The program for the holistic ministry to the 10 to 15 year old young people within the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and sponsored by the Youth Ministries Department is called the Pathfinder Club.
The objectives of the Pathfinder Club are:
The youth leader of the local conference is the director of all Pathfinder activities conducted within the conference area. His counsel may be solicited in regard to any club activity. When planning major events he should be advised and may be invited to participate. In large areas an Area Coordinator may be appointed by the conference to act on behalf of the conference youth director to whom he is directly responsible.
In the local church where there is both a junior and a teen club the Pathfinder administrative director is to act as coordinator and represent them on local church boards The director of the club should be an adult who is vitally interested in young people and who sympathetically understands the needs of children and young people. Where possible, this director should be at least a Master Guide or must have attended a Pathfinder Staff Training Course. He should be resourceful and enthusiastic and must be a member in good and regular standing of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. All activities of the club will be under each club director's supervision, and he must call, organise, and arrange for each club meeting.
Section 1 The officers of the clubs shall be an administrative director (where there is a junior and a teen club), a club director, two or more deputy directors, club secretary and treasurer (these may be functions of the deputy directors). The staff shall include counselors and instructors as needed.
Section 2 Administrative director and/or club directors shall be appointed by the nominating committee of the sponsoring church or churches.
Section 3 The deputy directors shall be appointed by the directors, and approved by the church boards.
Section 4 The secretary and treasurer shall be appointed at the discretion of the directors and approved by the church board.
Section 5 The counselors and instructors are to be appointed or replaced by the club director in consultation with the deputy directors.
Section 6 The Pathfinder staff shall consist of all above-named.
Section 1 The administrative director is the coordinator of the teen and junior club directorship. He is to represent the church in the Pathfinder organisation and is a member of the church board. He will coordinate all activities in the Pathfinder organisation.
Section 2 Director: All activities of the club shall be under his supervision. The chairman of all committees shall be appointed by the director after consultation with the deputy directors or executive committee.
Section 3 Deputy Directors: Shall assist the director and take charge during his absence. May be designated to care for the following duties: Pathfinder classes, secretary and/or treasurer, games, camping activities, Honours and creative skills, music, pathfinder equipment, nature, chaplain, transportation, special events, bimonthly events, etc.
Section 4 Secretary: Shall render monthly reports to the local Conference office. Is responsible for all club correspondence. Takes meeting notes. Is responsible for personnel records and for any other records necessary to the smooth running of the club.
Section 5 Treasurer: Shall take charge of the expenses paid out and collect and care for all income, such as membership fees, money-raising projects, etc. and shall present a financial report upon request of the executive officers or staff, and shall transmit the accounts and all undistributed funds to his successor. He shall also work in close harmony with the church treasurer, depositing all funds with the church treasurer.
Section 6 Chaplain: May be a deputy director. Shall assist the director in maintaining a strong spiritual tone in the club, know each Pathfinder's relationship to the Lord, and shall serve on committees dealing with the worships in club meetings, and camps, outreach, and discipline.
Section 1 The standing committees of this club shall be:
Section 2 The coordinating committee shall consist of the administrative director, club directors, deputy directors, pastor, secretary, treasurer, and chaplain. The committee, of which the administrative director is the chairman, is to be responsible for all joint Pathfinder activities.
Section 3 The executive committee shall consist of the club director, deputy directors, pastor, secretary, treasurer, and chaplain. The committee, of which the director is the chairman, is to be responsible for all Pathfinder activities.
Section 4 The staff committee shall consist of the executive committee, plus counselors, junior counselors, and instructors. Unit captains may be invited to meet with this committee.
For the transaction of business by any of the above committees a majority of the committee membership must be in attendance.
Section 1 Regular Pathfinder meetings shall be held at least twice a month. The time and duration of these meetings shall be decided by the executive committee and shall be based on one of the following models:
Section 2 Staff meetings are to be held once each month as announced.
Section 3 Executive committee meetings are to be held at least quarterly.
Section 4 The yearly Pathfinder Club program should include the requirements as set down by the local conference youth department's club grading system.
Section 1 Membership in the Junior Pathfinder organisation will be restricted to children ages 10 to 12.
Section 2 Membership in the Teen Pathfinder organisation will be restricted to children ages 13-15.
Section 3 Membership will be granted when the following specifications are met:
Section 4 Non-Adventist youth who conform to the above requirements may be admitted to membership.
Section 5 The admittance of new members into the Pathfinder Club will be at the beginning of each Pathfinder quarter and/or three or four predetermined dates throughout the year.
Section 6 An attendance role should be marked at all Pathfinder programs.
Section 7 The Pathfinder should have an average attendance of at least 80% at all Pathfinder activities.
Section 8 All excused absences must be presented in writing from the parent or guardian and submitted to the club director.
Section 9 Any member having two unexcused absences in any one quarter, will be placed on a probationary roster.
Section 10 Any probationary member may be reinstated by payment of a membership reinstatement fee, as decided by the executive committee.
Section 11 Attendance of probationary members at special events is not permitted.
Section 1 Boys and girls are organised into units of preferably six to eight Pathfinders, with a counselor as their leader. This division into smaller units permits better order and discipline, and more individual attention can be given to each member. Boys and girls should be enrolled in separate units.
Section 2 Unit Officers:
Section 3 Uniform:
Section 1 The annual, weekly, monthly, or quarterly membership fee established by the executive committee is payable when the application is filed with the secretary. This fee shall be returned if the application is not accepted.
Section 2 The reinstatement to membership shall call for a payment of a reinstatement fee, which is determined by the executive committee.
Section 3 An annual personal insurance fee should be included in the annual fee where applicable.
Section 4 The local church Pathfinder Day offering is a contribution made by the church membership toward club sponsored activities.
Section 5 A financial report will be rendered at the meeting of the club executive committee.
The club shall be governed by policies as laid down by the Department of the local conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Pathfinder staff committee, but becomes effective only after approval by Union conference committee.