ZIMBABWE ASSOCIATION OF DIOCESAN CLERGY CONSTITUTION

1. NAME:
The full name of the boby shall be: ZIMBABWE ASSOCIATION OF DIOCESAN CLERGY (Z.A.D.C.).

2. DEFINATION:
Z.A.D.C. is the official body of Catholic Diocesan Priests at national level.

3. OBJECTIVES:
The following are the objectives of Z.A.D.C.:
(a) To implement the Spirit of co-responsibility and dialogue recommended by the Vatican 2 and subsequent directives.

(b) To foster the unity of the Clergy with one another and their hierarchy which has its source in the priesthood they share to promote fraternal support in accordance with the spirit of canon 278 and P.O. No 8.

(c) To provide the Diocesan Clergy of Zimbabwe with an officail channel of communication and support among themselves with the hierarchy within and outside Zimbabwe.

(d) To provide its members with opportunities for spiritual and professional growth and development.

(e) To be concerned with the needs of its members and those of the local church of Zimbabwe.

4. MEMBERSHIP:

(a) By virtue of incardination every Diocesan priest in any one of the Dioceses in Zimbabwe and Diocesan priests on contract with the hierarchy shall be a member of Z.A.D.C.

(b) Members shall pay the annual subscription fee which will be decided at a general meeting.

(c) The annual subscription fee shall be deceided upon of
changed by the Annual General meeting of Z.A.D.C.

5. OFFICE BEARERS:

Z.A.D.C. shall elect among its members a chairman and vice chairman, secretary and vice secretary, a treasure and two committee members.

6. FUNCTIONS OF OFFICE BEARS:

(a) Chairman:
(i) to convene and chair all meetings
(ii) to prepare the agenda in consultation with the members.
(iii) to represent Z.A.D.C. to the ZCBC plenary meetings and where the Z.A.D.C. represantation is required.

(b) Vice Chairman:
He assumes the function of the chairman in the absence of the latter.

(c) Secretary:
(i) to record the minutes of the Z.A.D.C. meetings and send them to all its members.
(ii) to be in charge of all correspondences of Z.A.D.C.
(iii) to notify members adequately and in good time of the intended meetings.
(iv) to provide Z.A.D.C. members with a copy of the constitution.

(d) Vice Secretary:
He assumes the fuction of the secretary in the absence of the latter.

(e) Treasurer:
(i) to collect and see to it that the money of Z.A.D.C. is safely kept.
(ii) to keep financial records and books of Z.A.D.C.
(iii) to give a written financial statement at every meeting.

7. TERMS OF OFFICE:

(a) The term of office for each bearer shall be two years.
(b) Each office bearer shall be eligible for re-election at the end of each term of office, but may hold the same office for not more than two successive terms.

8. MEETINGS:

(a) Agenda:

The agenda of the meeting shall among others, include the following:

(i) spiritual input

(ii) sharing on work and life

(iii) presentation of paper for on going formation.

(b) Quorum:

The Quorum of the meeting shall be One third (1/3) of the total membership and must include the chairman or his official representative.

(c) Frequency of meetings:

Z.A.D.C. shall meet twice a year or when over the executive committee recommends it.
9. VOTE:
(a) Every member shall have an active passive vote.

(b) Important issues shall be decided by secret ballot
and the others by show of hands.

(c) Elections of offices shall be by secret ballot.

(d) Normal decisions are to be adopted by simple majority of all the members present at the meeting.

On major issues 2/3 Majority is required a preliminary vote categories an issue as major or minor.

10. FINANCE:

(a) Every member of Z.A.D.C. shall make an agreed annual financial contribution.

(b) The money raised shall be used for office work and for any other expenses incurred in the name of and with the approval of Z.A.D.C.

11. AMENDMENTS:

Two third Majority of Z.A.D.C. members shall be required for the amendment of the constitution.