THE UNION OF CATHOLIC APOSTOLATE (UAC)

 

 

 

STATUTES OF THE COORDINATION COUNCIL OF INDIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pallottine Animation Centre Pallotti Nagar Nagpur 440 013

 

 

 

 

 

 

NATIONAL COORDINATION COUNCIL OF INDIA (NCCIn)

(GS 65-75)

 

 

  1. NAME

 

The name of the coordination body for the Union of Catholic Apostolate (UAC) in India Is ‘The National Coordination Council of India’ (NCCIn).

 

  1. MEMBERSHIP IN NCCIn (GS 65, 66,70)

 

The NCCIn is composed of :

2.1. The Major Superior/representative of the communities founded by St. Vincent Pallotti, present in India.

 

2.2. Major Superior/representative of the other communities belonging to the Union, present in India.

2.3. The Presidents of the Regional Coordination Councils (RCCs) in India.

2.4. Anyone who is elected to General Coordination Council becomes ex-Officio member.

2.5.  7 representatives elected by UAC National Assembly, of whom 5 must be laity, 1 priest and another, a Sister.

2.7. The NCCIn will have 15 members now. It should not have more than 21 persons; if the members need to be increased, the NCCIn can decide in the national assembly and seek the approval of the GCC.

 

 

  1. TERM OF OFFICE OF NCCIn

 

The term of office of the NCCIn is three years (GS 67).

 

  1. TASKS OF NCCIn (GS 62, 70-75)

 

The tasks of the NCCIn are:

 

4.1. To take overall responsibility for promotion and sustenance of UAC in India and ensure fidelity to the General Statutes of UAC at all levels within its territory.

4.2. To admit to the UAC established communities within its territory which are not of pontifical right or international by nature and  to terminate their membership for grave reasons with the approval of GCC.

4.3. To establish RCCs Regional Coordination Councils) and LCCs (Local coordination Councils GS 62) according to the needs and growth of UAC in India and provide guidelines for them.

4.4. To guarantee the spirit of the UAC in all its communities, members and activities.

4.5. To foster a spirit of unity and collaboration among UAC members and plan UAC activities on a national level.

4.6. To produce formation materials for UAC members, to oversee and approve their formation.

4.7. To purchase property and raise funds.

4.8. To prepare national plans and approve budget for it and maintain orderly accounts.

4.9. To gather and share information regarding developments and experiences, initiatives, etc., within the Union around the country.

4.10. To collaborate with the local Church to instil in the faithful a deeper understanding and living of their vocation; and to coordinate and strengthen the apostolic endeavours of all the faithful for greater effectiveness.

4.11. To foster, encourage and build up UAC spirit as a way of serving the Church, communities and institutions, particularly where members of different Pallottine entities work.

4.12. To promote inter-religious harmony, and collaboration.

4.13. To maintain contact with the General Coordination Council (GCC) and the General Secretariat in Rome and collaborate with them in UAC’s international activities.

4.14. To sustain contacts with the Bishops Conference of India.

4.15. Elect the President and Vice-President through separate secrete ballots and send their names to GCC for approval.

4.16. Appoint UAC National Bursar (GS 71.g).

4.17. Appoint National Secretary (GS 71.h)

 

  1. OFFICE-BEARERS OF NCCIn (GS 67)

 

5.1. Office-bearers of NCCIn are the President, Vice-president, the Treasurer, the Secretary and the National Promoter of UAC Formation.

 

  • Term of Office and Election Process

 

5.2.1. Every member of the NCCIn can be elected to any of these offices.

 

5.2.2. The term of office for the office-bearers is 3 years.

 

5.2.3. A person cannot be elected to any of these offices for a third consecutive term.

5.2.4. The UAC National Assembly will elect 7 representatives to the NCCIn of whom 5 must be laity.

 

5.2.5. The voting process will begin by a straw vote to propose names for the 7 representatives (laity, priest and sister separately) by the house and allows persons to withdraw if he/she so wishes. Then voting by secret ballots will take place for the remaining persons (laity, priest, & sister separately). The first 5 among laity will be elected in the order of the higher number of votes secured. For the rest too, the 2 from among priests and Sisters who secured highest vote, will be elected.

 

5.2.6. The NCCIn in their first meeting will elect the President and Vice-President by separate secret ballots. He/she who gets absolute majority is declared elected. If the first two ballots do not provide the votes needed, the 3rd ballot will be for the top 2 of the 2nd ballot and he/she secures higher vote is declared elected to the office.

 

5.2.7. The election of the President and Vice-President must be ratified by the GCC.

 

5.2.8. After GCC approves the election of the President and Vice-President, the NCCIn appoints the Treasurer and Secretary for the same term.

 

 

5.3. When the President is unable to continue in office or the office becomes vacant for any reason, the Vice-president takes over the office until the end of the running term.

 

5.4. If any other office-bearer is unable to continue in office or the office becomes vacant for any reason, the person who got the next highest number of votes for that office will take over and complete the term.

 

 

  1. ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT & VICE-PRESIDENT (GS 68)

 

6.1. The President

6.1.1. Presides over NCCIn meetings or delegates this function to the Vice President in the meeting.

6.1.2. Invites experts to the meetings.

6.1.3. Has a right to attend RCC meetings and Assemblies.

6.1.4. Represents the NCCIn at the General Assembly and maintains contact with the General Coordination Council.

6.1.5. Can attend any LCC meeting and those of regional net-working bodies.

6.1.6. Inspires members to deepen the spirit of the UAC.

6.1.7. Is one of the three signatories for bank account.

 

  • The Vice-President

Acts in the name of the President for the responsibility deputed to him/her by the President without prejudice to no. 5.6.

 

  1. ROLE OF THE SECRETARY

 

The Secretary

7.1. Is responsible for all NCCIn reports and documentation.

7.2. Sends notices and communication materials as directed by the President.

7.3. Keeps communication with the General Secretariat in Rome.

7.4   Coordinates NCCIn activities as directed by the President.

7.5   Maintains NCCIn Office and documentation at Pallottine Animation Centre (PAC) Nagpur.

7.6. Is one of the three signatories for the bank account.

 

  1. ROLE OF THE TREASURER

 

The Treasurer

8.1. Takes the responsibility for raising funds and oversees the distribution of funds as directed by the President of the NCCIn and the General Treasurer of the UAC.

8.2. Presents budget and the accounts to NCCIn for its approval and gets accounts audited.

8.3   Presents audited statement in the national meeting.

8.4. Has a say in the purchase of property and furniture for the use and activities of NCCIn and when major financial investments are being planned.

8.5. Is one of the three signatories for the bank account.

8.6. Any bank operation must be signed by two of the tree signatories.

 

 

  1. FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS

 

The members of NCCIn ordinarily meet at least once in a year. An extraordinary meeting may be called by the office bearers of NCCIn by a unanimous decision or whenever more than ten members of the NCCIn ask for it.

 

  1. MODE OF FUNCTIONING

 

10.1. Ordinarily NCCIn tries to form consensus on issues.  This must be the   preferred mode of functioning. Where it is not possible, decisions are arrived by the vote of absolute majority of those present and voting.

10.2. The quorum for the meeting is two third of the total membership.

10.3. The President has a casting vote in the case of a tie.

 

 

 

  1. THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL PROMOTER OF UAC FORMATION

 

11.1. The National Promoter of UAC Formation has the task of guiding, overseeing and ensuring appropriate formation of its members all over the country. He/she will work in liaison with RCC formation promoters and with those responsible for formation in Pallottine entities. He/she is an ex-officio member of the NCCIn.

11.2 The NCCIn presents the name of the National Promoter of Formation to the GCC, who appoints him/her.

 

  1. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

12.1. A National Assembly is held every three years.

12.2. Participants of the National Assembly are:

12.3. The NCCIn Office-bearers, Major superiors of all the entities, Presidents of each RCC, a certain number of elected     representatives from each RCC, the proportion of which is to be decided by the NCCIn. Anyone who is elected to GCC becomes ex-officio member of the National assembly as long as in the office. The number of elected representatives is to be higher than that of the ex-officio members.

 

12.4. The tasks of the National Assembly are:

12.4.1. To study and review UAC activities in India.

12.4.2. To set new national priorities and policy decisions for UAC in India.

12.4.3. To add to, or amend, the guidelines of the NCCIn as necessary.

12.4.4. To study and review the NCCIn finances, the budgets of the previous three years, and to set a new budget.

12.4.5. To prepare for General Assemblies.

12.4.6. To elect the office bearers of NCCIn.

 

  1. NATIONAL CONGRESS

 

  • It is recommended to hold a National Congress once in 6 years for reflection, an exchange of opinions, experiences and proposals, and for a more effective fostering of the universal apostolate. Participation in the Congress is open to representatives of the members and of the collaborators of the Union (GS.100).

 

  • The tasks of the National Congress are:
    • To provide opportunities for members to exchange experiences and build on the spirit of unity and fellowship with members from different parts of the country.
    • To conduct study and discussions on UAC life, spirituality and activities.
    • To encourage and motivate members to be more deeply committed to the UAC vision.
    • To make recommendations to the National Assembly and the NCCIn for new initiatives in the life and activities of the UAC.

 

 

  1. REGIONAL COORDINATION COUNCIL (RCC) (GS.76)

   

14.1. Regional Demarcation for RCC

It is the National Assembly which will decide on the demarcation of the geographical area coming under the realm of RCCs. It will follow the civil states of the country since these also constitute language groups. Such demarcation must be approved by GCC. (GS.76)

 

  • Purpose of RCC

The purpose of RCC is to make the focus of UAC activities in the local context allowing involvement of people of the area and culture. In the Indian context, more UAC organizational and coordination work is to be done at the RCC level.

 

14.3. Membership in RCC.

 

          RCC consists of:

 

14.3.1. President of the NCCIn.

14.3.2. One Delegate from each Pallottine core/other communities of the Union present in the region.

14.3.3. Presidents of the LCCs in the region.

14.3.4. 5 elected members by the Regional Assembly, of whom 3 must be laity.

14.3.6. The RCC consists of not more than 15 persons; if the number needs to be increased, the RCC can seek the approval of the NCCIn.

 

 

 

  1. FUNCTIONS OF RCC

 

The tasks of the RCC are:

15.1. To promote and sustain the UAC in the region.

15.2. To admit to the UAC new individual members and communities within the region and to terminate their membership for grave reasons. (The admission of communities requires the consent of NCCIn and the General Coordination Council which must be also informed of the completed incorporation.) (GS 72)

15.3. To set up LCCs and provide guidelines for their effective and spirit-filled functioning.

15.4. To guarantee and foster the spirit of the UAC in all its communities and members and plan UAC activities at the regional level.

15.5. To collaborate with the local Church to instil in the faithful a deeper understanding and living of their vocation; and to coordinate and strengthen the apostolic endeavours of all the faithful for greater effectiveness.

15.6. To foster, encourage and build up UAC spirit as a way of serving in the Church, communities and institutions in the region, particularly where members of different Pallottine entities are working.

15.7. To produce formation materials for the UAC members of the region in tune with the NCCIn formation plan for the country, to oversee and approve their formation.

15.8. To ensure that there is a trained formation team to conduct and oversee all formation work in the region, including ongoing formation of members.

15.9. To purchase property and raise funds and maintain orderly accounts at the regional level.

15.10. Appoint Regional Treasurer and Regional Secretary.

15.10. To promote inter-religious harmony, and Collaboration in the region.

15.11. To maintain contact with the NCCIn and the National Secretariat (NS) at Nagpur and collaborate with them in UAC national activities.

15.12. To sustain contacts with the Bishops Conference of the region.

15.13. Elect President and Vice-President through secret ballot.

15.14. Appoint treasurer and secretary.

 

 

 

  1. OFFICE-BEARERS OF RCC

 

  1. 1.Office-bearers of RCC are the President, the Vice-president, the treasurer, the Secretary and the UAC Regional Formation Promoter.
    • Any member of the RCC can be elected to any of these offices.
    • A person cannot be elected to the same office for a third consecutive term.
    • The elections of the President and Vice-president are to be approved by the NCCIn.
    • If the President’s office becomes vacant or he/she cannot continue in office, the Vice-president will continue as President for the rest of the term.
    • If any of the other office-bearers are unable to continue in office or the office becomes vacant for any reason, the one who got next highest number of votes for that office will take over and complete the term.
    • The UAC Regional formation promoter is appointed by NCCIn at the recommendation of the RCC for a term of three years. The same person can hold this office only for two consecutive terms. He/she is an ex-officio member of the RCC.

 

16.8. Term of Office and Election of the President & Vice-President

 

16.8.1. The term of office of the RCC is three years.

16.8.2. The Regional Assembly elects 5 representatives to the RCC, of

whom 3 must be laity and 1 priest and 1 Sister.

16.8.3. The RCC casts a straw vote for the President by secret ballot.

After giving those who want to withdraw, the final vote is cast   by secret ballot. The one who gets absolute majority, is considered elected. In case of not attaining results in 2 ballots, the third ballot will be between the top two of the 2nd ballot and whoever gets higher vote is considered elected to the office of the President. The same procedure is continued for the election of the Vice-President.

 

16.8.4. Election of the President and Vice-President must be approved by

the NCCIn.

16.8.5. The Treasurer and Secretary are appointed by the RCC.

 

 

  1. ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT

 

The President:

  • Presides over RCC meetings or deputes this function to the Vice President.
  • Invites experts to the meetings.
  • Represents the RCC at the National Assembly.
  • Can attend any LCC meeting and those of regional net-working bodies.
  • Inspires members to deepen the spirit of the UAC.
  • Signs cheques together with the Treasurer or secretary.
  • The Vice-president works with the President as directed by him/her.

 

 

  1. ROLE OF THE SECRETARY

 

The Secretary

  • Is responsible for all RCC reports and documentation.
  • Sends notices and communication materials as directed by the President.
  • Keeps communication with the NCCIn Secretariat in Nagpur.
  • Coordinates RCC activities as directed by the President.
  • Maintains the RCC Office and documentation.
  • Is one of the signatories of the bank account.

 

  1. ROLE OF THE TREASURER

 

The Treasurer:

  • Takes the responsibility for raising funds and oversees the distribution of funds as directed by the President of the RCC.
  • Maintains and audits the accounts of RCC.
  • Presents an audited statement in the regional meeting for approval.
  • Has a say in the purchase of property and furniture for the use and activities of RCC and when major financial investments are being planned.
  • Is a signatory to the bank account.
  • Cooperates with the Treasurer of NCCIn for national activities.

 

 

 

  1. FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS

 

  • The RCC ordinarily meets once a year. Office-bearers may meet as needed.
  • An extra ordinary meeting may be called by the Office bearers of RCC or whenever more than half of the members of the RCC ask for it.

 

  1. MODE OF FUNCTIONING

 

  • Ordinarily the RCC tries to form consensus on issues. This must be the preferred mode of functioning.
  • Where it is not possible, decisions are made through voting. A decision is passed when it gets absolute majority of members present and voting.
  • Quorum for meeting is two third of the membership.
  • The President has a casting vote in case of a tie.

 

  1. REGIONAL FORMATION PROMOTER

 

  • Every RCC should have its own formation promoter in order to make sure that there is continuous and guided formation for all its members and appropriate materials are produced in the local language. He/she ensures that the spirit of the charism is sustained.
  • He/she should work in liaison with the National Formation Promoter and with formators of Pallottine entities in the region.

 

  1. REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

 

  • A Regional Assembly is held every three years.
  • Participants of the Regional Assembly are:

23.2.1. The NCCIn President and the RCC Office-bearers.

23.2.2. The LCC Presidents of the region.

23.2.3. A certain number of elected representatives from each LCC, the proportion of which is to be decided by the RCC. The number of elected representatives is to be higher than that of the ex-officio members.

 

 

 

23.3. The tasks of the Regional Assembly are:

23.3.1. To study and review UAC activities in the region.

23.3.2. To set regional priorities and policy decisions for UAC in the region.

23.3.3. To prepare for the national assemblies.

23.3.4. To study and review the RCC finances, the budgets of the previous three years, and to set a new budget.

23.3.5. To elect 5 representatives to the RCC.

 

  1. REGIONAL CONGRESS

 

  • A Regional Congress may be held once in three years.

 

  • The tasks of the Regional Congress are:
    • To provide opportunities for members to exchange experiences and build on the spirit of unity and fellowship with members from different parts of the region.
    • To conduct study and discussions on UAC life, spirituality and activities.
    • To encourage and motivate members to be more deeply committed to the UAC vision.
    • To make recommendations to the Regional Assembly and the RCC for new initiatives in the life and activities of the UAC.

 

  1. LOCAL COORDINATION COUNCILS (LCCs) (GS.76)

 

25.1. The smallest unit of UAC is called ‘The Local Unit of UAC’.

25.2. Local Units of the UAC consists of all the members and collaborators of the UAC in a certain geographical area set by RCC.

25.3. LCCs are like little ‘cenacles’ and ‘motivating centres’ of Spirit-filled encounter and collaboration that seek to  sustain a deep common spirituality and promote and coordinate various apostolic initiatives of the members and collaborators in that area.

25.4. Membership in LCC

25.4.1 One representative each from the Pallottine core communities.

25.4.2 One representative each from the other communities belonging to the Union present in that unit area.

25.4.3. Local Formation Promoter appointed by the RCC

25.4.4. The President & Vice-President, elected by the AGM and Secretary and Treasurer who are appointed by the LCC.

25.4.5. Only those who have taken formal membership can vote and be elected to these offices. Those who are collaborators cannot be elected to any of these offices nor do they have right to vote.

 

 

  1. TASKS OF LCC:

 

  • To Recruit, motivate, train and admit to the UAC new individual members with the concurrence of RCC.
  • To be a local “evangelical trumpet”, inviting all to the Union and help its members to be zealous apostles and use all their talents and abilities to enable the local Church to respond to the different challenges of the gospel.
  • To take care of the basic and continuous formation of its members according to the guidelines given by RCC formation
  • To make sure that the individuality of each individual and member group is respected.
  • To facilitate the process of each member’s renewal in faith and love so that he/she feels motivated to serve the local church and strengthen it. Every UAC member must submit his/her way of contributing to the mission of the local church before he/ she applies for membership.
  • To guide, plan and implement concrete action.
  • To cooperate with RCC and NCCIn for common programmes and support for UAC missions.
  • To establish and maintain good relationship with local church leaders, Pallottine communities and lay leaders.
  • To engage in local inter-religious harmony, peace and social justice, civic and developmental activities.
  • To raise funds and other facilities required for its apostolate and maintain orderly accounts.
  • To propose to RCC to terminate membership for grave reasons or on account of persistent absence for a year.
  • Appoint Treasurer and Secretary.

 

  1. OFFICE-BEARERS OF LCC

 

  • The office-bearers of LCC are President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and the formation promoter.
  • The Annual General Body Meeting of the Local UAC Unit will elect President and Vice-President for a term of 3 years. They with the formation Promoter and the representatives of the entities, will appoint the Secretary and Treasurer for a term of three years.
  • No one can hold the same office continuously for more than two terms.
  • The formation promoter is appointed by RCC for a term of three years. The same person can hold this office only for two consecutive terms. He/she is part of LCC meetings.

 

  1. TASKS OF THE PRESIDENT

 

  • The President is responsible for sustaining the spirit of UAC and effective planning and carrying out of the tasks of LCC.
  • He/she calls for regular meetings and presides over the meetings (He/she may invite others to preside).
  • He/she is one of the signatories for the local bank account.
  • He/she attends RCC meetings.
  • Together with the formation promoter, he/she plans formation activities.
  • He/she keeps in touch with members and member communities and facilitates growth of family spirit and bonding among all.
  • The Vice-President acts in the absence of the President.

 

  1. TASKS OF THE SECRETARY

 

  • The Secretary keeps the minutes and records of the LCC meetings.
  • He/she prepares agenda for meetings together with the President and sends notices for meetings.
  • He/she is a signatory of the bank accounts.

 

  1. TASKS OF THE TREASURER

 

  • He/she takes responsibility for the funds and expenditures of the LCC, keeps up-to-date accounts.
  • He/she presents statement of accounts to the LCC and General Body annually or when called for by the President.
  • He/she is a signatory to the bank account. He/she makes sure that all cheque transactions are signed by any two of the three signatories.
  • He/she makes annual budgets according to the activities planned and presents to the LCC and is responsible for fund raising.

 

 

  1. ROLE OF THE FORMATION PROMOTER

 

  • The formation promoter is responsible for the guaranteeing of the spirit of charism in the life and activities of the community. He/she makes sure that proper formation which leads to growth of the members is planned regularly.
  • He/she cautions LCC about activities which are not in keeping with the spirit of the charism and report to RCC when serious problems emerge.
  • He/she is a member of LCC with voting rights.

 

 

  1. DECISION MAKING PROCESS IN LCC MEETING

 

  • It is preferred that all LCC members participate in decision making process. The required quorum however is two third of the LCC members.
  • No meetings can be held without the President or his/her delegate.
  • Consensus must be the preferred mode of decision making. When that is not possible a simple majority of members present carries decisions.
  • In conflict situations any member of LCC can appeal to RCC whose decision then is binding.

 

  1. FORMATION OF NEW LAY MEMBERS

 

  • Normally new lay members are attracted through contacts with members of UAC. Such lay persons are considered applicants for UAC membership and have a choice of two types of memberships in the UAC – as collaborators or as members.

 

  • Collaborators

One chooses to be a collaborator if he/she accepts the UAC vision and expresses his/her willingness to support UAC by a means of his or her own choice, like, cooperation when possible, prayer, finance, or similar means, but do not wish to be full members. Collaborators can join all UAC meetings, but cannot vote in decision making and cannot stand for elections to UAC Offices. He/she must make this choice consciously.

 

  • Members

 

UAC membership requires that a lay person formally choose to be member at the end of the formation. He/she has to formally apply to the RCC/NCCIn President expressing his/her desire to become a formal member of UAC. Such an application has to be signed also by the formator who accompanied him/her as a proof that the person has completed the required formation. The application is not accepted until the RCC/NCCIn President signs it.

 

Members of the UAC have the voting right and also the right to be elected to UAC offices.

 

  • Formation of Lay members

Formally a lay person is treated as an applicant once he/she expresses his/her wish to join UAC in writing in the prescribed form for it. From the day he/she applies, a minimum formation period of 2 years must be completed before he/she can formally take commitment. During these 2 years he/she joins the UAC activities and way of life and attunes himself/herself to it. The commitment includes the responsibility to renew and deepen one’s own faith and actively participate in loving service in the parish as well as UAC activities. Signs of such commitment must be already visible before he/she is allowed to take public commitment.

 

  • It is recommended that applicants go through the regular formation and makes the choice of the type of membership when the time for applying for membership comes up in the formation process.
  • There must be a well-trained formation team which includes Fathers, Sisters and laity who will take care of proper formation of UAC members.

 

 

  1. AMENDMENTS TO THE STATUTES

 

Any amendment to this statute of UAC National Coordination Council of India can be done only in the National Assembly by two third majority and with the concurrence of the General Coordination Council.