Structure and organisation

Guild congregational groups meet together in councils, each of which sends a representative to serve at national level on one of the six committees.

Each committee has its own remit and once a year they meet together in a joint conference. Separate day conferences are also held for council conveners, for council project co-ordinators and for council education representatives. Such events help those working at local level to feel part of a larger national movement and enhances their ability to undertake their role.

The elected national convener, and vice-convener, along with the committee conveners, and the two executive staff members, the general secretary and information officer, form the National Leadership Team. They then share tasks such as planning the annual meeting and the theme and topic training days, as well as undertaking council training days and speaking engagements at council rallies and other events. You can download a guide to our constitution here.

Committees of the Guild

The different committees within the Guild are made up of representatives from every presbyterial council. Each committee is chaired by a convener, with the Executive Committee chaired by the national convener, Alison Angus of Lochcarron Skye Presbyterial Council.The national vice convener is Mary Ford of Glasgow North Presbyterial Council.

The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is responsible for:

  • special events and conferences;
  • relating to other Church councils and committees;
  • participation in consultations for the Scottish Parliament, and response to immediate issues (for example the current campaign of women in Afghanistan and the World Council of Churches Decade to Overcome Violence).

Projects and Topics Committee

Responsible for:

  • monitoring progress of the six current projects in its Project Partnership Scheme;
  • reviewing submissions from Church councils and committees and other Church-related agencies for possible inclusion in the scheme; and
  • selecting an annual discussion topic and drafting guidelines for its use. The topic for 2010 to 2011 is Let's talk about... can we forgive and forget.

The committee convener is Rhoda Wright from Aberdeen Presbyterial Council.

Programmes and Resources Committee

Responsible for:

  • preparation of a guide for the annual theme which for 2010 to 2011 is Called to love mercy
  • production of resource material and aids to worship for local leaders.

The committee convener is Valerie Thomson from Edinburgh Presbyterial Council.

Marketing and Publicity Committee

Responsible for:

  • the production of information and publicity material (newsletter, annual report, displays); and
  • the selection and marketing of promotional items and participation in events such as Church Alive, Scottish Christian Gathering, and the Scottish Christian Resources Exhibition.

This committee's convener is Janette Henderson from Bute Presbyterial Council.

Finance and General Purposes Committee

Responsible for:

  • managing the Guild's funds, staffing and equipping the national office; and
  • administering the Initiative Fund.

The Finance and General Purposes Committee convener is Kay Keith from Dumfries Presbyterial Council.

The Guild is constantly looking at ways to address the needs and interests of its groups and members around the country. Part of that has included the constitutional review process which aimed to incorporate more inclusive language and reflect real issues at group level.

Matters Concerning Younger People Committee

This committee takes on responsibility for:

  • keeping the needs of younger members high on the agenda; and
  • organising national conferences on these concerns

 

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