Common Standards – MTSC Newsletter

These are the Standards that we agree to work by. Review them regularly to keep on track.

The Mission to Seafarers (Registered Charity No. 1123613)
COMMON STANDARDS
The Mission to Seafarers values and recognises diversity within its global family. Such
diversity, including cultural and theological, can be enriching and creative. Each Region, each
port, each team and each local context brings its individual challenges. The Mission
recognises the need for varied response. However, the Mission is also committed to
maintaining a strong sense of unity and common purpose, to sustaining and protecting its
reputation and to promoting high quality ministry. To that end, a range of common standards
has been developed. All Mission to Seafarers (“Flying Angel”) local
stations/operations/honorary chaplaincies (together, the “Members”) are expected to affirm
and maintain these agreed standards.

Our Shared Purposes
We share a common unified global vision:
“To share God’s love and grace with all seafarers and their families by caring for them
holistically in the often-challenging circumstances of their lives.”
Our purposes are:
o The promotion of the spiritual, moral and physical wellbeing of all seafarers and their
families worldwide.
o To exercise a ministry informed by the Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican
Communion:

To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom.
To teach, baptise and nurture new believers.
To respond to human need by loving service.
To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every
kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation.
To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of
the earth.
Our Ethos
Our historic and integral partnership with the Anglican Church continues to be central to our
ethos. It has traditionally found particular expression in how local teams should normally be
licensed, recognised or affirmed by Diocesan Bishops as appropriate. In addition, it is
expressed through our commitment to the Five Marks of Mission. We seek to maintain and
develop close and supportive relationships with the worldwide Anglican Communion.
We are also deeply committed to effective ecumenical co-operation locally, regionally and
internationally. We actively seek to sustain the best in such working, including through our
longstanding and proactive engagement within the International Christian Maritime
Association.
Our ethos is one which also stresses the importance of the widest possible partnership and
collaboration to the benefit of seafarers and their families.
Our Common Values
Pioneering: Being open to God’s leading, we encourage innovative thinking and seek to be
flexible and entrepreneurial in our ways of working.
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Inclusive: We are unconditionally committed to the support of all seafarers and their families
without discrimination.
United: We are one global, intergenerational, multicultural family united in vision and purpose,
while respecting diversity of culture and context.
Collaborative: We are co-operative in our approach to our work – in relation to individuals, the
church, ecumenical partners, and organisations and institutions that work for the welfare of
seafarers.
Accountable: We are accountable to God as stewards of the resources entrusted to us, to each
other in recognition of our mutual inter-dependence and to those charged with governance at
station, regional and international level.
Caring: In all our dealings we strive to behave with compassion, to act with integrity and to
treat everyone with respect.
Our Code of Conduct
Our membership of ICMA (International Christian Maritime Association) carries an obligation
to abide by the Constitution of the Association and of its Code of Conduct.
In a fragmented and divided society, it is ICMA’s mission to promote unity, peace and
tolerance. ICMA was founded to promote and co-ordinate Christian ecumenical co-operation
in maritime ministry. Chaplains and staff of all ICMA Member Societies at local, national and
international level are therefore to:
a) Show an unconditional love to the seafarer as a human being, created in the image of
God, and a sincere respect for her/his personal values and beliefs.
b) Serve seafarers and their dependants of all nationalities, religions, cultures, language,
sex and race.
c) Fight prejudice, intolerance and injustice of any kind.
d) Respect the diversity of ICMA Members and Churches and develop that which unites
them.
e) Respect the loyalty of those engaged in maritime ministry to their particular
ecclesiastical discipline and tradition, and refrain from proselytising seafarers.
f) Co-operate with persons, organisations and institutions – Christian or non-Christian –
that work for the welfare of seafarers.
Our Standards
The Mission to Seafarers aspires to the very highest quality of professional standards and is
absolutely committed to effective and transparent safeguarding.
Our Common Identity
All Members share a common identity, which includes the use of the name “The Mission to
Seafarers” and/or “Flying Angel Club”, followed where applicable by the name of the relevant
region/country/station, and the use of the Flying Angel logo.
As such, Members should be sensitive to the fact that the actions of one or more Member,
even within their own national or regional context, may significantly affect others across the
global network.
Our Ministry
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We are committed to Christian mission, informed by the “Five Marks of Mission”, with a focus
on a holistic, proactive, professional and engaged response to the needs of seafarers and their
families.
Our port-based ministries will reflect in some measure the following services, as is appropriate
within the local context. The Mission to Seafarers encourages a creative, contextual and
entrepreneurial approach, providing it is in line with seafarer need and is sustainable. Areas
of ministry may include:
Ship visitation
Centre hospitality:
o Friendship/welcome
o Wi-Fi facilities
o Recreational opportunity
o Food and drink
o Shop
o Chapel and services
Hospital visitation
Prison visitation
Transport services
Emergency response, including post-trauma and mental health counselling/signposting
Justice and Advocacy, supporting seafarers during times of crisis or need and
advocating for those without voice
Spiritual support as appropriate:
o Prayer
o Counselling
o Services of worship on board or in Centre
o Provision of access to community places of worship
o Distribution of Christian literature
Programmes designed to meet the wider needs of seafarers in a rapidly changing
maritime world, including global projects and local port welfare initiatives
Our Partnerships
A constructive and positive approach to partnership with other maritime missions, welfare
organisations, port authorities, the wider shipping industry and others as appropriate, with a
focus on:
Ecumenical imperatives and responsibilities.
A shared commitment to the wellbeing of seafarers.
A responsible sharing/use of resources.
Recognition of our own limitations and of the skills of others.
An ability to operate effectively within ports.
Planning collaboratively to achieve efficiency and avoid duplication.
Our Structures
In order to protect and safeguard the unity and reputation of The Mission to Seafarers and to
maintain its core purpose, principles and standards, we place high value on effective
structures, governance and accountability mechanisms. The Mission is committed to a
regionally based structure, working in close liaison with London Trustees.
Local Operations / Centres
Each Mission to Seafarers local operation/chaplaincy/committee has a clear constitution
and/or memorandum of understanding which:
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Aligns it with the region and with the wider Mission, including the vision, purpose and
values.
Maintains a commitment to operate integrally and in co-operation with the appropriate
Mission region as part of a global family.
Demonstrates commitment to effective safeguarding and high professional standards.
Maintains a clear partnership with the Anglican Communion.
Recognises the appropriate authority of the Regional Council and Regional Director.
Agrees to the proper encouragement and support of other Mission to Seafarers
ministries within the region and beyond.
Includes the chaplain as a member of the management committee or other similar
structure (where applicable).
Agrees to fulfil appropriate expectations of the regional/international Mission
organization.
The local management committee together with the chaplain will be responsible for:
the maintenance of common vision, purpose and agreed standards
implementation of safeguarding and professional standards
the fulfilment of any agreed membership obligations
ensuring that appropriate professional advice is sought or that the relevant Regional
Council is consulted, prior to entering into material contracts and undertaking significant
projects
submission of required reports and information to the region and IHQ, including:
o monthly statistics and reports, impact reporting, annual accounts and reports
for regional meetings
o prompt notification of “serious incidents” which could reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse impact on the local operations and/or the wider
Mission
effective communication with the region and the wider Mission
a willingness to participate in appropriate “review” processes
participation in democratic processes (e.g. elections to Regional Council)
ensuring appropriate participation at regional conferences, subject to exceptional
circumstances
It is mandatory that a management committee must be established in operations that operate
a centre and/or trading activity, specifically including key governance roles such as chairman,
secretary and treasurer. In other areas, a management committee should be established,
although it is recognised that this may not always be possible, for example in a new ministry
development area. In those cases, the chaplain shall take lead responsibility for ensuring that
the above governance requirements are addressed.

Chaplains
Local management committees will prayerfully support chaplains in their ministry, offering
encouragement and guidance. The committee, with the Regional Director, will oversee the
care of the chaplain, whether physical, moral or emotional. In certain contexts, depending on
the employment relationship, chaplains will be directly managed by the Regional Director.
In exercising their ministry, chaplains will:
Maintain a global unified identity, applied locally in a manner that is suitable for the local
context.
Operate within the global vision, values, practices and standards of the organisation as
outlined in the Ministry Manual, applied for the local context and executed according to
the regional strategy.
Work within the Anglican ethos of the organisation and within the structures of the
Anglican Church.
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Work in close consultation and cooperation with the local management committee.
Promote global programmes in their engagement with seafarers.
The Regions
Under the ultimate oversight of the Trustees, the operations of the Mission have been
structured into regions with the objective of ensuring that the global vision is applied effectively
at local level, under the oversight of appropriate governance structures. The primary
governance structure will be a Regional Council, with a Regional Director as an executive
member of the Council.
Regional Councils will oversee governance in the region and work integrally with the Regional
Director
to promote the global vision
ensure effective support and accountability
facilitate strong communication
apply safeguarding and professional standards
develop, monitor and apply professional standards
provide for regional training and conferencing
promote and implement global programmes, including training
enable the admission of new locations/chaplaincies where appropriate
ensure there is effective reporting, both of local operations to the region and of the
region to IHQ, particularly ensuring compliance with all IHQ reporting requirements
ensure the maintenance of an accurate record of all regional
operations/Centres/honorary chaplaincies, to include up to date contact details
ensure compliance of the operations in the region with applicable local laws and
regulations
promote good partnership working
Regional meetings should be held at appropriate intervals for the purposes of building unity,
alignment of purpose, planning and training. The meetings should be attended by the Regional
Council (including the Regional Director) and representatives from local operations. It is
expected that periodically, representatives from IHQ (Secretary General, SMT and/or
Trustees) would attend Regional Meetings. It is recognised that regions are at different stages
of development; some are effectively autonomous while others remain closely linked to IHQ
structures. The relationship with IHQ will therefore reflect those differences.
Each region must have clear and agreed terms of reference for governance structures, in a
form that is appropriate for context as follows:
Regions that are established as a branch of IHQ will operate under a memorandum of
understanding setting out the terms of the delegated authority by the IHQ Trustees.
Autonomous regions will be governed by a constitution or other similar document.
New Regional Councils should be governed by a constitution (or other such
governance document) and formed in full consultation with IHQ Trustees, who will wish
to ensure effective balance and ability to govern with competence, integrity and in
partnership
These terms of reference should be in line with wider Mission governance and agreed with
IHQ, and must at least include the following:
Commitment to the wider Mission to Seafarers family and its agreed vision, purposes,
principles and standards.
Effective links between the region and all MtS operations within it.
An effective link with IHQ and with the wider global Mission.
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Clear partnership with the Anglican Church.
Effective policies for safeguarding and professional standards.
Recognition of the autonomy of self-governing local operations, encouraging an
approach of local initiative and accountability within the vision and purposes of the
wider MtS family.
That each MtS operation within the region has a voice, to participate in decision making
as appropriate.
Appropriate mechanisms for the appointment, support and oversight of the Regional
Director.
Provide a fair and proper process for taking forward concerns about any Mission
operation within the region, to include:
o The possibility of withdrawal of recognition and membership.
o A clear appeal process in the event of potential withdrawal, to include the
Regional Council, Regional Director and London Trustees.
For regions that have not established governance structures, Regional Directors will be directly
accountable to the IHQ Trustees, represented by the Secretary General.
Regional Directors
The Regional Directors will exercise executive leadership within the region, within the
governance framework outlined in this document, always in accordance with the global vision,
purposes and standards.
The Regional Directors will operate as a team in order to ensure the effective coordination of
the ministry:
Regional Directors will serve as the primary link between local operations, regions and
IHQ.
Regional Directors will work collaboratively to execute the global vision at regional
level, always within a spirit of unity that is sensitive to regional diversity, context and
culture.
Regional Directors will meet as a team at least once a year in person, with further
meetings typically being conducted on a two-monthly basis by electronic means:
o Meetings will be chaired by the Secretary General, provided that the Secretary
General shall have discretion to delegate the chair.
o Selected members of the IHQ Senior Management Team (SMT) may be present
at meetings, particularly where the team is dealing with matters that require
consultation with regions, such as policies, standards and programmes.
o Meetings should serve as a platform for planning, co-ordination, mutual support
and fellowship.
o The Secretary General, together with members of the IHQ SMT will keep the
Regional Directors updated with feedback from Trustee meetings, emerging
trends and developments, information on global programmes and other
appropriate information.
o Regional Directors will represent the interests of their regions at meetings,
bringing information about local challenges and opportunities, areas for attention
by IHQ, and constructively participating in planning processes.
IHQ
The organisation is an international charity, registered in the United Kingdom and governed by
The Articles. The London Trustees are ultimately responsible for the governance of the
organisation, including compliance with all statutory obligations in the United Kingdom,
guidelines of the Charity Commission and obligations to relevant stakeholders.
The London Trustees, and the IHQ SMT as its executive body, are responsible for:
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Global unity, vision and common purpose.
Processes aiming to protect “the brand”. This includes the development and application
of high professional standards and effective safeguarding, as well as ensuring that The
Mission to Seafarers logo and name are adequately protected across the globe.
Overarching strategic objectives.
Providing a strong support service to the regions.
Effective global communication. This communication will be spread as widely as
possible within the organisation, including Trustees, Regional Directors, members of
Regional Councils, Chaplains and Chairmen of local operations.
Global projects designed and implemented in close liaison with the regions as
appropriate.
Providing a final appeal “court” for global concerns.
Implementation of appropriate governance structures and frameworks.
The Secretary General carries the authority of the Trustees as the appointed global leader of
the organisation and is accountable to the Trustees. Areas of leadership include:
Promoting the global vision and purpose of the organisation internally and to the world
at large.
Management of the IHQ Senior Management Team.
Oversight and support of the Regional Director team.
Our Resources
We are committed to demonstrable and high-quality stewardship of our resources in line with
our values, with legal requirements, with the highest standards of integrity and honesty and
transparency with an absolute focus on our core purposes