VISION Network of New Zealand (VNNZ)

Constitution

1    Name
The name of the national body shall be the “VISION Network of New Zealand” (VNNZ), abbreviated for common use to Vision Network, using as a subtitle “New Zealand Christian Network”).

2    Basis: Statement of Faith
The basis of membership of the Network is acceptance of the following orthodox Statement of Faith, which upholds historic Christianity as enshrined in the confessions and creeds of most major denominations and Christian agencies.  This is not a creed or confession, nor does it attempt to define the limits of Christian doctrine or fellowship.  Members of VNNZ accept:
2.1    The divine inspiration of Holy Scripture as originally given, and its supreme authority in all matters of
faith and conduct.
2.2    The unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the Godhead.
2.3    The universal sinfulness and guilt of human nature since the Fall, rendering all people subject to
God’s wrath and condemnation.
2.4    Redemption from the guilt, penalty and power of sin only through the sacrificial death (as our
representative and substitute) of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God.
2.5    The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
2.6    The necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit to make the death of Christ effective to the individual
sinner, granting repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.
2.7    The indwelling of the believer by the Holy Spirit, and his activity in the Church today reproducing by
his fruit the character of Jesus in our lives, and empowering us by his gifts to continue the ministry
of the risen Lord.
2.8    The expectation of the personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2.9    The sovereignty of God in Creation, Revelation, Redemption and Final Judgment.
2.10  The one holy universal Church, the Body of Christ, to which all true believers belong.

3    Statements of Vision and Purpose
VISION Network exists to foster Christian unity, providing a national identity, voice and platform for all who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, desire to see the extension of the kingdom of God by proclamation of the gospel in word and deed to all nations, and by Christ-centred transformation within society, to the glory of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The over-riding purpose of the Network is to see New Zealand communities transformed as we:
3.1.1    Gather Christians for focused consultations to confer upon and respond to matters of common
concern, whether in New Zealand or overseas.
3.1.2    Build partnerships and networks to strengthen the work and witness of Christians and Christian
agencies for the sake of the gospel.
3.1.3   Speak through authorised spokespersons in a united stand for biblical truth.  These spokespersons
will be approved on the basis of their knowledge, their willingness to speak, their acceptability as
spokespersons for the Church, and their ability to communicate acceptably to the media and to
government.

VISION Network is also committed to the spiritual renewal of New Zealand, and to the worldwide proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  To forward our purposes, we will:
3.2.1    Promote renewal, evangelism, discipleship, service to the poor and co-operation throughout the
whole Church in New Zealand by sharing resources and by mutual encouragement.
3.2.2    Encourage efforts to share the gospel cross-culturally in word and deed in New Zealand and to the
ends of the earth.
3.2.3    Affiliate or cooperate with agencies with similar objects, in New Zealand or elsewhere.
3.2.4    Encourage biblical scholarship, life, witness and action throughout New Zealand.
3.2.5    Publish and promote literature and materials which forward our aims.
3.2.6    Engage in other activities consistent with the aims and objectives of the Network.
3.2.7    Respond to human suffering, alienation and persecution by loving and compassionate service.
3.2.8    To work for justice in society, in the marketplace and in all levels of national governance.
3.2.9    Act responsibly in the care of God's creation and to work for the sustaining and renewal of the
Earth.


4    Legal Foundation
The legal foundation of VNNZ is the VISION Network of New Zealand Trust Deed.  Trustees shall be appointed according to the Trust Deed.  These Trustees shall be active in leadership of VNNZ as members of the Executive.


5    Membership
5.1 Membership is open to groups or individuals who hold to the aims and objects of the Network and
subscribe to the doctrinal basis, agreeing to abide by the Constitution.
5.2    Members support the Network through an annual subscription.  Differing levels of sub-scription will be
decided from time to time by resolution of the Board, for example for:
5.2.1  Local churches, including fellowships, assemblies, fee depending upon size
5.2.2  Christian businesses
5.2.3  Agencies of all kinds including missionary societies, institutions, Christian schools, colleges, social 
service agencies, other groups
5.2.4  Individuals and/or families
5.3    In accepting membership of the Network, no compromise of denominational emphases or distinctives
is required.  “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.”
5.4   Members may resign from VISION Network by notice in writing to the secretary.  Any member whose
subscription is unpaid for a full year is deemed to have lapsed.
5.5   If a member seriously violates the principles of the Network, or if a member ceases to accept the 
doctrinal basis, the Board after due enquiry shall request the withdrawal of the member.  At this 
point that membership shall cease.


6    Organization
6.1    Structure
VNNZ structure is made up of a governing Board which consists of 8-12 members including all of the Trustees, a Board of Reference made up of denominational leaders and people of significant influence, a National Director and his/her team accountable to the Board, Management Groups as required, an Advisory Group made up of 20-30 denominational representatives and other specialists, Specialist Networks, and VNNZ Members.


6.2    The Board
6.2.1    All the rights and privileges of the Constitution shall be exercised by the Board.
6.2.2    The Board shall consist of 8-12 members, representative of various denominations and organizations and the theological views of the members of the Network.  The Board may nominate for election persons whom the Board considers to have gifts and abilities specifically needed on the Board.
6.2.3    Board members shall be elected at the Annual Meeting.
6.2.4    The Board shall meet as a governance body at least four times a year.  Its business shall include the appointment of senior staff (see 6.4).
6.2.5    The Board shall ratify the appointments of Leaders of Specialist Networks.
6.2.6    A quorum of the Board shall be seven members present.
6.2.7    The Board shall consist of the Officers (Chairperson as elected by the Board, Treasurer, Secretary), the National Director (ex officio) and 8-12 members in total including the Trustees who shall be members of the Board as stated in the Trust document.
6.2.8    A Special Meeting of the Board may be called at any time by the National Director or Board Chairperson.  At least one week’s notice will be given in writing (email) to all Board members.  If any Board member is accidentally omitted from this mailing, decisions of that meeting of the Board shall not be invalidated.
6.2.9    The Chairperson of the Board shall be appointed by the Board, and shall conduct meetings according to recognized procedures.
6.2.10    Members of Board unable to attend meetings may appoint proxies to represent them.  The names of all proxies shall be tabled and their presence recognized at the start of every Board Meeting.
6.2.11    Minutes shall be kept of all meetings of the Board, recording all decisions, resolutions and appointments, and copies shall be circulated to all members of the Board.
6.2.12    The Board shall consider recommendations from Specialist Networks intended for wider discussion.

6.3    Annual Meeting
The business to be transacted at the Annual Meeting shall be:
6.3.1    To receive and consider the Report of the National Director (or, in the absence of a National Director, the Board Chairman)
6.3.2    To elect members of the Board as required for renewable terms of three years.  Initially and as necessary, appointments will ensure that about one third of the Board retires annually
6.3.3    Nominees for the Board, as nominated by the Board and approved by the Board of Reference, shall be elected if they receive 66% of the vote of Members present, in a secret ballot vote.
6.3.4    To appoint an Auditor
6.3.5    To receive the Statement of Accounts and the Auditor’s report
6.3.6    To be finally responsible for major policy and structural developments
6.3.7    To deal with any matter for which 20 days written notice before the date of the Annual Meeting has been given to the Secretary.

6.4    National Director
6.4.1    The National Director shall be appointed by the Board under terms and conditions negotiated and shall regularly evaluate performance against agreed standards and programme.  The Board shall approve the establishment and the conditions of service of other staff positions but shall delegate the appointment and management of such staff to the National Director as Staff Leader.
6.4.2    The work of National Director is overseen by the Board.  The National Director is responsible for the development and execution of the programme of the Network, including overseeing Staff, Spokespersons, and Specialist Networks.

6.5    Specialist Networks and Spokespersons
6.5.1    The main activities of VNNZ shall be carried out through Specialist Networks consisting of small groups of people with particular expertize and experience in various fields.
6.5.2    The Specialist Networks might include:
a    Church Renewal
b    Evangelism and Discipleship
c    World Missions
d    Theology
e    Ethics and Society
f    Family Life
g    Poverty
h     Aging
i    Genetic Issues
j    Drugs and Addictions
k    Education
l    Racial justice
m    Women in Church/Society
n    The Media
o    Care for Pastors
p    The Environment

6.5.3    The National Director shall nominate suitable people as Leaders for each Specialist Network for decision by the Board.  The term for such appointments is three years which may be extended for two years after which there shall be a new appointment.
6.5.4    The Board shall approve the membership of each Specialist Network on the recommendation of its Leader, ensuring that each is widely representative of the membership of VNNZ, both in terms of denomination and place of residence.
6.5.5    Network Spokespersons shall be appointed by the Board on the basis of their ability and acceptability as communicators, their expertise, and their willingness to speak for and be accountable to VISION Network.  These individuals must be highly competent, with the training, ability and personality to speak to the media and government, and to handle television and radio interviews.
6.5.6    Members of the Specialist Networks shall be financial members of VNNZ.
6.5.7    Other Specialist Networks (or other Agencies of VISION Network) may be appointed by the Board from time to time, possibly on an ad hoc basis, to address new issues.
6.5.8    Each Specialist Network, by prior agreement with the Board through the National Director, may appoint a secretary with or without remuneration, and arrange conferences.
6.5.9    Specialist Networks shall meet as determined by their Leaders who shall be accountable to the Board through the National Director, and who shall submit reports at least annually to the Board.
6.5.10    Rapid responses to topical issues may be required from time to time by Leaders of Specialist Networks and Spokespersons.  These responses should be formulated in collaboration with Specialist Networks and with individuals on the Advisory Group and/or the Board.
6.5.11    Materials prepared by Specialist Networks for publication in the name of VISION Network shall be submitted to the Board or its Appointees for approval before publication.

6.6    Board of Reference
6.6.1    The Board of Reference shall include approximately 25 denominational leaders and people of significant influence, who shall be appointed by the National Director and ratified by the Board.
6.6.2    The Board of Reference shall approve nominations for Board positions before these are brought to an Annual Meeting.


6.7    Advisory Group
The Board shall appoint about 20 members of VNNZ who are widely known and respected for their clear stance as Christian leaders, to serve as an Advisory Group, ensuring the Advisory Group is representative of the denominations and major interests related to VNNZ.


6.8    Support Groups
Other groups such as Partner Ministries and Prayer Supporters may be appointed by the Board.



7    Amendments to the Constitution
Amendments to this Constitution may be made only after 42 days notice has been given and then voted on by Board members either by mail or in a Board Meeting.  A 75% majority shall be required.  The charitable status of VNNZ shall not be compromised by any amendment to the Constitution.


8    Winding Up
VISION Network of New Zealand may be wound up by a resolution approved by the Board at a General Meeting, provided 42 days notice in writing has been given to Board Members.  Upon winding up, after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, surplus funds shall go towards the advancement of such Christian causes in New Zealand, by agreement of the Board, which are consistent with the objects of VNNZ.