![[Cambridge MethSoc]](style/cammethsoc.gif)
that is, a handbook of Cambridge Methsoc
If you wander around with a blank look on your face, people will presume you have no idea what is going on and comfort you with blankets and Bovril. However, this is not always so, and this booklet is designed to answer all those bizarre little questions you never get round to asking and no one ever thinks to tell you. (Although only about Cambridge MethSoc, unfortunately.)
The booklet is designed so that it can be read from cover to cover, or referred to when you really don't know what is going on. It is particularly indispensable for deciphering just what the committee gets up to, and thus establishing that it's a very good thing to join if you like no work and lots of biscuits.
Contents
It should perhaps be noted that the jovial way in which the booklet is written is in every way a reflection of the society.
The Church Family
The Chaplain
His name is Peter Graves. He is the minister at Wesley Methodist Church, but he is also the Methodist Chaplain to both Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). That means you, as someone involved with MethSoc, can go and talk to him about whatever you want (and please do). You've probably already met him, but here's his email address: minister@wesleycam.org.uk
The Assistant Chaplain
A student at Wesley House is often appointed as assistant chaplain. They assist Peter in a lot of what he does, but as they are students (and nearly young enough to pass as students) they take a close interest in MethSoc.
MSL
MSL stands for Methodist Student Link. This is a national body, run by the Methodist Church. Its purpose is to support all of the Methodist students and MethSocs at universities around the country (so that includes you). They occasionally organise conferences at which you can meet people nearly as odd as yourself. They're often looking for help - look at their website if you want to get involved (www.methodiststudent.org.uk).
Wesley
John Wesley founded Methodism and his brother wrote pop songs, but this is also the shortened and often used version of the name of the church where MethSoc is based. We have main meetings there, do the odd service and many of MethSoc worship there regularly. It is marked on the map.
Wesley House
You will hear many a reference to this place, usually when you're being given directions, so it's helpful to know what and where it is. Wesley House is a Methodist training college. It is full of people training to be Methodist ministers, who are doing some studying along the way. It is part of Cambridge University, but is not classed as a college in the same way as most. It is marked on the map.
Hospitality
This is a scheme run by Wesley, whereby members of the congregation are teamed up with a couple of people from MethSoc and provide them with tea, cakes and hospitality(!) at their home. It is coordinated by the pastoral rep.
Events
Lunch
You should know what lunch is by this stage in your life. MethSoc eats it every Sunday at Wesley after the main meeting. This tends to be around 1pm. It is a simple affair, currently costing £1.50, of which the profit is given to a charity chosen at the end of the previous term. There is no such thing as a free lunch, but everyone is entitled to their first MethSoc lunch at the price of nothing.
Small Groups
Small group meetings are a large part of MethSoc life. They take place midweek and are hosted by a member, in their room. There is usually a bible study and general chatter. As the name implies, they are a small group of people, around half a dozen. There are about 3 of them during each week based on the same set of study outlines as each other, which are provided by the ex-ex-president.
Prayer Lunch
Held each Friday afternoon after lectures finish, in someone's room. Food is usually provided. Share your prayers with others, be still, be thankful or just eat lunch.Coffeeeeeeee
The exact number of repetitions of the letter “e” is open to interpretation and has no reasoning at all. Held on Sunday nights in someone's room, it is a social occasion, allowing plenty of chat, frivolity, hot chocolate and, of course, coffee.
Presidential Service & Meal
At some point during every term there is a service at Wesley that is organised by the president. It is usually a small, evening service, followed by a meal. The meal and service are open to the whole congregation.
Communion Breakfast
A short, reflective communion service followed by a free breakfast for MethSoc, held once a term before lectures. Often on a Wednesday in week 4 or 5.
Retreat
At the end of the Michaelmas and Lent terms MethSoc goes “on retreat”. This is a weekend away somewhere. It is generally a chance to chill out at the end of term, but there'll often be a theme, maybe some discussion, planning - whatever the president forces on you.
Reunion
Each February(ish) we invite back some of the more recent past members of MethSoc. A couple of events will be organised to entertain them and a formal hall is often one of them. The ex-secretary is in charge of inviting people back.
Society Photo
Once a year, sometime during the Easter term, the president arranges a group photo of everyone which is then sold and used throughout the following year. Well worth turning up for, to record yourself in the annals of Cambridge MethSoc.
Punt Party
This is one of the two main MSL national events and happens each year in early summer. Clearly there are limited possible venues and Cambridge has the honour of hosting it every other year. It often attracts around 70 people for a day of punting, food and entertainment. It is a big organisational task for the committee, with the treasurer and secretary largely responsible.
CUC Football & Punt Race
Each May Week, Christians in Unity in Cambridge organises two inter-Christian society competitions. A punt race to Granchester (which MethSoc traditionally win) and a 5-a-side football tournament (which MethSoc traditionally lose).
FA Cup
The 1912 FA Cup was won by Barnsley AFC (of course).
Pigeon-hole Fairying
In the past MethSoccers have received presents in their pigeon-holes during the Easter term, from anonymous sources. Possibly connected to the pastoral rep assigning everyone a target to surprise with gifts on stressful exam and coursework related days.
Communications
Websites
There is a Cambridge MethSoc website at: http://www.meth.soc.ucam.org Its got loads of info on the society - what's going on etc. If you would like something putting on it (dates, embarrassing photos?) contact the computer rep. There is also an MSL website at: http://www.methodiststudent.org.uk It has information for Methodist Students and those involved with MethSocs around the country, as well as a groovy screensaver to download. A very useful website advertising all Christian events in Cambridge is at: http://www.christiancambridge.org
Email List
There are two MethSoc email lists, one for announcements (soc-methsoc-announce) and one for general chat (soc-methsoc). If you want to join one, speak to the computer rep (see the committee page). This is where a lot of MethSoc social activities are arranged and general nonsense discussed. There is also a “What's On” email list. If you join this you will be sent 1 email per week telling you what is happening in MethSoc in the coming days. There are also lists for the committee (soc-methsoc-committee) and the college reps (soc-methsoc-reps).
Address List
This is a piece of paper that has the names, ages, courses, emails, phone numbers, home addresses, home phone numbers and shoe sizes of loads of MethSoc people. It is invaluable, so don't lose it or spill coffee on it (most people do). If you do, the computer rep can furnish you with a new one.
Term Card
Each president produces a card of the planned activities for the term - a 'term card'!
Prayer Book
The pastoral rep makes sure that there is always a book circulating the various regular MethSoc meetings, in which people can write prayers they want the society to share. All are welcome to contribute, read and, of course, pray.
Quotes Book
A book full of quotes. It is completely unofficial, but has found popularity amongst the masses. Beware of saying anything in its presence, in case it records your faux pas for all time.
The Epistle
This is Cambridge MethSoc's 'termly' 'newsletter'. Feel free to submit whatever vaguely relevant articles you would like (or just something amusing that has no relevance).
Notice board
MethSoc has a notice board in Wesley on which you may find photos of the committee, the current term card and any other information relevant to the society or church. It can be found near the entrance to the refectory. The pastoral rep is in charge of ensuring it is up to date and tidy.
Encyclopia
This booklet! It is obviously supposed to be an encyclopaedia. Following its initial publication with a glaring typing error on the front cover, it has been renamed, thus distinguishing it from lesser publications such as Britannica.
Cambridge MethSoc Structure (The Dull Bit)
Members
Whoever you are, you are most welcome to come to any MethSoc events, but if you want to vote at TBM or stand for a committee post, you need to become a member. This simply involves giving £6 to the treasurer (and telling them what it is for).
Committee meetings
This is a meeting of the committee (yes, really). Any member of the society can go - but most don't bother. If they did it would somewhat defeat the point of having a committee!The Committee
The committee is a group of up to 7 members of MethSoc who hold positions of responsibility. The same person can have more than one committee post, apart from the president, who can't. They meet twice(ish) a term and organise things on your behalf (nice of them). Their specific jobs are outlined in the second half of this booklet - which is worth consulting when and if you're thinking of standing for a post.
Constitution
It is often thought you need laxatives to help with this. You don don't, but they certainly help. It is a weighty tome, written in strange language but contains all the rules of the society (yes, there are some). There is a copy on the website and the secretary will furnish you with a paper copy should you desire. However, this "encyclopaedia" has been written largely so that there is no need to read it and we can lose it in a cupboard again.
Elections
If you should decide you would like to become a committee member (and why not), you will need to be elected. Elections take place once a term, at TBM as follows:
Michaelmas - Easter President; Secretary; Ecumenical Rep; Catering Secretary
Lent - Michaelmas President; Pastoral Rep; Computer Rep; Catering Secretary
Easter - Lent President; Treasurer; Catering Secretary
Someone wishing to stand for election must get the signature of 2 members of the society, add their own and give it to either the secretary or president by midnight of the day a week before the election. At TBM, all members present vote by listing their order of preference of candidates and the one with the most votes (after a boring, complex process of elimination, which I can't be bothered to detail) wins. You can send a postal vote, as long as the president lets you, and the secretary gets it in time.
TBM
If there's one question that no one can answer it is... "Who won the FA Cup in 1912?". As for TBM, no one knows what that is either. It stands for Termly Business Meeting. It is a meeting that is held termly to do, err, business. This includes discussing and voting on various things like money, activities and committee posts. Anyone can go to TBM but only members can vote. It is usually held right at the end of term, but will be advertised at least 2 weeks beforehand by the secretary.
MethSoc Job Descriptions
1) The President
- is elected every term at TBM, for the term after next. i.e. Michaelmas President is elected at the end of Lent term, Lent President at the end of Easter and Easter President at the end of Michaelmas.
- has a period of office from the first day after full term of the term before their presidency, to the last day of full term of the term of their presidency.
- should, together with the society, encourage the ongoing spiritual growth of the society.
- is responsible for the main meetings on Sunday, and thus for providing or delegating the activities.
- is responsible for chairing all committee and society meetings.
- co-ordinates the termly Presidential service.
- produces a "term card" of society activities at the start of the term.
- supervises the activities of the society as a whole.
- advertises all relevant meetings, events and speakers around the colleges and other selected institutions.
- can't hold another committee post.
- is the returning officer at all society elections.
- cannot nominate or second anyone for a committee post.
- has the casting vote at committee meetings in the event of a tie.
1b) The President-Elect
- is responsible for organising or delegating the sporting activities of the society.
- is a member or the committee.
1c) The Ex-President
- co-ordinates any society entertainments and, with the ecumenical rep, any ecumenical events.
- is a member of the committee.
1d) The Ex-Ex-President
- is responsible for providing study outlines for small groups.
- is not a member of the committee.
2) The Secretary
- is elected every Michaelmas term at TBM and has a period of office of 1 year.
- is a member of the committee.
- takes and types minutes for all committee and business meetings.
- emails action points from committee meetings to the committee, and all those mentioned in the action points.
- posts minutes at Wesley, and makes them available for any member who asks.
- prepares an agenda for all committee and business meetings.
- advertises committee meetings more than 1 week before they happen.
- advertises business meetings more than 2 weeks before they happen.
- is jointly responsible for the organisation of Punt Party.
- conducts correspondence on behalf of the society.
- organises a rota of people to read lessons in Wesley during term time, gives it to the Senior Steward.
- organises a collection steward at Wesley on the weeks indicated by the master rota.
2b) The Ex-Secretary
- organises reunion during the Christmas vacation after their retirement as secretary. This involves finding things to do and inviting past members from about 5 years.
3) The Treasurer
- is elected every Easter term at TBM and has a period of office of 1 year.
- is a member of the committee.
- presents accounts of all society funds to the society at each TBM.
- recommends the membership and lunch costs to the committee and collects them.
- ensures there is an annual audit of the accounts, usually at the end of the Easter term. This is usually done by the Society's Senior Treasurer, who is a member of the University and of the congregation at Wesley.
- must give prior consent for all financial business conducted for or on behalf of the society.
- keeps a list of the members of the society.
- is one of the 4 signatories for society cheques.
- is jointly responsible for the organisation of Punt Party.
4) The Ecumenical Rep
- is elected every Easter term at TBM and has a period of office of 1 year.
- is a member of the committee.
- attends meetings of Christians in Unity in Cambridge (CUC) as the MethSoc representative.
- makes sure, in conjunction with the computer rep, that all ecumenical publicity (e.g. CUC, christiancambridge.org) has up to date information on MethSoc.
- organises any ecumenical activities undertaken by MethSoc.
5) The Pastoral Rep
- is elected every Lent term at TBM and has a period of office of 1 year.
- is a member of the committee.
- should try to be aware of the pastoral needs of anyone associated with the society, and make pastoral visits to as many members as possible.
- is responsible for procuring a birthday card for each member of the society.
- is responsible for giving a leaving present to retiring committee members.
- is responsible for the MethSoc stall at Freshers' Fair and the entry in the societies' directory.
- produces/compiles a prayer letter toward the end of each term so that members can share thoughts for their vacations.
- makes sure that there is a prayer book regularly circulating MethSoc events.
- organises an annual MethSoc carol singing event.
- ensures the notice board is up to date and tidy.
- coordinates the hospitality scheme with Wesley.
- organises the "pigeon-hole fairy" scheme in the Easter term.
6) The Catering Secretary
- is elected every term at TBM and has a period of office of 1 year.
- becomes, in their final term as a catering secretary, the catering manager.
- is jointly responsible for providing food and drink for MethSoc events. Usually this is lunch each Sunday, the Presidential meal, Communion Breakfast and one off events but traditionally NOT retreat.
6b) The Catering Manager
- is a member of the committee.
- should be responsible for the organisation of the catering team, to ensure food is always provided by some or all of the catering team.
7) The Computer Rep
- is elected every Lent Term at TBM and has a period of office of 1 year.
- Is a member of the committee.
- is responsible for keeping a copy of the constitution on computer.
- compiles and updates an address list of the society (with their consent), including useful things like home and college addresses, birthdays and phone numbers. A copy is given to every member, and to the Wesley Church Office.
- makes the constitution or address list available to any member on request.
- jointly with another member, manages the resources allocated to the society by the University of Cambridge Computing Service.
- maintains and updates the society website.
- helps the ecumenical rep to keep ecumenical websites up to date (eg CUC, christiancambridge.org).
- sends a weekly "What's On" email detailing events happening in the coming week.
- If desired, a computer officer can be chosen by the committee to assist the computer rep in his duties. Since Cambridge University recommends that two people should manage the email lists, the roles will normally coincide.
8) The College Reps
- are members of the society, chosen by the committee, to be the MethSoc representatives in particular colleges.
- are preferably at the college they represent or, if that is not possible, live close to it.
- should keep in contact with any new members in their college(s) and support them.
- should endeavour to get their own names listed as such on the colleges' chapel term card and hence make themselves known to the college chaplain(s).
- are listed on the society's website.
Originally by Al Morris in 2001, updated 2006/02/09