STUDY LEAVE - Best Travel Funds Application information

Kia Orana, Talofa, Fakalofa atu, Taloha Ni.

Information that may prompt you to enquire and apply for the above Funds to assist in your Continued Ministry Formation study and training.

As we move into a time when freedom of expression ix extended to Mission and Ministry, you are encouraged to explore recording something of your engagement with God's Mission and Ministry. The joys and lows of ministries, and how different aspect of ministries have presented themselves in your day, your time.

Such a fund maybe a means where you can realise these open expressions from you.

Go well.

Don Ikitoelagi

 

 

Best Travel Fund

The Overseas Travel Fund was renamed the Bill and Margaret Best Travel Fund in 1990 in memory of former Assembly Executive Secretary Rev. W.A. Best and his wife Margaret. The purpose of the Fund is to assist church workers to further develop their area of service to the Church. The Personnel Work Group administers the Fund.

Eligibility

Church workers must have been employed in an equivalent full-time role that is recognised by the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand for at least five of the previous 10 years. The term ‘church worker’ includes ministers, lay ministry and staff, and elders. Training and study courses should meet the minimum duration as set out in the table below:

Location of course/conference	Minimum duration
Within New Zealand	Seven (7) days
Australia/Pacific region	Seven (7) days
North America/Asia	Fourteen (14) days
Europe	Twenty-one (21) days

Applicants must complete their course and return to New Zealand within 12 months of the course beginning. Grants are for travel costs only. For assistance with course fees and/or materials, please contact presbytery/UDC council. Where the course is in North America, Asia or Europe, the applicant needs to demonstrate that the equivalent course is not available in New Zealand or the Pacific region.

Applications

Applications close 30 April and 31 October each year. Applicants are notified of the outcome of their application by early June and December. Applicants are encouraged to apply for their grant prior to travel. However, applications for travel undertaken in the past 12 months will be considered. All application must include a letter of approval from the presbytery/UDC. Applicants wanting to attend a conference as an official representative of the Presbyterian Church should provide the names of at least two referees.
Download the Best Travel Fund application form and guidelines.

Previous grants

Where an applicant has previously received a grant from the Fund, they must undergo a stand-down period before they are eligible to apply for a new grant. The stand-down period is as follows:

Location of previous travel	Stand-down period
Australia or the Pacific	Three (3) years
Asia	Five (5) years
Europe or North America	Eight (8) years

Study Leave Reports

At the completion of the course, applicants are required to complete a study leave report.
For additional information, contact Miki Seifert at (04) 382-8181 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (04) 382-8181 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting or miki@presbyterian.org.nz.