To view a pdf copy of our constitution - please click here!
To view a pdf copy of our constitution - please click here!
Last revised: March 2021
This Union shall be called The Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union, commonly known as the CICCU, or such other name as the Executive Committee and Honorary Vice-Presidents shall decide with the approval of the Charity Commissioners. Hereinafter it shall be referred to as The Union.
That the aim of the Union shall be:
Recognising Christ’s commission to make disciples of all nations we, in God’s strength, seek the advancement
of the Christian faith as revealed in the Bible.
We shall do this by verbally presenting the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ to the members of the University.
As a vital support to this we seek to unite and strengthen those who desire to serve Christ.
And as a further support to this we seek to be involved in God’s work worldwide, through His church.
Therefore “the CICCU exists to make Jesus Christ known to students in Cambridge. ”
It shall consist of members, forming Union groups in each college, which shall seek to fulfil the aims of the Union.
It shall be co-ordinated and directed by a General Committee and an Executive Committee.
It shall be affiliated to the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship, and shall send delegates to the General Committee of that Fellowship.
The Union shall participate with only those organisations, and invite to speak only those individuals, who share our commitment to the biblical truths set out in the Doctrinal Basis. To this end all speakers will be asked to sign the Doctrinal Basis.
Its basis of membership shall be:
In joining the Union, I desire to declare my faith in Jesus Christ as my Saviour, my Lord, and my God.
I also declare my intention to support its work as expressed in the aims by prayer, giving, and active
participation in its witness on a College and University level.
Members shall be enrolled by signing the forms of membership containing the basis of membership of the Union.
Membership shall be open to resident members of the University, and of other educational establishments as approved by the General Committee.
On becoming a member there should be no subscription but each member should carefully consider his or her regular contribution to the financial needs of the Union as declared in the Basis of Membership.
The responsibilities of members shall be to support the corporate activities of the Union by prayer, financial support, and attendance at the meetings, as they are able.
Members shall be encouraged to spend time each day in personal bible study and prayer.
Members shall be encouraged to make their College Representatives aware of their views on the mission and work of the College Group.
Members shall be sent brief agendas for General Committee meetings, and shall be encouraged to express their views either to College Representatives or to members of the Executive Committee.
In the course of the Michaelmas Term, members shall be
i. Invited to offer suggestions to the Executive Committee concerning those to be considered for
posts on the next Executive Committee.
ii. Notified of the Executive Committee’s nominations for those members of the next Executive
Committee who shall take on the role of President or Vice-President(s), and may express their
views concerning these to the President.
iii. Notified of the Executive Committee’s nominations for those members of the next Executive
Committee who shall take on any other role, if any additional nominations have yet been
made, and may express their views concerning these to the President.
In the course of Lent Term, members shall be notified of the Executive Committee’s nominations the remaining members of the next Executive Committee, and may express their views concerning these to the President.
Members shall be sent regular information for prayer about the Union’s activities.
Each College Group shall be led by one or two members of the Union in the College who shall represent the College, and the views of the members in the College, on the General Committee.
Colleges shall temporarily be allowed more than two Representatives, with the approval of the Executive Committee.
A College Representative, prior to relinquishing their post, shall inform the Group of the need for a new Representative and ask for their prayers. Having consulted suitable older Union members in the Group, they shall obtain approval of the Executive Committee before approaching and appointing their successor. This appointment shall then be announced to the Group, and the new Representative shall be introduced to the General Committee by the President.
Any person approached and invited to be a College Representative must sign their agreement with the Doctrinal Basis of the Union, and must express their agreement with the aims of the Union, before accepting office.
The function of the College Representative shall be:
i. Prayerfully to lead and encourage the College Group in fulfilling the aims of the Union.
ii. To make known the policy, and to publicise the Inter-Collegiate Christian Union; especially
the evangelistic meetings and any particular needs relating to those which might arise.
The duties of the College Representatives shall be:
i. To arrange in College meetings for prayer, Bible study, and to also arrange meetings for the
verbal proclamation of the gospel, including a meeting for first year students at the beginning
of the Michaelmas Term.
ii. To explain the aims of the Union to those first-year students who take part in the activities of
the College Group.
iii. To invite into membership of the Union any persons willing to accept its responsibilities.
iv. To maintain a close liaison with a member of the Executive Committee.
v. To attend the meetings of the General Committee as regularly as they are able.
vi. To appoint as Bible Study Group Leaders people who sign their agreement with the Doctrinal
Basis of the Union before taking up office.
College Representatives shall obtain the approval of the Executive Committee for any additional meetings to be held under the auspices of the College Group beyond its usual activities.
The functions of the General Committee shall be:
i. To decide on all major issues concerning the Union.
ii. To act as a representative body for all members of the Union, through College
Representatives.
iii. To provide encouragement for the various officers of the Union.
(a) The General Committee shall consist of the College Representatives, the Executive Committee, and the holders of any other office to which membership of the General Committee is accorded by the
General Committee. [See Appendix B] (b) All these shall continue in membership of the Committee for two years after retiring from office, if studying at the University and continuing as members of the Union.
(a) Members of the Committee shall accept the Doctrinal Basis as the underlying standard of doctrine
on which the decisions of the Committee are based.
(b) All the members of the General Committee shall hold office and membership of the Committee
only so long as they continue to be in agreement with the Doctrinal Basis of the Union.
(a) The Committee shall be summoned by the President at least once a term, giving at least three
weeks’ notice.
(b) Agendas shall be distributed to all members of the Union at least one week on advance of a
meeting, or two weeks in the case of an election.
(c) Any member of the Committee shall submit a motion to be considered by the Committee, which
shall be handed in to the President at least two weeks in advance of a meeting.
(a) Thirty members shall form a quorum, without which decisions of the Committee shall only be
advisory.
(b) The President shall ex officio be chairman of the Committee.
(c) The meetings shall incorporate times of prayer.
(a) Motions shall be passed by a simple majority of those present and voting, unless a motion involves
the making, altering, suspending, or rescinding of any provision of the Constitution, which shall require
a majority of three- quarters of those present, and providing that at least thirty are voting.
(b) An abstention does not count as a vote.
(c) The President shall have the discretion to defer a vote for no more than three weeks.
(d) Any motions decided by a simple majority shall be subject to a veto by a unanimous decision of the
Executive Committee; this veto may only be exercised in matters of extreme controversy, following
consultation with the Honorary Vice-Presidents.
(a) The Committee shall elect members of the Union to the Executive Committee annually. The
President and one or two others shall be elected near the end of the Michaelmas Term or the beginning
of the Lent Term. All other members of the Executive Committee are to be elected near the end of the
Lent Term.
(b) Members of the Committee shall be notified of the list of nominations of the retiring Executive
Committee at least two weeks before the meeting of the Committee.
(c) Those intending to vote against any of these nominations must consult the President before the
meeting.
(d) Elections shall be carried out by a majority of three-quarters of those present and voting.
(e) Elections shall be by secret ballot, and no figures showing the results of the ballot shall be
published.
(f) A further election shall take place whenever a vacancy arises.
The General Committee may dismiss an Executive Committee or any member of it, by vote passed by a majority of three-quarters of those present and voting; provided that the Honorary Vice- Presidents have expressed their agreement with this vote, and at least one of them is present at the meeting.
The General Committee may set up a sub-committee to consider any matter related to the function of the Committee.
The Committee may invite observers to attend its meetings, but they shall have no voting rights.
The Executive Committee shall consist of a President, one or two Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Junior Treasurer and further members such that the committee numbers either 8 or 9. The roles and responsibilities of these further positions are also to be at the committee’s discretion. Of the Executive Committee at least three shall be women and three men.
Each officer:
i. Shall be a member of the University in statu pupillari.
ii. Shall be a member of the Union.
iii. Shall sign agreement with the Doctrinal Basis of the Union before taking office, and shall hold
office only so long as he or she continues to be in agreement with it.
iv. Shall express agreement with the aims of the Union.
v. Shall be a trustee of the Union and responsible for dealings with the Charity Commissioners.
(a) The function of the Executive Committee shall be to take responsibility for the general ad- ministration of the Union, and to see the fulfilment of its aims.
(b) It shall, in exercising this responsibility, follow and apply the decisions of the General Com- mittee,
subject to section VI. 6. (iii).
(c) It shall maintain a close and regular link with College Representatives.
(d) It shall consult the Honorary Vice-Presidents in matters of extreme difficulty or controversy.
(a) The Executive Committee shall consider the suggestions of the members of the Union con- cerning
persons to serve on the next Executive Committee.
(b) The Executive Committee shall then nominate its successors, notify all the members of the Union
of these nominations, and submit them to the General Committee for election.
The Executive Committee shall take office at the end of Lent Full Term.
The President and other officer(s) elected according to VI. 7. (i) shall be observers on the Executive Committee between the time of their election and taking office.
The Executive Committee may co-opt an officer to serve on it for the duration of a temporary absence of an Executive Officer.
The Executive Committee may invite any observers to its meetings, where this will help it to exercise its responsibilities.
(a) The Executive Committee may appoint sub-committees, where this will help it to exercise its
responsibilities.
(b) Any such sub-committee shall have at least one Executive Officer among its members.
(c) Any decisions made by a sub-committee shall be referred to the Executive Committee for their
approval and implementation.
The Executive Committee may appoint any other officers, where they will be needed to assist in the running of the Union.
The Executive Committee shall carefully consider the organisation of a university mission every year and also a conference every year.
In order to be valid, any decisions of the Executive Committee shall require the consent of the President and five other members of the Executive Committee.
That in addition to the powers listed above, the Executive Committee may exercise the following in
furtherance of the Union’s aims:
i. The power to raise funds and to invite and receive contributions from those interested in the
work of the Union, provided that the Union shall not undertake any substantial permanent
trading activities. Shall be a member of the Union.
ii. The power to buy, take on lease or exchange, any property, and to maintain and equip it for
use.
iii. The power to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of, all or any part of the charity’s property,
subject to complying with the restrictions on disposals imposed by section 36 of the Charity
Act 1993, unless the disposal is excepted from these restrictions by section 36(9)(b) or (c) or
section 36(10) of that Act.
That except with prior approval of the Charity Commissioners, no trustee may:
i. Receive any benefit in money or in kind from the charity.
ii. Have a financial interest in the supply of goods or services to the charity.
iii. Acquire or hold any interest in property of the charity (except in order to hold it as a trustee of
the charity).
The President:
i. Shall normally preside at all inter-collegiate meetings of the Union, except at the inter-
collegiate prayer meetings. Should the President be absent, or decline to preside at the
meeting, the Committee shall elect another member of the Committee to preside for the
meeting.
ii. Shall have only a casting vote on motions brought before the General Committee.
iii. Shall decide on points of order at General Committee and Executive Committee meetings, and
the interpretation of the Constitution.
iv. Shall arrange for the allocation of responsibilities of the Executive Committee to members of
the Executive Committee.
v. Shall be responsible for liaising with U. C. C. F.
The Vice-President(s):
i. Shall represent the President and undertake their duties in their absence.
ii. Shall seek to give assistance to the President in all matters of general planning and oversight
in the Union.
The Secretary:
i. Shall keep the minutes of both the Executive Committee and General Committee meetings.
ii. Shall be responsible for keeping a register of membership.
iii. Shall be responsible for informing the membership of the activities of the Union.
The Junior Treasurer:
i. Shall be responsible for the payment of the Union’s bills, and keeping its accounts.
ii. Shall present the Union’s accounts annually for inspection by the Senior Treasurer, and shall
render a statement of the accounts to the General Committee.
iii. Shall prepare an annual report and statement of accounts to be brought to the Annual General
Meeting and sent to the Charity Commissioners.
iv. Shall submit to the General Committee, for its approval by a simple majority, any abnormal
items of expenditure.
v. Shall organise a scheme of giving each year, through which the members of the Union may
make gifts to worthwhile missionary projects.
vi. Shall be responsible for keeping the property and records of the Union and its administrative
correspondence.
The Executive Committee shall delegate amongst its members the following further responsibilities. It
is encouraged that some of these responsibilities be further delegated to sub-committees or other
officers. The Executive Committee:
i. Shall be responsible for the organisation of training for College Representatives and other
college officers.
ii. Shall be responsible for the promotion of an active interest in Bible Study.
iii. Shall be responsible for the organisation of an annual conference, subject to section VII. 11.
iv. Shall be responsible for the encouragement of members of the Union to seek God’s will for
their life’s work.
v. Shall be responsible for evangelism training in the Union and in the colleges.
vi. Shall be responsible for outreach, including:
(a) regular (weekly) outreach events.
(b) outreach to students who would otherwise not meet a Christian.
(c) outreach to international students.
vii. Shall be responsible for arranging a stand at the annual Freshers’ Fair.
viii. Shall be responsible for once termly evangelistic events (such as a Carol Service, Easter
Service and Evangelistic Garden Party).
ix. Shall be responsible for co-ordinating an annual mission, as appropriate, and subject to section
VII. 9, 10 & 11.
x. Shall be responsible for choosing the speakers for inter-collegiate meetings, evangelistic meet-
ings, the annual mission, the annual conference and any other such appropriate meetings.
xi. Shall be responsible for encouraging the use of literature for witness and Christian growth.
xii. (a) Shall organize regular inter-collegiate prayer meetings.
(b) Shall send out prayer letters to both members and prayer-supporters.
(c) Shall be responsible for encouraging individual and collective prayer in the Union.
xiii. (a) Shall seek to remind members of their responsibilities to support missionary work.
(b) Shall arrange meetings to encourage support for, and interest in, worldwide missionary
work.
(c) Shall distribute information about the work of the International Fellowship of Evangelical
Students.
xiv. Shall liaise with and support the leaders of Faculty groups affiliated to the Union who must
sign the Doctrinal Basis of the Union before accepting office.
All officers of the Executive Committee shall carry out such duties as are delegated to them by the President or Executive Committee.
Other officers shall be appointed by the Executive Committee in accordance with section VII. 9, from among the members of the Union.
Those having membership of the General Committee shall sign agreement with the Doctrinal Basis of the Union before accepting office, and express their agreement with the aims of the Union.
They shall be responsible to the Executive Committee in carrying out their duties.
They shall be members of the General Committee, where the General Committee has accorded membership to their offices. The offices currently accorded membership of the General Committee under this section are included as Appendix B.
The Honorary Vice-Presidents shall be mature Christians, who are easily accessible for consultation and communication, should such needs arise.
They shall be five in number, at least one of whom shall be a woman.
They shall be appointed by the Executive Committee, having first consulted and obtained the approval of the other Honorary Vice-Presidents. They shall serve for a period of five years, after which time they may be reappointed if they so wish.
They shall be consulted in matters of extreme difficulty or controversy, and prior to any changes in the Constitution; and they shall be informed regularly of the activity and policy of the Union.
They may attend the meetings of the Executive and General Committees as observers.
Their agreement, and the presence of at least one of them, shall be required for the dismissal of any member of the Executive Committee.
They shall sign their agreement with the Doctrinal Basis of the Union before accepting their appointment.
The Executive Committee may invite a limited number of local residents to act as Senior Friends; who may be called upon to give their advice and support.
Any difficulties or disputes as to the meaning and interpretation of the Constitution are to be determined by the President, in consultation with the Honorary Vice-Presidents whenever possible.
This Constitution shall come into effect on 5 th December 2019, and the previous Constitution will there- after no longer be valid.
The Doctrinal Basis upon which the activities of the Union shall be conducted shall be the central truths of Christianity as revealed in Holy Scripture. These central truths are formulated in the Doctrinal Basis of U. C. C. F. as contained in Appendix A. The Union shall continue to adhere to the current Doctrinal Basis of U. C. C. F. so long as this Doctrinal Basis continues to be in line with the central truths of the Gospel as revealed in Holy Scripture. Changing the Union’s Doctrinal Basis from the current Doctrinal Basis of U. C. C. F. can only be done with the unanimous agreement of the Honorary Vice-Presidents. Should questions of interpretation arise, the statements in the U. C. C. F. publication “Ultimate Realities” shall be regarded as the authoritative guide.
That all speakers who come to preach or teach at any meeting arranged in the name of the Union or any of its college groups shall declare their agreement with the Basis of Faith each time they are invited; but this shall not be required from any speaker more than once in any period of twelve months.
The Union shall maintain a banking account with a suitable Bank or Building Union to hold the Union’s funds.
It shall be the responsibility of the Junior Treasurer to ensure that monies received are properly accounted for, and that the Union’s financial records are kept in good order. In particular, the Junior Treasurer shall ensure continuity of Cambridge resident signatories for any bank accounts held by the Union.
There shall be a Senior Treasurer, who shall be a member of the Regent House, or other person approved by the Junior Proctor. The Senior Treasurer shall be appointed by the elected members of the
Executive Committee. They shall sign their agreement with the Doctrinal Basis of the Union before taking up office and shall hold office only so long as they continue to be in agreement with the Doctrinal Basis of the Union.
The Senior Treasurer shall make arrangements for the Union’s Accounts to be properly examined, either by himself or herself, or by some other person approved under University Ordinances.
The Senior Treasurer shall not be liable for any financial debt or other obligation of the Union unless he or she has personally authorised such a debt in writing.
For so long as the Union shall be Registered with the Junior Proctor, it shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to ensure that the Union complies with the requirements for Registration as a University Union.
That a unanimous vote of the Executive Committee, a three-quarters majority of the general committee providing at least thirty are present and written approval of the Charity Commissioners shall be required for any changes in articles I, II, VII. 13, XV of the Constitution.
That a unanimous vote of the Executive Committee and a three-quarters majority of the general committee providing at least thirty are present shall be required for any other changes of the Constitution.
That no amendment shall be made which has the effect of the Union ceasing to be a charity at law so long as the union remains a charity.
No amendment to this Constitution intended to remove the position of Senior Treasurer, to alter its prerogatives and duties, or to change the criteria and procedure for the appointment of a Senior Treasurer can be put to a vote without the prior written agreement of the Junior Proctor of the University of Cambridge.
That the Executive Committee must:
(i) Promptly send to the Commissioners a copy of any amendment made.
(ii) Keep a copy of any such amendment with this consultation.
The Union may expel or suspend a member whose actions are felt to be such as to bring the Union into
disrepute, or to adversely affect the smooth running of the Union in a major way. Such expulsion or suspension
can be effected by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. In the event of an expulsion, the excluded
member is required to return all equipment, documents and finances belonging to the Union within 7 days.
If the excluded or suspended member wishes to appeal against the decision, that appeal should be made to the
Honorary Vice-Presidents, who will consider all the facts, and whose decision will be final. An appeal as to the
process of exclusion, but not a further investigation into the facts, may be lodged with the Junior Proctor.
That if the Executive Committee and Honorary Vice Presidents unanimously decide that it is necessary or
advisable to dissolve the Union, they shall call a General Meeting of which not less than 21 days’ notice (stating
the terms of the resolution to be proposed) shall be given. If the proposal is confirmed, as outlined in article
VI. 6. (i), the Executive Committee shall have the power to release any assets held by or on behalf of the Union.
Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to
such other charitable institution or institutions having aims similar to the aims of the Union as the Executive
Committee deems appropriate. Failing that, they should be applied for some other charitable purpose.
The Doctrinal Basis of the Fellowship shall be the fundamental truths of Christianity, as revealed in Holy
Scripture, including:
a. There is one God in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
b. God is sovereign in creation, revelation, redemption and final judgement.
c. The Bible, as originally given, is the inspired and infallible Word of God. It is the supreme authority in
all matters of belief and behaviour.
d. Since the fall, the whole of humankind is sinful and guilty, so that everyone is subject to God's wrath
and condemnation.
e. The Lord Jesus Christ, God's incarnate Son, is fully God; he was born of a virgin; his humanity is real
and sinless; he died on the cross, was raised bodily from death and is now reigning over heaven and
earth.
f. Sinful human beings are redeemed from the guilt, penalty and power of sin only through the sacrificial
death once and for all time of their representative and substitute, Jesus Christ, the only mediator
between them and God.
g. Those who believe in Christ are pardoned all their sins and accepted in God's sight only because of the
righteousness of Christ credited to them; this justification is God's act of undeserved mercy, received
solely by trust in him and not by their own efforts.
h. The Holy Spirit alone makes the work of Christ effective to individual sinners, enabling them to turn to
God from their sin and to trust in Jesus Christ.
i. The Holy Spirit lives in all those he has regenerated. He makes them increasingly Christlike in
character and behaviour and gives them power for their witness in the world.
j. The one holy universal church is the Body of Christ, to which all true believers belong.
k. The Lord Jesus Christ will return in person, to judge everyone, to execute God's just condemnation on
those who have not repented and to receive the redeemed to eternal glory.
(As agreed by ordinary motion of the General Committee, 18th March 2021)
In addition to College Representatives and the Executive Committee, membership of the General Committee is
granted to anyone who has taken on an official role within the CU, for which they were required to sign the
Doctrinal Basis.
For example:
This appendix may be varied from time to time by an ordinary vote of the General Committee. Non-members may attend meetings as observers.
The above content has been automatically generated from the downloadable pdf - please contact the webmaster if any major formatting errors have occurred.