church of England, or such other body corporate as the Society may elect or appoint in General Meeting, as Custodian Trustees upon trust for the Society. The Executive Committee shall have power to manage, administer and dispose of such assets in furtherance of the objects of the Society specified in Clause 3 of this Constitution and shall keep the Custodian Trustees indemnified against any claims or outgoings in respect of such assets.

  
14. The provisions of this Constitution other than paragraphs 2 and 12 and this paragraph may be amended added to or revoked by a resolution of the Society in general meeting with a majority of not less than two-thirds of those present and voting, provided that such amendment, addition or revocation shall not enable the funds of the Society to be applied for non-charitable purposes, and shall not take effect until the date of the next general meeting.

  
15. The Society may be dissolved in pursuance of a resolution passed in general meeting with a majority of not less than two-thirds of those present and voting, and if after the satisfaction of all the debts and liabilities of the Society there remains any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Society but shall be given or transferred to some other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Society, and in default thereof then to some other charitable object as the Society shall see fit.