Job Descriptions for the Officers and Staff of the NZ Section of the Theosophical Society Inc.

These descriptions indicate areas of responsibility for the various officers and staff. However, the work itself is shared amongst the various officers as ability and time are available. The goal is to be able to work creatively whilst ensuring that the required jobs are fulfilled adequately.

National President

(1) The duties of the National President are:

(a) To be responsible for continually monitoring

(i) the needs and functions of the Lodges (Branches) in relation to the purposes for which they were chartered,

(ii) the needs of Groups and Headquarters Members, and

(iii) the adequacy of services provided by National Headquarters, and, where necessary, to take appropriate action.

(b) To be the driving force within the National Society for the promulgation of Theosophy, and to act as the main face of Theosophy to the public and other organizations.

(c) To receive and deal with representations from individual Members.

(d) To make regular visits to the Lodges (Branches) and generally see to their welfare.

(e) As part of the main thrust of Theosophy in New Zealand, to supervise the maintenance of a National Lectureship Programme including the co-ordination of visits by both overseas and local lecturers, and speakers to the various Lodges (Branches) and, where possible, Groups, and to ensure that all Lodges (Branches) are adequately served in this respect over a suitable time scale.

(f) To comply with the Rules and Regulations of The Theosophical Society and the Rules of the National Society for the time being in force.

(g) To take direction from, and to carry out the relevant directions of the Convention and the National Council.

(h) To submit an Annual Report of the National Society to the International President and to the National Convention, after approval of the Report by the National Council, and to publish a summary of this report in the National Magazine. The Annual Report shall be sent to the International President not later than the first day of November each year and shall include statistics of Lodges (Branches) and membership, and a copy of the audited financial statement of accounts.

(i) To submit a written report to members of the National Council covering the period of activity since the previous National Council meeting and any reports and requests on policy direction at least two weeks before such meeting.

(j) To obtain legal advice and to confer with the legal advisors as may be necessary.

2) For the purposes of The Theosophical Society and for all matters concerning the application of the Rules and Regulations of The Theosophical Society and of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of The Theosophical Properties Trust Board, the National President shall be regarded as the General Secretary of the National Society.

National Vice President:

The National Vice President will assist in the administration of the Theosophical Society in New Zealand. He/she will liase with the Theosophical Society National President, the Education Coordinator,  the Management Team and with Regions and Branches to assist in promoting the aims and activities of the Society.

The term of office is for three years.

The National Vice President will report to the National President and be responsible to the National Council and Convention.

When the National President is not available, the National Vice President is delegated with the overall administration of the Society.

The National Vice President will:

1.Be in the office at times agreed by the Management Team (normally at least two days a week).

2.Attend Management meetings. (6 to 10 a year)

3.Attend National Council meetings.

4.Attend the National Convention.

5.Be responsible for the Society's and Branch Constitutions.

6.Agree to take on further NZ Section duties as discussed with the National President and Management Team to ensure the smooth running of the NZ Section. See the Schedule immediately below.

Expenses:

Schedule of Additional Responsibilities as at September 2008:

1. Project portfolio management and support for NZ Section projects.
2. Event management and support, as with Seminar, Conventions and Schools of Theosophy.
3. As a National Speaker, delivering a mix of public and members' talks and workshops.
4. Participation in Working Groups, eg the Education, Alternative Funding and Website Upgrade groups, as appropriate.
5. Branch support and coaching, eg the WWWW (Working With What Works) programme.
6. Finding and engaging suitable speakers throughout New Zealand and overseas.
7. Organisational development processes such as National Council Sunday seminars.
8. Networking and links with kindred organisations, including speaker exchange.
9. Member support through participation in email discussion groups etc.

National Secretary

The duties of the Secretary are:

(a) In close co-operation with the National President, to take charge of the administrative functions of the National Headquarters including the functions defined in the succeeding paragraphs of this Clause.

(b) To comply with the Rules and Regulations of The Theosophical Society and the Rules of the National Society for the time being in force.

(c) To take direction from, and to carry out the relevant directions of the Convention, and the National Council.

(d) To supervise the membership records.

(e) To prepare agendas in consultation with each respective Chair and to attend Meetings and take minutes of the Meetings of National Council and the Management Team.

(f) To attend to routine correspondence and to be responsible for all statutory obligations including the filing of returns.

(g) To arrange regular Staff Meetings so that all have a general idea of the overall work and any current programmes.

(h) To arrange for the provision of secretarial assistance for the National President from the Headquarters Staff.

(i) To support administration and organisation of the National Speakers/Facilitators Program.

National Treasurer

The duties of the National Treasurer shall be as follows:

(a) To be responsible for direction of all matters delineated by the Inland Revenue

(b) To furnish all financial accounts, budgets, information and balance sheets as may be required by the National Council, or Convention, and to be responsible for the supervision of the keeping of all proper books, records of the financial transactions of the National Society and of its assets and liabilities.

(c) To prepare an annual Account of Income and Expenditure and Balance Sheet of the financial transactions and affairs of the National Society, together with a report of the year's financial working and the Budget for the following year.

(d) To oversee all investments and report to the National President.

(e) To oversee rental collection.

Education Coordinator.

1. The duties of the Educational Coordinator are:

(a) To be responsible for ensuring appropriate study and training courses are made available and offered to Lodges (Branches), Regions and Headquarters members. The responsibility shall include development, procurement, assessment, updating, production, marketing, and supply of such courses.

(b) To be responsible for the co-ordination of the national speaker and/or education outreach programmes facilitated by the NZ Section, including the School of Theosophy at Tauhara.

(c) To act as Convenor of the Education and Training Working Group.

(d) To carry out such other duties as may be determined by the National Council or Administration Committee.

(e) Is responsible to the National President, reporting to the Management team and National Council.

2. Principles of Action:

To ensure the essential values, Vision and Mission of the Theosophical Society are maintained through the National Section programmes, establishing ongoing objectives with the National President and National Council from year to year. To provide resources and training to help the growth and to support the activities of Branches and Study Groups in the New Zealand Section.

3. Work with the Education Working Group to:

(a) Annually review Learning Styles Manual with current information

(b) Annually review of Administration Manual

(c) Source new study material for branches - ongoing

(d) Source new training material for branches - ongoing

(e) Develop new initiatives to help the NZ section

(f) Annually review the National Standards and Induction/Orientation Guidelines, as necessary, for perusal and acceptance by the National Council

4. Branch Training Sessions

To provide annual, on-going support for branch training to help the branches in the areas of Theosophy and/or committee work and/or speaker training as per the Principle of Action above.

5. Regional Training Sessions

To provide annual, on-going support for regional training to help the regions in the areas of theosophy and/or committee work and/or speaker training as per the Principle of Action above.

National News Media Coordinator

Role and responsibilities for a national news media coordinator for the Theosophical Society in New Zealand

Objective:

To improve the flow of information to the public from and about the Theosophical Society in New Zealand.

The National News Media Coordinator will assist in the process of increasing public awareness of the Theosophical Society in New Zealand, through news media outlets. He/she will liaise with the Theosophical Society headquarters and with regions and branches to assist in publicising the aims and activities of the Society.

Responsibility:

The News Media Coordinator will report to the National President and be responsible to the National Council through the National President.

News media releases:

The news media coordinator will:

1. Liaise and advise regions and branches on formatting news media releases and on promoting branch activities and services, and supply a kit to each branch of guidelines for preparing news releases

2. Coordinate national news media releases for prominent international Theosophical Society speakers and visitors.

3. Initiate and prepare articles for publication in newspapers and magazines profiling the Society and its work, and/or subjects that increase public awareness of Divine Wisdom teachings.

4. Work with TS groups producing literature on or about the Society

Coordination:

The news media coordinator will work in coordination with the National President, Education Coordinator and the Society Secretary.

Expenses:

Reasonable travel and toll expenses will be paid by the Society if and when appropriate