ARTICLE 16 WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
16.1 ESTABLISHMENT
There shall be a Women’s Fellowship which shall consist of all the women in the Local Assemblies. It shall hold meetings at least once a week.
16.2 FUNCTIONS OF THE WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
(a) To pray for the growth of the Church.
(b)To organise seminars, workshops, lectures and symposia on all aspects of life such as the following:
Marriage enrichment, child welfare, care and education
Business management and techniques
The teaching of basic principles of law relating to the family e.g. succession, marriage, etc.
(c)To promote the welfare of widows, orphans, the needy, etc.
(d)To carry out evangelism i.e. preaching, witnessing, and winning souls for the Lord
(e)To train women to be responsible married women in the Church and the society
(f)To develop the talents of women and the total womanhood to enhance the social, physical, spiritual and intellectual status of the women
(g)Other specialized women related ministries
(h)To perform such other functions as the General Council or the Executive council may assign it.
16.3 WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The day to day administration of the Women’s Fellowship shall be governed by a seven (7) Member Executive Committee appointed by the National Executive Council with the approval of the General Council
16.3.1 MEMBERSHIP OF THE WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee of the Women’s fellowship shall be made up of the following:
(a) An experienced Minister as Patron.
(b)Women’s Director
(c) Deputy Women’s Director
(d) Two (2) Minister’s Wives
(e) Two(2) other Women
16.4 PATRON
The National Executive Council shall with the approval of the General Council appoint a Minister as Women’s fellowship Patron
16.4.1 FUNCTIONS
(a) The patron shall be answerable to the General Superintendent of the Church
(b) He shall have general supervision of the Women’s Director and other officers of the fellowship
(c) He shall be an adviser to the Women’s Director and other Officers of the fellowship
(d) He shall chair the Women’s fellowship Executive Committee meetings and in his absence, the Women’s Director shall preside
(e) He shall chair Women’s fellowship General Conference.
16.5 WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP DIRECTOR
The Executive Council shall with the approval of the General Council appoint a Deaconess of good repute to be the Director of the Women’s fellowship
16.5.1 FUNCTION OF THE WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP DIRECTOR
(a) She shall prepare and carry out the fellowship’s programmes and implement decisions of the General Council, the National Executive Council and the fellowship’s Executive Committee
(b) She shall be responsible for the administration of the fellowship
(c) She shall prepare agenda for the Women’s fellowship meetings and shall arrange to make them available to the members.
(d) She shall chair the Women’s Executive Committee meetings in the absence of the Patron
(e) She shall submit the Women’s fellowship General reports to the General Council
(f) She shall supply study material for the fellowship
(g) She shall perform such functions and duties as may be directed by the fellowship’s Executive Committee or the Superintendent of the Church.
(h) She shall be accountable to the General Superintendent of the Church for the effective administration of the fellowship
(i) She shall direct affairs during Women’s fellowship Leadership meetings and other related activities of the fellowship
(j) She shall perform any other functions that she may be assigned by the General Council or the National Executive Council.
16.6 DEPUTY WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP DIRECTOR
The Executive Council shall with the approval of the General Council appoint a Deputy Women’s Fellowship Director
16.6.1 FUNCTIONS
(a) The Deputy Women’s Director shall act for the Director
(b) She shall assist the Women’s Director in her functions
(c) She shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the Women’s Director or the Executive Committee of the Fellowship
16.7 TERM OF OFFICE
The Patron, the Director and the Deputy Director of the Women’s Fellowship and all other Executive members shall hold office for four (4) years and may be reviewed for further terms.
16.8 REGIONAL WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP PATRON
The Regional Women’s Fellowship Patron, who shall be a Minister, shall be recommended by the Regional Executive Committee and the other ministers.
16.8.1 FUNCTIONS
(a)The Regional Women’s Fellowship Patron shall be answerable to the Regional Superintendent
(b) He shall have general supervision of the Women’s Fellowship in the Region
(c) He shall be an advisor to the Regional Women’s Leader and her Regional Executives
(d) He shall chair the Women’s Fellowship Executive Committee meetings and in his absence the Regional Women’s Leader shall preside
(e) He shall chair the Women’s Fellowship Regional Conference.
16. 9 TERM OF OFFICE
The Patron, the Director and the Deputy Director of the Women’s Fellowship and all other executive members shall hold office for four (4) years and may be reviewed for further terms
16.10 REGIONAL WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
16.10.1 APPOINTMENT
The day to day administration of the Women’s Fellowship shall be governed by a seven-member Executive Committee appointed by the Regional Executive Council on the recommendation of the Regional Executive Committee
16.10.2 COMPOSITION OR MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEE
(a) Regional Women’s Fellowship Patron
(b) Regional Women’s Fellowship Leader
(c) Assistant Regional Women’s Fellowship Leader
(d) One (1) Pastor’s wife
(e) Three(3)Deaconesses one of whom shall be the Secretary
16.10.3 TERM OF OFFICE
The Patron, Leader, Assistant Leader and all other members shall hold office for a term of three (3) years and may be reviewed for further terms.
16.11 REGIONAL WOMEN’S MOVEMENT LEADER
A Deaconess of good repute shall be appointed as Regional Women’s Fellowship Leader. She shall be assisted by another Deaconess.
16.11.1 APPOINTMENT
The Regional Women’s Leader and her Assistant shall be appointed by the Regional Executive Council on the recommendation of the Regional Executive Committee.
16.11.2 FUNCTIONS
(a) To have general supervision of the Women’s Fellowship in the Region
(b) She shall work in consultation with the Regional Superintendent and report to the Regional Council
16.11.3 TERM OF OFFICE
The Regional Women’s Patron, Women’s Leader and her Assistant shall hold office for two (2) years and may be reviewed for further terms
16.12 DISTRICT WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
16.12.1 APPOINTMENT
The day to day administration of the Women’s Fellowship shall be governed by a five(5) member Executive Committee appointed by the District Executive Council on the recommendation of the District Executive Committee.
16.12.2 MEMBERSHIP
(a)District Women’s Fellowship Patron who shall be an Elder
(b)District Women’s Fellowship Leader
(c)Assistant District Women’s Fellowship Leader
(d) Two (2) Deaconesses one of whom shall be the Secretary.
16.12.3 TERM OF OFFICE
Patron, Leader, Assistant and all other members shall hold office for a term of three (3) years and may be reviewed for further terms
16.13 DISTRICT WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP LEADER
A Deaconess of good repute shall be appointed as a District Women’s Fellowship Leader. She shall have an Assistant.
16.13.1 APPOINTMENT
The District Women’s Fellowship Leader and her Assistant shall be appointed by the District Executive Council on the recommendation of the District Executive Committee.
16.13.2 FUNCTIONS
(a)She shall supervise the Women’s Fellowship in the District
(b) She shall communicate all relevant matters with the consent of the District Women’s Fellowship Patron and the District Pastor to the Regional Women’s Fellowship Leader.
(c)She shall see to the teaching of the Women the Word of God and lessons in the Women’s Fellowship Syllabus.
(d)She shall be responsible for the preparation of programmes for Women’s Fellowship meetings in consultation with the District Minister.
16.13.3 TERM OF OFFICE
The term of office shall be two (2) years and may be reviewed for further terms
16.14 LOCAL WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
16.14.1 APPOINTMENT
The day to day administration of the Local Women’s Fellowship shall be governed by a five-member Executive Committee appointed by the Local Church Board
16.14.2 MEMBERSHIP
(a)Local Women’s Fellowship Patron who shall be an Elder
(b)Local Women’s Fellowship Leader
(c)Assistant Local Women’s Fellowship Leader
(d)One (1) DEACONESS AND One (1) member.
16.14.3 TERM OF OFFICE
The Patron, Leader, Assistant and all other members shall hold office for a term of two (2) years and may be reviewed for further terms
16.15 LOCAL WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP LEADER
A Deaconess of good repute shall be appointed as the Local Women’s Fellowship Leader.She shall have an Assistant.
16.15.1 APPOINTMENT
The Local Women’s Fellowship Leader and her Assistant shall be appointed by the Local Board
16.15.2 FUNCTIONS
(a) She shall co-operate with the Local Board and the Minister in the discharge of her duties
(b) She shall take charge of the Local Women’s Fellowship meetings
(c) She shall see to the teaching of the women the Word of God and lessons in the Women Fellowship Syllabus.
16.15.3 TERM OF OFFICE
The term of office shall be two (2) years and may be reviewed for further terms.
16.16 FINANCE
Freewill offering shall be taken at meetings. A percentage as determined by the General Council from time to time shall be paid into the Central Fund.
