We, the current membership of the NTCF hereby accept this constitution as a supreme document upon which the mission, objectives, and activities of the NTCF are to be based It is the final reference for all decisions of the NTCF and we agree to abide by their contents and the guidelines of the constitution at all times of the active membership to the NTCF.
Whereas the parents have entrusted the whole child to the teacher and silently said, "Take this child and nurse him for me,"(Exodus 2:9);
And whereas teachers are responsible for the development of the whole child, mentally, physically, socially and spiritually (Luke 2:52), with the assistance of the parents and ministers of religion;
And whereas the average lifespan of 70 years, the child spends a third with the teacher as most parents do not have time to teach their children accordingly because they are at work consequently the child lacks Christian influence;
And whereas a nation without God's guidance is a nation beset with hatred, racism, sexism, corruption, violence, murder, promiscuity, drunkenness, and chaos.
And whereas Jesus commanded, "Go ye unto all the world and make disciples....." but for teachers the world comes to them five days a week.
Now, therefore, the teachers can go "train up the child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).
The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, God's infallible written Word, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe that it was uniquely, verbally, organically, plenary and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it was written without error (inerrant) in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks.
We accept those areas of doctrinal teaching on which, historically, there has been general agreement among all true Christians. Because of the specialized calling of our movement, we desire to allow for freedom of conviction on other doctrinal matters, provided that any interpretation is based upon the Bible alone, and that no such interpretation shall become an issue which hinders the ministry to which God has called us.
The organisation shall be known as the 'TEACHERS' CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, hereinafter referred to as the TCF.
The Head Office of the fellowship shall be at the physical address of the national Secretary-General of the organisation.
To transform schools and education to environments of love and care for the developing learners.
4.1 Preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all learners, educators and non-teaching staff;
4.2 Promote Christian values in education;
4.3 Develop spiritual and professional life of educators so that they are effective in their teaching;
4.4 Promote holistic growth of members in all areas of life and to enable them to become self-reliant.
5.1 to facilitate the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ to various learning, educational and training institutions such as schools, colleges and universities;
5.2 to ensure the effective co-ordination of Christian work and practices within the institutions especially schools in South Africa.
6.1 To function as an advisory body for any participating organization which request to do so. The terms of such a function will be defined between the participating organization and TCF, to encourage consideration of education issues from a biblical point of view and by so doing, promoting the influence of Christian education in all spheres of lives.
6.2 To inspire Christian teachers in their professional training and development.
6.3 To organize conferences, seminars, workshops, lectures, courses for spiritual and professional development.
6.4 The TCF shall further be involved in writing of quarterly newsletters, Biblical research in both spiritual and education areas of the various Christian researches.
The core values that TCF strive to maintain represent the character the fellowship wishes to possess; and these core values stand as the criteria by which we examine ourselves. All our activities should be consistent with what we preach:
Professionalism – strive to promote our continued intellectual and spiritual growth and to conduct ourselves as dedicated professional Christian educators (1 Cor. 14:40).
Respect – appreciate and treat all individuals with dignity and respect (1Pet 2:17).
Excellence – dedicated to meeting the educational needs of the learner, school, and department; and continually strive for unsurpassed excellence in all we do (Col 3:23, Eph 6:7).
Acceptance – called to love, forgive and embrace all people with openness and acceptance (Heb 12:14; Rom 12:16)
Character – demand the highest level of integrity, holiness and responsibility to support the school, home and the church (Job 1:1; Ruth 3:11).
Help - contribute to the value of others through word and deed; facilitate the growth and success of others; seek first to serve before being served (1 Peter 4:10; Philippians 2:4).
The area of operation of TCF shall be within all provinces of the Republic of South Africa.
9.1 The membership of the TCF shall be open to all South Africans within the area of operation of the TCF, irrespective of race and colour, who accept its principles, policies and programmes and are prepared to abide by its constitution and rules.
9.2 TCF is interdenominational and does not subscribe to any political ideology.
9.3 Membership is applied at a provincial level.
9.4 The Provincial Executive Committee shall have the power to accept or refuse an application for membership.
9.5 An applicant shall be issued with an acknowledgement of provincial membership and the details of the branches and constituency /area in which the applicant resides and any other information about the local branch structures.
9.6 Each recognised TCF province is expected to pay a yearly affiliation fee that shall be determined by Council from time to time.
9.7 The membership is subject to payment of the prescribed monthly or annual subscription whose minimum is determined from time to time by the Provincial or National Council.
Membership shall terminate if a member resigns or is excluded from TCF by Council, on the recommendation of the Provincial Executive Committee.
11.1 The management of the TCF shall be vested in the TCF Council and office bearers hereinafter referred to as "Council" and "Executive".
The Council shall comprise of four delegates from each active TCF province. Seven members of Council shall form the National Executive Committee
Seats of the National Executive Committee are allocated as follows:
11.2 Seats of the Provincial Executive Committee are allocated as follows:
12.1 It shall develop the vision and formulate policies of the TCF.
12.2 It shall formulate fundraising policies of the organisation.
12.3 It shall keep all records of Council's meetings.
12.4 It shall formulate policies and procedures pertaining to all aspects of the TCF.
12.5 It shall advise the National Executive Committee on matters pertaining to context of operation and strategy.
12.6 It shall monitor the functioning of the National Executive Committee
The National Executive Committee runs the day-to-day affairs of TCF and it consists of seven members.
13.1.1 It shall carry out all policies and decisions of Council.
13.1.2 It shall exercise all powers as may be delegated by the Council.
13.1.3 It shall execute and implement TCF policies.
13.1.4 It shall promote the aims of TCF.
13.1.5 It shall convene the biennial general conference.
13.1.6 It shall have the power to co-opt any member to serve on any structure.
Together with the Deputy President, shall oversee the running/administration and management of the Executive Committee; and shall convene and chair all Council/Executive meetings.
Together with the President, the Deputy President shall oversee the running/administration and management of the National Executive Committee; and shall assist the President to chair all Council/ Executive Committee meetings.
13.2.3.1 Shall record all the minutes of biennial general meetings; and record all the minutes of the Executive Committee meetings;
13.2.3.2 Shall keep proper records and books for the TCF;
13.2.3.3 Shall write letters of invitations and notices to all Executive members of the TCF.
13.2.3.4 Shall co-ordinate a TCF-related activity.
Will share responsibilities of running the Secretariat desk.
13.2.5.1 Shall be responsible for running financial affairs of TCF.
13.2.5.2 Shall keep proper records of all financial transactions.
13.2.5.3 Shall be responsible for the cheque book of TCF.
13.2.5.4 Shall be a co-signatory of the cheque book.
13.2.6.1 Shall be responsible to produce TCF newsletter.
13.2.6.2 Shall be responsible for running the website of TCF.
13.2.7.1 Shall see to it that all projects identified by TCF in a particular period run smoothly and are completed on time.
13.2.7.2 Shall do his/her duties in consultation with the Secretary-General inline with what is said in sub-clause 13.2.3.4
14,1 Elections shall be by nominations and motivations, followed by secret ballot in the event of a deadlock.
14. 2 Only full members of the TCF shall be eligible to vote.
14. 3 Full members would refer to those members who have affiliated in different provinces.
14..4 Full members shall be entitled to speak and vote at all general meetings.
15. 1 The term of office of the Council shall be for a period of not more than four years.
15.2 If any member of Council resigns or fails to complete his/her term of office, his/her seat shall be filled by way of co-option.
16.1 Meetings of the Council shall take place and may be determined by the President, but at least once a year.
16.2 Fifty plus one percent of the Members of the Council shall constitute a quorum.
16.3 Fifty plus one percent of Members of the Executive Committee, be it provincial or national, shall constitute a quorum.
16.4 Meetings of the Executive may be determined by the President from time to time.
16.5 A special meeting of the Council or Executive Committees may be convened whenever circumstances so dictate, or at the request of at least three members of these Committees.
16.6 The rules, procedures, and practices applicable in running of the meetings would be applicable mutatis, mutandis to the meetings of the above Committees.
16.7 The organisation can form sub- and ad hoc committees.
The following business should be dealt with at a biennial general meeting, namely:
17.1 To receive a report from Council to be presented by the President.
17.2 To examine the financial statements for the previous two years.
17.3 To deal with any changes to the Constitution.
17.4 To deal with election matters in an election year.
18.1 The financial matters of TCF shall be vested in a body consisting of a minimum of three members duly ratified or appointed for such a function by the Council; amongst these members are the President and the Treasurer.
18.2 Under no circumstances will the financial control be vested in one person on his/her own.
18.3 No profits or gains will be distributed to any person and the funds of TCF will be utilized solely for investment or the objects for which it was established.
18.4 Funds available for investment may only be invested with registered financial institutions as defined in Section 1 of the Financial Institutions (Investment of Funds) Act, 1984, and in securities listed on a licensed stock exchange as defined in the Stock Exchanges Control Act, 1985 (Act no.1 of 1985)
18.5 Council may determine fair and reasonable remuneration for services rendered to be paid to its members and other employees of the TCF, and may, in addition, authorise the reimbursement to any person of any expense actually incurred and necessarily incurred in their capacities as members of the Council, whilst performing duties for and on behalf of the TCF.
18.6 Any member of Council may, at the discretion of the Council, be indemnified by TCF against expenses actually, necessarily and reasonably incurred by such a person arising out of the defence of any action or proceeding where such person is made party, provided that: Such action, suit or proceeding does not arise out of negligence or misconduct on the part of such a person; the Council may require that legal costs arising out of such action, suit or proceeding be taxed by the appropriate taxing authority prior to payment thereof by TCF, and if such costs are accepted by the Council, this TCF may pay in addition to the cost of such an action.
18.7 TCF shall operate a banking account with a legally recognised financial institution (bank) and no individual or individuals may keep TCF money for safety.
18.8 The financial statements of TCF shall be available to its members two months before the intended biennial general meeting
18.9 The financial statements shall be drawn up by a person with a thorough knowledge of accountancy
18.10 The financial control and administration as well as all assets owned by the TCF shall be vested in the Executive Committee, referred to herein.
18.11 Books shall be audited as required of NPO law and regulations.
18.12 The financial year of TCF shall end on the 31 st of December in each year.
19.1 TCF shall exist in its own right, separately from its members, able to own property and other possessions, able to sue and be sued in its own name.
19.2 TCF shall continue to exist even when membership changes and there are different office bearers.
19.3 Members or office bearers of TCF do not have rights over property that belong to the organisation.
All legal proceedings instituted by/ or against TCF, shall be brought in the name of the Council.
Except in the case of dishonesty or gross negligence, no member shall incur any personal responsibility for the debts or obligations of the TCF.
No amendment to the Constitution shall be made unless such amendment hasbeen authorised by a two-third majority of provinces attending an biennial annual general meeting of which due notice has been given. Notice of the proposed amendment shall be in writing and received by the Secretary-General 90 days prior to the biennial annual general meeting.
23.1 Believing that the Bible commands Christians to make every effort to live at peace and to resolve disputes with each other in private or within the Christian Church (see, e.g., Matthew 18: 15-20, I Corinthians 6: 1-8), the TCF shall require its members to resolve conflict among themselves according to biblically based principles, without reliance on the secular courts.
23.2 Consistent with its call to peace-making, the TCF shall encourage the use of biblically based principles and the avoidance of suits of law or equity to resolve disputes between itself and those outside TCF, whether Christian or pagan and whether individuals or corporate entities.
23.3 The Council shall adopt policies and procedures to effect these requirements and aspirations.
24.1 The TCF may be dissolved on a Resolution passed by a majority of provinces present at an annual general meeting of the province, called for that purpose.
24.2 Twenty-one (21) days’ notice shall be given on such meeting which will specify the purpose for which the meeting has been called. In the event of TCF being dissolved, no portion of its assets shall be disposed of to the members thereof, but shall after all liabilities have been met, transferred or made over to some other organization, having aims and objectives of a similar nature to those of the TCF within the area of operation of the TCF which areas are determined by this Constitution.
This Constitution was approved and accepted by members of the Teachers’ Christian Fellowship of South Africa at the General Annual Meeting held on the day to be determined. The Constitution shall also be referred to as The First Amendment of the Constitution of the Teachers’ Christian Fellowship of South Africa, 2021
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