IBSI

The Indonesian Association of Nuns, abbreviated as IBSI, was established as one of the outcomes of the Congress of Superior Leaders of Nun Congregations throughout Indonesia, held from February 18 to 24, 1956, in Bandung. This congress was chaired by Mgr. D. Enrici as the Internuncio. Mgr. Petrus Arntz OSC, as the Bishop of the Diocese of Bandung, emphasized in his opening address that the Religious Congregation in Rome encouraged the necessity of holding regular congresses for nuns to ensure that their way of life remained in accordance with contemporary circumstances. The congress participants agreed with this idea, leading to the establishment of the Indonesian Association of Nuns, abbreviated as IBSI.

"The first management of IBSI consisted of Sr. Redempta Dencher OSU, Sr. Thiophile Roezeman OSF, Sr. Ancilla van Zutphen JMJ, Sr. Catharinia Liedmeier CB, and Sr. Winfrieda SSpS. IBSI adopted Mary, Star of the Sea, as its patroness, whose feast is celebrated on October 7th. In its journey, IBSI became a member of KONGGAR (1969 – 1978), then changed to MASSRI (1978 – 1987), and later became KOPTARI (1987 – present)."

1. The purpose of establishing IBSI is to serve as a platform for fostering true sisterhood and collaboration among Orders, Congregations, and Secular Institutes for Women in Indonesia in embracing the Evangelical Counsels. This ensures that the life and apostolate of its members remain relevant to the contemporary era (cf. PC no. 23).
2. The purpose of establishing IBSI is to foster true sisterhood and close collaboration among all Orders, Congregations, and Secular Institutes for Women in Indonesia, which includes:

• Deepening religious life while respecting the spirituality and charism of each Order, Congregation, and Secular Institute.
• Establishing cooperation in the development of apostolic works professionally in accordance with the demands of the times while respecting the commitment of each Order, Congregation, and Secular Institute.
• Collaborating and networking among Orders, Congregations, and Secular Institutes to create new initiatives in response to the needs of the times while respecting the charism and spirituality of each member.

All General, Provincial, and Regional Leaders of both Orders and Women's Congregations residing in Indonesia and recognized by the Holy See or the Diocese.

All Leaders of Women's Secular Institutes residing in Indonesia and recognized by the Holy See or the Diocese.

1. The Executive Board consists of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and at least two members.
2. The term of office for the board members is 3 years, starting from the time of their election at the IBSI Plenary Session.
3. Election of the Executive Board

• The Executive Board is elected by the members of IBSI during the IBSI Plenary Session.
• The Executive Board is elected from members who are still serving as General Leaders.
• The Provinces and Regions must have at least two years remaining in their term.

The method of election:

• Each member selects six names that are nominated.
• From the 12 (twelve) names, the person with the highest relative votes will be selected as the Chairperson of IBSI.
• Out of the 11 (eleven) candidates, six will be selected as potential members of the Koptari Executive, with two of them coming from outside Java.
• Out of the 7 votes, Koptari will select 4 members from the 6 IBSI candidates.
• If the session decides that the number of IBSI Executive Board members should be more than two (see Article 4.1), then from the 8 individuals who have not been selected as KOPTARI members or Chairperson of IBSI, more than five people will be chosen as members of the IBSI Executive Board.

4. In addition to the chairperson, other positions within the IBSI Executive Board will be determined based on the agreement of the newly elected IBSI Executive Board.

1. The duties and authority of the Executive Board:

• Developing a work program in accordance with the objectives and purposes of IBSI, as well as the recommendations of the IBSI and Koptari sessions.
• Approving the annual budget submitted by the treasurer.
• Preparing and organizing the IBSI Plenary Session.
• Making changes or revisions to the IBSI statutes if necessary, which will be approved during the IBSI Plenary Session.
• Responding to the activities of AMOR (Asian Major Organisation of Religious / Asia Oceania Meeting of Religious Women) and SEAMS (Southeast Asia Major Superiors).
• Establishing cooperation with Koptari and relevant institutions.
• Attending meetings of the Koptari Executive Board.
• Attending meetings of the IBSI Executive Board.

2. The duties and authority of the Chairperson:

• Inviting and leading the board meetings.
• Signing important documents.
• Inviting and leading the IBSI Plenary Session mid-term, and providing a report of accountability.
• Leading the IBSI Executive Board election session.
• Providing an accountability report during the IBSI Plenary Session.
• Attending invitations from Koptari and other invitations.
• Providing a report during the annual meeting of the Koptari Executive Board.
• Inviting a special session when necessary.

3. The duties and authority of the Vice Chairperson:

• Accompanying, representing, and collaborating with the Chairperson in carrying out their duties.
• Replacing the Chairperson in carrying out their duties when the Chairperson is unavailable.
• Attending the Mid-Term Plenary Session and the IBSI Plenary Session.
• Attending invitations to the Koptari Executive Board meetings.
• Attending meetings of the IBSI Executive Board.

4. The duties and authority of the Secretary:

• Acting as the Secretary of the IBSI Executive Board and the Secretary of the IBSI Plenary Session.
• Carrying out secretarial duties: preparing meeting minutes, correspondence, and organizing and storing documents.
• Attending meetings of the IBSI Executive Board.
• Attending meetings of the Koptari Executive Board.
• Receiving and forwarding decisions, recommendations, and information from the IBSI and Koptari Executive Boards to the IBSI members.

5. The duties and authority of the Treasurer:

• Preparing the annual budget (RAB) in collaboration with the Executive Board.
• Managing the finances.
• Collecting membership fees.
• Providing a report on income and expenses to the Plenary Session along with supporting data.
• Attending meetings of the IBSI Executive Board.

6. The duties and authority of the members of the Executive Board:

• Attending meetings of the IBSI Executive Board.
• Attending meetings of the Koptari Executive Board.
• Collaborating with other board members to implement the IBSI work program.

1. The Executive Board meetings are held at least once a year.
2. The Executive Board meeting is valid if attended by 2/3 of the board members.
3. Decisions are made through deliberation.

1. The IBSI Plenary Session is a plenary session attended by the Executive Board and all IBSI members.
2. Sidang Pleno IBSI dinyatakan sah bila paling sedikit dihadiri oleh 2/3 dari jumlah anggota.
3. Sidang Pleno diadakan dua kali dalam satu periode yaitu sidang tengah periode dan sindang pleno yang pelaksanaannya bersama dengan Sidang Pleno Koptari.
4. The plenary session, which is held together with the Koptari Plenary Session, is a deliberative session and an election session for the IBSI Executive Board and the Koptari Executive Board candidates.
5. Deliberative Plenary Session:

• Reviewing the activity reports and financial reports of the Executive Board.
• Ratifying the activity reports and financial reports of the Executive Board.
• Ratifying and recommending the results of the session to the new Executive Board.
• Approving and ratifying changes to the IBSI statutes, if deemed necessary.
• Ratification of decisions is carried out by acclamation.
• The decision of the session is considered valid if approved by more than half of the members present.

6. Election Plenary Session:

 The Election Plenary Session is conducted in accordance with Article 4 of these statutes.

7. Voting Rights:

• Each IBSI member has both active and passive voting rights.
• Each member is entitled to only one vote.
• Members who are unable to attend may delegate their vote to one of the board members with a power of attorney, and they will only have active voting rights.
• IBSI members who are already serving as part of the IBSI or Koptari Executive Board during the current year cannot be re-elected.