The Rule Part III - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NEW PART III
Preamble – introduces Part III to Society Members in Australia and identifies The Procedures and The Appendices that have been developed to assist Members have a clear understanding of an Article and interpret the intent of the text of an Article.
Structure of the Society – outlines how the Society in Australia has organised itself in alignment with Australia’s jurisdictions and the diocese of the Catholic Church and regional areas; identifies Special Works; and Conferences or Councils established to promote the involvement of young persons.
The revised Part III seeks to provide Society Members with information in clear English about how the Society in Australia operates in all aspects. Amongst other revisions, it has updates on membership and leadership requirements, strengthens safeguarding and home visitation rules, clarifies how Conferences and Councils are formed and operate, outlines the functions of Councils and creates clearer processes for resolving disputes including those involving Society members.
It has been updated to reflect current laws and safeguarding standards, clarify roles and responsibilities, and respond to feedback from Members about where The Rule needed to be clearer or more consistent across Australia.
No. Our Vincentian mission, spirituality and commitment to serving people in need remain the same; the changes are about how we organise ourselves and keep people safe while living out that mission.
For most Members, daily service will feel similar, but there are clearer expectations about safeguarding, how visits are done, who can be President or Spiritual Advisor, and how issues are escalated and resolved.
Information will be shared through Council presentations, town halls, written communications (newsletters, intranet, website) and locally appointed Part III Ambassadors who can answer questions from Members and gather feedback.
Members and Associate Members
The “Volunteer Member” category has been removed because it caused confusion and was not widely or consistently used; people will now be clearly identified as either Members or volunteers.
Anyone who believes in and supports the Society Mission and, supports the Society’s Catholic identity is warmly welcome to join us in our work. The Society welcomes diversity. There is no requirement that an individual Member or Volunteer be Catholic.
The minimum age for service is established through a procedure established by the relevant State or Territory Council and takes into account The Rule, as well as civic legislation and child safety considerations.
- Inviting young people into Membership is important to the Society. As outlined in The Rule Part I, 3 Young members keep the Society young. They see with new eyes and often look far ahead. The Society works constantly to form Youth Conferences and welcomes young members into all Conferences. Their experience in a community of faith and love and their exposure to poverty deepens their spirituality, spurs them to action and helps them to grow as human beings.
Australian association and charity law does not prohibit younger Society Members from being an ordinary member of an incorporated association, however a strict 18 + threshold usually applies for office-holders.
Each State and Territory Council determines the policies around accepting an individual as a Society Member.
A probationary period for new Members is strongly recommended so that all safeguarding, legal and administrative requirements are completed before an individual is registered as a Member of the Society and can participate in active duties; e.g. visits.
Presidents and Spiritual Advisors
Yes. Each Conference must have at least one Catholic Member who can serve as the Conference President, ensuring the Conference is clearly aligned with the Catholic faith.
A new Article 9 describes the Spiritual Advisor role in more detail, confirming that the Spiritual Advisor must be a practicing Catholic and that the role can be shared between Members.
Yes. Spiritual Advisors must comply with all relevant safeguarding policies and checks, just like other Members involved in active duties.
There is a preference that those who hold leadership positions at the Conference level be of the Catholic faith.
Eligibility for State and Territory Council Presidents is set out in Article 17.
Yes. The role may be shared among Members of a Conference.
Safeguarding and home visitation
No. Home visits and Conference interviews must always be carried out by at least two Society Members. This is not new information but is a deliberate reinforcement of the expectation for visiting in pairs.
Requiring two Members for visits supports safeguarding for both the people we assist and for Members and reflects the Vincentian practice of shared discernment and accompaniment.
No. If there is genuinely no face‑to‑face contact, the two‑Member requirement may not apply; doing “drop offs”. However, drop‑offs must be used only as a last resort, because there is always a risk that someone may be at home or come to the door unexpectedly. Vincentians are therefore asked to first consider safer options that allow for two Members to attend, and, where a drop‑off is the only practical option, to carefully assess and manage the risks before proceeding.
All required safeguarding checks, including Working with Vulnerable People (or equivalent) and any other jurisdictional checks, must be completed before you undertake active duties.
You must comply with your State or Territory Council’s safeguarding policies, and every jurisdiction must align with National Council’s safeguarding policy and procedure and comply with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards.
Conferences, aggregation and administration
Aggregation is the formal recognition of Conferences within the Society; the detailed provisions will be set out in the Procedures that accompany Part III.
Where several Conferences have merged or changed names, one Conference is recorded as active and the others are placed in abeyance while keeping their aggregation status, and National Council is notified of the changes.
State and Territory Councils must notify National Council through the National Council Secretariate about Conference openings, closures or structural changes to lower Councils.
Councils, constitutions and governance
National Council must preapprove the constitution of every Council and all related Society body corporates including any amendments.
State and Territory Councils are requested to check that references to Articles in Part III in all existing constitutions are updated to ensure these are correct, i.e. Article numbers are likely to have changed. These revisions should be put in place at entity AGMs that will take place in 2026.
Resolution Committee, Tribunal and disciplinary matters
The Resolution Committee replaces and expands the former Reconciliation Committee, giving a broader and more formal framework for resolving disputes and issues within the Society.
Article 28 creates a National Council Tribunal to consider specified governance and disciplinary matters at national level.
The International President General (PGI) has the authority to suspend a Member. The PGI may delegate this authority to the National Council President.
A Member who does not meet legislative, training or safeguarding requirements may be restricted from active duties to protect the people we serve and the reputation and wellbeing of the Society.
Operational restrictions are generally set by the Chief Executive Officer, in conjunction with the State President, in line with safeguarding and legal obligations and the Society’s policies.
No. Restriction from active duty does not automatically end a person’s membership; it limits the duties they can perform while issues are addressed.
A Member who is restricted should step out or be asked to leave for that part of the meeting where sensitive matters relevant to their restriction are being discussed.