Uniting Church Candidates Association
The UCCA is the official student body of the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.
All candidates are eligible to be members, and students who are not candidates may become associate members.
The UCCA's three objectives are to:
• advance and represent the interests of members
• foster a Christian Community at the Theological College
• support and join with other students of the UFT to further the interests of members.
The UCCA meets four times a year, on a Friday, (also at the Commencement Camp) and the Executive meets regularly in the interim.
The constitution is available here.
We trust that you will enjoy your time at UCA Theological College. If you require any assistance during the year please do not hesitate to contact any member of the 2010-11 Student Executive:
President Ikani Vaitohi ikaniv [at] bigpond [dot] com
Secretary Kharis Susilowati kharistar [at] yahoo [dot] com [dot] au
Treasurer Susan Karoly susan_karoly [at] hotmail [dot] com
In addition to the UCCA, membership of the UFT Theological Students’ Association is open to all students of the UFT. Membership of both the UCCA and UFT TSA is voluntary, however all Uniting Church students are encouraged to participate in these associations in order to gain the maximum benefit from your time in college.
UCCA Student Association Fees
The membership fee is $20.00 pa and is handled by the Treasurer. Our main item of expenditure is the Valedictory Dinner.
General information
- A peer support program exists to assist new students. New candidates will be introduced to their 'peer support person' (Buddy) on new candidates’ day.
- An annual Theological College community photo is taken.
- A number of social activities are held during the year, including the Valedictory Dinner at the end of 2nd semester when we farewell the exit students. You are strongly encouraged to participate in as many activities as possible.
- Students should note the importance of maintaining outside interests apart from study and College activities.
- You are advised not to leave valuables anywhere on campus.
People studying at the UFT come from many denominations and provide a great opportunity to learn from other cultures and denominations. There may also be opportunity for involvement in social activities organised by other constituent Theological Colleges.
A UFT Student Card will be issued early first semester (you will need a recent passport size photo of yourself). This will enable you to:
- Belong to the Dalton McCaughey Library
- Obtain discounted entry to some picture theatres
- Discount at some retail stationery and bookshops, and computer software
- Concession entry to AFL home and away games excluding Geelong games
Don’t hesitate to show your student card at tourist attractions.
Uniting Church Candidates’ Association (Vic-Tas) Constitution
Updated 5th Sep 2010.
1. Definitions & Abbreviations
The Association Uniting Church Candidates’ Association
The Synod Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania
The College Uniting Church Theological College, Melbourne
Executive Executive Committee of the Association
Faculty Teaching Faculty of the College
CTM Centre for Theology and Ministry
UFT United Faculty of Theology, Melbourne
AGM Annual General Meeting
2. Name
2.1. The name of the Association is the Uniting Church Candidates’ Association in the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.
3. Objectives
3.1. The Association is constituted under the discipline of the Synod through the CTM, and has as its objectives:
3.1.1. To advance and represent the interests of the members of the Association;
3.1.2. To foster among the members and associate members a Christian community at the College;
3.1.3. To support and join with such other bodies, organisations and associations as will further the interests of the members. In particular, the Association will recognise and support the links it has with the UFT.
4. Membership
4.1. There are two categories of membership of the Association:
4.1.1. Full membership;
4.1.2. Associate membership.
4.2. All current ordination candidates within the Synod, and all ministers in reception who are under the College’s supervision, are eligible for full membership of the Association.
4.3. Members of the Uniting Church in Australia who are undertaking the College’s Friday Programme, or other full-time or substantial part-time studies through the UFT, are eligible for associate membership of the Association.
4.4. Associate members pay 50% of the normal membership fee, and are not eligible to vote at meetings of the Association or to hold office.
4.5. A person eligible for membership becomes a member upon payment of the annual membership fee to the Treasurer. No further application is necessary.
4.6. Membership fees fall due on 1 January each year, and any member not having paid their fee by 1 March shall lapse from membership, and be ineligible to vote or hold office until their fees are paid.
4.7. The annual membership fee may be varied only by the AGM of the Association.
5. Meetings
5.1. The Association shall meet:
5.1.1. At the annual candidates’ commencement camp (the “Commencement Meeting”);
5.1.2. At its Annual General Meeting, which shall be held in September;
5.1.3. At such other times as may be necessary.
5.2. Meetings are convened by the President. The President must convene a meeting of the Association if requested to do so in writing by one-third of the members of the Association, the meeting to be held within one month of receipt of such a petition.
5.3. Meetings are ordinarily chaired by the President. If the President is absent or vacates the chair, the meeting shall elect another chairperson.
5.4. Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the Uniting Church’s “Manual for Meetings”.
5.5. The quorum for meetings of the Association is two-thirds of its full members. Associate members are not counted towards the quorum.
5.6. All elections contested at meetings of the Association shall be conducted by preferential voting in secret ballot, under the supervision of two scrutineers appointed by the meeting.
5.7. The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall:
5.7.1. Elect and install officers;
5.7.2. Receive reports from the President and Treasurer, and from subcommittees, representatives and functionaries as necessary;
5.7.3. Set membership fees for the next academic year;
5.7.4. Conduct other business as necessary.
6. Officers and Other Functionaries
6.1. The officers of the Association are:
6.1.1. A President, who is the representative and spokesperson for the Association, and who convenes and ordinarily chairs its meetings;
6.1.2. A Secretary, who carries out and keeps records of the Association’s correspondence, and keeps minutes of the meetings of the Association and
Executive;
6.1.3. A Treasurer, who makes and receives payments on behalf of the Association, and keeps all books of account held by the Association, a register of its property and a register of its members.
6.2. Only full members of the Association are eligible for these offices.
6.3. The officers of the Association shall be elected at its AGM.
6.4. The President shall call for nominations for these offices at least one month before the AGM. Nominations shall be lodged with the Secretary and shall be signed by a nominator and seconder who are members of the Association, and by the nominee.
6.5. In the event of a casual vacancy in an office of the Association:
6.5.1. The Executive may appoint a member to hold office until the next meeting of the full Association;
6.5.2. The Association may appoint a member to hold office until the next AGM.
6.6. The Association may resolve to declare any of its offices vacant. An election for the vacant office shall follow immediately on such a resolution, from nominations made on the floor of the meeting.
6.7. The Association shall also elect:
6.7.1. A representative to the Board of the CTM, elected at the AGM;
6.7.2. A representative to the Theological Students’ Association of the UFT, elected at the AGM;
6.7.3. A First-Year Representative, elected at the Commencement Meeting, from among and by vote of only those members in their first year of candidacy for ordination;
6.7.4. A Worship Subcommittee, elected at the Commencement Meeting, to consult with and assist the Faculty in the College’s worship.
6.8. The Association may also form other subcommittees or appoint other functionaries as it deems fit.
6.9. The term of officers, functionaries and subcommittees of the Association is one year.
7. Executive Committee
7.1. The Executive of the Association shall comprise:
7.1.1. The President;
7.1.2. The Secretary;
7.1.3. The Treasurer;
7.1.4. The CTM Representative;
7.1.5. The TSA Representative;
7.1.6. The First-Year Representative;
7.1.7. Such other members as the Executive may co-opt.
7.2. Meetings of the Executive shall be convened by the President as needed and shall ordinarily be chaired by the President.
7.3. The Executive may act on behalf of the Association in any matter except those reserved by this Constitution to the full Association, provided that the Executive shall act in accordance with any direction given it by the Association.
8. Committees of Faculty
8.1. The Association at its Commencement meeting shall elect representatives to the Formation Committee of Faculty, and any other committees the Faculty might form on which it would be appropriate to have Candidate representatives.
8.2. The Association is represented on these committees by the Faculty’s invitation, and the number of its representatives is determined by the Faculty.
8.3. As far as possible, the Association should aim to elect to each of these committees:
8.3.1. Candidates in their first, second and third years of study;
8.3.2. Both Minister of the Word and Deacon candidates;
8.3.3. Both men and women;
8.3.4. Representatives who will continue or have continued on the same committee for more than one year.
9. Amendments to the Constitution
9.1. This Constitution may be amended by a meeting of the Association, provided that notice of the intention to amend it is given at the preceding meeting. Amendments which affect the relationship of the Association with the CTM or the UFT shall be made in consultation with those organisations.
