National Spiritualist Association of Churches

President's Report

From the desk of the President
Rev. Lelia E. Cutler, NST

[Back Issues]

August 2012

Preparing for convention:

It is time to make sure your annual reports have been filed with the National Office, and your delegate forms have been forwarded. If the annual report is not received on time, your delegates will not be seated. The reports are due by August 31st, at the latest. It is necessary to have any delegates who are not listed on a timely annual report to be voted on during the business sessions, in order to be seated as a voting delegate.

When you file your reports, also send a letter of request for your student workers. On Friday mornings at convention, we hold a student service. This is a time when student workers--mediums and healers--can get affidavits for evidential messages and for healing in a convention setting. Since students need six affidavits each for obtaining their credentials, this is an opportunity to obtain an affidavit signed by your national board president and secretary.

Reminder that renewals are also due for Ordained Ministers, National Spiritualist Teachers and Missionaries by August 31st. Licentiate ministers, certified mediums, and commissioned healers must have their renewal forms into the National Office by January 31st of each year.

Having all annual reports and renewal forms into the National Office as soon as possible helps the office to copy and distribute the reports to the Auxiliary Committee and others for reporting at the convention. Delegate papers are crucial to many decisions made for the convention, and are appreciated in early reporting.

All committee and department reports are also needed in order to prepare the package for mailing to the convention site, where they will be copied and distributed by the credentials committee. We are trying a new procedure this year and will be putting all reports in order according to the order on the convention program--they will be numbered in the same ordered as listed and much easier to locate when the time arrives for presentation. The ordered package will be copied in Seattle this year and distributed with your badges.

Look for a proposal to increase the registration fees as we are very low in comparison to most non--profit organizations.

The proposed bylaw changes and the report from the Nominating Committee will be mailed during August and should be reviewed in a membership meeting with your church congregation. This allows the membership to instruct their delegates how to vote on the proposed bylaw changes and how to vote in the elections on Friday of the Convention. Delegates are entrusted with the voting for their church or camp, and should follow instructions from their membership. These votes are very important and have an effect on the running of the organization, and its effects on the chartered auxiliaries of NSAC.

Reminder: We are also very concerned about the number of attendees at this convention, and we are asking that you make your hotel reservations as soon as possible. The number of room nights effects the cost of the meeting rooms for convention. If we do not meet the contract requirement for room nights, it could get very expensive for NSAC.

Hoping to see each of you in Seattle...

Blessings,Lelia