CCC
RAMAH PARISH
CHOIR CONSTITUTION
AND
HANDBOOK
RAMAH VOICE. . . . One voice in Love
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Section1.
1.1 CHOIR ADMINISTRATION AND COMPOSITION
CHURCH MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The Church Management Committee 'CMC' shall be
mandated to take charge of the choir if there is
substantial proof that the executive committee is not
up to par and not able to exercise its duty.
The CMC which includes the Parochial Chairman,Church
Secretary and constituted church members; will take
charge of the choir's immediate decision and address
all issues. After all issues have been resolved, The
committee shall monitor and observe the overall
performance of the choir and is expected to give
feedback, suggestions and recommendations on a
quarterly basis and/or as the situation demands.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The executive committee shall be composed of elected
officers chaired by the Choirmaster who operates
under the umbrella of the Church Management
Committee.
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1.The Choirmaster
2.Asst. Choirmaster
3.The Secretary
4.The Asst. Secretary
5.The Financial Secretary
6.The Treasurer
7.The Welfare Officer
8.The Disciplinary Officer
9.The Curator
Duties and responsibilities of officers :CHOIR MASTER
● Administrative head of the choir.
● Directly reports to the church management
committee.
● Spokesperson of the choir.
● Responsible for coordinating the choir to be in
sync with their aims and objectives.
● A signatory to the choir's account.
● Presiding officer over all meetings,practice and
rendition unless delegated to another by the
same.
ASST. CHOIR MASTER
● Liaison officer and deputy to the CM in all
aspects and responsibility.
CHOIR SECRETARY
● Take a minute in all the choir sitting.
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● Proper documentation of choristers data and
notable events.
● Attends all correspondence addressed to the
choir.
● Organize,coordinate and schedule meetings,
practices and outings.
ASST. CHOIR SECRETARY
● Assist the secretary in all duties and
responsibilities.
CHOIR FINANCIAL SECRETARY
● Keep financial records.
● Collect dues,levy,donations and fines.
● Handover said funds to the treasurer.
● Render financial statements/reports at the end of
the year and/or when the executive requests for
such.
● Signatory to all choir account
CHOIR TREASURER
● Account officer of the choir
● Record income and expenditure of the choir.
● Responsible for deposit of received funds and
withdrawal of requested choir funds within 48hrs.
● Signatory to choir's account.
CHOIR WELFARE OFFICER
● General welfare of the choristers.
● Ensure the choir has a positive appeal in social
and moral standing.
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● Coordinate choir refreshments in applicable
situations.
● Directly responsible for management of choir
cape,cage,hymnbook and other choir properties.
● Assign and delegate members to wash cape,clean
cage at the appropriate times.
CHOIR DISCIPLINARY OFFICER
● Principal member of the disciplinary committee.
● Compile and report case of absentees and their
respective fines
● Report notable case of absenteeism to the
executive
● Enforce law and orderliness in all choir
gatherings.
CHOIR CURATOR
● Custodian of all choir musical instruments.
● Set all needed instruments in place and good
order before service commences.
● Take proper inventory of all musical instruments.
● Enforce compliance of the rule "NO INSTRUMENT
SHALL LEAVE THE CHURCH PREMISES WITHOUT THE
CONSENT OF THE CHOIRMASTER AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE
CHURCH".
GRAND PATRON,GRAND MATRON, PATRON, MATRON, SPECIAL
ADVISER
● Backbone of the choir in terms of moral
uprightness, and decision consultations.
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● Provide tangible financial support to the choir
during specific occasions such as
cantata,anniversaries and whenever the situation
demands.
● Give feedback and suggestions on the overall
improvements of the choir.
*For any office that the assistance position is
vacant the preceding officer shall take charge of all
duties listed therein.
1.2
OATH OF OFFICE
This shall be read whenever an officer is being sworn
into office
“
I, ………………………………… solemnly swear that as the ………………………… of CCC RAMAH
Parish Choir will
● perform my duties diligently in accordance with the constitution of the
choir, always in the sovereign interest of the integrity, solidarity and well
being of the choir
● Endeavour to pursue and preserve the objectives of my office and
responsibilities
● Abide by,protect and uphold the constitution of the choir in all
circumstances,
-So help me God
”
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Section2.
THE CONSTITUTION
INTERPRETATION
The Choirmaster and/or the Secretary is empowered to
interpret the choir constitution and give verdict on
issues which the constitution is salient. The
Choirmaster and/or Secretary interprets in
conjunction with the Shepherd-in-charge and/or his
accredited representative(s). No sole officer or
authority has absolute power.
AMENDMENT
This constitution is subject to annual amendments,in
writing, with the approval of =>70% of the executive,
and monitored by the Church Management Committee.
Motion to amend must be passed by choir,reach the
executives, deliberated upon in a meeting
before
seeking its approval from the Church Management
Committee.
ADOPTION
The Choir constitution shall be binding upon approval
and adoption by relevant offices.
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CHOIR PLEDGE
All choristers must be able to recite this by heart
and must be read by all new chorsiter at the
beginning of 3 consecutive practice/rehearsal.
● I ……………………… hereby pledge my sincerity,loyalty
and commitment to adhere to the tenets of CCC,the
leadership of the choir and its executive, uphold
the ideals of its constitution come rain or
shine, I shall always obey call to GOD's service,
serving diligently in all capacity required of me
as a member of CCC RAMAH VOICE, doing so in love,
humility and in spirit, so help me God. Amen
MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHOIR
All intending members must
1.Obtain application form from the choir Secretary.
2.Fill and submit their application duly signed by
an elder in the church and/or an attestation
letter from their former parish/church if the
circumstances warrants it.
3.Screened by the Choirmaster and/or any other
executive.
4.Upon acceptance shall be mandated to
○ Attend seven consecutive practice/rehearsal
before entering the cage and wearing a cape
during service.
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○ Purchase a copy of the choir handbook
constitution and provide all materials such
as Hymnbook, Bible and Songbook for
accreditation.
CHOIR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
● Put God first in all Endeavour
● Praise and Worship God through song ministration
● Propagate the gospel using spirit filled songs as
a medium
● Promote love,understanding and unity of purpose
among the choir
● Develop and train disciplined members towards
achieving their full potential/contribution to
the choir as a whole.
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Section3
RULES AND REGULATIONS
3.1
TIME OF SERVICES,PRACTICES AND REHEARSALS
● SUNDAY SERVICE 9am.
● WEDNESDAY/FRIDAY SERVICE 6pm.
● NEW MOON SERVICE 10pm.
● SATURDAY PRACTICE 5pm.
● FRIDAY NIGHT REHEARSALS 10pm.
Unless otherwise stated
● CHORISTERS MUST BE IN THEIR SUTANA DURING
PRACTICE,REHEARSAL AND SERVICE except if said
chorister is observing her monthly flow or has
any reason that makes him/her unsanctified.
Choristers must converge at the Mercyland for a 5 min
warm up prayer before commencement of each Sunday
service.
If there is any change to the schedule the
information shall be made available on the CCC RAMAH
Parish Choir Whatsapp platform and/or messages will
be sent to all choir's phone numbers.
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*Choristers are expected to partake in the worker's
weekly prayer vigil 'iso oru onibode' on Monday at
least once every month.
3.2
ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY
Lateness to practice or rehearsals attracts a fine of
#100 to be remitted immediately.
Absentees from practice or rehearsal shall not be
permitted into the cage.
All genuine excuses must be relayed to the
Choirmaster and/or any other executive in the space
of 3 hrs before start time of the event.
Violators would be denied entrance into the choir
cage with a further fine of #200.
*Choirs are expected to fill in their names in the
choir register to register their attendance for every
event. The choir register will always be at a
designated location inside the cage.
3.3
REPOSITORIES
All Choir member must have and produce this at said
time
Service. . Bible,Hymn book and Song notebook.
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Practice/Rehearsals. .Bible, Hymn book, Song
notebook and Pen.
Choristers who fail to produce any of this item
during practice and rehearsal shall be regarded as
absent for the duration of the practice and a further
fine of #200 shall be imposed on offenders.
3.4
RELATIONSHIP
There shall be no sexual intimacy between choir
members who are yet to do proper marriage rites.
3.5
OFFENSE AND CODE OF CONDUCT
1.Any member that commits contravening acts be it
stealing,fighting,adultery and the likes that is
against the tenets of CCC and portrays the choir
in a bad light shall be liable to 3 months
suspension.
2.Noise,whispering and random conversation is
prohibited during practice and services.
Offenders will be noted for a fine of #200 and
cautioned once after which all instances will
attract a further fine for up to 7 times
i.e#1400. Any offense beyond this will result in
immediate expulsion from the cage and arraignment
before the disciplinary committee.
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3.No chorister shall bring in ward or infant to the
cage. *Nursing mothers are not to enter the cage
with their baby.
4.Eating food and chewing gum is prohibited in the
cage. Defaulters will be fined #200 and the said
food will be confiscated.
5.Indiscriminate use of phones and gadgets is
highly frowned upon
a.Mobile phones must be in silent mode at all
times.
b.Selfie,video and social media content is
restricted to special activities such as
Harvest, Cantata.
Executives shall confiscate violators phone till
the end of service.
c.Violators who refuse to submit their phone
shall exit the cage and be fined #500.
6.No chorister shall leave the cage without prior
notice and obtaining permission from an exco.
Offenders shall be fined #200
7.Choristers found loitering after the resumption
of service without valid excuse shall not be
granted entrance to the cage nor access to the
cape.
8.Non instrumentalists are not to fiddle with any
instrument found in the cage. The church shall
not be liable for the repair of any instruments
damaged outside of the duration of practice or
service,it shall be repaired by the chorsiter
directly involved.
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9.Non choir members are prohibited from entering or
sleeping in the cage at all times.
10. Any chorister that exits the cage in a fit of
annoyance shall not be allowed in for the
duration of the service.
11. All grudges/misunderstanding must be brought to
the notice of Choirmaster and/or the executives
after service ends.
12. Any member that refuses to be called to order
during practice,rehearsals or service will exit
the cage at the command of the presiding
official.
13. Rendering songs that are political in nature
and/or abusive content is highly prohibited.
14. Members that are absent for more than 2x
without prior notice and/or genuine reason shall
be consulted before arraignment to the
disciplinary committee.
15. Offenders might face further penalty that is
not mentioned therein if the disciplinary
committee deems it fit.
3.6
OFFENDERS CODE
1.Offenders may be penalized with tasks such as
washing of cape,sanitation of the cage and/or the
church premises.
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2.Offenders who fail to make amends after 3
consecutive breach of the choir constitution
shall be due for a month suspension.
3.Suspended members must attend practice,rehearsals
and meetings, but are excluded from entering the
cage or wearing a cape during service.
4.Returning suspended members must render a written
undertaking endorsed by church altar member
5.Choir suspended 3x within a year or 7x under the
same administration is automatically expelled.
3.7
EXCO'S CODE OF CONDUCT
1.Choirmaster and other executives must be at the
forefront of all choir activities be it practice
or service.
2.Equity and fairness must be observed in dealing
with all members
3.Choirmaster and the executives must be punctual
to all practice,rehearsals and service.
4.All complaints brought before Choirmaster and/or
any of the executives must be attended to
promptly or referred to a disciplinary committee.
3.8
FINES DUES AND LEVY
All working class choirs shall pay a mandatory
welfare levy of minimum #200 every week.
1.Choir members owing a due or fine shall not be
allowed to partake in outside engagement.
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2.All choir members must pay any and all dues that
are implemented by the presiding administration.
*All working class choirs must remit their weekly Due
of #200 for each week, this is effective regardless
of whether the chorister is absent for the week's
Sunday service.
3.9
INVITATION,OTHER ENGAGEMENT AND VISITORS
All requests for the choir's ministration must be for
a Christian gathering.
1.A prior notice of minimum 1month to the
engagement must be served. Emergency case 2
weeks.
2.Invitation shall be honored prioritized on first
come first serve unless deemed fit otherwise by
the Choirmaster and the executives.
3.A copy of invitation letter shall be submitted to
the church and/or appointed choir coordinating
committee
4.A.The host shall guarantee transportation to and
fro, B.and also cater for the choir on site.
5.Visiting chorister(s) must be permitted by the
Choirmaster and/or an exco before they enter the
cage, and the said visitor may not be allowed to
sing unless he/she is well known and noted to be
of good standing and reputable image.
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6.Choristers who have social engagements i.e child
naming,marriage,burial e.t.c would be given
support fund with a gift.If the presence of the
choir is needed at the event rule nø5.A is not
applicable.
7.All engagements must not affect church
activities.
8.Choristers must be well behaved and of good
composure at all events. Offenders liable to 1
month suspension. Offending officials will be
relieved of their post and arraigned before the
disciplinary committee.
*Rule nø4.A is not applicable if the host is :-Choir
Grand Matron,Matron,Patron and Advisers
3.10
FINANCIAL DISPOSITION
1.The Fin.Sec and Treasurer shall keep and
maintain their respective ledger book for the
choir finances.
2.The Fin.Sec and Treasurer are the officials
that are to handle the choir funds directly.
3.All funds revenue 'i.e dues,fines,levy' and
expenditure must be properly recorded.
4.The Treasurer's cash-at-hand must not exceed
#5000 for more than 48hrs.
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5.The choir account signatories are
;Choirmaster,Fin.Sec and Treasurer.
6.Withdrawal must be done with the knowledge
and consent of =>2 signatories
Documents and records of Fin.sec and Treasurer will
be verified quarterly or as the circumstances
warrants.
7.Any member has freedom to inquire about
finances of the choir and such requests must
be honored.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ON SONG RENDITION AND HYMN
ARRANGEMENT
Sunday Hymns
1.Forgiveness of sin/idariji ese
2.Thanksgiving or Praise/Ope tabi Iyin
3.Power or Holy spirit/Agbara tabi Emi mimo
4.Hymn *align with 1st lesson
5.Hymn *align with 2nd lesson
6.Faith/Igbagbo
7.Blessing or Promise/Ibukun tabi Ileri
Other rendition
Owo igba, Iwaasu, Ope gbogbo ijo
The choir shall have an official handbook which shall
be used to record and archive all special songs and
rendition.
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REWARD FOR DILIGENCE,SERVICE AND COMPOSURE
Though we strongly believe the reward for service
to God is immeasurable and
exceeds the
superficial. However, there is a need to applaud
and appreciate outstanding members who have
excelled in dispensation of their
responsibilities. Thus there shall be an annual
reward for choir in categories such as
● Most diligent
● Best Vocalist
● Best Backup
● Best Drummer
● Best Instrumentalist
● Best Dancer
● Most patriotic
● Most loving
● Upcoming Drummer
● Upcoming Vocalist.
E.t.c