Some dates to note during a typical year: deadlines for Synod, returns to the Diocesan office and other useful reminders for your faith community.

Important dates and Reminders

We have some general reminders that Vestries, Church Committees, Chapters and other leadership groups can refer to to help keep on top of everything you need to report on or respond to.

The following summary is attached below to print and refer to.

The list below is not comprehensive and will be added to when we hear of anything that needs to be on here - please contact the Diocesan Registrar registrar@calledsouth.org.nz with any suggestions, and we will add them to future versions.

We suggest that some of these may be “standing agenda items” on governance body agendas

Standing Agenda Items:

• Contingency Plan – see Contingency Plan for a template you can use. What will you do if key people in your community are no longer able to fulfil other duties?

• Leases – for facilities, house leases that are not registered with the DDTB. Make a note to review these and what month work needs to start on this. Agenda this for the first meeting of your year.

• Health and Safety – a standing agenda item. Any major concerns, accidents-incidents or near misses? Any regular training that needs to take place?

• Safeguarding and complaints – a standing agenda item. Safeguarding training and audits will be advised during the year.

• Revaluations of Properties are due every three years – contact Diocesan Accountant for what is required around this.

• Annual Inspections of property held by faith community, including vicarages – schedule these in, you may want to use the annual Loss Prevention Audit (see June prompt below) as an opportunity to do this, see also the website https://www.calledsouth.org.nz/health-safety/ . Section G of the handbook has other additional information that may be helpful, including Number 4 (Vicarages, Deaneries and other Faith Community Houses) Section 12i Vicarage or Church House Checklist.

• Annual Review of Terriers – schedule your Terrier to be reviewed during the year, with any additions or subtractions noted. Please send any updated information to the Registrar in the Diocesan Office. See Terrier (Church Property Register) Template – a useful document for taking an inventory. Contact the Registrar for information for when you last submitted this.

• Clergy Matters - Clergy Licence requirements are dealt with directly from the Bishop’s office, on an individual basis, as they fall due. Lay Minister Licence renewal occurs triennially – next due Pentecost 2025. Licensing outside of that can be requested via the Bishop’s office.

Diocese of Dunedin: Reminders of Important Deadlines