CONSTITUTION OF ALTAR SERVERS

ST JOSEPH THE WORKER PARISH

BONABERI
ARCHDIOCESE OF DOUALA
P.O. BOX 9516 DOUALA

MOTTO:
SERVERS’ OF THE LORD, BLESS THE
LORD
 PREAMABLE
ANY ASSOCIATION OR SOCIETY WITHOUT
RULES AND REGULATIONS TO GUIDE IT IS NO
MOVEMENT. FOR THIS REASON, EVERY GROUP/
ASSOCIATIONOR MOVEMENT NEEDS ITS OWN
RULES AND REGULATIONS TO LIVE AN
APPROPRIATE LIFE. THUS, WE THE ALTAR
SERVERS OF ST JOSEPH THE WORKER PARISH
BONABERI PUT BEFORE US THESE RULES AND
REGULATIONS TO GUIDE US IN SERVING THE
LORD FULLY WITHOUT ANY
DISCRIMINATIONS.
THE GROUP SHALL BY NO WAY SUPPORT ANY
ACTIVITY CONTRARY TO CATHOLICITY.
 ARTICLES
ART 01- NAME AND MOTTO
1.1 THE GROUP SHALL BE CALLED “THE ST STEPHEN’S GUILD”
1.2 THE MOTTO SHALL BE “SERVERS’ OF THE LORD, BLESS THE LORD”
1.3 THE PATRON SAINT SHALL BE ST STEPHEN THE FIRST MARTYR WHOSE
FEAST IS ONE THE 26TH DECEMBER

ART 02- THE PURPOSE

2.1 TO ASSURE A SMOOTH SERVING OF ALL MASSES OF THE PARISH.
2.2 TO STRENGTHEN AND DEEPEN OUR FAITH THROUGH SERVING, BIBLE
SHARING, PRAYERS AND OTHER SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES.
2.3 TO HELP FELLOW MEMBERS GROW SPIRITUALLY AND MORALLY IN
FAITH.
2.4 TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL THE ACTIVITIES OF YOUTHS IN PARTICULAR
AND THE CHURCH IN GENERAL.

ART 03- MEMBERSHIP

3.1 EACH MEMBER SHALL REGISTER WITH A SYMBOLIC AMOUNT OF 500FRS
CFA OR MORE AS DESIRED BY THE INDIVIDUAL.
3.2 EACH MEMBER MUST HAVE AN EXERCISE BOOK OF 60LEAVES FOR
NOTES WHICH SHOULD BE BROUGHT WHEN COMING FOR MEETINGS.
3.3 MUST BE REGISTERED IN THE YOUTHS.
3.4 MEMBERS SHALL MAKE A MEMBERSHIP CARD.
3.5 EACH MEMBERS HAS TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE ACTIVITIES IF THE
GROUP.
ART 04- OFFICE
THE EXECUTIVE OF THE ALTAR SERVERS SHALL BE COMPRISED OF;
4.1 THE PRESIDENT AND VICE
4.2 THE SECRETARY AND VICE
4.3 THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY/ TREASURER
4.4 THE CHIEFWHIP (DISCIPLINE MASTER) AND VICE
4.5 A SACRISTAN/FORMATEUR
NB: THE GROUP SHALL HAVE A PATRON AND AN ADVISER

ART 05- QUALIFICATIONS FOR HOLDING AN OFFICE

5.1 MUST BE A COMMUNICANT AND PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE ACTIVITIES OF
THE GROUP.
5.2 SHALL BE ONE WITH GOOD CONDUCT (SELF RESPECT, SELF DISCIPLINE, ETC).
5.3 MUST BE FREE FROM PUBLIC SCANDAL DURING THE PERIOD HE OR SHE JOINED
THE GROUP.
5.4 MUST HAVE COMPLETED ATLEAST 2YEARS IN THE GROUP AND BE ENROLLED.
5.5 MUST HAVE ATTENDED 2/3 OF THE MEETINGS DURING THE PERIOD
MENTIONED ABOVE.
ART 06- ELECTIONS
6.1 ELECTION SHALL BE CONDUCTED ONCE EVERY 2YEARS AND ATLEAST ONE
MONTH NOTICE SHALL BE GIVEN BEFORE THE ELECTION.
6.2 VOTING SHALL BE BY SECRET BALLOT AND THE CANDIDATE WITH A SIMPLE
MAJORITY SHALL OCCUPY THE POST.
6.3 THE CONDUCT OF THE ELECTIONS SHALL BE THE DUTY OF A PERSON
PROPOSEDBY THE EXECUTIVE AN ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE GROUP.
6.4 IN CASE OF A TIE, A SECOND VOTE SHALL BE CALLED FOR.
6.5 IN CASE OF ANY VACANCY, THE EXECUTIVE SHALL APPOINT OR VOTE ANY
OTHER EXECUTIVE TO REPLACE THE PERSON OR POST.
6.6 MEMBERS CAN BE VOTED IN ABSENTIA SUBJECT UPON NOTIFICATION OF
THEIR ABSCENCE.
ART 07- MEETINGS
7.1 MEETINGS SHALL START AT 9:00AM EVERY SATURDAY AND END AT
12:30AM.
7.2 MEETINGS SHALL LOOK LIKE THIS: PRAYERS AND BIBLE SHARING ON THE
FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH, TEACHINGS ON THE SECOND SATURDAYS OF
THE MONTH, PRACTICE SESSIONS ON THE THIRD AND SPORTS ON THE LASTS.
7.3 EXTRA-ORDINARY MEETINGS SHALL BE CALLED WHEN NEED ARISES

ART 08- SOCIAL

THE GROUP SHALL BE EXPECTED TO SHOW OR SIGN OR SENSE OF SOLIDARITY
FOR THE FOLLOWING CASES
8.1 A SICK REGISTERED MEMBER: A CONTRIBUTION OF 500FRS CFA BY THE
GROUP.
8.2 A SICK HOSPITALIZED MEMBER: A CONTRIBUTION OF 100FRS CFA AND A
VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL IN QUESTION.
8.3 DEATH OF A PARENT OR SIBLING OF A REGISTERED MEMBER: A MINIMUM
CONTIRBUTION OF 300FRS CFA.
8.4 DEATH OF A REGISTERED MEMBER: A MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION OF 500FRS
FCA AND A VISIT TO THE MEMER’S FAMILY HOUSE.

ART 09- FINANCE

9.1 THE EXECUTIVE TOGETHER WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL DECIDE
ON WHAT TO CONTRIBUTE DURING ANY OCCASSION.
9.2 FOR THE FINANCIAL UPKEEP OF THE GROUP, EACH MEMBER SHALL CHEAP
IN A TOKEN OF 50FRS CFA FOR EVERY SATURDAY MEETING.
9.3 THE EXECUTIVE SHALL LOOK FOR A MEANS OF FUND RAISING.

ART 10- DISIPLINE

 10.1 SELF DISCIPLINE SHALL BE EXPECTED FROM THE EXECUTIVES
BEFORE THE OTHERS THEIR SANCTIONS SHALL BE TWICE THAT
STATED BY THE CONSTITUTION.
10.2 ANY MEMBER THAT DOES NOT COME FOR MEETING SHALL NOT
SERVE ANY MASS.ANY MEMBER BEFORE SERVING MASS IN CHURCH
MUST ATTEND MEETINGS FOR 06MONTHS CONSECUTIVELY.
UNJUSTIFIED ABSCENCE FOR ONE WEEK WILL HAVE TO START BACK
AFRESH AND MUST ALSO ATTEND ALL MASSES DURING THIS PERIOD.
10.3 THE EXECUTIVE SHALL ADOPT SANCTION FOR MEMBERS WHO
DO NOT WORK IN THE SPIRIT OF THE GROUP.
10.4 ANY MEMBER THAT IS TO SERVE MUST BE IN CHURCH ATLEAST
20MINUTES BEFORE MASS.
ART 11- SANCTION
11.1 LATE COMING OR ABSCENCE FOR MEETING SHALL BE
SANCTIONED BY THE DISCIPLINE MASTER OF CHIEWHIP.
11.2 03 UNJUSTIFIED LATE COMINGS SHALL BE FINED 300FRS CFA
THEN ABSCENCES RESULT TO SUSPENSIONIF THE EXECUTIVE OR
CHAPLAIN DEEMIT NECESSARY.
11.3 DISTURBANCE DURING MEETINGS SHALL RESULT TO SANCTION
DECIDED BY THE EXECUTIVE.
11.4 QUARRELING AMONGST AND/OR BETWEEN MEMBERS RESULT
TO A PUNISHMENTDECIDE BY THE EXECUTIVE OR CHAPLAIN.
11.5 MISBEHAVING IN ANY SOCIAL GATHERINGRESULT TO A
CONVOCATION TO MEET THE PARISH PRIEST, CHAPLAIN OR
EXECUTIVE.
11.6 ANY MEMBER THAT COMES LATE WHEN HE IS TO SERVE WILL
FACE A FINE OF 100FRS FCA BUT AN UNJUSTIFIED ABSCENCE WILL BE
500FRS CFA.
 11.7 ANY MEMBER INVOLVED IN PUBLIC SCANDAL WILL BE
EXCLUDED OR SUSPENDED FROM THE GROUP AFTER CRITICAL
STUDY BY THE EXECUTIVE.
11.8 IF FOR ANY REASON A MEMBER REFUSES TO OBEY HIS
SANCTION GIVEN TO HIM OR HER, IT WILL RESULT TO A
CONVOCATION TO MEET THE PARISH PRIEST.
11.9 MEMBERS SHALL ENJOY EQUAL RIGHTS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
11.10 THE GROUP SHALL BE DOING CORPORAL WORK IN CHURCH.
11.11 EACH MEMBER BEFORE BEING IN POSSESION OF THE
CONSTITUTION WILL PAY A SOME OF 500FRS CFA.
11.12 THE UNIFORM ON IMPORTANT OCCASSIONS SHALL BE WHITE
LONG SLEEVE SHIRTS OVER A RED PAIR OF TROUSERS WITH A RED
TIE FOR BOYS AND A RED DESCEND PLEEDED SKIRT AND A BOE-TIE
FOR GIRLS
11.13 WHITE HEADSCARFS SHALL BE WORN BY GIRLS WITHIN THE
CHURCH PREMISES OR WHEREVER THE GROUP IS. THESE
HEADSCARFS COSTS 500FRS FCA AND IS THE PROPERTY OF THE
GROUP. THE GROUP SHALL MAKE PROVISION FOR OTHER
HEADSCARFS TO BE WORN FOR SERVING MASS FOLLOWING THE
LITURGICAL COLORS.
11.14 ALTAR SERVERS SHALL BE EXECTED TO DRESS NEATLY AND
DESCENTLY WHEREVER THEY ARE AND ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING
TO CHURCH. GIRLS SHALL NOT PUT ON TROUSERS FOR MASS AND
MEETINGS.
 BY-LAWS
BY-LAW –I DUTIES OF OFFICE
1. PRESIDENT
 HE SHALL PRESIDE OVER ALL GENERAL OR EXECUTIVE MEETINGS.
 SEE TO THE PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF ALL ACTIVITIES OF THE
GROUP.CONVERE ALL EXCO OR GENERAL MEETINGS THROUGH THE
SECRETARY.
 SHALL APPOINT MEMBERS TO TAKE CARE OF GROUP AFFAIRS OR
REPRESENT WHEREVER NEED ARISES.
 SHALL SEE THAT JUSTICE REIGNS IN THE GROUP.
 SHALL APPROVE AND SIGN ALL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE
GROUP.
 SHALL WORK HAND IN HAND WITH THE PARISH PRIEST, CHAPLAIN AND
THE TREASURER.
 SHALL COLLECT MONEY FROM THE PARISH HOUSE WITH THE TREASURER
OR FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
 SHALL SHARE RESPONSIBILITIES WITH HIS VICE.
2. VICE-PRESIDENT
 REPRESENT THE PRESIDENT FULLY
 SHALL WORK HAND IN HAND WITH THE PRESIDENT.
3. THE SECRETARY
 SHALL KEEP ALL MINUTES OF EXCO AND GENERAL MEETINGS.
 SUMMON ALL MEETINGS AT THE INSTANCE OF THE PRESIDENT OR VICE.
 SHALL HANDLE ALL THE CORRESPONDANCE OF THE GROUP.
 PRESIDE OVER MEETINGS IN THE ABSCENCE OF THE PRESIDENT AND VICE.
 SHALL PREPARE AGENDA FOR ALL MEETINGS WITH THE HELP OF THE
PRESIDENT.
4. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND TREASURER
 SHALL RECEIVE AND KEEP THE GROUP’S MONEY.
 SHALL MENTION A STRICKED AND ACCURATE RECORD OF ALL GROUP’S
MONEY.
 SHALL RECEIVE, ISSUE RECEIPTS AND MAKE DISBURSEMENT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE DIRECTIVE OF EXECUTION.
 GIVE CLEAR FINANCIAL RECORDS IN MEETINGS WHEN NEED ARISES.
 REMIND MEMBERS HANGING BEHIND IN FINANCIAL PROJECTS.
 SHALL WORK IN CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH THE PRESIDENT.
5. DISCIPLINE MASTERS
 SHALL KEEP ORDER DURING PRACTICE SESSIONS, MEETINGS OR
WHEREVER THE GROUP IS.
 GIVE ACCOUNT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SEVERE DISTURBANCES
DURING PRACTICE SESSIONS AND MEETINGS.
 SHALL PERFORM ROLL CALL AND CHECK LATE COMINGS,
ABSCENCES AND NOTE BOOKS.
 SEE TO IT THAT SANCTIONS GIVEN TO MEMBER(S) IS OR ARE
CARRIED OUT EFFECTIVELY.
6. SACRISTAN/ FORMATOR
 SHALL PREPARE ALL MASSES IN COLLABORATION WITH THE
CATHECHISTS.
 SHALL TAKE CHARGE OF TEACHINGS AND PRACTICE SESSIONS.
 SHALL COORDINATE BIBLE SHARING.
 SHALL BE CALLED TO WORK IN CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH THE
PARISH PRIEST AND CHAPLAIN.

THE CONSTITUTION CAN BE CALLED TO AMENDMENTSIF

NEED BE.
THIS SHALL BE DONE IF A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF EXECUTIVES
VOTE FOR IT.
VARIOUS PRAYERS NECCESSARY TO KNOW AS AN ALTAR SERVER