METHODIST YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

THE TRINITY ANNUAL CONFERENCE of the METHODIST CHURCH IN MALAYSIA METHODIST YOUTH FELLOWSHIP - CONSTITUTION- 2009 edition

ARTICLE I NAME This fellowship shall be known as the METHODIST YOUTH FELLOWSHP (M.Y.F.) of the TRINITY ANNUAL CONFERENCE of the METHODIST CHURCH IN MALAYSIA. ARTICLE II OBJECTIVES The objectives of the M.Y.F. shall be to help all young people: A. To achieve a vital relationship with Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. B. To grow in Christian character. C. To render effective and joyous service to the Church and the world. D. To win others into the Kingdom of God. E. To achieve closer relationships among the youths of the M.Y.F. ARTICLE III COVENANT We of the Methodist Youth Fellowship answer God s call to be a Christian community: a fellowship of worship, study and service, alert and responsive to God s action in this age and to His seeking love in Jesus Christ to the end that - in TRUTH, we may know ourselves as His own - in FAITH, we may be obedient to his will - in LOVE, we may fulfill His mission among all people ARTICLE IV EMBLEM ARTICLE V MOTTO The Motto of the M.Y.F. shall be CHRIST ABOVE ALL ARTICLE VI BENEDICTION To signify the warmth, fellowship and concern for one another, we share in the M.Y.F. Benediction: The LORD bless you and keep you The LORD makes His face shine upon you And be gracious unto you The LORD lift up His countenance upon you And give you peace. AMEN (Numbers 6:24-26) 1

ARTICLE VII RELATIONSHIPS A. The Methodist Youth Fellowship (at Conference, District and local levels) is subject to the guidance and direction of the Board of Youth Work of the Trinity Annual Conference of the Methodist Church in Malaysia. At Conference level, this is done through the Board of Youth Work which is composed of the Chairman of the Board, Director of Youth Work, Associate Directors of Youth Work, one representative each from the MYF, Boys Brigade, Girls Brigade and other appointed members. B. The Methodist Youth Fellowship shall be a member of the Youth Department of the Council of Churches, Malaysia. C. The MYF at District and Conference levels is a member of the Majlis Belia Negeri and Majlis Belia Malaysia respectively; this provision shall be subject to review in the light of circumstances prevailing at any time and any decision thereof shall be in consultation with the Board of Youth Work or relevant Church leadership. D. All youth groups at local level (excluding the Boys Brigade and the Girls Brigade) in the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) Methodist Church, that are recognized by the respective Local Church Executive Committee, as its official youth group shall be accorded status in the TRAC Methodist Youth Fellowship as a local chapter and these youth groups will abide by the TRAC MYF constitution. ARTICLE VIII STRUCTURE A. Local chapter 1. The M.Y.F. shall be responsible to the Local Church Executive Committee (LCEC). The president of the M.Y.F. is a member of the Local Church Executive Committee with voting rights. 2. Membership in the Local Chapter may be granted after two months attending M.Y.F. activities regularly and after having attended a special membership orientation course including the meaning of the Covenant as well as the privileges and responsibilities of membership which shall be renewed annually. 3. The local Council may be composed of the following structures: (whichever is more applicable ) STRUCTURE 1: President Secretary Vice-President Treasurer And Chairperson of the following committees: MYF Membership MYF Fellowship MYF Study MYF Service MYF Worship The pastor(s), Youth Worker(s), Counsellor(s), Chairperson of the committee of Christian Education, and Lay-Leader shall be ex-officio members. STRUTURE 2: President Secretary Vice-President Treasurer With permanent or chosen representative from the care/cell groups to form the working committee for the council. The pastor(s), Youth Worker(s), Counsellor(s), Chairperson of the committee of Christian Education and Lay-Leader shall be ex-officio members. 2

STRUCTURE 3: Adult counsellor(s) Youth counselor(s) Cell/care group leaders Asst. cell/care group leaders In which the working committee or council shall consist of the youth counsellor(s) and cell/care group leaders. The pastor(s), Youth Worker(s), Counsellor(s), Chairperson of the committee of Christian Education and Lay-Leader shall be ex-officio members. B. District Council 1. The District Council shall be responsible to the District Conference 2. The boundaries of the District M.Y.F. shall be the same as those apportioned by the Trinity Annual Conference 3. The following constitute the membership of the Executive Committee of the District Council: President Secretary Vice-President Treasurer 4. The following constitute the membership of the District Council: The Executive Committee and all the Presidents or dully appointed representative from each local M.Y.F. chapter. The ex-officio members are the District Superintendent, Pastors, Youth Workers and the District Lay Leader. 5. The purpose of the District Council shall be to co-ordinate the plans and projects of the Conference Council as outlined and approved at a planning convention and to develop the total life and programme of the local chapter. C. Conference Council 1. The Conference Council shall be responsible and report to the Executive Board of the Annual Conference. 2. The Conference Executive shall comprised of the following: President Secretary Vice-President 1 Treasurer Vice-President 2 The District Presidents (note: the Vice-Presidents will be allocated different areas of duties) 3. The Conference Council shall comprised the following: The Conference Executive Council The Presidents or duly appointed representative from each local chapter 4. The purpose of the Conference Council shall be to hold a planning convention to be followed by the Annual General Meeting. The planning convention shall be held to discuss, propose and plan themes, projects and programmes that are accepted by the A.G.M. This planning convention is to be held in consultation with the Board of Youth Work. 3

5. The Director of Youth Work shall be an ex-officio member of the Conference Council and shall represent the Annual Conference. 6. The TRAC President and the Chairman of the Board of Youth Work shall be ex-officio members. ARTICLE IX DUTIES OF OFFICERS OF CONFERENCE/DISTRICT/LOCAL COUNCILS/COMMITTEE A. The Executive Council/Committee 1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Council in accordance with its policies and shall be discharged duties usual to the office of the President. He shall have a casting vote. He shall be the ex-officio in other sub-committees. 2. The Vice-Presidents shall, in the absence of the President, perform his/her duties and other such duties that the organization may assign him/her. 3. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the organisation, including minutes of the Council meetings and shall perform other secretarial duties as the Council may assign him. He shall keep all secretarial records and conduct correspondence of the Council and shall make such reports as shall be required. 4. The Treasurer shall disburse, receive and keep accurate records of the money of the organisation. The Treasurer s books shall be inspected and audited by auditor(s) nominated by the council. He shall present an audited report at the Annual General Meeting. He shall also present regular statements of accounts to the Council. B. The Committees on Membership, Study, Worship, Service and Fellowship 1. MYF Membership committee shall conduct training sessions on the objectives and the Covenant and responsibilities of MYF Membership for all those who wish to join. Visitors and friends shall also be a special concern for this committee. The Chairman of this committee shall submit names of those interested in Baptism and Church Membership to the Pastor of the Local Church. 2. MYF Study committee shall organize programmes, seminars, etc. on the study of the Scripture (Old and New Testaments) as well as theological statement of faith, so that all the members may grow in personal and corporate witness of their faith. Themes such as God the Father, Jesus the Christ, The Holy Spirit, the Church and the Sacraments should also received special attention from this committee. This committee shall also be responsible for relating understanding and the Christian living to the economical, political and cultural dimensions of the MYF and its members. 3. MYF Worship committee shall be responsible for conducting programmes, etc. on the meeting of Christian worship and actually planning and involving members of the MYF in acts of worship. Special Christian celebration e.g. Easter, Christmas, Scripture readings or Devotionals for MYF members shall also be the responsibility of the committee. 4. MYF Fellowship committee shall be responsible for developing through programmes, group activities and studies, appropriate guidelines for Christian living in all areas of human relationship including the following: Home: Christian and non-christian School: Classmates, teachers, staff Job Profession, Ecumenical relationships, Inter religious Youth relationships, Government/Secular youth relationship, Church Executive Committee and the congregation of the local Church. 4

5. MYF Service committee shall be alert to the needs within the Church, Community, Nation and World. Using media of magazines, newspapers, T.V, this committee shall lift up the concern so that the MYF members may offer prayers of intercession and thanksgiving. This committee shall also concern itself with the responsibility of service to the Church, Community, Nation and World. ARTICLE X FUNCTIONS A. The Local Council shall meet at least once a month to plan, develop and execute the policies of the organization. B. The District Council shall co-ordinate and develop the work of any local chapter in the respective districts and also plan and organize activities for the benefit of the fellowship among local chapters in the district and between Districts. C. The Conference Executive Council shall meet at least once in 3 months for co-ordination and implementation of plans and shall report to and be responsible to the A.G.M. of the Conference Council. D. The Conference Council shall meet at least once a year and will also plan visitations to the various MYF chapters in the TRAC. ARTICLE XI ELECTION OF OFFICERS A. At Local and District levels 1. All officers shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. 2. Nominations from the floor during the AGM shall be in order. 3. When an office becomes vacant between AGMs, the Council shall have the power to fill the vacancy for the rest of the term. 4. All voting shall be by secret ballot. 5. The Council shall recommend or request for Adult Counsellor(s) and an auditor to the Local Church at local level and to the District Superintendent at District level. B. At Conference Level 1. The Conference Executive Council shall be nominated and elected from among the members of the Conference MYF and shall hold office for a minimum of one year until the next AGM which may not be held later than 2 years from the time of current election. They shall bear the responsibilities for co-ordination and execution of plans on District or Conference level. 2. All nomination shall come from the District Council and Executive Council. They shall nominate one person for each post in the Conference Executive Council. 3. All nomination shall be received in writing two weeks from the date of the A.G.M. 4. All nomination shall be received and a list prepared by a Nominations Committee comprising the Youth Director and the Executive Council. 5. The Conference Council shall elect the Conference Executive Council. 6. When an office becomes vacant between AGMs, the Executive Council shall have the power to fill the vacancy for the rest of the term. 5

C. Local Council 1. All officers shall have been members of the M.Y.F. for at least six months. 2. The President shall have to be approved by the Local Conference of the Local Church. 3. The President shall be a full member of the Methodist Church. 4. There shall be a Nominations Committee comprising of the Executive Committee, the adult Counsellor(s), the Youth Worker(s)/Director(s) and Pastor(s). D. District Council 1. The President shall have been an active member of the MYF for two years prior to his election and at the time of the election; he must be a full member of the Methodist Church. 2. There shall be a Nominating Committee comprising of the Executive Council, adult Counsellor(s), the Associate Director(s) of Youth Work and the District Superintendent. ARTICLE XII THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING A. General 1. At the Local and District levels, the AGM is to be held before the 31 st of December of each year. 2. Fourteen days notice (written) shall be given to all members about the AGM. 3. Observers may be permitted to attend. They shall not have a vote but they may have a voice. 4. The AGM shall confirm the minutes of the previous AGM. 5. The AGM shall accept reports from the respective officers including the President, Districts and Chapters. 6. The AGM shall accept an audited statement if accounts from the Treasurer. 7. The AGM shall receive reports from the adult officials. 8. The AGM shall transact any other business for which the Secretary shall receive at least written notice of the motion not less then four days prior to the AGM. 9. All reports shall be sent to the local chapters one week before the AGM. 10. The Chairman at Local and District levels at their AGM shall have a casting vote. B. At Local Level Every member of the local chapter shall have a vote. C. At District Level 1. Only Chapters that have paid their dues shall be eligible to vote. 2. Each chapter shall send three official delegates. 3. Each of the official delegates from each local chapter shall have voting rights. 6

4. Each member of the Executive committee shall have one vote. D. At Conference Level 1. Only chapters that have paid their dues shall be eligible to vote. 2. Each chapter shall have one vote. 3. Each number of the Executive Council shall have one vote. ARTICLE XIII EXTRAORDINARY MEETING 1. The Local, District or Conference Council may call for an EGM whenever there is a sufficient cause to do so. 2. An EGM shall be called at the request of either one of the following: i ) At least 1/3 membership of the chapter ii ) At least ½ of the total chapter Presidents at District level. iii ) At least 3 District Presidents at Conference level. iv ) The Conference Director of Youth Work. 3. Only business request to be discussed at the EGM shall be transacted. 4. The procedure for holding the AGM shall apply to the EGM. ARTICLE XIV FINANCE 1. The finance of the MYF shall come from monthly subscription or weekly offering or voluntary contributions of the members and other approved means of fund-raising. 2. The local chapter shall keep an accurate account separate from the church treasury and make a report to the L.C.E.C. and/or Local Conference. 3. The local chapter shall pay an annual subscription to be decided by the Conference Council to the Conference Council. 4. The local chapter shall pay an annual subscription to be decided by the District Council to the District Council. 5. The District Council shall submit its audited accounts to the District Conference. 6. The Conference Council shall submit its audited accounts to the Annual Conference. 7. A church auditor or a member of the Finance Committee or a responsible member of the church knowledgeable in audit/finance shall audit all accounts. ARTICLE XV AGE AND AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP A. Membership 1. The age group shall be as follows: i) Intermediate MYF : 11-15 years ii) MYF : 16-25 years 2. In event of an MYF without an IMYF, any person below the age of 16 and above 11 shall be entitled full privilege of an MYF member. 7

B. Affiliate Membership Any person above the age of 25 may be granted affiliate membership on application. C. Termination of Membership It shall be by: i) resignation ii) disciplinary action ARTICLE XVI QUORUM At Local, District and Conference levels, the quorum for the Executive Committee meetings, Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings shall be on ½ of the respective membership. ARTICLE XVII AMENDMENTS Subject to the ratification of the Board of Youth Work and the Bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia, this Constitution may be amended at any Annual General Meeting of the Conference Council, by a vote of those presented and authorised to vote, provided that the amendment shall have to be consideration by the Executive Council in an authorised session prior to the Annual General Meeting at which the vote is taken. All amendments shall be effective upon the date approved by the Executive Board of the Trinity Annual Conference (Malaysia). TRAC M.Y.F. CONSTITUTION - December 1979 - - Amended 1984 - - Updated 1991 - - Amended and revised 1997 - -Amended 2009-8