Corporate Bylaws of the Canadian Association of Christian Counselors Professionals (CACCP)

As a professional association of Christian counselors, the Canadian Association of Christian Counselors Professionals (CACCP) is committed to promoting excellence in Christian counseling and upholding the highest ethical standards in the profession. To achieve this, the CACCP has established the following bylaws:

Article 1: Name and Purpose

1.1 Name: The name of the organization shall be the Canadian Association of Christian Counselors Professionals (CACCP).

1.2 Purpose: The purpose of the CACCP is to advance the profession of Christian counseling by promoting excellence in counseling practice, education, research, and advocacy. The CACCP is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in the profession and promoting the well-being of clients and the public.

Article 2: Membership

2.1 Membership Categories: The CACCP shall have the following categories of membership:

• Full Members: Clinical Christian Pastoral Counselor membership, which is open to individuals who hold a recognized professional counseling degree and have completed a pastoral counseling program or have equivalent experience.
• Certified Pastoral Counselor Members: Certified Pastoral Counselor membership, which is open to individuals who have completed a recognized pastoral counseling program or have equivalent experience..
• Lay Pastoral Counselor Members: Lay Pastoral Counselor membership, which is open to individuals who have completed a lay counseling course or have equivalent experience.

2.2 Admission: Admission to the CACCP shall be open to all qualified individuals who share the organization’s values and mission, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or nationality. Applicants shall be evaluated based on their education, training, experience, and commitment to ethical and professional standards.

2.3 Rights (a) Full Members shall have the right to vote, hold office, and participate in all activities of the CACCP.

(b) Associate Members and Student Members shall have the right to participate in all activities of the CACCP, but shall not have voting rights or be eligible to hold office.

2.4 Termination: Membership in the CACCP may be terminated for cause, including but not limited to violation of ethical standards, misconduct, or failure to pay dues.

Article 3: Board of Directors

3.1 Composition: The CACCP shall be governed by a Board of Directors composed of no less than five and no more than nine members. The Board shall be composed of Full Members in good standing who have been elected by the membership.

3.2 Composition: The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and at least three additional directors.

3.3 Roles and Responsibilities: The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the overall management and direction of the CACCP. The Board shall have the power to establish policies, adopt budgets, and make decisions on behalf of the organization. The Board shall also appoint and oversee committees, hire staff, and ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards.

3.3 Election and Term: Board members shall be elected by the membership for a term of three years, with the possibility of re-election.

3.4 Role of the President: The President shall serve as the chief executive officer of the CACCP and shall have the power and authority to carry out the policies and decisions of the Board of Directors. The President shall preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall be responsible for ensuring that the organization operates in accordance with its bylaws and applicable laws and regulations. Additionally, the President shall have the authority to appoint committees and committee chairs as necessary to further the goals and objectives of the CACCP.

3.5 Power of the President: The President shall be authorized to make executive decisions on behalf of the CACCP in between meetings of the Board of Directors, provided that such decisions are consistent with the policies and decisions of the Board.

• The President shall also have the power to sign contracts and other legal documents on behalf of the CACCP, provided that such contracts are in accordance with the policies and decisions of the Board, and that they are not in violation of any applicable laws and regulations.
• The President shall have the power to spend funds on behalf of the CACCP, but only in accordance with the budget approved by the Board of Directors.
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• Any spending outside of the approved budget must be first approved by the Board of Directors, or in the case of an emergency, by a majority of the Executive Committee.
• The role of the President is crucial to the success of the Canadian Association of Christian Counselors Professionals (CACCP). As the highest-ranking officer of the organization, the President is responsible for providing leadership, direction, and guidance to the Board of Directors and all members of the CACCP.
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• In addition to their leadership role, the President is also responsible for ensuring that the CACCP operates in accordance with its bylaws and applicable laws and regulations. They are expected to exercise good judgment and discretion in making decisions on behalf of the organization, always acting in the best interests of the CAC CP and its members.

Article 4: Committees

4.1 Establishment: The Board of Directors shall have the power to establish committees to assist in the management and operation of the CACCP.

4.2 Committee Composition: Committee members shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and may include Full Members, Associate Members, and Student Members. Committees shall be chaired by a Board member and may include non-member experts in specific areas.

4.3 Committee Responsibilities: Committees shall have specific responsibilities as assigned by the Board of Directors, which may include but are not limited to research, policy development, fundraising, event planning, and membership recruitment. Committees shall report to the Board on a regular basis and shall operate in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Board.

4.4 Standing Committees: The CACCP shall have the following standing committees: Membership, Professional Development, Advocacy, and Finance.

4.5 Ad Hoc Committees: The Board may create ad hoc committees as needed to address specific issues or projects.

4.6 Committee Membership: Committee membership shall be open to all members of the CACCP who are in good standing.

Article 5: Meetings

5.1 Annual Meeting: The CACCP shall hold an Annual Meeting of the membership for the purposes of electing Board members, considering reports from the Board and committees, and conducting any other business that may arise.

5.2 Special Meetings: Special meetings of the membership may be called by the Board of Directors or by a petition of no less than 10% of the Full Members.

5.3 Board Meetings: The Board of Directors shall hold regular meetings at least quarterly, with additional meetings called as necessary by the President or by a majority of the Board members.

5.4 Notice of Meetings: Notice of all meetings shall be given to all members in good standing at least 30 days in advance, and shall include the date, time, location, and agenda for the meeting.

Article 6: Finances

6.1 Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the CACCP shall be from January 1st through December 31st.

6 .2 Budget: The Board of Directors shall prepare an annual budget for approval by the membership at the Annual Meeting.

6.3 Financial Reporting: The Board of Directors shall ensure that accurate financial records are kept and that regular reports are provided to the membership.

6.4 Fundraising: The CACCP may engage in fundraising activities for the purpose of supporting its programs and operations. All fundraising activities shall be conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, as well as the policies and procedures established by the Board Corporate Bylaws of the Canadian Association of Christian Counselors Professionals (CACCP).

6.5 Spending: All expenditures of the CACCP shall be approved by the Board, and shall be consistent with the budget and purposes of the organization.

No member of the Board or any committee shall receive any compensation for services rendered to the CAC CP except for reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of the organization.