Register for BGM Agenda for BGM

When you register you will be sent the Zoom link

This will be our last Biennial General Meeting, as the new Incorporated Society Act requires us to have Annual General Meetings. You might remember that we used to have our BGM at the Training Event, but when Covid led to the postponement of our TE, we moved online.

Nominations for Executive – we have 3-5 spaces. under the new constitution. Please send nominations to our Secretary acsdanz1@gmail.com. Include your name and contact details, a short paragraph about yourself along with the names of two Full members to support your nomination. More about this in item below in newsletter
Any notifications for General Business – Please send these to the secretary before the BGM
Financial reports will be sent as they are received
please send Apologies to Secretary
Remembrance: A reminder that we have a moment at BGM where we remember members who have died. Bring their names along, or send to Secretary

The Future of Spiritual Direction…

Steve Tollestrup is retiring from the Executive this year, and at the BGM he will share some of his insights into the future of spiritual direction.

As well as being a Spiritual Director and Supervisor, Steve has worked as Executive Director for Industrial Chaplaincy Northern and was CEO TEAR Fund, and brings that insight into pondering the future of spiritual direction.

BGM to consider new Constitution

New Constitution Document

Key changes to bring us in line with new Rules regarding Charities and Incorporated Societies. These changes need to be in place before 5 April 2026 for us to retain our status as Incorporated Society and a registered charity.

Move to annual AGM (probably one at TE and one on Zoom)
Move financial end of year to 31 June to align with timing of our Training Events
Add disputes resolution process
Incorporate our Covenant, Code of Conduct and Complaints procedure as Schedules to Constitution

The new Constitution does take out the specific description of

“5.5 Full membership will be granted to Associates on proof of the completion of 50 hours of supervised spiritual direction work.”

However note this from the new constitution

9.4 The Executive has the power to edit and change documents in the Association’s Policy and Operating Manual, as long as the underlying meaning of the words at questions is not changed. Other changes to Association Policy documents must be approved at a General Meeting.

For those of you with an eagle legal eye – here is a comparison document with suggested changes from our Lawyer
The final draft constitution will be sent out as soon as we have it.

Join the ACSD Executive
and help guide our organisation into the future…

Our organisation is growing which is exciting. Our new search facility on the website is enabling people to find a Spiritual Director easily and is proving very popular both with Spiritual Directors and Directees. We have over 20 new members applying each year, each of whom need to be interviewed by one or two members of the Executive.

Would you consider joining the Executive for a four year term?

We have three people resigning this year – so we need 3-5 more on the Executive

Jenny Dawson writes of her experience on ACSD Executive:
The Joy of Being on ACSD Executive – Jenny Dawson

As we talked on Exec in April about the time pressure of interviewing with the increasing numbers of applicants for membership, and the consequent hope to increase the number on Exec from 6 to 8, I realised again how much I am enjoying this role.

It’s been not yet 18 months, into what is currently a six-year term for me, but perhaps my notes of joy might encourage others of you to respond positively when invited by others to allow yourself to be nominated.

I am loving working with experienced peers and walking in the footsteps of those wise ones who have gone before us.
I have learned a lot about the Association, its structure, and its changing life over several decades.
While the constant need for interviewing applicants is the immediate reason we need more people on Exec, it is always enriching to hear another’s story of discernment and formation into this sacred ministry.
Linked with this is the opportunity to be encouraging (hopefully) to those who are wanting to be, or already are, part of our Association. We are colleagues on a journey together.

So it is my privilege to serve on this Exec.
May the Holy Spirit nudge others of you to be open to join our crew!