Patrons

Responsibilities and Procedures for Patrons and Friends of The Boys' Brigade

The Boys' Brigade of Zambia is structured with the Company as the smallest local unit, led by a qualified Officer appointed by the Church as Captain, under the leadership of the Chaplain. In order to effectively sustain day-to-day operations and activities, the Brigade reinforces leadership beyond Officers through the co-option of Patrons and Steadfast members. Patrons and Steadfast members play a crucial role in supporting the Brigade's operations and activities, contributing to its leadership and overall sustainability.

Overview

There shall only be one Patron at all courts that intend to have one. The other well-wishers who intend to support the work of the Boys’ Brigade shall form a committee called Steadfast Association which shall be under the chairmanship of the Patron as Boys’ Brigade friends.

The Patron shall either be male or female (No title shall be called matron) in Boys’ Brigade.

Who should be considered as the Patron?

A person with Christian sound and prayerful

A skilled person

An entrepreneur

Able to connect Brigade to the corporate world (Influential person).

Able to support in terms of financial, spiritual, morally, physical and should be a team leader.

A person with passion and love of the organisation.

Called to serve and not to be served.

Expectations

  • Should be able to understand his/her boundaries

  • Should not work as an Officer. Should work as an associate and be Brigade friend.

  • Advise and guide the membership of Boys’ Brigade leadership in their service in the community and church, also be a friend of the Brigade.

  • Plan and have vision for the organisation

  • Advise the Officers in matters of finance, material and knowledge.

  • Advise and encourage Brigade leadership

  • Relate good administration relationship with the Officers (provide leadership)

  • Build good relationship with the Officers and continue encouraging Brigade leadership.

  • Drive with passion and aim to complete the tasks assigned to him / her within given time frame.

  • To promote good relationship between the Boys’ Brigade, the Church and corporate partners.

  • Able to know and understand the Boys’ Brigade structure.

  • Co-ordinate works as per assigned to him/her.

  • To work towards building up God fearing and disciplined Boys.

Appointment of the Patron

  1. The Officers meeting will recommend who shall be the Patron and the appointment will be done by the Church through the Church pastoral care committee and the Chaplain shall act the appointment (appointing authority shall be the Church) on the public service and shall be called Induction Service.
  2. The performance of the Company Patron will be evaluated at the end of the year during Officers meeting.
  3. If he/she wants to stop, shall officially write a letter addressed to the Company Chaplain on the development.
  4. On the other hand if the Company feels that the Patron has not performed as expected or in the case that his/her life may affect the organisation negatively, the recommendation will be done to the appointing authority, which is the Church.
  5. The Captain has no authority to appoint and discharge the Patron.

  1. Shall be nominated by the Battalion Executive Committee and name be presented for adoption in the Battalion Council meeting.
  2. The induction shall be arranged within the Battalion where the Patron will be performing the duties.
  3. The term of office shall be five (5) years of which will be eligible for re-adoption for another five (5) years after serving for two (2) terms, he shall not be eligible for re-adoption, unless the appointing authority feels so that he can continue (under discretion).
  4. In the case he/she wants to stop, he/she shall write official letter addressed to the Battalion Chairman and it shall officially be presented in the Battalion Council.
  5. The same procedure shall be applied at District level.

  1. Each Region shall be headed by Regional Patron who shall co-ordinate its work within the area of responsibility. Shall be elected among the saving Patrons.
  2. Term of office as per Battalion Patron
  3. The Regional Patrons shall report to the National Patron
  4. They shall be a Patron, Secretary and three (3) Committee members.
  5. Membership shall be all saving Patrons in that stipulated area (Region).
  6. The Regional Patron, Secretary and two (2) Committee members shall be responsible of running and co-ordinating work within its area of appointment and any assignment entrusted into them by the higher court.

  1. There shall be a National Patron as per BBZ Constitution
  2. There shall be Patrons’ Committee which shall comprise of all regional Patrons, secretaries and Committee members.
  3. There will convene a meeting as per required and they shall appoint a secretary among themselves who shall be co-ordinating administration works among its Committee.
  4. From time to time work in liaison with National Executive Committee of the Boys’ Brigade.
  5. Some Patrons may be incorporated in the National Executive Sub Committees.

Training and Consideration

  • When the Patron is appointed, before the induction has to go through basic training as an orientation (to get to know the organisation).

  • To be attending workshops organised in line of building capacity.

  • The main task of formulating regions is to strengthen the workforce of Patrons and contribute to the Boys’ Brigade family at the highest court.

  • Any Patron who wishes to become an Officer should go under all basic training courses and be appointed as an Officer, for those who have done the whole course; the appointment shall be acted so long the local Church is in acceptance.

  • All those serving as Patrons, once their term of Office ends will be considered as local Trustees and uniform should not be withdrawn, at times may be used on one area or another – leadership pool building, and in terms of death the BB ceremonial send-off should be accorded unless where the Patron has been dropped due to pastoral matters.

  • The Patrons countrywide may be used by National Executive Committee of the Boys’ Brigade of Zambia through their structures as the work may demand.

  • In terms of fundraising, for national resources, the Boys’ Brigade Treasurer should be part of the planning.

Steadfast Association Committee

The Boys’ Brigade friends shall form a Committee known as Steadfast Association, which shall be under the supervision of the Patron

  1. Who should be considered and expectations as per Patron
  2. They will work under the chairmanship of the Patron and the Captain/Chairmen who shall co-ordinate its works with them.
  3. The Captain shall attend all steadfast meetings or he may delegate in his absence.
  4. Any matter proven of indiscipline, the membership must be withdrawn through Company Chaplain, other courts as per its governance.
  5. Membership shall be as per each court’s (unit) discretion and need of which the ratio shall be 3 to 7 (3 female to 7 male) on minimum.

  1. To support the welfare of the Brigade financially, spiritually, mentally, morally, physically and any matter related to the development of the life of Boys.
  2. Undertake task given within the stipulated time as agreed by the Committee.
    1. Any member who wishes to withdraw shall do so through the Captain/Chairmen (Battalion/District) and any member proven not active the membership shall be withdrawn officially.
    2. Any member wishing to join as an Officer ceases to be as a steadfast member.
    3. Steadfast may co-opt in any member feels may be of help.
    1. At Company level it shall be meeting once per month for planning and reviewing activities set before.
    2. Other courts will decided as per the task may demand.
  5. Have access to address Boys and Officers as long as the arrangement has been done through the Company Captain/Chairmen.
  6. They shall not wear BBZ uniform but alternative uniform can be done with local arrangement.
  7. The Association may connect Boys’ Brigade to the corporate world.
  8. Induction shall be conducted and the membership shall be renewed annually at the service called Enrolment / Re-dedication Service.
  9. When approached to be a steadfast member, the term of reference should be read and understood. Thereafter, the declaration form should be completed and approved by the Captain and Chaplain at Company level, while other courts by the Chairman and Secretary.
  10. Steadfast members despite not uniformed they will be accorded BB membership, due to the connection and service are providing to the Boys’ Brigade family.
  11. Steadfast Association member may be appointed as Patron.
  12. Steadfast membership is not transferable.
  13. You may join as an individual, a couple or as a family on the discretion of the authority in leadership.
  14. Steadfast membership is voluntary.
  15. The membership and Terms of Reference may be reviewed as per need.

Join Us in Supporting The Boys' Brigade

We invite you to become a Patron or Friend of The Boys' Brigade and join us in supporting this worthwhile organization. Your involvement can make a real difference in the lives of young people, helping them grow into responsible, capable leaders. As a Patron or Friend, you can provide valuable support in terms of financial, spiritual, moral, and physical resources. Together, we can positively impact the lives of boys and young men in Zambia.

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