ICDF Country Representatives, Pre-Charter CDF Co-ordinators
& CDF National Co-ordinators
For all those thinking about being an ICDF Country Representative, Pre-Charter Co-ordinator or CDF National Co-ordinator here are a few more thoughts and practical tips which you should keep in mind.
- What is an ICDF Country Representative?
An ICDF Country Representative is someone appointed by ICDF to be a contact person for ICDF in that country. The appointment of a Country Representative is usually only for 1 year initially but is reviewed and discussed together when we see how things are going. The role of this contact person is to receive news and communications from ICDF and to send communications to ICDF on a regular basis as to what is happening in your country with Christian dance and related areas of interest.
If there are other ICDF Friends registered in your country, then the ICDF Country Representative is identified to them and is expected to help spread Christian Dance news to the other ICDF Friends in your country. Depending on what networks have already been established in that country and what resources are available to the ICDF Country Representative, the CR may undertake other activities to link people involved in Christian Dance and related fields in that country and encourage mutual support. CRs may also decide to be involved in starting the process to become an official CDF.
ICDF may conceivably appoint more than one Country Representative in any country. This would only be done if it is seen as helpful in overcoming any agreed economic, geographic or other constraints which might limit the spread of the CDF network in certain countries or regions. - How do you become an ICDF Country Representative?
You need to apply to ICDF and supply details and references requested. Your application will be reviewed and discussed by the ICDF Steering Committee. The members of the ICDF Steering Committee are responsible for approving any application for Country Representative on behalf of all the members of ICDF. Contact ICDF for an application form. - What can't an ICDF Country Representative do?
Until you have permission from ICDF, you can't call yourself Christian Dance Fellowship of (your country) (or local language equivalent). Also you do not have permission to print any letterhead or documents or produce any other material either in writing or electronically which identify you as a Christian Dance Fellowship or as a representative of ICDF without approval from the ICDF Steering Committee. The ICDF Steering Committee will discuss with you at all stages in the process how you should represent yourself and any CDF that is being formed.
You need to be careful and responsible how you represent ICDF and the CDF Network. Remember that we seek unity in diversity through being centered on Christ, not sameness or conformity to any one denomination's way of doing things or any one style of dance. You cannot use ICDF as an endorsement of your own position on any issue without discussing this with ICDF first. - What is a Pre-Charter CDF Co-ordinator?
A Pre-Charter CDF Co-ordinator is someone appointed by ICDF to co-ordinate the pre-charter process of forming an official CDF in that country. Once a PCCDF Co-ordinator has been appointed, they officially take over from any ICDF Country Representative and that role ceases to exist. A PCCDF Co-ordinator will need to be able to gather and lead a team of people who are committed and willing to help in completing this process. - How do you become an PCCDF Co-ordinator?
You need to apply to ICDF supported by the nominations of at least 5 people who are already registered as ICDF Friends in your country. It is not necessary to have been an ICDF Country Representative nor is it required that you automatically go on to become the CDF National Co-ordinator. The important formation tasks require certain understandings of administration and giftings and may be all that the Lord is calling you to. - What is a CDF National Co-ordinator?
The CDF National Co-ordinator leads the National Committee which has been elected to run the affairs of a CDF according to its constitution. The National Co-ordinator makes sure that the National Committee meetings are held on a regular basis and that proper records are kept of National Committee meetings and membership lists. The National Co-ordinator generally chairs the National Committee meetings. Although it is the National Committee's task to run the CDF, it is the National Co-ordinator's role to make sure that the National Committee functions properly and effectively. It is not the National Co-ordinator's role to do everything that needs doing on the committee, but it is generally seen as the National Co-ordinator's role to encourage committee members and help find people to fulfil certain roles or tasks.
The National Co-ordinator is the representative for that CDF on the committee of ICDF and votes on behalf of that CDF on any ICDF matter referred to a vote or expression of opinion. All CDF National Co-ordinators are encouraged to attend any international conference where the full ICDF Committee is called to meet if at all possible. ICDF also encourages each CDF to support their National Co-ordinator or representative to attend such meetings of ICDF. It is the National Co-ordinator's role to ensure that communication is maintained between that CDF and the ICDF Steering Committee, including sending of copies of minutes and national magazines, newsletters, or other relevant publications. - How do you become a CDF National Co-ordinator?
The procedure to become a CDF National Co-ordinator should be part of the Constitution of your CDF. Basically, instead of being appointed by ICDF on application, National Co-ordinators are elected by members of the CDF of that country after being nominated by members of that CDF. - What do you need to be an ICDF Country Representative, PCCDF Co-ordinator or CDF National Co-ordinator?
Apart from the things already mentioned like vision, passion, energy and support, it is helpful if you have:
- (i) Resources to communicate – The resources to be able to communicate on AS WIDE A BASIS AS POSSIBLE.
Means of communications are:
(a)Telephone
(b)Fax
(c)Email & internet access
(d)Ordinary mail (reliable mail service)
(e)Ability to travel (freedom and time to travel and access to transport)
It is increasingly important (at least for communicating with ICDF) that if possible, you have access to a computer with internet access and an email address that you can check on a regular basis. You should have access to at least 2 of the above means of communication, but the more the better. - (ii) Money – All of the above would require different amounts of money to provide- either your own or some source that you are able to organise. The amounts required would vary from country to country and would depend on how communication methods were used and how far your communication needed to go. If you have access to someone else's computer and internet (work, friend, school, college, library) then this may help if you don't have your own. Sometimes your church or group may help by providing resources such as internet access, fax or photocopying or even some funding. Once you have enough interested people in your country, you can start to collect fees which will cover the costs in communicating with them. When you have started as a CDF, the CDF National Co-ordinator should be entitled to have expenses reimbursed but in practice you will still need to fund some things from your own resources.
- (iii) Ability to speak and write in English, or having access to someone who can do so – This is essential in communication with ICDF and other CDFs around the world.
- (iv) Time – Even with all the vision and resources available to you, if your passion does not reorder your life to make some time available for the work of being a Country Representative, PCCDF Co-ordinator or CDF National Co-ordinator then the vision and goals of CDF ministry will not be accomplished. A lot can be achieved with apparently limited resources, but if time, effort, and faith are not applied nothing effective will happen.
- (v) The ability to attend CDF/ICDF or Christian dance related conferences outside your country – Attending such conferences is a wonderful way to get connected with the wider world of CDF and obtain support and encouragement from other CDF members.
