Experimental Fund

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1. Introduction

In 1981, through the inspirational foresight and benevolence of two generous donors, Evelyn and George J. Van Beek (1919-2011), The Experimental Fund of The Presbyterian Church in Canada was established. For thirty years this Fund was governed by a Board and administered first by the Rev Dr Tom Gemmell and then by The Rev Dr Fred Rennie as Secretary/Administrator. Mr. and Mrs. Van Beek were residents of Glengarry County and Mr Van Beek served as an Elder and as Clerk of Session of St John’s Presbyterian Church, Cornwall, Ontario. Mrs Van Beek died in February, 2001 and Mr Van Beek died on January 12, 2011. The residue of his estate was added to the funds previously received and the instructions of his Will are now reflected in this revised Constitution of the Avondbloem Experimental Fund.

The Guidelines and Procedures for the operation of the Fund may be altered without reference to amendments to the Constitution. Changes must be affirmed by the Life and Mission Agency (or its representative body) of The Presbyterian Church in Canada.

The Avondbloem Experimental Fund will report to the General Assembly through the Life and Mission Agency, under whose supervision the Fund will be administered. Bequests received by The Presbyterian Church in Canada for similar purposes may be added the Fund.

2. Purpose of the Fund

Primarily

To provide funding to individuals or groups within The Presbyterian Church in Canada, or to projects recommended by them, to support experimental projects which will help to spread the message of Jesus Christ, and to further the Kingdom of God in this world.

Secondarily

If funding is available, at the discretion of the Directors, funding may also be provided:

• for emergency situations in the Church, when brought to their attention;
• for bursaries to our Colleges, allowing students (or the Colleges) to undertake research and development of projects in keeping with the principle outlined in the above paragraph;
• for the support of special building projects or facility expansion.

The Life and Mission Agency may initiate specific projects in keeping with the above, provided such action has unanimous approval. This may include engaging the necessary staff to carry out a project.

Normally, projects shall be of practical, innovative, and informative nature, to help people grow in their Christian Faith. They are to stand on their own merit and should be completed within a 2 year period. Projects may include such activities as investigation, research, training or special work.

3. General Guidelines

Projects should be relevant to the teaching and communicating of the Word of God.

Projects should have a practical application, and be innovative, clarifying and expository in their form. Normally, a project would be self-contained.

Projects should promote the unity of the Church.

The results of any study/training or research project shall be made available to The Presbyterian Church in Canada.

Project staffing shall be funded only when the staff time is solely devoted to the purpose of the experimental project.

Seed money for projects may be granted, although this must not be the only or primary function of the Avondbloem Experimental Fund. The term "seed money" means partial funding of projects to encourage the start-up of a project, or to renew a project that has become moribund.

The ultimate disposition of any equipment which has been acquired from the Avondbloem Experimental Fund project grants must be disclosed and agreed upon by the Life and Mission Agency, especially if a project has been discontinued or abandoned.

Avondbloem Experimental Fund project grants are to express creativity and imagination as implied by the use of the term “experimental”.

4. Grants

The Avondbloem Experimental Fund will welcome applications from any person professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Fund will also consider group projects only when an individual is clearly identified as being responsible.

Grants will be approved by the Life and Mission Agency on the recommendation of a committee named by the Life and Mission Agency and comprised of members of staff and committee members.

Grants will be made from the income of the fund and, with the permission of Assembly Council on recommendation by the Life and Mission Agency, may also be made from the capital.

5. Promotion

6. The Avondbloem Experimental Fund shall be promoted periodically in any of the regular channels employed by the Life and Mission Agency for its various funds. People at large, particularly the presbyteries of the Church, shall be made aware of its existence.

7. Dissolution of the Fund

Upon recommendation of the Life and Mission Agency, the Assembly Council may recommend the dissolution of the Avondbloem Experimental Fund by the General Assembly. Should such a decision be made, any residue funds shall be distributed to The Presbyterian Church in Canada.

8. Declaration of Limits of Responsibility

The Life and Mission Agency, the Avondbloem Experimental Fund and The Presbyterian Church in Canada hereby declare that the various officials of the above named entities, and the Fund itself, accept no financial responsibility beyond the amount of any grant made in respect to each project application submitted and approved by the Life and Mission Agency. The Directors do not accept responsibility for escalating or unforeseen costs involved in any project, nor do they accept any liability for consequences arising out of particular projects. Responsibility for any liability arising from a particular project must rest with the initiators of the project. It is recommended that appropriate insurance be obtained by such project initiators.

9. Effective Date

This revised Constitution shall come into effect January 1, 2012, and thereby render void all previous constitutions.