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4. Other responsibilites of a local group
In addition to the responsibilities listed for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Glad Tidings Secretary, a group has other responsibilities. As stated in the By-Laws, these are cared for by other officers as may be deemed necessary. Some of these responsibilities might be assigned to the above officers.
The Group needs to consider:
- how the following responsibilities are going to be cared for
- which of the responsibilities require an officer
- what responsibilities could be looked after by a committee or the group as a whole.
Active and Associate Members
The group needs to be responsible for keeping in touch with all members - those who can attend meetings and those in the congregation who through illness, age, family responsibilities such as small children are unable to attend group meetings regularly but who wish to be Associate Members. It also needs to see that Associate Members attend meetings when possible and are made to realize through visitation, phone calls and letters that they are members of the groups. All members need to be informed about programs of the group and about the work of the Society. All should be given an opportunity to share in planning and taking part in meetings and to share in supporting the work for which the Society is responsible.
Friendship and Service
The outreach of Friendship and Service should involve all members of the group but may require a person to coordinate these activities.
This work includes:
- being aware of people coming to the community, welcoming these newcomers, and making them aware of what the church offers to each member of their family such as Church School, children’s and youth groups, men’s and women’s groups and the choir.
- dvising churches in other areas of people moving from your community.
- being aware of the needs of the people in the community and helping to meet those needs. Do not forget young people away from home, working or attending schools, colleges and universities.
Involvement in Friendship and Service requires visiting, phoning, and correspondence. Much of the work should be done in cooperation with the minister and/or pastoral care team.
Program materials and books for individual reading which tell of the work of Christians, nationally and internationally; materials for private and group meditation and devotions are available from The Book Room and through Presbyterial Literature Secretaries.
Members may know what is available through:
- Book displays
- a book-of-the-month reviewed at meetings
- reference made to resources/reviews in the Glad Tidings
A member of the group should be prepared to promote books and resources, take orders, keep records of purchases made and of materials used, and report to the Presbyterial Literature Secretary.
Don’t forget to see that children’s and youth group leaders know about and are provided with program materials.
There is a need to publicize what is being done by the group and the WMS as a whole in the local press. Accounts of activities for the Glad Tidings should highlight new ideas which would be useful for other groups and include the reasons why you found these activities interesting and/or helpful for your group. This should be sent to the Editor of Glad Tidings,
50 Wynford Dr.
,
Toronto
,
ON
M3C 1J7
.
Guidelines are available from the office and in the Glad Tidings summer mailing.
In Remembrance notices are the responsibility of the local group Secretary. These should be sent to the Glad Tidings as soon as possible after the death occurs.
A Program Committee or the Executive should be responsible for planning the programs for each meeting (see p. 14, Program Planning).
Reporting
The Annual Report Form (blue) is sent to the local group by the Presbyterial Secretary. The best way to complete the report form is for the whole group to evaluate the program together. This provides an opportunity to evaluate the past year and make plans for the future.
Appointing a Nominating Committee
The group should appoint a nominating committee at the Annual Meeting. (see p. 20).
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